Course summary
Do you want to see your stories on stage? Are you fascinated by live theatre performance and the written word? With this BA Writing and Performance, you will investigate theatre as a live event, as dramatic text and in its historical contexts. Based in the heart of central London’s vibrant cultural scene, you will develop your skills as a writer and learn from the expertise of our award-winning staff. You will explore theatre histories and theories in depth, the ways in which it is possible to tell stories, and experiment with the relationship between creative and critical writing. You will get to grips with the craft of writing:
- poetry
- fiction
- drama
- for the screen.
- Our BA Writing and Performance is the only undergraduate evening study course in writing and performance in central London. It offers you multiple opportunities to originate creative work and a chance to gain specialist industry knowledge from guest speakers, including theatre artists, critics and funders.
- Birkbeck is located in the heart of literary London - in Bloomsbury, WC1 - and writers and academics maintain strong links with publishers, broadcasters and the creative industries. You could be studying in a building that was once home to Virginia Woolf and frequented by members of the Bloomsbury Group. The building houses our own creative hub which includes the Peltz Gallery, the Gordon Square Cinema and a theatre and performance space.
- You will be eligible to submit work to the annual Birkbeck creative writing journal, the Mechanics’ Institute Review, the Scratch Night as part of Birkbeck Arts Week, and to attend public events and performances curated by Birkbeck Centre for Contemporary Theatre.
- Birkbeck was ranked 2nd in the UK for its English Language and Literature research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.
- author
- journalist
- arts administrator
- charity officer
- theatre director
- higher education lecturer.
Modules
For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.
Assessment method
Assessment methods include research essays, research exercises, creative projects, group presentations, performance presentations, critical reflections on practical work, group vivas and individual vivas.
How to apply
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:
- Foundation
International applicants
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 48 points
We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.
Student Outcomes
There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
England | £9250 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
International | £17620 | 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
Provider information
Birkbeck, University of London
Malet Street
Bloomsbury
London
WC1E 7HX
Course contact details
Visit our course pageBirkbeck Student Advice Service
0203 907 0700