Skip to main content
Clearing

BA (Hons) Performing Arts with Integrated Foundation Year

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.

Apply nowRegister for Open Days
Performing Arts students on stage during a production of Little Shop of Horrors
UCAS codeW470
Duration4 years
Fee (UK)£9,790
LocationOn campus

Course summary

This course is all about creativity, performance, and discovering your unique strengths. With a mix of dance, drama, singing, and musical theatre, you can shape your studies around your interests. You'll develop the skills, techniques, and confidence needed to thrive in the performing arts industry.

Throughout the course, you’ll get hands-on experience through:

  • Exciting workshops
  • Masterclasses
  • Guest artist sessions
  • Trips to live performances.

You’ll also connect with industry professionals through our extensive network. Highlights include an intensive backstage experience at the Sunderland Empire. You'll also experience a packed programme of theatre-focused workshops. These include heels dance, stage combat, prop making, stage makeup, and showcase marketing.

You can boost your CV through:

  • Work placements
  • University-led projects
  • Business development boot camps.

Opportunities are available across education, community, and professional settings. You'll gain valuable real-world experience throughout your degree.

Specialist modules unlock a world of exciting opportunities, taking your skills far beyond the studio. These include:

  • Performing voice-over work for live television
  • Exploring motion capture technology
  • Touring primary schools with engaging interactive productions.

You'll gain hands-on experience in a variety of professional settings. Step onto unique stages such as the historic Beamish Museum and take part in large-scale musical productions. You'll also collaborate on creative projects that reach real audiences. Many modules are delivered in partnership with local schools and community organisations. This gives you the chance to inspire others and make a meaningful impact through the arts. You'll also build valuable industry connections along the way.

At the end of the year, you’ll perform in productions at professional arts venues. You'll gain experience on stage and in marketing, design, and event promotion. You'll work alongside industry experts.

By the time you graduate, you’ll be ready for a wide range of careers in the creative industries. These include performer, teacher, choreographer, producer, director, arts manager, and many more.

Why Sunderland for Performance

Integrated Foundation Year

This course is available with an Integrated Foundation Year, an extra year of your degree. This route offers a supportive way of transitioning into university study. It may be suitable for you if you:

  • Have valuable work or life experience but no formal qualifications
  • Are returning to education after a break
  • Want to change direction or explore a new career path
  • Have just missed the entry requirements for the three-year course.

We’re enhancing our Integrated Foundation Year to give you an even stronger start to your degree. The updated modules will align more with your chosen subject area. This will help you build the knowledge, confidence, and skills you need for your studies. We'll share full details soon and can't wait to tell you more.

Please note, this route isn’t available to international students.

Upon successful completion of the course, you’ll be eligible for Spotlight adult performer membership.

Spotlight logo(opens in new tab)

What you'll study

Many of our courses include a range of modules you can choose from. Some options may only be available if you’ve already studied specific modules. If you’re not sure what you need before picking a module, your course leader can help.

Undergraduate module credits should total 120 credits per academic year. If optional modules are available, choose an amount that totals 120 credits.

How you'll learn

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 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(opens in new tab).

Entry requirements

Fees and finance support

UK£9,790

Undergraduate fees are set according to rules from Government in line with forecast inflation. If you're a Home fee-paying student, the fee for your first year of study for 2026/27 will be £9,790. You'll pay tuition fees for every year of study. Fees may increase every year based on the Retail Price Index.

Check your fee status(opens in new tab).

See all course tuition fees.

Full-time UK/Irish/EU settled/EU pre-settled students may be eligible for financial support. This would cover your fees for the full four years. UK and EU settled students may also be eligible to receive a maintenance loan.

Apply now

UK Clearing applicants

Disclaimer

We want to make sure you have clear and accurate information about our courses. Our website always shows the latest updates. If you’ve applied and you're offered a place, we’ll contact you in writing if anything important changes.

For more information, view our programme specifications. These include course content, learning outcomes, and the skills you'll gain.

Discover Uni