Performing Arts BA (Hons)

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Learn to be a versatile performing artist. Personalise your studies between dance, drama, and musical theatre to suit your evolving interests and aspirations. Become a confident, experienced, industry-ready professional.

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Overview

Study in a multidisciplinary way, which you'll 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'll develop as a creative and versatile individual; we want you to graduate with the best opportunities possible that'll prepare you for a successful career in the performing arts world.

Successful completion of this course will qualify you for Spotlight adult performer membership.

Why us?

Our Drama, Dance and Cinematics courses are 1st in the north-east for student satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2025)
A musical theatre strand is embedded in the course – a popular choice among our students
Placement opportunities throughout the three years of study in both education and community add to the development of skills for a broad range of careers
Flexibility to create a pathway of study based on your areas of interest or career destination
We have a residency with Live Theatre. Emeritus Max Roberts joins us as a visiting professor, delivering industry-relevant modules and employability workshops, including sessions taught at Live Theatre

Our Drama and Dance courses are 10th in the UK (Guardian University Guide 2025)
Our BA (Hons) Performing Arts course has a 100% positivity score for how teaching staff make the subject engaging, how teaching staff support students' learning, and how well the course develops the knowledge and skills needed for the future (National Student Survey 2024)
Professional theatre venues used for assessments plus external opportunities to perform in professional productions. Previously, students have appeared in Cilla: The Musical, Evita, and have performed alongside Jack Whitehall
Successful completion of this course will qualify you for Spotlight adult performer membership

#WeAreCreativeIndustries

Course structure

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. You'll perform at a range of venues and in professional theatres, including The Fire Station.

Assessments are often practical or performance-based and also include presentations, workshops, essays, and e-portfolios. We provide regular feedback to help you develop your work.

Part-time study

If you study this course on a part-time basis, you'll typically complete 40-80 credits in a year, rather than the 120 credits of full-time students. All modules are taught during the day, and you'll be studying alongside full-time students.

Year 1 (national level 4):

Core modules:

Pantomine Production (30 credits)

Want to learn how a pantomime show comes together on stage and behind the scenes?

Dive into both performing and producing a pantomime. You’ll audition for roles, work as a team, and bring a fun, lively show to life. Along the way, you’ll explore acting, singing, dancing, puppetry, comedy, and even technical skills like costumes, sets, lighting, and marketing. You’ll rehearse and perform in a scripted pantomime while also helping create the costumes, sets, and props.

Digital Performance (30 credits)

Want to explore new ways of performing for digital audiences?

This module explores four exciting areas of performance: TV presenting, podcasting, voice-over, and motion capture.
You’ll take part in hands-on workshops that help you grow your skills and confidence and boost your chances of getting cast or hired in a range of creative roles.

Performance Showcase (30 credits)

Interested in becoming a stronger, more confident performer?

Build key skills like clear speech, expression, character work, movement, and stage presence. Learn how to use space, control your body, and respond to direction in creative ways.

Explore different ways of working, like scripts, choreography, tasks, and scores. You’ll also use videos, text, and research to help shape your performance.

TV Drama (30 credits)

Want to act in TV or film? Curious about how it all works behind the scenes?

Work with real scripts and film in a multi-camera studio. Boost your acting skills by learning how to prepare for scenes, take direction, and even direct yourself.

This module will help you build your confidence in front of the camera and better understand how TV scenes are filmed and how actors and crews work together. This will be rounded up by giving a short presentation about your experience and role in the performance.

Some modules have prerequisites. Read more about what this means in our Help and Advice article.

Year 2 (national level 5):

Core modules:

Space and Place (30 credits)

Get ready to perform outside of a traditional theatre.

Work with Beamish Museum to perform an abridged version of A Christmas Carol, focusing on acting in a real historical setting. You’ll also create a cabaret performance for a local bar, using humour, music, and ideas to entertain and make people think.

As a result, you'll build skills in voice, movement, and character while learning how to adapt to different spaces and audiences.

Creative Practices (30 credits)

Do you want to act, sing, dance and learn how to create each one from scratch? In this module, you'll work on three creative practices:

- Page to Stage – turn a play into a live performance and explore local theatre.
- Vocal Practices – break down songs and grow your singing skills.
- Choreographic Approaches – design your own dance using rhythm, space, and structure.

Creative Careers (Touring Theatre) (30 credits)

How can you use the arts to teach, inspire, and make change?

Explore how performance fits into real-world settings like schools, communities, and touring theatre. Research current trends in the performing arts and write a funding bid for a creative idea. You’ll also design and deliver a workshop, build your leadership and planning skills, and explore how performance can support education and community work.

Musical Theatre Ensemble (30 credits)

Do you want to perform in a full musical as part of the ensemble?

If so, you'll take part in a public performance and explore what makes successful, from cult favourites like The Rocky Horror Picture Show to long-running shows like Phantom of the Opera. You'll learn just how important the ensemble is to the magic of musical theatre.

Build your skills in acting, singing and movement through fun and challenging workshops. Gain experience preparing for auditions and learn what it means to work as a team on stage.

Final year (national level 6):

Core module:

Final Major Showcase (30 credits)

You can choose to be a creative leader, a performer, or someone who helps with staging. No matter what you pick, you’ll build skills like acting, directing, choreographing, and using lighting, props, and costumes in smart ways.

What role excites you the most? Are you ready to lead, perform, or design the show?

You’ll also research career options to help you plan your future after graduation. What kind of job do you see yourself doing in the arts?

This course helps you find your path and grow your talents. Ready to start your journey?

Musical Theatre (60 credits)

Ever wondered what it's like to create a full musical, from rehearsals to the final curtain call?

Get a chance to work as part of a production team to rehearse and perform a full musical for a live audience. You’ll take the lead in shaping your own role – as a performer and as a creative collaborator. Some rehearsals will be led by a director, and others will be run by you and your team, just like in a real theatre company.

Optional modules (choose one):

Film for Social Change (30 credits)

A rare opportunity to collaborate with Northumbria Police and produce an awareness and training film that addresses crime.

Learn how to act in front of the camera and explore business on screen, hitting a mark, audition techniques and reactions to camera. Analyse scenes from screen performances and explore the creation of meaning in performance.

Evaluate how performance and participatory filmmaking can aid social change.

Creative Enterprise (30 credits)

Where could your creative skills take you?

Gain an insight into today's creative industries, exploring new trends, ideas, and what professionals are getting up to.

Take on a project with real-world goals. This could be a creative company, school, or organisation. You’ll also build a digital CV or online portfolio to show your best work and help you stand out as a creative graduate.

Facilities

This course is based at the Priestman Building, the main base for art, design and performance on City Campus. The Priestman Building provides state-of-the-art teaching space and resources as part of a vibrant and creative learning environment.

Dance City and Live Theatre have studios just a stone’s throw from campus. With the city investing in culture, it’s an exciting time to become a performer in Sunderland.

Entry requirements

Our typical offer is:

Qualification	Minimum grade
High School Diploma along with one of the following at the required grade: SAT I and SAT II, ACT or Advanced Placement	GPA 3.0 or above and: Sat score of 1100/1600 from SATs AP (Grades 3+ in at least 2 subjects) ACT (score of 26+)

If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland. Find out more information and whether your course is eligible on our ONCAMPUS page.

If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk for further advice.

Our admissions policy uses a range of flexible options to support you in studying with us. This may include a reduced offer of up to 16 UCAS tariff points, (or equivalent). Find out if you are eligible.

If English isn't your first language, please see our English language requirements.

If you're studying an HND or Foundation Degree you may be able to enter the final year of our degree courses. For more information, please contact studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk.

Audition requirements

We'll ask you to prepare an audition piece lasting one minute. This should show your ability to not only perform with confidence but communicate with an audience. Previous applicants have auditioned with monologues, songs, or dances, so choose whichever you're most comfortable with. Please note, we're not looking for perfection, and we appreciate you’re still developing as a performer.

Interview requirements

You’ll also be invited to an informal interview. We’d like to hear about you, why you’re interested in studying with us, and tell you a bit more about our course and what makes us special.

Is your qualification not displaying here? For international qualifications, search our full list of international entry requirements for this course.

Fees and finance

The annual, full-time fee for this course is:

£9,535 if you are from the UK*/Europe
£16,500 if you are an international student

*Undergraduate fees are set according to rules from Government in line with forecast inflation. The fee for your first year of study for 2025/26 will be £9,535. You will pay tuition fees for every year of study. Fees may increase every year based on the Retail Price Index.

Tuition fees for part-time students are £7,145 per 90 credits. Please note that part-time courses are not available to international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK.

Read more about EU fees and funding in our Help and Advice article.

Take a look at the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.

This information was correct at the time of publication.

Students graduating at the Stadium of Light

Career ready

You'll 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.

Career options

This course prepares you for roles in the performing arts such as:

Performer
Teacher of dance/music/drama/musical theatre
Facilitator/corporate trainer
Entrepreneur in dance/music/drama/musical theatre
Producer/director/choreographer
Arts administrator/manager
Freelancer/self-employed in community arts education
Practitioner of arts therapy

Links and contacts

The academic team have an extensive network of professional, education, and community contacts in the region. You'll 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 Big Foot, Puppetship, Live Theatre, Mee Mee theatre, Tom Whaley, Bell and Bullock Circus, Dani Dee Drag Artist/Dancer, Charlie Richmond Tyne Theatre pantomime, and The Suggestibles improv comedy. We'll also take you to see lots of regional live work from big West End musicals to fringe productions.

Work by our students is hosted by venues such as The Fire Station, where masterclasses are also held and led by visiting artists.

Placements and projects

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 helps you develop 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're 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

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.

Meet the students

I’ve learned business, communication and teaching skills, as well as gaining links to agents.

Caitlin Robson
The best aspect is the variety of modules that each student can choose to develop their talent

Greg Christodoulou
The course allowed me to explore music, acting and dance and was predominantly practical.

Yahya Amoi

Related courses

Contact

Contact the Student Helpline for further information about studying at the University of Sunderland:

0191 515 3000

student.helpline@sunderland.ac.uk

View Programme Specifications for the Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries.

Page last updated: 04 July 2025

We aim to provide clear, accurate and timely information to prospective and current students. We continuously review and enhance course content in consultation with our students and the information provided on our website is the latest available. If you have received an offer from us to start a course, we will communicate any important changes to you in writing. We will always seek to ensure that our prospective students are fully aware of the basis on which they are accepting an offer.

Overview

Why us?

#WeAreCreativeIndustries

Course structure

Part-time study

Year 1 (national level 4):

Core modules:

Pantomine Production (30 credits)

Digital Performance (30 credits)

Performance Showcase (30 credits)

TV Drama (30 credits)

Year 2 (national level 5):

Core modules:

Space and Place (30 credits)

Creative Practices (30 credits)

Creative Careers (Touring Theatre) (30 credits)

Musical Theatre Ensemble (30 credits)

Final year (national level 6):

Core module:

Final Major Showcase (30 credits)

Musical Theatre (60 credits)

Optional modules (choose one):

Film for Social Change (30 credits)

Creative Enterprise (30 credits)

Facilities

Entry requirements

Audition requirements

Interview requirements

Fees and finance

Career ready

Career options

Links and contacts

Placements and projects

Creative Industries Week

Meet the students

Caitlin Robson

Greg Christodoulou

Yahya Amoi

Meet the team — BA (Hons) Performing Arts

Related courses

Contact