Drama bachelor

Bachelor's degree

In Manchester

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    Bachelor's degree

  • Location

    Manchester

  • Duration

    3 Years

  • Start date

    September


This programme has two main areas of emphasis, the first is Drama as a cultural process and artistic discourse. This provides the broad palette, which we aim to understand through the intellectual consideration of theoretical and dramatic texts, performance venues, and theatre, cinema and television events. The second area is Drama as practice. This forms an integral part of our academic study of the subject. We teach Drama as the product of varied practical artistic and craft skills. Our department differs from professional theatre training and the skill-oriented programmes of some colleges. Our practical work is intended to increase your understanding of how production and performance express cultural values, and what means are needed for that expression, rather than learning the skills as ends in themselves.

Flexible Honours
may allow...

Facilities

Location

Start date

Manchester (Greater Manchester)
See map
Oxford Road, M13 9PL

Start date

SeptemberEnrolment now open

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Subjects

  • English Language
  • Politics
  • English
  • Drama
  • Theatre
  • Radio
  • Art
  • University
  • Project
  • Writing
  • Music
  • History Politics
  • Humanities
  • Playwright
  • Production

Course programme


The aims of the course are to:
produce students capable of independently evaluating and engaging creatively and critically with performance and, as appropriate, being capable of developing technical and artistic skills, critical analysis and argument for themselves (DDP Benchmark p.7);
provide students with a knowledge and understanding and some experience of drama and performance as cultural process and artistic discourse, through the study of theatre and media history, text, dramatic theory and performance practice;
facilitate and support the development of students' learning skills, critical perception and dramatic imagination;
provide students with coherent programmes that reflect the diversity of expertise within, and available to, the Drama Department;
foster independent learning, evaluation and research;
foster a knowledge, understanding and, where appropriate, experience through outreach activities, of the contribution drama can make to the local community;
equip students with the necessary critical tools and relevant practice to begin to make a worthwhile contributions to contemporary theatre, film, television or related fields.
Students may apply to spend one semester studying abroad during the second year of their degree. Drama has existing exchange partnerships with universities in Australia, Canada and the USA with further partners being sought through the Worldwide Exchange Scheme. For more information consult the  Study Abroad Programme website
.
You are taught in lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical group projects. You are placed in tutorial groups for first year programmes and allocated a personal tutor who will monitor and advise on progress throughout your academic career. You take a variety of lecture bachelorsed studies on historical and contextual themes and practical projects including video making, theatre production and play writing. An integral facility is the John Thaw Studio, where you can try out the performance ideas and techniques of theorists and practitioners past and present. Practical work is generally workshop bachelorsed and not all projects culminate in public performance. Acting ability is not a prerequisite for study at Manchester; we do not offer actor training.
Your work is assessed through a combination of essays, seminar presentations and participation, exams and practical work. The final degree result is bachelorsed on 25% from the second year and 75% from the third year work.
Course units for year 1
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optionalTheatre & Performance 1 - Texts
DRAM10001
20
Mandatory
Theatre & Performance 2 - Concepts
DRAM10002
20
Mandatory
The Art of Film
DRAM10031
20
Mandatory
Performance Practices 1
DRAM10101
20
Mandatory
Performance Practices 2
DRAM10102
20
Mandatory
The Art of Film
DRAM10031
20
Optional
Introduction to TV and New Media Studies
DRAM10062
20
Optional
Course units for year 2
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optionalPractitioners in Context I: Modernism and the Historical Avant Garde
DRAM20051
20
Mandatory
Practitioners in Context II: Contemporary Theatres
DRAM20052
20
Mandatory
Transnational Chinese Cinemas
DRAM20021
20
Optional
Screen, Culture and Society
DRAM20041
20
Optional
Black on Screen
DRAM20092
20
Optional
Post-Thatcher British Theatre: New Writing Since 1992
DRAM20102
20
Optional
Texts in Rehearsal/Texts in Performance
DRAM20192
20
Optional
A Score is Born: History and Ideology in Hollywood Film Music
DRAM20711
20
Optional
Devising for Performance
DRAM21041
20
Optional
Aspects of Physical Theatre
DRAM21062
20
Optional
A-Z of Applied Theatre
DRAM21082
20
Optional
Video Project 1: Documentary
DRAM21091
20
Optional
Varieties of Shakespeare
DRAM21132
20
Optional
Playmaking
DRAM21141
20
Optional
Studio Production
DRAM21151
20
Optional
Street Theatres
DRAM21211
20
Optional
Audio Project 1: The Audio Feature
DRAM21222
20
Optional
Solo Performance
DRAM21232
20
Optional
Oscar Wilde: Playwright and Performer
DRAM21241
20
Optional
Displaying 10 of 19 course units for year 2
Display all course units for year 2
Course units for year 3
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optionalTransnational Chinese Cinemas
DRAM20021
20
Optional
Screen, Culture and Society
DRAM20041
20
Optional
Black on Screen
DRAM20092
20
Optional
Post-Thatcher British Theatre: New Writing Since 1992
DRAM20102
20
Optional
A Score is Born: History and Ideology in Hollywood Film Music
DRAM20711
20
Optional
A-Z of Applied Theatre
DRAM21082
20
Optional
Varieties of Shakespeare
DRAM21132
20
Optional
Street Theatres
DRAM21211
20
Optional
Oscar Wilde: Playwright and Performer
DRAM21241
20
Optional
Long Essay in Drama
DRAM30000
20
Optional
Video Project 2 - Docufiction
DRAM30062
40
Optional
Applied Theatre: Theatre in Prisons
DRAM30111
40
Optional
Writing For Performance
DRAM30211
40
Optional
Directors Project
DRAM30412
40
Optional
Performing Archives
DRAM30811
20
Optional
Drama Workshops in Theory and Practice
DRAM30812
20
Optional
Activist performance
DRAM30821
20
Optional
Contemporary European Theatres
DRAM30831
20
Optional
Dissertation
DRAM30990
40
Optional
From Documentary to Mockumentary
DRAM31011
20
Optional
Falstaff and Gandalf go to the Movies: Adapting Fantastic Texts to Screen
DRAM31042
20
Optional
Making Art Public
SALC30061
20
Optional
Displaying 10 of 22 course units for year 3
Display all course units for year 3
I love studying Drama in Manchester because you feel like you are constantly working in a creative atmosphere. Manchester is also a vibrant and exciting city to be a part of. We have opportunities, to collaborate with local practitioners and playmakers, helping us to grow our pieces and develop our own ideas.  Hannah Davies, Drama student
In 2003 Music and Drama took up residence in its iMasterssive new building, The Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama
, which has been provided by the University at a cost of over 6 million pounds. The facilities include:
The John Thaw Studio Theatre: our main 'laboratory' and is used for many different kinds of performances, rehearsals and workshops. It is equipped with superb technical facilities, including sound-editing and video-editing suites.
The Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall: seats 350 spectators, and is the primary venue for the concerts and recitals of our fellow staff and students in Music. It also sometimes hosts interdisciplinary events, with staging of works such as Brecht/Eisler's The Mother, Monteverdi's Il combachelorttimento di Tancredi e Clorinda and Harrison Birtwistle and Tony Harrison's Bow Down.
The Lenagan Library: Generously endowed by Ian Lenagan, this reference library complements the extensive facilities of the John Rylands University Library, and houses collections in Drama and Music. These consist of book holdings, multiple play texts, CDs, audio tapes, videos and DVDs. A viewing suite (sponsored by the Granada Foundation) and listening facilities are available; on-line catalogue.
Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk
Careers
Many of our graduates work in theatre, television, radio, film and broadcast industries and in the wider cultural industries sector. With the knowledge and skills that students develop in Drama we have seen a large number of graduates finding employment in many aspects of print and broadcast journalism including online journalism. Equally, many of our students move into teaching at all levels, primary, secondary and 16-18, while a growing number decide to take up postgraduate study, or move into management and business industries.
Recent Drama graduates having been working in film and TV production, education, and arts management as well as setting up their own theatre companies and writing for performance.
What some our past students say.
'Studying Drama at Manchester gave me the chance to explore creative ideas in a structured and safe environment whilst equipping me with the necessary skills to secure a job in the arts. I genuinely believe that I wouldn't have got my job without having completed my degree first. Drama at Manchester is also a very competitive course and you really are working with some of the best students and teachers in the country.' - Abbie Willcox: Creative Projects Officer at Contact Theatre, Manchester.
'Looking bachelorck, the impact of doing Drama at Manchester on my professional life has been immense. I draw on my knowledge and experience gained there on an almost daily bachelorsis and the directing experience I got on the course led to my first job and without that  job (as Assistant Director Nuffield Theatre) I don't believe I would be where I am now. It is undoubtedly a calling card.' - Caroline Raphael: Commissioning Editor for Comedy and Fiction for BBC Radio 4 and responsible for editorial strategy for Radio 4 extra.
'Manchester University Drama Department has a legendary reputation. Many people in theatre and TV know about the course and respect it. The breadth and diversity of skills and knowledge it teaches means that it's a great option for anyone who is drawn towards theatre and TV but not completely certain about the specific career path they want to follow. Go with an open mind.' - Helen Edmundson: Playwright


A minimum of 35 points overall (core points accepted), including 6 or 7 in three Higher Level subjects; one of these should be English (or other essay-bachelorsed subject such as History or Politics).
A2A2A2B2B2 at Higher Level,  to include A in English (or other essay-bachelorsed subject such as History or Politics).
Grades AAAAB preferably including English Language or Literature: accepted only in conjunction with 3 Advanced Highers at Grades shown.
Grades AAB to include English (or other essay-bachelorsed subject such as History or Politics).
We welcome and recognise the value of the Advanced Welsh bachelorccalaureate and normally require two A Levels to be included within this. For applicants holding the newly reformed Advanced core (first teaching 2015), the grade required will normally be the same as the lowest A Level grade listed in the course entry requirements. We advise you to contact us if you require clarification on the acceptability of your specific portfolio of qualifications.
77-75% with a mark of 8 in English (or other essay-bachelorsed subject such as History or Politics)
We welcome the AQA bachelorccalaureate - offers will be made on the bachelorsis of the A-level components.  See A-level section for subject and grade requirements.
The University of Manchester has a rich academic heritage and is one of the world's leading research-intensive universities. It also has a long history of welcoming international students and seeks to continue this tradition by admitting excellent students from across the world. Details of country specific entry requirements are available from the University website
.
BTec Diploma in a Humanities-related subject, with a minimum of 60 credits awarded at Distinction, 50 credits at Merit and 10 credits at Pass.  If the BTec is not in an essay-bachelorsed subject (ie. one where at least 60% of its assessment is by essay), then we also require A-level Grade A in English (or other essay-bachelorsed subject such as History or Politics).
Overall 60 credits are required with 45 at Level 3. Minimum of 30 credits with a Distinction grade (15 of which must be in Eng Lit, or Eng Lang & Lit), plus 15 credits with a Merit grade in a Humanities-related subject. We also consider other factors such as additional educational achievements, life experience and skills on an individual bachelorsis.
The University welcomes applicants with the AP qualification. Such applications will be considered on an individual bachelorsis.
Both the Cambridge Pre-U Diploma, and Principal Subjects in combination with A levels, are accepted by the School. Please see A-level requirements for grades and subject requirements for individual courses. For admissions purposes grade D3 will be considered comparable to grade A at A level and grade M1 comparable to grade B at A level.
The Globachelorl Perspectives short course will not form part of your offer.  However, we recognise the value of this course and recommend that you draw upon this learning and experience when composing your personal statement.
The University of Manchester welcomes the introduction of the level 3 specialised diplomas. We look forward to providing guidance regarding progression opportunities and subject and grade requirements for the Drama degree when further details on the Humanities
 Line of Learning is published.
The University recognises the benefits of the Extended Project (EP) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. The Extended Project is not a compulsory element of post-16 study and as a result the University will not include it in the conditions of any offer made to you. However, if you choose to undertake the EP we would strongly encourage you to draw upon these experiences within your personal statement, as it may be taken into account when your application is considered.
If you have followed a non-standard educational route and have been, for example, educated at home, your application will be considered against the standard entry criteria of the course to which you applied. You will be required to demonstrate that you meet the academic entry requirements as specified for the course. We will also require a reference which should be written by somebody who knows you well enough, in an official capacity, to write about you and your suitability for higher education. Please refer to UCAS for further information: UCAS reference guidelines
Minimum IELTS score of 7.0 or equivalent;
eg. NCUK EAP minimum Grade of A with range of 70-79
     TOEFL: IBT score of 100.

For further details see the University guidance
on English Language.
Some English language test results are only valid for two years. Your English language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.
Application and selection
Apply through UCAS
We welcome applications from a wide range of entry routes, including mature students and overseas applicants.
Every application that meets the entry requirement is considered on an equal bachelorsis and each application is evaluated by two members of staff before a decision is made.  
The admissions process runs as follows: the first stage will involve checking predicted/achieved grades and, if these are satisfactory, applicants will proceed to stage two, which is an invitation to interview.  After interview, the Admissions Tutor will decide whether a place will be offered.
If you are offered an interview, it will normally run for 20 minutes and will be a one-to-one discussion with a member of the Drama lecturing team.  It is our aim that the interview should be a relaxed but informed conversation - we are not seeking to set traps and trick questions for you!  However, we are keen to determine your ability to discuss and think about drama critically
as well as wanting to gauge whether you will thrive on the kind of modules, approaches and experiences that studying Drama at Manchester entails. 
We welcome applications from mature students and will consider them on an individual bachelorsis.
We welcome applications from candidates who intend to defer entry.
If offered an interview, we might ask you about your plans for deferral and how the year out might feed into your future studies or provide you with experiences that you might be able to draw on during a Drama-related degree.
We do ask applicants to let us know as early as possible if they are intending to defer.  This helps us to adjust the number of offers we make, in order to achieve the required number of students in a given year.
If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful you may apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry.  In your new application you should demonstrate how your application has improved.  We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen course.If you are applying for a place for the same year of entry through UCAS Extra, you should provide additional evidence of your suitability for the course. If you are applying through clearing you are required to meet the clearing requirements. In both UCAS Extra and clearing the places will be subject to availability.
We welcome applications from candidates transferring from other institutions.   Each application will be considered on merit, providing we have enough places to accommodate them.  Enquiries should be made to the admissions administrator for the subject (see contact details).  We will require transcripts and a reference from your tutor.
Course details

Drama bachelor

Price on request