BA

Education / Drama and Theatre

BA Education / Drama and Theatre Code WX43 Attend an Open Day Attend an Open Day

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Our Joint Honours in Education and Drama and Theatre is your opportunity to improve your critical faculties through the study of literary and dramatic texts, gain some practical experience of theatre-making and develop a critical and reflective understanding of learning and Education. On successful completion of this degree, students are eligible to apply for Post Graduate teacher training (PGCE) in Primary or Secondary education.

Course Overview

Why study BA Education / Drama and Theatre at Aberystwyth University?

  • It will give you an opportunity to explore core Education modules and combine the theory and practical elements of Drama and Theatre.
  • It is taught by professionals including theatre-makers and former teachers, as well as by leading researchers in the field.
  • You will have opportunities to improve your ability to work with others.
  • You will learn in an exceptional environment where there are state-of-the-art facilities.
  • The BBC Wales local studios are based in the heart of the Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies.
  • You will benefit from the department's solid connections with the Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre Wales, Music Theatre Wales, Quarantine, Imitating the Dog and the Magdalena Project.
  • One of the largest Arts Centres in the UK is located on campus - the Aberystwyth Arts Centre
  • You will be able to take advantage of exciting exchange opportunities within Europe and internationally.
Our Staff

Undergraduate lecturers in the School of Education are either qualified to PhD standard or are experienced practitioners in their field. All teaching staff currently possess, or are working towards, a recognised teaching qualification.

All academic staff at the Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies are research active and/or involved in Knowledge Transfer projects and have either relevant academic qualifications at doctoral level or equivalent professional experience and expertise.

Modules September start - 2025

Please note: The modules listed below are those currently intended for delivery during the next academic year and may be subject to change. They are included here to give an indication of how the course is structured.

Core

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Children's Development and Learning * ED14520 20
Partnerships in Principle and Practice * ED14420 20
Theatre in Context 1 TP11020 20
Theatre in Context 2 TP11320 20

Options

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Health and Wellbeing in the Early Years ED14620 20
Key Skills for University ED13620 20
Language Development ED14320 20
Play and Learning:Theory and Practice ED13720 20
Site-Specific Performance Project TP11420 20
Studio Theatre Project TP11120 20
Body, Voice, Expression. TP10220 20
Body, Voice, Perception TP10120 20

Core

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Assessment and Education * ED30120 20

Options

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Children's Rights ED30620 20
Communication ED34720 20
Contemporary Drama TP30020 20
Emotional and Social Development ED34820 20
Major dissertation ED33640 40
Mathematical Development in the Early Years ED30320 20
Musical Theatre Dramaturgies TP39020 20
Performance and Architecture TP33420 20
Performance and Disability TP30320 20
Place, Space and Landscape TP32820 20
Special Educational Needs ED30420 20
Ensemble Performance Project TP35520 20
Independent Research Project TP36040 40
Playwriting TP33340 40

* Also available partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh

Careers

What career prospects exist for an Education with Drama and Theatre graduate?

On completion of this degree, you will be a strong candidate for these following sectors:

  • broadcasting
  • teaching and education (including SEN)
  • social care
  • nursing
  • speech therapy
  • social work
  • performing arts education
  • journalism
  • marketing and communications
  • local government
  • arts administration.

Employability is embedded across our teaching and throughout your degree you will be equipped with the essential skills that employers are seeking.

Transferable Skills

Studying for a degree in Education and Drama and Theatre studies will equip you with a range of transferable skills which are highly valued by employers. These include:

  • the ability to express ideas and communicate information in a clear and structured manner, in both written and oral form
  • effective problem-solving and creative thinking skills
  • the ability to work independently
  • time-management and organisational skills, including the ability to meet deadlines
  • the ability to express ideas and communicate information in a clear and structured manner, in both written and oral form
  • self-motivation and self-reliance
  • team-working, with the ability to discuss concepts in groups, accommodating different ideas and reaching agreement
  • research skills.

What work experience opportunities exist whilst studying? 

Click here to find out about the various opportunities that our Aberystwyth University Careers team offer. 

Enhance your employability prospects with GO Wales and YES (Year in Employment Scheme) managed by our Careers department. 

Academic Employability Coordinator 

From Year One developing your employability is our priority and to ensure we offer the right services we have a dedicated academic employability coordinator who liaises with our link careers adviser to tailor a package of careers education, employer exposure and individual departmental based support. This person liaises with the careers service and external organisations to make links and connections, which are fed through to students on a regular basis. These include opportunities for voluntary work and paid employment both during and after your studies. Departmentally you will have the opportunity to get involved in our annual student employability conference.

Student Mentoring Scheme

Our student mentoring scheme provides opportunities to both receive peer support but to also develop mentoring and coaching skills while supporting fellow students. This scheme is recognised by the University for its high skills value, and those who engage as mentors receive recognition on their graduate transcript. 

Teaching & Learning

What will I learn?

The breakdown below will provide you with an illustration of what you may study during the three-year programme.

In the first year you may explore:

  • policies and current issues in Education
  • child development
  • learning in young children
  • the study of theatre.

You will also take part in studio projects.

In the second year topics include:

  • the psychology of learning and thinking
  • modern European drama
  • the relationship of the theatre with contemporary society.

In the third year you may study:

  • how learning and skills are evaluated and assessed
  • theatre, gender and sexuality
  • politics surrounding theatre and drama.
  • play-writing.

You will also work on an independent research project.

How will I be taught?

This degree is delivered through the medium of lectures, seminars, workshops all of which are designed to stimulate your academic interests.

You will be assessed through essays, exams, oral presentations, practical and creative work. 

Student Testimonials

I simply love my course because the topics we discuss are interesting and relevant to the world of childhood. The lecturers are very passionate about the subject which is also reflected in the varied ways of which we are assessed - we even had the opportunity to design our own game! Much more hands-on and realistic when working with children than a dry exam! Overall, my confidence in a variety of topics and my abilities have been strengthened which is always a good thing in any career. I would definitely recommend the course and Aberystwyth University to anyone who is interested in working with children, and I can assure that you are given great support by staff in any kind of academic situation!

Caroline Korell

Typical Entry Requirements

UCAS Tariff 120 - 96

A Levels BBB-CCC

GCSE requirements (minimum grade C/4):
English or Welsh

BTEC National Diploma:
DDM-MMM

International Baccalaureate:
30-26

European Baccalaureate:
75%-65% overall

English Language Requirements:
See our Undergraduate English Language Requirements for this course. Pre-sessional English Programmes are also available for students who do not meet our English Language Requirements.

Country Specific Entry Requirements:
International students whose qualification is not listed on this page, can check our Country Specific Entry Requirements for further information.

The University welcomes undergraduate applications from students studying the Access to Higher Education Diploma or T-level qualifications, provided that relevant subject content and learning outcomes are met. We are not able to accept Access to Higher Education Diplomas or T-levels as a general qualification for every undergraduate degree course.
Our inclusive admissions policy values breadth as well as depth of study. Applicants are selected on their own individual merits and offers can vary. If you would like to check the eligibility of your qualifications before submitting an application, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for advice and guidance.

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