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Theatre at University of Portsmouth - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 2026
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

University of Portsmouth has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Course summary

This is a Connected Degree Portsmouth is the only University in the UK with the flexibility to choose when to do an optional paid placement or self-employed year. Either take a placement in your third year, or finish your studies first and complete a placement in your fourth year. You can decide if and when to take a placement after you've started your course. Overview Do you love theatre? Do you want to learn how to make it, perform in it, and write about it? Then our BA (Hons) Theatre degree is the course for you. Collaborate with other students to deliver performance projects, ranging from mainstream popular practices to experimental, small-scale fringe work. Your learning of theatre-making and performance is grounded in research, so your creative practice is both entertaining and meaningful. During each year, you’ll have a balanced mix of practical and theoretical scholarly work and can work in various theatre industry positions besides acting and dramaturgy. These can include teaching, activism, marketing management, publishing, and customer service roles. At Portsmouth, studying Theatre empowers you to build your own career as a freelance theatre practitioner or in related careers—driven by the fervour of those who love the performing arts. Why study Theatre at Portsmouth?

  • Learn from experienced professionals and researchers and collaborate with your peers to create innovative and thought-provoking work
  • Gain a solid foundation in the fundamentals of theatre practice, including voice, movement, acting, and devising
  • Devise your performances in our flagship White Swan Studios and Portsmouth's Victorian theatre, New Theatre Royal
  • Develop your critical thinking and analytical skills through theoretical modules
  • Specialise in drama, musical theatre, or production in your second year
  • Work on a major project in your third year that will showcase your skills and knowledge in your chosen specialisation
  • Have the opportunity to perform your work in a public setting
  • Develop the skills you need to succeed in a range of careers in the theatre industry

Modules

Year 1 > Core modules in this year include: Devised Project – 20 credits - Making Theatre – 20 credits - Movement for Performance (Drama and Performance) – 20 credits - Performance - Criticism and Analysis – 20 credits - Performance and Society – 20 credits - Voice and the Actor – 20 credits There are no optional modules in this year. Year 2 > Core modules in this year include: - Critical Contexts – 20 credits - Performance Histories – 20 credits | Optional modules in this year include: - Art, Design, and Performance Study Exchange – 60 credits - Engaged Citizenship Through Interdisciplinary Practice – 20 credits - Modern Foreign Language – 20 credits - Musical Theatre and All That Jazz – 20 credits - Playwriting and Text for Performance – 20 credits - Political Performance – 20 credits - Theatre Skills – 20 credits - Professional Experience – 20 credits - Student Enterprise – 20 credits Sandwich year (optional) > Between your second and third years, you can study abroad, or do a paid or self-employed work placement. You'll get a taste of another culture or apply your knowledge and skills to professional practice—both of which will enrich your overall studying experience and CV. You'll have to take one of these optional modules to complete your sandwich year: - CCI Work Placement – Full Year (40 credits) - CCI Self-Employed Placement – Full Year (40 credits) - CCI Placement Plus – Full Year (40 credits) - Art, Design, and Performance Study Abroad – Full Year (120 credits) - Art, Design, and Performance Study Abroad – Half Year (60 credits) Year 3 > Core modules in this year include: - Alternative Theatres – 20 credits - Applied Theatre for Young Audiences – 20 credits - Forming a Company – 40 credits - Major Academic Project – 20 credits - Theatre Studies and Industries – 20 credits Optional modules in this year include: - Applied Theatre: Workshop Skills – 20 credits - Musical Theatre: Special Topic – 20 credits We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies. Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry and some optional modules may not run every year. If a module doesn’t run, we’ll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.

How to apply

29Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Please select a course option – you will then see the application code you need to use to apply for the course.

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)

We welcome applications for advanced entry. If you’d like to apply for advanced entry, you need to select the required year when you complete your UCAS application.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Additional entry requirements

Audition

All applicants will be asked to attend an on-campus workshop and interview or provide a video submission.

Interview

All applicants will be asked to attend an on-campus workshop and interview or provide a video submission.

Portfolio

All applicants will be asked to attend an on-campus workshop and interview or provide a video submission.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
Cambridge English AdvancedCambridge English: Advanced (CAE) (taken after January 2015). An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162.
Cambridge English ProficiencyCambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) (taken after January 2015). An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162.
PTE Academic62An overall score of 62 with a minimum of 59 in each skill.
TOEFL (iBT)7979 with a minimum of 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing.
Trinity ISEPassTrinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III with a Pass in all 4 components.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

EU £9535 Year 1
England £9535 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9535 Year 1
Scotland £9535 Year 1
Wales £9535 Year 1
Channel Islands £9535 Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9535 Year 1
International £17200 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Students who are resident in EU countries: please note that the net fee is inclusive of the Transition Scholarship Placement Year and Year abroad (at the time of publishing for 2025/26): UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £1,430 EU – £1,430 International (Non-EU) – £2,875. Fees are accurate at the time of publishing and are subject to change at any time without notice. Please check the course page on our website for the most up to date fee information All fees are subject to annual increase. For more information about fees, go to port.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/undergraduate-fees-and-student-finance/tuition-fees-living-costs-and-other-study-costs
Theatre at University of Portsmouth - UCAS