If you are applying for this course from within the UK/EU, click apply now.
Course starts: 18 September 2023Apply now
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If you are applying for this course from within the UK/EU, click apply now.
Course starts: 18 September 2023Apply now
This is a four-year version of our popular BA (Hons) Performing Arts course, with an integrated foundation year. Learn to be a versatile performing artist. Personalise your studies to suit your evolving interests and aspirations. Become a confident, experienced, industry ready professional.
Study in a multidisciplinary way – which you will know is reflective of the industry. Experiment with new things, create a personal pathway with a focus on dance, drama or musical theatre or a mix of all three. Personalise your studies to suit your evolving interests and aspirations. Build the necessary skills to succeed in higher education, recognise your own strengths and idiosyncrasies and establish yourself as an employable practitioner.
Whether you wish to dance, act, devise, choreograph, teach or facilitate, this course will give you the skills, techniques, confidence and experience to be industry ready. You will develop as a creative and versatile individual; we want you to graduate with the best opportunities possible that will prepare you for a successful career in the performing arts world.
In the foundation year – you will study five modules; a module about the foundations of art, design, performance and media production, an essential study skills module, a foundation project module, practical numeracy skills, and an introduction to creative practice module. After completion of this foundation year, you will then move onto the BSc (Hons) Performing Arts course.
Teaching is largely studio-based with supporting lectures, seminars, workshop discussions and independent learning. All modules integrate theory and practice; tasks and problem-solving which engage you in interactive learning.
Assessments are often practical or performance-based and also include presentations, workshops, essays and e-portfolios. We provide regular feedback to help you to develop your work.
The first year provides you with a solid base with a range of diverse learning experiences. As you move through the course, you have a choice of modules and opportunity to undertake a placement.
Whatever your route, you will perform at a range of venues and in professional theatres including Arts Centre Washington and The Customs House, South Shields.
We don’t currently display entry requirements for United States. Please contact the Student Admin team on studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk or 0191 515 3154.
Entry requirements are provided for guidance only and we may offer you an entrance interview which will help us determine your eligibility for your chosen degree. This enables us to consider making you an offer if you are perhaps a mature student who has been out of education for a period of time, or you have gained significant knowledge and skills through employment rather than traditional education.
Eligible entry qualifications:
1. Normally a minimum of three Level 2 qualifications (NVQ, GCSE or equivalent), including Maths and English at grade C or above** and a minimum of 40 UCAS tariff points from Level 3 qualifications (e.g. A or AS Levels, T Levels, BTEC certificates/diplomas, access courses or equivalent)
OR
2. Demonstrable evidence of appropriate knowledge and skills acquired from at least three years of post-school work experience.
If you are unsure of whether you think you might be suitable for the course, please contact us!
** If you have studied for a GCSE which has a numerical grade then you will need to achieve a grade 4 or above. Equivalent alternative qualifications are also accepted, such as Level 2 Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number. If you have not achieved a grade C in Maths and English we may be able to work with you to ensure that you are able to gain these in the first year of the course, depending on your experience.
If English is not your first language, please see our English language requirements.
The annual fee for this course is £9,250 if you are from the UK/Ireland/EU settled/pre-settled.
If you are a full-time UK/Irish/EU settled/EU pre-settled student you may be eligible to receive financial support to cover your fees for the full four years. UK and EU settled students may also be eligible to receive a maintenance loan.
Please note, this course is not available to international students.
Learn more about settled status, pre-settled status, special discounts, visa requirements and Common Travel Area (CTA) agreements for the Republic of Ireland applicants in our Help and Advice article.
Take a look at the Your Finances section to find out about the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.
This information was correct at the time of publication.
You will gain highly transferable skills in communication, presentation and collaboration with others. These skills, together with a track record of creativity and innovative thinking, provide a valuable advantage when it comes to applying for many different fields of employment.
This course prepares you for roles in the performing arts such as:
Our academic team have an extensive network of professional, educational and community contacts in the region. You will benefit from these in your negotiated projects, workshops and visits. Extracurricular classes are available throughout the year with a range of guest teachers, for example musical theatre repertoire with touring cast members, one to one vocal lessons, yoga, character development, street dance and harmony singing.
Where possible, we invite visiting companies and artists to the University. Examples include Opera North, South Paw Dance Theatre, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Rosie Kay Dance Company, Rambert Dance Company, Live Theatre Newcastle, Open Clasp, RashDash, Dramatrain, Geese Theatre Company, Bell and Bullock Circus Theatre, Dell A’Mimi Circus Training and The Stand Comedy. We also encourage visits to theatres, events and exhibitions.
Work by our students is hosted by venues such as The Customs House South Shields, National Glass Centre, Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens, Washington Arts Centre and The Empire Theatre. These venues also hold masterclasses led by visiting artists.
The independent study module allows you to take educational and professional opportunities as they arise. Examples include the production of a new play performed at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival and a cross-generational performance with a professional choreographer and dancers. Many projects are sited in schools and the wider community.
We also arrange end-of-year performances in a professional arts venue, working alongside schedulers, box office staff, technicians and professional performers. Your involvement in these performances develops skills in marketing, design and communication with venues.
All students studying on-campus undergraduate Performing Arts courses can take up a CV-enhancing work placement, a University-led industry initiative, or a professional and business development boot camp. By the term placement, we mean we are offering you a taste of the industry which might last anything from two days to four weeks on a part-time basis.
Creative Industries Week gives everyone in the Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries the opportunity to participate in a range of projects, workshops, talks, industry visits and career events. This exciting week encourages interdisciplinary working, broadens your experience, builds your confidence and helps develop your career path.
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