Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Course summary
The BA (Hons) Writing for Performance prepares emerging writers to excel in professional settings. Whether it’s crafting your writing for plays, games, or podcasts, this programme empowers you to explore different narrative forms and build imaginative worlds. You’ll receive essential training in dramatic traditions and storytelling principles while improving your creative, critical, and career-oriented skills. Throughout the programme, you’ll learn from a wide range of world-leading artists, playwrights, and academics who will guide you in analysing texts, adapting performances, and exploring various writing techniques. You’ll have the opportunity to create original works both independently and collaboratively, whether for specific social contexts or in a writers’ room setting. You will explore how societal, political, and technological changes have influenced writing for performance in the past, how it shapes the present, and will continue to do so well into the future. Bringing your own lives and experiences to a diverse course community with access to industry experts and practical experiences such as workshops and placements, graduates from this course will be well-prepared to pursue vocational goals and help shape the future of writing in the arts. For further details on the course please visit https://www.cssd.ac.uk/courses/ba-writing-for-performance
Modules
Throughout the three years of study, you will encounter a wide range of learning and teaching styles and engage with learning through practical workshops and theatre making, as well as lectures and seminars. For detailed module information, see the Course Specification document, available under the 'Course Details' heading on the course page on Central's website: https://www.cssd.ac.uk/courses/writing-performance-ba
Assessment method
Assessment is carefully integrated into the experience of learning and you are encouraged to place your own experiences and practice at the heart of your studies. The assessment methods include presentations, practice, drama workshops, research projects, traditional essays, a dissertation and professional placement work, which is assessed by professionals working in the industry. For detailed assessment information, see the Course Specification document, available under the 'Course Details' heading on the course page on Central's website: http://www.cssd.ac.uk/course/drama-applied-theatre-and-education-ba-writing-for-performance
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
- Course code:
- W470
- Institution code:
- C35
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)
Please refer to guidance available at: https://www.cssd.ac.uk/student-transfer-procedures
International applicants
We welcome applications from international candidates. Applications must be made through the regular UCAS route. Applicants are welcome to attend an interview either in London or at one of our International Interview locations. In the past, International Interviews have been held in New York, San Francisco, Santiago, Singapore and Sydney. International Interview dates will be listed on Central's website once they are confirmed. Applicants who are unable to travel to one of our interview locations may undertake a Zoom 'Distance Interview'.
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 96 - 120 points
A level - CCC
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MMM
Access to HE Diploma
Scottish Higher - AAA
T Level - P
In all cases, grades alone will not determine whether an applicant may be offered a place. Offers are only made following successful interview. International qualifications and others not covered within the UCAS tariff can also be accepted. Please email [email protected] if you need further clarification. Please note that we make lower offers (including unconditional) to exceptional candidates and those who have alternative or prior experience to offer.
Additional entry requirements
Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
DBS information will be sent to accepted students in advance of enrolment.
Interview
In all cases, offers will only be made after successful interview. Candidates will be informed of the interview requirements in their invitation email.
Other
Please send a sample of academic writing completed within the last two years. This must be around two pages long; where possible this should be assessed work with the assessor’s comments made on the page. Choose work that covers a relevant topic, if you can, such as an essay about a play-text or a review you have written of a live theatre production. If you have not been in full- or part-time education for the last two years, and so do not have this, you will be asked to write about a topic set by the course team. Please also send an example of creative writing – if possible some dramatic or performance writing. This can be of any length, though we will only look at a short portion of anything that is longer than a couple of pages.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 7 | With no lower than 6.0 in an individual component (ie. Reading, Writing, Listening or Speaking). |
English language requirements are outlined on Central's website:
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| EU | £25200 | Year 1 |
| England | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
| International | £25200 | 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
Please note that the EU fee may not be applicable to students originating from an EU country who have settled/pre-settled status. Other criteria apply. See the gov.uk website for further details.
Students who are applying for an equivalent or lower level qualification (ELQ) to one they already possess, will be charged full fees, unless they are exempt. Please see the Office for Students' website for details.
Provider information
Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London
Embassy Theatre
Eton Avenue
Camden
NW3 3HY