Performing, composing, writing, debating – this course is geared towards the needs of the contemporary musician. There’s an emphasis on being able to thrive in different professional and industry contexts.
At Sussex, Music focuses on performance, composition and critical thinking. Designed to be expansive, this BA cuts across genres such as popular, classical, film, global and avant-garde. You’ll:
You’ll learn from composers, performers and musicologists. There’s an emphasis on creativity and challenging assumptions. Our faculty combine practical musicianship skills with performing and writing music, arranging and music history.
You’ll also benefit from our connections with local music organisations. These include Glyndebourne, the world-class opera venue in the Sussex Downs near Lewes, and The Rose Hill, an independent music venue and creative hub run by artists and musicians in Brighton.
Some of our recent graduates have been signed to labels, made the BBC Radio 6 Music A-list, toured professionally, played at SXSW, released albums or composed music for advertising. Others have gone on to record labels, to Nordoff Robbins music therapy, or to jobs in film and game composition.
Pursue your interests in theatre and performance, with the added benefit of studying a language.
Through a distinctive combination of practice and theory, you examine theatre’s historical, political and cultural contexts. You’ll discover how theatre has impacted on society and encourages new modes of thinking.
Alongside this, you’ll develop skills in theatre-making and performance analysis. You have the opportunity to use our versatile facilities, including the state-of-the-art Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts on campus.
Choose one language from Arabic, British Sign Language, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish, or you can choose to study English Language Teaching. The languages we offer can be studied at a variety of levels, depending on your chosen language.
BA Theatre is a unique conversion course that recognises your previous study or your work experience, enabling you to complete your BA degree in a year. As this course is taught entirely online, you can pursue your passion for theatre while working, performing or managing a household, fitting your studies around your daily routine.
As part of Guildford School of Acting (GSA), you’ll be inspired by passionate tutors and benefit from the School’s long-standing reputation as a world-class conservatoire.
Primarily a one-year course, our BA Theatre is delivered through online learning and is equivalent to Year 3 (FHEQ Level 6) of full-time study. The course includes three optional weekend tutorials, where you can join your tutors and other students for an intensive study and workshop experience.
Delivered by the renowned Guildford School of Acting, this course offers a range of modules that will integrate your professional experience with theory across a broad set of topics. These include:
- Contemporary performer training
- Political theatre
- Musical theatre
- Theories of performance
- A pathway module with choices of:
- Play writing
- Theatre design
- Choreography
- Musical theatre creation.
We’ll guide you to actively engage with relevant concepts, exploring the rich heritage of theatre from a critical, experiential and practical perspective.
Guildford School of Acting (GSA) is one of the world’s most successful conservatoires for musical theatre training. Our alumni have appeared in the West End, on Broadway and across the world.
Our courses are ranked 5th in the UK for drama and dance in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023, 6th in the UK for drama, dance and cinematic in the Complete University Guide 2023, and 7th in the UK for drama and dance in the Guardian University Guide 2023.
We provide you with personalised industry-focused instruction and education, within the discipline of an ensemble, to develop your skills and abilities in preparation for a successful and rewarding career in musical theatre.
Our BA (Hons) Actor-Musician course is run by Guildford School of Acting (GSA), one of the most highly regarded theatre schools in the UK. You’ll be taught by industry-leading professionals, and join a vibrant community of talented individuals.
We’ll develop your combined talents as an actor and a musician, including the versatility to work professionally as an actor or actor-musician in a wide range of theatrical contexts.
On our BA (Hons) Actor-Musician course, you’ll develop performance skills in acting, musicianship, dance, voice and singing, alongside essential critical and analytical work.
In your first year, you’ll strengthen core skills in acting, dance, singing, voice and music. With classes in all disciplines and project work on storytelling, ensemble work, modern text, screen acting and musical theatre.
In your second year, you’ll work on diverse texts, ranging from classical theatre to musical theatre, with musicianship skills integrated within all your studies. Voice, singing, music and dance skill classes continue and broaden the technical base of your training.
In your third year, you’ll work on three main projects: a play, a musical and a classical piece, alongside a showcase of your work, connecting you with casting directors and agents across the creative industries.
By developing your skills as an actor-musician, you’ll be able to take advantage of the ever-growing demand for versatile professional performers who can combine superb acting ability with a high standard of musicianship. Recent graduates have worked across a range of media including exciting projects with HBO, Netflix and also have worked in a wide range of theatre from Shakespeare through to musical theatre.
Training to become an actor is an intensive process which requires curiosity, courage and commitment. At Guildford School of Acting (GSA), we’ll help you develop your imagination, range, skills and technique. You’ll learn how to prepare for rehearsal, how to rehearse and how to use independent and proactive processes to achieve your best work possible for stage and screen.
Drawing on the teaching and practices of a range of practitioners - from Uta Hagen and Jacques LeCoq, to Rudolf Laban and Anne Bogart - our BA (Hons) Acting course will develop your imagination, your technique, your expressive and collaborative skills, and your creativity.
You’ll also take screen acting classes and complete film and radio projects that allow you to explore the processes needed in today’s recorded media.
You’ll attend classes and workshops with guest speakers to develop your professional network and employment opportunities. As you come to the end of your course, you’ll complete your transition to professional performer with an industry showcase for invited agents and industry guests.
Our Events and International Festivals Management degree offers a mix of academic learning and practical experience to help you develop your skills and prepare for a career in events.
This programme provides opportunities to build your knowledge and improve your professional talents. You will learn about Festivals, Sports Events, Meetings, Conferences, and Weddings. Our course aims to enhance your managerial understanding and help you work creatively and innovatively.
You will cover wide-ranging topics including the impacts of Events and Festivals and their legacies. You will also learn about stakeholder engagement, event operations, legacy planning, scoping, funding, and marketing. This will equip you to manage events effectively and understand the global events industry, its strategies, and destinations. You will also study issues related to sustainability.
Our course is 100% coursework, with no exams. This includes innovative industry assessments and events-based assessments. This approach ensures you gain direct experience in areas like event staging and production, event marketing and promotion, project management, safety and licensing, and strategic management.
By the end of the course, you will be well-prepared for a career in Event Management. You will also understand event finances and be ready to make a difference in local economies and community events. The skills and knowledge you gain will help you succeed in managing various types of events.
This degree is perfect for those passionate about events and looking to build a career in this exciting field.
Location: Cardiff
Our Creative Music Technology degree is designed to equip you with the artistic, technical, creative, and professional skills needed for a career in the music industries. This degree is highly practical and industry-focused, offering a multi-skilled approach that includes composition, analysis, recording, and production.
Throughout the course, you will develop your music production skills, learning how to convey personal expression and imagination in practical music-production. You will also gain expertise in recorded music and applied sound production. The project-based nature of the programme means you can tailor assignments to your own interests within the broad field of music technology and production.
The course covers a wide range of music technology techniques and resources, helping you to build an in-depth understanding of the field. You will enhance your enquiring, analytical, innovative, and creative approaches to the production and performance of music.
You will gain insight into the business and legal issues related to the successful application of music technology in the commercial environment. This includes learning how to generate and communicate original concepts that build on the knowledge gained in the taught sections of the programme.
Our degree provides state-of-the-art facilities and access to the latest music technology. You will work on projects that include sound design, electronic music, and experimental music, preparing you for a wide range of careers in the audio sector. The course also covers live performances, composing and performing, and sonic arts.
The practice-led course is designed to keep you engaged and excited about your studies. Our strong connections with the local music scene will provide you with plenty of opportunities to apply what you learn in real-world settings.
By the end of the course, you will have developed a comprehensive portfolio of work that showcases your skills and creativity. This will prepare you for employment in the music industry, further research, and continuing professional development. You will be well-equipped to contribute to the future sounds of the music world and excel in contemporary music technology practice.
