Theatre Production BA (Hons) – 2023 entry
Key information
Start date: September 2023
| Award | UCAS code | Course duration |
|---|---|---|
| BA (Hons) | UCAS: W450 | 3 years View KIS data set |
Apply for your chosen course online through UCAS, with the following course and institution codes.
| Course | UCAS code | Institution code |
|---|---|---|
| BA (Hons) | W450 | S85 |
Why choose this course
Our practice-based BA (Hons) Theatre Production course provides you with professional training in a wide range of production skills.
Guildford School of Acting (GSA) is one of the most highly regarded theatre schools in the UK. You will be joining a vibrant community of performers, performance makers, creative practitioners, and backstage technicians.
You’ll work in close collaboration with fellow students to deliver a variety of productions within our modern, large and well-equipped Ivy Arts Centre theatre.
We are ranked 5th in the UK for dance and drama in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023, 6th for drama, dance and cinematic in the Complete University Guide 2023, and 7th in the UK for drama and dance in the Guardian University Guide 2023.
What you will study
On our BA (Hons) Theatre Production course, you‘ll work on a variety of productions including plays, musicals, concerts, devised projects and events.
The course begins with a comprehensive introduction to all core subjects relating to professional theatre production. You’ll go on to build experience in a range of skills including sound, lighting, video, stage management, and construction and scenic arts.
As you progress through the course, you’ll be able to select one dedicated area for specialist development, eventually taking production-critical responsibility across a range of public performances within the University and at external venues.
Industry placement and professional development modules are also a core part of this course, and you’ll have the opportunity to present your work at a final-year showcase event.
Facilities
As a student at Guildford School of Acting (GSA) you will you’ll benefit from excellent facilities for production and performance work. We have three fully equipped theatres on campus and dedicated spaces for practical work in all backstage technical theatre arts disciplines. GSA’s studios also provide excellent facilities for rehearsal.
We have recently opened our brand new scenic studios, providing state of the art facilities for scenic construction, scenic art and prop-making.
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.
GSA’s theatre production graduates enjoy an impressive success rate in gaining employment in the industry. They have worked, or are currently working, on West End productions and major tours such as:
- Les Misérables
- Mary Poppins
- Hamilton
- Tina the Musical
- Six
- The Lion King.
Our alumni have also secured employment in numerous regional theatres, opera and ballet companies, arts venues, scenic construction and prop-making companies, corporate events and lighting, sound and video hire companies.
Over recent years, graduates have also attained management roles, including:
- Company Manager, West End shows and No 1 Tours
- Head of Technical and Production, Royal Albert Hall
- Technical Manager, Birmingham Symphony Hall
- Technical Director, ATG Theatres
- Lighting Technician, PRG Dubai
- Production Stage Manager, Matilda, UK tour.
Staff
This course is taught by academic staff from the Guildford School of Acting.
Accreditation
Academic year structure
The academic year is divided into two semesters of 15 weeks each. Each semester consists of a period of teaching, revision/directed learning and assessment.
The Guildford School of Acting (GSA) delivers its 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.
Timetables
Course timetables are normally available one month before the start of the semester. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday – Friday). Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities. View our Code of practice for the scheduling of teaching and assessment (PDF).
Teaching
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.
Check individual module information to see full details at a module level.
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
Do I meet the requirements for this course?
We require you to submit a full application so that we can formally assess whether you meet the criteria published. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide an outcome based on an enquiry (via email, webform enquiry, phone or live chat).
International entry requirements by country
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in each other 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
We make offers in terms of grades after a successful interview.
If you can demonstrate your ability to successfully complete the course you may be considered for a place irrespective of your academic background. We are unable to provide audition feedback.
Further information is on the GSA website.
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 2023
BA (Hons)
- UK
- £9,250
- Overseas
- £20,500
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 associated costs with this course:
- Production expenses: £200 approximately – toolkit
- Safety equipment and/or uniform: £80 approximately – show blacks and personal protective equipment (PPE).
Grand total: £280 approximately.
Optional expenses
During your time on the course, you may have the opportunity to go on an optional work placement, and therefore there may be associated costs depended on the nature of the particular placement. By way of a general guide, for the current optional work placement opportunities depending on the placement there could be an additional associated cost to students of between £0 and £800.
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.
Scholarships and bursaries
We're committed to making sure that we offer support for students who might need it.
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.
Course location and contact details
Campus location
Stag HillStag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
University of Surrey Admissions
- Phone: +44 (0)1483 682222
Address
University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH