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Performing Arts

BA (Hons) Theatre and Performance (Top-up) (Full-time) – 2025 Entry

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This degree is designed for students who have already completed a relevant level 5 qualification in a related subject including University Centre St Helens’ FdA Theatre and Performance.

This highly practical degree aims to develop students as professional, self-reflecting individuals, with a strong emphasis on individuality and creativity. The degree is suited to actors, directors, creators and physical performers who are driven to explore innovative, and at times challenging, theatre-making and performance.

Students will develop the skills and attributes needed to devise original creative works in the area of contemporary theatre practices.

Take a look at our dedicated Instagram account for degree-related news, performances and much more: www.instagram.com/ucshtheatreperformance.

More information

The course will start in September and will take one year, full-time to complete.

This course will take place at our Town Centre Campus, Water Street, St Helens, WA10 1PP.

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For 2025 entry, you will need 240 Credits.

Some typical examples of how you can achieve 240 Credits are detailed below:

  • FdA Theatre and Performance, or;
  • an equivalent related FdA qualification from another institution, or;
  • HND Performing Arts (with equivalent units, which meet prior learning requirements for year 3 study)

Prior Learning and Experience

University Centre St Helens welcomes applications from mature students (aged 21+) and students from a varied range of backgrounds and experience. Offers of a place on the degree will not be based solely upon academic qualifications alone and related skills gained in the workplace will also be considered.

Additional Entry Requirements

We are looking for applicants who are fully committed, highly motivated and have a genuine passion for theatre and performance. All suitable candidates will be invited to attend an audition and interview. They will also need to provide a full transcript of completed modules/units, which will enable a mapping exercise to be undertaken against our FdA Theatre and Performance learning aims. This will ensure all applicants have the prior learning required for year 3 (level 6) study.

Your interview is designed to be an informal meeting and will also provide an opportunity for you to discuss and explore your career interests with the Programme Leader.

Information for International Applicants

If you are a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national, you may need to apply for a Tier 4 visa in order to enter and study in the UK. However, please note that University Centre St Helens does not hold a Tier 4 Sponsor Licence to support student visa applications.

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Approved By: University of Central Lancashire Logo
UCAS Code: W441
Institution Code: S51
Programme Specification: View Programme Specification here.
Programme Handbook: Coming Soon
ProgrammeLeader: Rebekka Jolley rjolley@sthelens.ac.uk
Contemporary Theatre Performances – 40 Credits
Performance as Research Project – 20 Credits
Live Brief: Platforms and Events – 20 Credits
Networking and Professional Preparation – 20 Credits
The Creative Performer 3: The Solo Performer – 20 Credits

Our modern and multifunctional theatre is located at the St Helens Town Centre Campus, and you will benefit from the latest learning resources, rehearsal studios and other facilities.

Study at this level is largely student-directed, consisting of tutorials, presentations, devising and performance workshops and showings of work-in-progress, culminating in a public performance of your final production. The honours route also consists of extended research in the form of a documented practice-based research project.

The majority of this degree is practical and performance-based, with a mix of solo and group work in several different potential formats. Reflection and analysis are also essential skills and will be assessed in a variety of potential ways such as presentation, written documentation, archive, and practical demonstration. There are no written examinations.

Additional Information

Graduation Ceremony

Celebrate your incredible achievements at our University Centre St Helens Graduation Ceremony. Join us alongside your family and friends for a day filled with pride, joy, and unforgettable moments. Discover all the details about this special event by visiting our dedicated page: www.sthelens.ac.uk/graduation.

University of Central Lancashire will also invite you along to join their celebratory day. To discover more about their Graduation Ceremony, visit Graduation www.uclan.ac.uk/graduation

Complaints

If you have a complaint, please submit this via our Informal Complaints Enquiry Form, by visiting www.sthelens.ac.uk/compliments-and-complaints. Alternatively, you can contact us on 01744 623129 and speak to our Customer Services Manager, or email complaints@sthelens.ac.uk.

For further information about our University Centre St Helens Policies and Procedures, such as the Admissions Policy, Complaints Procedure and Fees Policy, please visit our University Centre St Helens Policies and Procedures page.

For 2025 entry, tuition fees for full-time study are £8,250 per year.

Additional Costs

Course-Related Travel (Placements/Work Experience/Voluntary/Site Visits Variable dependent on the distance travelled and the method of transportation.As part of the community-based work, you may be required to complete a DBS check, which will cost around £44.
Equipment and Materials Core texts and reading lists should generally be available in the St Helens Town Centre Campus Library. However, students may prefer to buy their own copies. These can be purchased from any source and estimated cost is £50. Estimated cost is £20 per year for printed materials, if you chose to print posters etc. A list of University Centre St Helens’ printing costs can be found via www.sthelens.ac.uk/printroom. Estimated cost is £50 for ‘drama blacks’ clothing and footwearStudents also have the opportunity to purchase a University Centre St Helens Theatre and Performance branded hooded for £19.While not essential, it is strongly recommended that students buy a laptop or have access to a laptop. Estimated cost is £350 – £700.Students will provide their own day-to-day stationary items e.g., pens, pencils, notebooks.
Trips Estimated cost is £50 per year for various travel and entry costs to performances/shows, and students are strongly encouraged to attend as many live performances as possible.Estimated cost is £250 – £500 for a residential trip.
Volunteering Opportunities for Personal Development Variable depending on type of activity.

Subject to eligibility, students can apply for a tuition fee loan from Student Finance England to cover the full cost of tuition fees, which means you don’t have to pay anything upfront and there’s nothing to pay back until you’re qualified and earning over £481 a week, £2,083 a month or £25,000 a year. You may also be eligible to apply for additional funding to help with living costs. Visit our finance support page for more information.

Study Enhancement Gift

All new, first year (level 4), full-time undergraduates studying a qualifying Foundation Degree, Bachelor’s Degree or Higher National Diploma at University Centre St Helens, will receive a non-repayable Study Enhancement Gift up to the value of £400. This could be a specific gift, such as a laptop, or subject specific equipment, extra qualifications or trips and visits.

For more information, visit our study enhancement gift page.

Successful completion of this degree will provide you with a platform for employment in many different areas of the contemporary theatre industry. The degree is intentionally varied and flexible, in order to allow students to develop their individual career aspirations.

In recent years, graduates have progressed on to further study or professional work in community arts, acting, solo performance work, teaching, theatre production, comedy writing and touring theatre companies.

As a graduate, you have the opportunity to progress into a range of careers, such as:

  • Performer
  • Theatre Technician
  • Teacher (Further or Higher Education)
  • Theatre Maker
 
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