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
Develop your identity as a performance art maker and producer on a course which fosters independent and collaborative creative practice. By focusing on critical inquiry and experimentation with new methodologies, students develop new and challenging performance forms rooted in a rigorous engagement with the skills, theories and histories of theatre and other performance arts. This course’s integration of artistic development with performance and production skills prepares students to become independent practitioners and/or to work in key organisational, administrative and artistic positions across the arts. In the first two years, students take part in a programme that seeks to develop their practice in three key areas: text/theory, body/movement, and materials/technology. In the final year students choose an area of focus, which will be developed and contextualised within independent projects. The course is tailored towards the development of an individual creative identity in the context of collaborative work, where students undertake different roles and positions to challenge their own process and ways of working. This course leads to the qualification of BA (Hons) Contemporary Performance Practice. For more detailed information, to see what is covered in each year of the course and to view the Programme Specification document, click on the 'Course Details' heading on the following page of Central's website: https://www.cssd.ac.uk/courses/experimental-arts-and-performance-ba
Modules
Modules will explore a wide range of different vocabularies of experimental performance, grow your experience of performance at the intersection with other disciplines, explore materials in performance, and collectively curate and produce a festival. In their final year, students will explore different models of working, engage with questions of representation in and through performance, examine cultural infrastructures and consider the future of their practice. 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/experimental-arts-and-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: https://www.cssd.ac.uk/courses/experimental-arts-and-performance-ba
How to apply
31Jan
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:
- W440
- 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
Interview
Places on this course can only be offered after successful interview. We will contact you shortly after you have applied to confirm an interview date. You can view the interview requirements at the following page on our website: https://www.cssd.ac.uk/How-to-Apply/Undergraduate-Applications/interview-process-ba-contemporary-performance-practice
Other
A review you have written of a live theatre production — this should be an example of critical writing completed within the last few months. It must be no longer than one sheet of A4 and it should feature your analysis and evaluation of a live performance you attended as an audience member. You might like to choose work that covers a relevant topic, is made by a particular artist/company you admire or takes place in an unconventional venue. We would love to see some examples of creative work from you; this can be a piece of music you composed, a script or poem or creative text you wrote, photography or video work, drawings or sketches, an artist book, podcast - anything that has been a space for you to play and dream in! This does not have to be for school or for a public, it can just be something you did in your own time. You’re also welcome to showcase more than one, or share something short. If you can send this to us in advance, we’d be grateful. You can view the interview requirements at the following page on our website: https://www.cssd.ac.uk/How-to-Apply/Undergraduate-Applications/interview-process-ba-contemporary-performance-practice
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 |
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