Theatre BA (Hons) – 2024 entry
Key information
Start date: September 2024
| Award | Course duration |
|---|---|
| BA (Hons) | 1 year |
Applications for this course will open in October 2023.
Why choose this course
BA Theatre is a unique conversion course that recognises your previous study or your work experience, enabling you to complete your BA degree in a year. As this course is taught entirely online, you can pursue your passion for theatre while working, performing or managing a household, fitting your studies around your daily routine.
As part of Guildford School of Acting (GSA), you’ll be inspired by passionate tutors and benefit from the School’s long-standing reputation as a world-class conservatoire.
What you will study
Primarily a one-year course, our BA Theatre is delivered through online learning and is equivalent to Year 3 (FHEQ Level 6) of full-time study. The course includes three optional weekend tutorials, where you can join your tutors and other students for an intensive study and workshop experience.
Delivered by the renowned Guildford School of Acting, this course offers a range of modules that will integrate your professional experience with theory across a broad set of topics. These include:
- Contemporary performer training
- Political theatre
- Musical theatre
- Theories of performance
- A pathway module with choices of:
- Play writing
- Theatre design
- Choreography
- Musical theatre creation.
We’ll guide you to actively engage with relevant concepts, exploring the rich heritage of theatre from a critical, experiential and practical perspective.
Please be aware: the course content and modules listed for this course are subject to change for the 2023/24 academic year, whilst we undertake a curriculum design review. Please contact the programme leader if you have any queries about the course.
Professional recognition
BA (Hons) - Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre (CDMT)
Accredited by the Council for Dance Education and Training (CDET).
Careers and graduate prospects
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.
Whether you’re refocusing your career, wanting to pursue a master’s degree, or are seeking to further your own personal interest and development, our online learning theatre course will open doors to a variety of exciting careers and further study.
Many past graduates have progressed to further study, either at PGCE, MA or PhD level, or have gone on to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS Assessment only) and other subject-specialist teaching qualifications.
Graduates of this course work across the globe in leading drama schools, universities, schools, theatres and production companies, as well as performing in the West End and on screen.
Staff
This course is taught by academic staff from the Guildford School of Acting.
Accreditation
Academic year structure
At Guildford School of Acting (GSA), we deliver our provision across three teaching blocks, within the University of Surrey’s existing semester structure.
Modules
Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that modules may be subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.
The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff. Modules usually can be either 15, 30, 45 or 60, 75 and 120 credits, and additionally for some masters dissertations, 90 credits.
The structure of our programmes follow clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes.
Please note: The full module listing for the optional Professional Training placement part of your course can be viewed on the relevant programme specification.
Timetable
Timetabling works slightly differently for this course as it is taught through online distance learning. This means that you can fit your studies around your own work and home life, using our virtual learning environment to complete your modules. While this course is flexible, you will still need to meet deadlines as required. In addition to your online modules, you’ll also have the option of attending three weekend seminars at the University, which are held prior to the start of each term (dates to be confirmed). View our Code of practice for the scheduling of teaching and assessment (PDF).
Teaching
The course is primarily a one-year online learning course and equivalent to Year 3 (FHEQ Level 6) of full-time study.
We provide teaching and learning materials electronically through the University’s virtual learning environment, supported by three weekend seminars (held during September, January and March).
The first seminar weekend happens prior to the University-wide Welcome Week.
The three weekend seminars are solely for students on the conversion course and include core module presentations and lectures from members of GSA staff. You will also be given an induction to the Library and Learning Centre and seminars on research strategies, academic writing, style and referencing.
In addition to the three weekend seminars, you’ll have contact with GSA staff through email, seminars, lectures, vodcasts and podcasts. You will also have full access to the University of Surrey’s library services.
Study and assessment are made up of compulsory modules and a choice of final project for submission, including essays or a choice of creative assignments working on playwriting, choreography, theatre design or a musical theatre scenario.
There may be occasions when the delivery of your teaching is supported by graduate teaching assistants. The University has a set of procedures that govern the use of postgraduate research students in this way.
Assessment
We assess modules individually and award credits for the successful completion of each one. Assessment takes place through a combination of examination and/or coursework, practical examinations, and reports.
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Entry requirements
Prospective candidates are required to have successfully completed a three-year National Diploma at an accredited drama school or have significant industry experience and equivalent qualifications.
GCSE or equivalent: English language and mathematics at Grade C(4) (or equivalent).
International entry requirements by country
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each element.
View the other English language qualifications that we accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Selection process
Offers are made on the basis of the completed application form and audition/interview is not normally required.
Recognition of prior learning
We recognise that many students enter their higher education course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of professional, vocational and community contexts.
If this applies to you, the recognition of prior learning (RPL) process may allow you to join a course without the formal entry requirements or enter your course at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience.
There are restrictions on RPL a for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims. Please see the code of practice for recognition of prior learning and prior credit: taught programmes (PDF) for further information.
Please contact Admissions on +44 (0)1483 682222 with any queries.
Fees
The annual tuition fees for courses starting in September 2024
BA (Hons)
- UK
- To be confirmed
- Overseas
- To be confirmed
View a complete listing of all ongoing fees for our undergraduate courses.
- Fees for UK students: The University will apply annual regulated increases in the fee rates as set by Government each year, in order to maintain the same value in real terms.
- Fees for EU students: The UK is now no longer part of the EU, we are awaiting further instruction from the UK government and we will publish this as soon as it is provided. Find out more information about Studying in the UK and the Scholarships for EU students.
- Fees for international students: Annual fees will increase by 4% for each subsequent year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100, subject to any overriding applicable legislative requirements.
- Fees for international students with an integrated foundation year: The programme fee for Year 0 will match the lowest Year 1 overseas fee rate from across the substantive programmes for that year of entry. Students subsequently progressing into Year 1 will be liable for the same fee as overseas students joining at Year 1 for the same programme in that year. Annual fees after Year 1 will increase by 4% for each subsequent year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100, subject to any overriding applicable legislative requirements.
The University will assess your fee status. If you are unsure whether you are likely to be considered a home, EU or overseas student for fees purposes, the UKCISA website offers more information.
Payment schedule
- Students in receipt of a Tuition Fee Loan: will have their fees paid by the Student Loans Company in line with their schedule.
- International students, or UK/EU students who have not taken out a Tuition Fee Loan: are required to pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
- 50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be early October of each academic year)
- 50% in January of the same academic year.
The exact date(s) will be detailed on invoices. Students on certain part-time programmes, where fees are paid on a modular or stage basis, are not eligible to pay their fees by instalment.
If you are sponsored: you will provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of your study.
Additional costs
There are no associated costs with this course.
Optional expenses
Students are invited to attend three optional seminars that are held on campus and would therefore incur costs to stay and/or travel to Guildford. It is possible to access these seminars virtually.
You will be offered a week’s training in Stage Combat leading to Actors Combat Theatrical Training (ACTT) standard-level exam. Opportunities for advanced training may also be available to students. These are extra-curricular courses so additional charges apply.
All GSA students are encouraged to attend productions of their fellow students’ work to enrich their learning experience and give opportunities for critical analysis. These are public events for which students will be charged a reduced ticket price of £5. Some productions will be free to attend. Within an academic year a student might expect to attend around 25 productions.
These additional costs are accurate as of September 2022 and apply to the 2023 year of entry. Costs for 2024 entry will be published in September 2023.
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer of a place at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to comply with our policies and procedures, the student regulations , and our terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are provided in two stages: first when we make an offer and second when students who have accepted their offers register to study at the University. View our offer terms and conditions for the 2023/24 academic year and our registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2022/23 academic year as a guide as to what to expect.
Please note: our offer terms and conditions will generally be available in the September of the calendar year prior to the year in which you begin your studies. Our registration terms and conditions will vary to take into account specifics of your course and changes for the specific academic year.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us and before you accept an offer. Read our full disclaimer.
Contact details
University of Surrey Admissions
- Phone: +44 (0)1483 682222
Address
University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH