Theatre Studies is a relatively new academic discipline now offered in many universities around the world. This discipline supports the study and research of all subjects relating to theatre, including drama and performance. One of the essential questions that Theatre Studies asks is “what is theatre?” By addressing this question students engage in both a theoretical and practical understanding of the cultural significance of theatre, providing them with a sound foundation for a professional career in the theatre and performing arts industry.

Theatre Studies at UEL offers a unique study into theatre, drama and performance within both a local and a global context. The programme is developing strong links with local theatres, such as the Theatre Royal Stratford East and the Hackney Empire, while at the same time pursuing an unashamedly internationalist approach to the study of theatre and theatre practice.

The programme is delivered at the Docklands Campus and Stratford Circus – a purpose-built performance venue at the heart of Stratford’s new Cultural Quarter. This enables our students to work in a professional performance environment alongside theatre and dance companies within a range of modern rehearsal and performance spaces.

‘World Theatre’ forms an essential area of study at each level (or year) of the degree as students are encouraged to view the work of current practitioners by taking account of recent trends and developments in intercultural performance and performance theory. Both plays written in and translated into are studied on the programme and practical performances are built into modules over the three years of study where the focus is to embed contemporary approaches to theatre-making within students’ own performance work. While Theatre Studies at UEL takes account of the rich history of theatre and theatre-making, the emphasis of the programme, particularly with the practical modules, is on embedding current practice within an international context.

All students follow a core programme throughout the degree in World Theatre at each level. Practical performance is at the heart of the degree and in each year students will be involved in productions or performances as a result of the modules they follow. In the first year, students gain an introduction to world theatre and develop a range of critical skills that enable them to view performance and engage in argument at university level. Students are also introduced to two performance techniques for their assessed performances – storytelling and monologue. In the second year, students continue with skills development in both acting and devising theatre where the collaborative practices are developed towards making a whole-group performance piece. In the second semester, students are joined by students from Columbia College, Chicago where their continue in an exciting environment alongside their American counterparts. In the third year, students undertake an extended placement with a theatre company or arts organisation, develop a final piece of theatre practice for public performance and write a dissertation on an area of theatre studies of their choosing.

This Single Honours degree follows the modular structure common to all programmes at UEL. There is an optional semester abroad in the second year of the degree and the programme presents a balance between practical projects and theoretical analysis.

Level One/Year One

• Study Skills
• World Theatre 1
• Performance Lab
• Production Processes
• Anthropology of Carnival
• Interdisciplinary Project
• University Wide Option

Level Two/Year Two

• World Theatre 2
• Acting Processes
• Arts Management
• Contemporary Performance: Drama
• University Wide Option
• Performing the Archive
• Theatre for Children
• University Wide Option
• Study Abroad

Level Three/Year Three

• Thesis/Project or short Dissertation
• World Theatre 3
• Off the Page: Writing for Performance
• Performing Arts Placement
• Solo Performance

This programme is taught through practical workshops, seminars and lectures. East London is a rich source of theatre and seeing productions locally and in the centre of London forms an essential part of study as does the involvement of professional companies and theatre practitioners in the degree. Our pioneering exchange scheme offers students the opportunity to work alongside students from the USA and embraces our internationalist perspective on theatre.

The programme is taught at the Docklands Campus and Stratford Circus, a working arts venue. Students have access to the excellent facilities at the Docklands Campus including a newly converted Docklands Theatre, the fully equipped Multimedia Production Centre with three digital recording studios, specialist Macintosh labs and the Learning Resource Centre. Stratford Circus has three high quality performance and rehearsal spaces and is a major regional centre for music, dance and theatre of all kinds. All sites are fully accessible to people with disabilities.

Visiting theatre practitioners are an integral part of the programme delivery.

Approximately 50% of the programme is assessed through practical rehearsals, presentations and performances. The remainder is assessed through essays and workbooks/study journals reflecting on a critical understanding of theatre studies and its application to performance. Second and third-year module grades contribute to final degree award classification.

The final year of the programme contains a compulsory written dissertation and a placement in a theatre or arts institution. A wide range of assessment methods have been incorporated to meet all students’ needs. Approximately 50% of the programme is assessed in a production mode, to include performance activity, presentations and individual contributions to group projects. Critical and evaluative skills are assessed through essays, journals, portfolios of work and presentations.

All students will undertake a work placement in the third year of the degree. In addition to this, there are numerous opportunities for students to work with professional artists and in professional settings throughout the programme. Through our links with partner arts organisations we are able to broker placements and internships with a wide range of organisations.

Project work forms an important part of the programme. Many of the modules are practical in nature and the teaching takes the form of lecture, seminar and practical, studio-based workshops. Students are also expected to engage in a wide range of research-based personal assignments.

The Theatre Studies programme is delivered in collaboration with a number of partners working in the profession such as the Hackney Empire and the London International Festival of Theatre. Students not only benefit from the input of arts practitioners on the programme but also from studying theatre in a working venue – Stratford Circus. The semester abroad in the second of year of study provides students with a unique experience that will enhance their study of theatre in the UK on their return.

• Theatre, acting and performance
• Theatre from around the world
• Studying in one of the global centres of the cultural industries
• Working in diverse community contexts
• An interdisciplinary and experimental approach to performance
• Developing excellent performance skills in a diverse and demanding urban setting

• Looking at theatre in new ways
• Thinking about theatre from around the world
• Exploring new ways of thinking about and making theatre
• Producing, composing and recording new performances
• Acting and developing your skills in performance

• To sharpen your skills as a theatre practitioner
• To develop your knowledge and understanding of different cultures through a study of theatre
• To develop your ability to think critically, analyse arguments and write intelligently
• To study in a lively community of students

Theatre Studies graduates go on to employment in careers such as acting, teaching, TV/radio journalism, law, advertising, marketing, broadcasting, technical work, design, music, arts administration, publicity, scriptwriting, film-making or further training in drama-related fields.

All students are allocated a personal tutor throughout the programme. We also provide extensive support for students through residential/student finance advice/careers advice/study skills development/ and IT/learning resources. A wide variety of professional artists will be involved in the delivery of the programme. Skills labs and study support are available on the Docklands Campus. Students in receipt of Disabled Students’ Allowance are allocated a specialist Learning Support Assistant and additional ICT support dependent upon an assessment of their needs. The programme is connected to a network of professional artists, working theatres and organisations. Students are given support both prior to and during their semester abroad by both subject specialists and UEL’s International Office. While abroad, students will be assigned a link tutor in order to ensure they adjust to their new environment in a positive and productive way.

• Guest lectures from professional actors, directors and writers
• Tutors are practising professionals in their field
• Small student cohort; individual attention
• Location: modern new campus in East London and working arts venue