BA (Hons) Drama and Contemporary Performance at Manchester Metropolitan University

Programme overview

BA (Hons) Drama and Contemporary Performance is all about your development as a theatre artist, performer, thinker and professional, in a city with a vibrant theatre and performance scene. With a focus on cutting-edge contemporary performance and theatre, the course combines hands-on artistic practice with critical academic enquiry, drawing on established local, national and international networks. This course focusses on developing you as an informed and original maker of theatre, whether revisiting existing texts or exploring new forms and approaches.

What you will study

This course offers a structured yet creatively flexible journey, supporting your development into an independent, informed and confident contemporary theatre-maker. Across three years, you will develop from building core performance skills in voice, body and improvisation to exploring contemporary theatre practices and creating original work. Year 1 core: Performing, Critical Perspectives in Classical and Modern Theatre, Directed Project, An Introduction to Directing and Devising. Year 2 core: Performing and Acting, Critical Perspectives in Postmodern and Contemporary Theatre, Specialist Practice, Theatre Making. Year 3 core: Artist Project, Professional Practices, Final Project, Critical Practice in Contemporary Performance.

Career pathways

Designed with real-world relevance at its core, this programme prepares you for a wide range of careers across the creative industries. As one of our graduates you could go on to work as a: Theatre maker.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

GCE A levels - grades BCC or equivalent. Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma - grade DMM. Access to HE Diploma - Pass overall with a minimum 106 UCAS Tariff points. UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma - grade of Merit overall. OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - grade DMM. T level - We welcome applications from students undertaking T level qualifications. Eligible applicants will be asked to achieve a minimum overall grade of Merit as a condition of offer. IB Diploma - Pass overall with a minimum overall score of 26 or minimum 104 UCAS Tariff points from three Higher Level subjects. Other Level 3 qualifications equivalent to GCE A level are also considered. A maximum of three A level-equivalent qualifications will be accepted towards meeting the UCAS tariff requirement. AS levels, or qualifications equivalent to AS level, are not accepted. The Extended Project qualification (EPQ) may be accepted towards entry, in conjunction with two A-level equivalent qualifications. Please contact the University directly if you are unsure whether you meet the minimum entry requirements for the course. GCSE grade C/4 in English Language or equivalent, e.g. Pass in Level 2 Functional Skills English. IB: IB Diploma with minimum 26 points overall or 104 UCAS Tariff points from three Higher Level subjects. If you plan to meet the Level 2 course requirements through your IB Diploma you will need to achieve Higher Level 4 or Standard Level 5 in English. IELTS: 6.0 overall with no individual element below 5.5.

Domestic applicants: GBP 10,050 a year (2027/28). Standard UK and Channel Islands full-time fee for 2027/28 as stated on the course page Source

Intake: September 2027

Duration: 3 years full-time

Apply through the official page: https://www.ucas.com

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