Final award	BA (Hons)
Intermediate awards available	Cert HE, Dip HE
UCAS code	W442
Details of professional body accreditation	Dance, Drama & Performance
Relevant QAA Benchmark statements	Dance, Drama and Performance (2007)
Date specification last up-dated	June 2012

Profile

The summary - UCAS programme profile

BANNER BOX:

A unique degree in Theatre within both a local and a global perspective.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

The minimum requirements for entry is 240 UCAS tariff points from: A/AS level (Including 2 A2 passes), GNVQ, AVCE, Scottish Highers, International Baccalaureate. European Baccalaureate, BTEC / SCOTEC Diploma or Relevant Access Course. Other qualifications, including overseas, may be considered. Applicants will be invited for interview and will be asked to participate in a drama workshop with other candidates.

We also welcome applicants from mature students who do not have formal qualifications but may have relevant experience. Students applying to this programme will be expected to demonstrate a specific interest in this area of study and should have a commitment to engaging with socially engaged and experimental approaches to theatre making.  

Overseas Qualifications

The number of overseas qualifications which are accepted for entry are too numerous to list, but you can get advice from the British Council or our admissions unit on 020 8223 2835. You must be able to understand and express yourself in both written and spoken English and some evidence e.g. For level 1 entry a TOEFL score of 550 or an IELTS score of 6.0 (no skill level below 5) would be required.

ABOUT THE PROGRAMME

What is Theatre Studies?

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

Theatre Studies at UEL offers a unique study into theatre, drama and socially engaged 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.

In September 2013 the Institute for the Performing Arts Development (IPAD) will move to the new University Square Stratford (USS) campus. IPAD has an entire floor dedicated to Performing Arts provision, including specialist teaching, rehearsal and performance spaces, multi-media labs, staff offices and meeting rooms. Currently, the programmes are based at Docklands Campus, although a significant amount of our teaching delivery occurs at Stratford Circus arts centre. 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.

The programme has been recently revalidated and it offers now an explicit participatory and public arts thread.

‘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. 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.

Programme structure

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 they 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

Core

• Study Skills
• World Theatre 1
• Making Performance
• Reading Performance
• Public Project 1

Optional

• Interdisciplinary Project
• University Wide Option

Level Two/Year Two

Core

• World Theatre 2
• Acting Processes
• University Wide Option
• Performing the Archive
• Theatre for Young Audiences
• Public Project 2

Optional

• Study Abroad
• Arts Management
• Contemporary Performance

 

Level Three/Year Three

Core

• Dissertation
• World Theatre 3
• Off the Page: Writing for Performance
• Performing Arts Placement

Optional

• Solo Performance
• Site-Specific Project

Learning environment

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.

Students have access to the excellent facilities at the Docklands Campus including 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.

Assessment

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.

Work experience/placement opportunities

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

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.

Added value

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.

IS THIS THE PROGRAMME FOR ME?

If you are interested in...

• 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
• A socially engaged, participatory approach to performance
• Developing excellent performance skills in a diverse and demanding urban setting

If you enjoy...

• 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

If you want...

• 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

Your future career

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, community performance and outreach, publicity, scriptwriting, film-making or further training in drama-related fields.

How we support you

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.

Bonus factors

• 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

Outcomes

Programme aims and learning outcomes

What is this programme designed to achieve?

This programme is designed to give you the opportunity to:

• provide students with knowledge of the role and functions of theatre and the theatrical form
• provide students with an understanding of the leading theories within Theatre Studies and to be able to critically evaluate the meanings of ‘performance’ and ‘theatre’
• provide students with an overview of ‘theatre’ in a global context
• complete an independent research project in ‘theatre’
• provide the opportunity to undertake a ‘professional’ work placement in a theatre or theatre-related institution
• study for a semester at an overseas institution

What will you learn?

Knowledge

• Detailed knowledge of theatre from around the world and its function in society
• Historical and intercultural understandings of the evolution of theatre
• The ability to apply theory to the analysis of cultural practices in a diverse range of community contexts

Thinking skills

• Skills of expression and analysis, synthesis and argument in assignments and in vocal and movement forms of expression
• Critical reflection skills through self, peer and group evaluations

Subject-Based Practical skills

• Skills in listening critically to others and evaluation of one’s own work and that of other students using a broad range of theoretical and practical frameworks.
• A high level of skill in performing, devising and practical work
• A high level of skill in the communication of ideas and concepts across different media, live and recorded

Skills for life and work (general skills)

• intellectual curiosity and the potential for continuing artistic and creative development
• high level of competence in performance-related ICT
• the ability to work independently and in combination with others, demonstrating skills in leadership, negotiation, listening, critical self-awareness, teamwork, organisation of self and others, decision making

Structure

The programme structure

This programme is part of a modular degree scheme. A typical full-time student will take six 20 credit modules per year. An honours degree student will complete six modules at level one, six at level 2 and six at level 3.

It is possible to bring together modules from one subject with modules from another to produce a combined programme. Subjects are offered in a variety of combinations:

• Single - 120 credits at levels one, two and three
• Major - 80 credits at levels one, two and three
• Joint - 60 credits at levels one, two and three
• Minor - 40 credits at levels one, two and three

Modules are defined as:

• Core - Must be taken
• Option - Select from a range of identified modules within the field
• University wide option - Select from a wide range of modules across the University

Credit rating

The overall credit-rating of this programme is 360 credits.

Typical duration

The expected duration of this programme is 3 years when attended in full-time mode or 5 years in part-time mode. It is possible to move from a full-time mode of study to a part-time mode of study and vice-versa, to accommodate any external factors such as financial constraints or domestic commitments. Many of our students make use of this flexibility and this may impact on the overall duration of their study period. Students undertaking this degree part-time must switch to full-time study for the semester of study at Columbia College, Chicago (at Level 2, semester B).

How the teaching year is divided

The teaching year begins in September and ends in June, but some programmes also allow students to join at the start of Semester B, in February. A student, normally registering for 6 modules in one year (3 modules in each Semester) would do so in a full-time attendance mode of study and a student registering for up to 4 modules in one year (2 modules in each Semester) would do so in part-time attendance mode of study.

February (semester B) starts are available for this programme.

What you will study when

The following are the core and optional requirements for the single, major, joint and minor routes for this programme:

LEVEL	TITLE	CREDITS	STATUS SINGLE	STATUS MAJOR	STATUS JOINT	STATUS MINOR
1a	World Theatre 1	20	Core	Core	Core	Core
1a	Study Skills	20	Core	Core	Option*	N/A
1a	Making Performance	20	Core	N/A	Option	N/A
1b	Reading Performance	20	Core	Core	Core	Core
1b	Public Project 1	20	Core	Core	Option	N/A
1b	Interdisciplinary Project	20	Option	N/A	Option	N/A
1b	University-wide option	20	Option	Option	Option	N/A
2a	World Theatre 2	20	Core	Core	Core &/or Core	Core
2a	Acting Process	20	Core	Core
2a	Contemporary Performance	20	Option	N/A	Option	N/A
2a	Arts Management	20	Option	N/A	Option	N/A
2b	Performing the Archive	20	Core	Option	Core &/or	Core &/or
2b	Theatre for Young Audiences	20	Core	Option	Core	Core
2b	Public Project 2	20	Core	Option	Option	N/A
3a	World Theatre 3	20	Core	Core	Core	Core
3a	Off the Page	20	Core	N/A	Core	N/A
3a	Dissertation	40	Core	Core	Option	N/A
3b	Solo Performance	20	Option	N/A	Option	Option
3b	Site-specific project	20	Option	N/A	Option	Option
3	Performing Arts Placement	20	Core	Core	Option*	N/A

The Skills Curriculum comprises three categories of modules to be included in each and every undergraduate programme of study: ‘skills for academic study’, ‘employability/professional practice’ and ‘research skills’. In Joint programmes of studies in Combined Honours students shall elect to take one of each category of module from one or other side of their programme of study, providing that one of each is included in the programme overall. The three (asterisked) ‘skills’ modules on the Theatre Studies programme are: Study Skills (level 1), Performing Arts Placement, and Dissertation (20 credit).

Requirements for gaining an award

In order to gain an honours degree you will need to obtain 360 credits including:

• A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level three or higher

In order to gain an ordinary degree you will need to obtain a minimum of 300 credits including:

• A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
• A minimum of 60 credits at level three or higher

In order to gain a Diploma of Higher Education you will need to obtain at least 240 credits including a minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher and 120 credits at level two or higher

In order to gain a Certificate of Higher Education you will need to obtain 120 credits at level one or higher.

In order to gain a Foundation Degree you will need to obtain a minimum of 240 credits including:

• A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher

(A foundation degree is linked to a named Honours degree onto which a student may progress after successful completion of the Foundation degree.)

Degree Classification

Where a student is eligible for an Honours degree, and has gained a minimum of 240 UEL credits at level 2 or level 3 on the programme, including a minimum of 120 UEL credits at level 3, the award classification is determined by calculating:

The arithmetic mean of the best 100 credits at level 3

×

2/3

+

The arithmetic mean of the next best 100 credits at levels 2 and/or 3

×

1/3

and applying the mark obtained as a percentage, with all decimals points rounded up to the nearest whole number, to the following classification

70% - 100%	First Class Honours
60% - 69%	Second Class Honours, First Division
50% - 59%	Second Class Honours, Second Division
40% - 49%	Third Class Honours
0% - 39%	Not passed

Assessment

Teaching, learning and assessment

Teaching and learning

Knowledge is developed through:

• Exploring creative possibilities through theatrical performance
• Learning about different modes and forms of theatre
• Engaging with the conventions and styles of different genres of theatre
• Developing a critical vocabulary through which to articulate an examination and evaluation of performance

Thinking skills are developed through:

• Drafting, editing, devising and rehearsal processes
• Reflecting on and evaluating one’s own creative production work
• Analysing and commenting on a wide variety of texts and performances
• Exploring the imaginative possibilities of language

Practical skills are developed through:

• Independent research, reading and writing
• Range of collaborative devising games
• An investigation into performative behaviour
• Drafting and editing processes
• Production work
• Collaborative research and communication skills

Skills for life and work (general skills) are developed through:

• Research into theatre
• Learning to structure time and plan ahead for seminars and assignments
• Being self-motivated and working independently
• Working in groups, discussing and carrying out projects with others
• Developing confidence in presentation skills

Assessment

Knowledge is assessed by

• Essays, commentaries and critical reflections
• Textual analysis
• Presentations
• Rehearsals
• Performances
• Contributions to discussions

Thinking skills are assessed by

• Essays, commentaries and critical reflections
• Creative writing
• Presentations
• Rehearsals
• Textual analysis
• Performances
• Contributions to discussions

Practical skills are assessed by

• Creative and critical writing
• Production work
• Presentations
• Devising processes
• Rehearsals
• Performances
• Group work

Skills for life and work (general skills) are assessed by

• Group work
• Presentations
• Written work

Quality

How we assure the quality of this programme

Before this programme started

Before this programme started our university checked that:

• there would be enough qualified staff to teach the programme;
• adequate resources would be in place;
• the overall aims and objectives were appropriate;
• the content of the programme met national benchmark requirements;
• the programme met any professional/statutory body requirements;
• the proposal met other internal quality criteria covering a range of issues such as admissions policy, teaching, learning and assessment strategy and student support mechanisms.

This is done through a process of programme approval which involves consulting academic experts including some subject specialists from other institutions.

How we monitor the quality of this programme

The quality of this programme is monitored each year through evaluating:

• external examiner reports (considering quality and standards);
• statistical information (considering issues such as the pass rate);
• student feedback.

Drawing on this and other information, programme teams undertake the annual Review and Enhancement Process which is co-ordinated at School level and includes student participation. The process is monitored by our university’s Quality Standing Committee.

Once every six years our university undertakes an in-depth review of the whole field. This is undertaken by a panel that includes at least two external subject specialists. The panel considers documents, looks at student work, speaks to current and former students and speaks to staff before drawing its conclusions. The result is a report highlighting good practice and identifying areas where action is needed.

The role of the programme committee

This programme has a programme committee comprising all relevant teaching staff, student representatives and others who make a contribution towards the effective operation of the programme (e.g. library/technician staff). The committee has responsibilities for the quality of the programme. It provides input into the operation of the Review and Enhancement Process and proposes changes to improve quality. The programme committee plays a critical role in our university's quality assurance procedures.

The role of external examiners

The standard of this programme is monitored by at least one external examiner. External examiners have two primary responsibilities:

• To ensure the standard of the programme;
• To ensure that justice is done to individual students.

External examiners fulfil these responsibilities in a variety of ways including:

• Approving exam papers/assignments;
• Attending assessment boards;
• Reviewing samples of student work and moderating marks;
• Ensuring that regulations are followed;
• Providing feedback to our university through an annual report that enables us to make improvements for the future.

Listening to the views of students

The following methods for gaining student feedback are used on this programme:

• Module evaluations
• Student representation on programme committees
• Student/Staff consultative committee

Students are notified of the action taken through:

• circulating the minutes of the programme committee
• providing details on the programme notice board

Listening to the views of others

The following methods are used for gaining the views of other interested parties:

• Annual student satisfaction questionnaire
• Questionnaires to former student
• Questionnaires to target programme leaders

Further Information

Where you can find further information

Further information about this programme, and the Undergraduate programmes which are part of the Extended degree, is available from:

• The UEL web site (http://www.uel.ac.uk)
• School Web Pages http://www.uel.ac.uk/hss
• Stratford Circus http://www.stratfordcircus.com
• The programme handbook (give web-site where available)
• Module study guides (give web-site where available)
• UEL Manual of General Regulations and Policies http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/
• UEL Quality Manual http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/
• Regulations for the Academic Framework http://www.uel.ac.uk/academicframework/
• UEL Guide to Undergraduate Programmes
• Visit our gallery of student work here: http://www.uel.ac.uk/adi/showcase/studentwork/