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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.
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.
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'll perform at a range of venues and in professional theatres including The Fire Station.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The annual, full-time fee for this course is:
*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.
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.
This course prepares you for roles in the performing arts such as:
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.
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 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.
I’ve learned business, communication and teaching skills, as well as gaining links to agents.
The best aspect is the variety of modules that each student can choose to develop their talent
The course allowed me to explore music, acting and dance and was predominantly practical.
