Scenography and Theatre Design / Film and Television Studies

Why study Scenography & Theatre Design / Film & Television Studies at Aberystwyth?

• This course will enable you to explore a radical and innovative approach to theatre and performance design.
• You will be taught and mentored by a team of internationally known designers and experts. 
• We are a vibrant and creative department where drama and theatre, film and media, and scenography and theatre design collide.
• All students benefit from our complementary learning experiences where theory and practice are designed to feed into each other.
• As a department, students benefit from our connections with key industry partners, such as National Theatre Wales, Music Theatre Wales, Quarantine Theatre Company, and Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru. These creative partners provide an excellent opportunity to network and liaise with those in the industry before graduation. 
• Students in the department have access to our 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.
• On our campus and situated next door to the Arts Centre is one of the largest Arts Centres in Wales, which regularly presents national and international theatre and dance work.
• Aberystwyth University’s is known for having a large number of clubs and societies, so be assured that your time will be occupied with your studies and taking part in your chosen club / society's activities. The University has a large and energetic drama society, come and say hello during a visit to Aberystwyth. 

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 Scenography and Theatre Design / Film and Television Studies degree?

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

• Set, Costume, Lighting and Production Design
• Researchers, Editors, Floor Managers, Camera Operators, Designers and Directors for film and television production companies;
• Art Direction
• Freelance Film-making
• Costume Supervision
• Advertising
• Marketing, Digital Media Design and Public Relations.

What skills do I gain from this degree?

• Students in on this degree gain the following valuable skills that are sought after by employers. These include the ability to:
• Gather, assimilate and interpret intellectual and aesthetic material independently and critically
• Structure and communicate ideas efficiently and creatively through oral, written, visual and performative means to a range of audiences;
• Apply creative, imaginative and problem-solving skills in a variety of situations
• Work effectively in group settings to develop, rehearse and produce live and recorded 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 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. 

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:

• Core introductory modules in the history, theory and analysis of film and television products
• Practical skills through engaging with all stages of the media production process
• Contemporary approaches to studio-based scenographic design
• Key scenographic concepts, methodologies and approaches.

In your second year, you will explore:

• The four primary scenographic elements of space, light, sound and body
• Theories and practices of scenographic exploration
• Tools and methods for scenographic composition
• Skills in studio production, documentary filmmaking and writing for film, television and performance
• Optional modules which currently include Hollywood cinema, documentary film-making, art cinema, contemporary issues in digital culture, new media performance and design for full-scale theatre production.

In your final year, you will have the opportunity:

• To create advanced independent creative work that prepares you for professional practice
• To specialise in documentary production, fiction film, experimental media or scriptwriting and build advanced skills in this area
• To undertake a major research project and engage in advanced theoretical study
• To study specialist subject areas that deal with histories of technology, experimental film, cult cinema, television and society in the 20th Century, stardom, place, space and landscape, performance and politics, theatre, gender and sexuality, documentary theatre and contemporary British drama.

 How will I be taught?

• You will be taught through practical workshops, small-group seminars, lectures, screenings, technical demonstrations and group-based project work. The diversity of activity is essential part of our philosophy, and creates a uniquely exciting and productive learning environment.
• 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 performance projects, individual film and video projects, written essays, written and practical examinations, critical and creative portfolios, practical productions, production diaries and creative scriptwriting, reflective journals, 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.

Scenography and Theatre Design allows new, young and enthusiastic designers to take their first steps towards changing how the future is viewed. Endless opportunities to create and to challenge existing design ideologies are made available to students, allowing them to not only find the best outcome, but to discover the style of the designer they want to be. Design is everywhere. Whether a student wants to delve into the events industry, television, architecture or marketing, design is the strongest element that is required.
Tabitha Thomas

Film and Television Studies at Aberystwyth University is brilliant. The course has a great atmosphere which you can tell from how well-connected the students and lecturers are. The academic side of the course is illuminating, touching on a wide variety of topics and dealing with each of these in detail, which works well even for those students who want to focus more on the more practical modules. In addition the department provides plenty of opportunities for work experience as well as chances for students to hone their skills out of the classroom with departmental equipment. There is also a well-supported film society.
Joe Williams

Since graduating I have been living in London. I have worked for the multi award winning musical Wicked! at the Apollo Theatre, where I am both a Costume Assistant and Dresser. Aside from my work on Wicked! I freelance further as a Costume Assistant on a variety of theatre productions including The Railway Children (Waterloo Station) working closely with designers and costume supervisors to realise their work on stage. The flexibility and structure of the Scenography and Theatre Design degree combined with the expertise of the tutors means that not only do you feel you are getting a hand crafted, meaningful degree, but a course that teaches the skills and methodology you need to work in the industry. Aberystwyth University is an infectious place to study (and play!) with amazing staff, inspiring surroundings, endless opportunities and friends for life. I would certainly recommend it.
Ed Parry

What I love about Film and Television Studies is the variety of different areas I've had the opportunity to be a part of. Last year I would never have had the confidence or know-how to organise a production team, to make and market short films and to work in a 3 camera studio. What I wanted from Aberystwyth University were the skills to become a film-maker; what I got were practical skills, knowledge of academic debates, and contacts that have given me an insight into the film and television industry.
Peter Gosiewski