Drama and Theatre Studies (with integrated year in professional practice)

Why study Drama and Theatre Studies (with integrated year in professional practice) at Aberystwyth?

• This course is an opportunity to study a unique combination of theory and practice.

• Students on this course can take part in two performances or production projects each year of the course.

• There is three hours per week scheduled for dedicated performance training in the first year.

• You will be taught and mentored by excellent teaching staff who have a wealth of expertise in professional theatre-making.

• You will be part of a department that is creative and vibrant where drama, theatre, film, media, scenography and theatre design collide.

• The department has connections with key industry partners, such as National Theatre Wales, Music Theatre Wales, Quarantine Theatre Company, and Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru.

• All students have access to superb facilities and resources for practical work: three rehearsal studios, each with flexible technical facilities; 2 large professionally-equipped studios with digital lighting rigs controlled via ETC Congo and Strand Lighting consoles, Yamaha and Soundcraft PAs, Sanyo AV systems and Strand lighting and two NXAMP; and costume and wardrobe facilities.

Our Staff

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.

What can I do with a Drama and Theatre Studies degree?

One of our notable and esteemed alumni is Alex Jones who is currently the longest running female presenter on the One Show. During her time at Aberystwyth University, Alex Jones studied Drama and Theatre Studies.

Many of our students have been successful in obtaining employment in these fields:

• Acting and performing;

• Directing;

• Designing;

• Script writing;

• Teaching;

• Arts administration;

• Marketing;

• Management;

• Public Relations.

What skills do I gain from this degree?

Students in Drama and Theatre Studies gain the following valuable skills that are sought after by employers. Your year in professional practice will give you great insight into the industry and put you ahead of other likeminded graduates who may not have had the opportunity to undertake relevant work experience during the degree.  These include the ability to:

• Work effectively in group settings to develop, rehearse and produce live events;

• Apply creative, imaginative and problem-solving skills in a variety of situations;

• Research, evaluate and organise information;

• Structure and communicate ideas effectively in a variety of situations and using a variety of means;

• Work independently and with others;

• Effectively organise your time and deploy your skills;

• Listen to and make use of critical advice;

• Be self-motivated and self-disciplined;

• Use a range of information technology skills and resources;

• Be entrepreneurial in developing cultural projects.

What will I learn?

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

In your first year you will discover:

• Contemporary approaches to studio-based and site-based theatre-making;

• Key historical moments, practices and methods in drama and theatre;

• The analysis of drama, theatre and performance.

In your second year, you will explore:

• Contemporary theatre-making through practical, historical and theoretical approaches;

• Full-scale theatre production;

• Acting techniques for stage and screen;

• Directors' theatre and modern European drama;

• Shakespeare in performance;

• Theatre and contemporary society;

• New media performance.

In your third year you will undertake your year in professional practice.

In your final year, you will have the opportunity:

• To create independent creative work;

• To undertake a major research project and engage in advanced theoretical study;

• To extend your skills in ensemble and solo production projects;

• To develop your entrepreneurial skills in producing and curating cultural events;

• To write your own play script;

• To study specialist modules that may address: space, place and landscape, performance and philosophy, performance, politics and protest, theatre, gender and sexuality, performance and architecture, new music theatre, and contemporary British and Irish drama.

How will I be taught?

You will be taught through practical workshops, small-group seminars, lectures, production projects and group based project work.

Our teaching is frequently mixed-mode, interrogating theory through practical investigation and practice through the lens of various theoretical perspectives.

You will be assessed through formal and performed essays, written and practical examinations, critical and creative portfolios, practical productions, seminar presentations and group activities.

You will be assigned a personal tutor throughout your degree scheme, who will help you with any problems or queries, whether these are academic-related or personal issues. You are free to contact them at any time for help and advice.

Drama & Theatre Studies at Aberystwyth University is dynamic, challenging, engaging and exciting. It offers students a broad range of practical modules which take place in a controlled and encouraging environment. The facilities of the Parry Williams building are second to none and offer a chance to perform a range of theatrical concepts. The course offers theoretical modules which are also engaging and offer a deeper insight into the world around us and society's relationship with the arts. The most rewarding aspect of the academic modules is that you can transfer the skills learned from study to practical work. The theory work often enhances the skills on a practical level. Working together between practical and theoretical modules the course offers students many useful skills.

Daniel Andrew Radbourne

The wide range of module choices paired with the wide variety of drama societies means we can easily be prepared for any area of drama and theatre practice. The academic and practical elements are brilliant, allowing us to either focus on one or the other and/or ground ourselves in the theory in order to better our practical exploration. The staff are always friendly and enthusiastic, always encouraging us to do more and explore further.

Jemma Rowlston