This BA English Literature and Theatre degree enables you to explore a broad range of topics across English literature and theatre, as well as areas where the two subjects overlap.
You will be studying in two departments (English Literature; and Film, Theatre & Television) who collaborate with each other extensively. English Literature was one of the first university departments in the UK to study American and Canadian authors like Margaret Atwood, and we continue this tradition with a curriculum that includes the best of contemporary writing in English from around the globe. The Department of Film, Theatre & Television pioneered the study of film in UK higher education, and we continue to lead in the range and breadth of the modules we offer.
The theatre component of your degree focuses on performance, and so we investigate plays in a variety of settings. You will make regular trips to performances in Reading and London, and will investigate a range of contemporary practices including site specific work and examples of digital technologies in live performance. We study twentieth and twenty-first century dramatists, such as Caryl Churchill, Sarah Kane, and Samuel Beckett. Our teaching is a dynamic mix of theory and practice, and optional modules that include group-based practical projects are available for those who enjoy practice-based study.
We have state-of-the-art facilities, including three theatre spaces, a dedicated recording studio and a mixing suite. You will have access to a studio with a flexible lighting system, multi-camera facilities, a talk-back system and Chroma key and a studio gallery linked to the theatres for live filming and mixing work. We provide industry standard software and support from dedicated technicians, and all spaces are equipped with state-of-the-art multimedia equipment and lighting. Over 100 performances, films, and television programmes are created in the Department of Film, Theatre & Television each year, meaning that there are plenty of opportunities for you to develop your technical or performance skills on an extra-curricular basis.
In your English Literature modules, you will encounter authors and genres that you may already know (from tragedy to Gothic, from Shakespeare and Dickens to Plath and Beckett). You will also explore aspects of literary studies that may be less familiar to you, from children’s literature to publishing studies and the history of the book. Our lecturers and professors have published research on everything from medieval poetry to contemporary Caribbean and American fiction so you will be learning from experts in the field. Everyone in our departments, from new lecturers to professors, teaches at every level of the degree, so you are learning from experts as soon as you begin your first year. 96% of students agreed that our staff are good at explaining things in the Department of English Literature (The National Student Survey, 2021).
We place a strong emphasis on small-group learning within a friendly and supportive environment, because we believe that the study of literature and theatre is a discursive process where we learn by sharing ideas. We provide detailed and thorough feedback on your written work within 15 working days: this is crucial to your development as a writer, whether you intend a career in creative or professional writing.
Musical theatre dazzles, inspires and entertains us. But it’s not all about singalongs and dancing in the aisles, there is business behind the show.
Musicals exist as cultural artifacts that have been used to divert us from the pressures of the world and to confront social issues head-on using humour, passion, and pathos.
Does professional studio recording and sound design thrill you? Are you seeking to push audio boundaries, discover emerging musical trends or forge new collaborations with musicians and creative artists?
You can achieve all this and more on our Music and Sound Production programme, which is designed to provide you with an in-depth exploration of music and sound’s role in the convergent media industries of today enabling you to become the professional you want to be.
“Just Do it”, “Have a break, have a….”, “I’m lovin’ it”, “Because I’m worth it”, “Maybe she’s born with it, maybe it’s…”.
These powerful marketing campaigns are imprinted into today’s consumer psyche. So how do you make a product or service stand out in a global economy where consumers have more choice than ever?
Over the duration of your degree you will complete a carefully structured suite of modules that will arm you with highly sought after skills and knowledge to increase your employability within the dynamic and vibrant marketing industry.
“Just Do it”, “Have a break, have a….”, “I’m lovin’ it”, “Because I’m worth it”, “Maybe she’s born with it, maybe it’s…”.
These powerful marketing campaigns are imprinted into today’s consumer psyche. So how do you make a product or service stand out in a global economy where consumers have more choice than ever?
Whether you want to create the next gaming sensation, design innovative advertising campaigns, or craft immersive virtual reality experiences, this degree is your gateway to exciting opportunities in the ever-evolving digital design industry.
The course spans three enriching years and revolves around our well-equipped Digital Design Studio. Immerse yourself in an educational journey that bridges the gap between academia and the professional world. Our curriculum meticulously mirrors industry practices, ensuring you're at the helm of real-world design projects from day one, fostering hands-on, practical experience that bolsters your employability. With our cutting-edge technology resources, mixed and virtual reality headsets, 3D prototyping facilities, and our fully equipped Digital Design Lab, you'll propel your skills into the future.
Join a lively community of like-minded people to explore the full breadth of acting skills from singing to stage fighting.
It’s a competitive industry so you’ll need to be up for the challenge, but over three years you will get to enrich your imagination, build resilience and consolidate your own working methodology. In short, you’ll develop the artistic skills to forge a successful career as an actor.
