BA Film and Theatre

Explore the strong interrelationships that exist between theatre and screenwork, not least in the British creative industries. Over the course of three years, you'll position yourself as a well-rounded, well-informed contributor to the arts – and beyond.

At the University of Reading, you’ll explore the two major cultural industries of film and theatre – pursuing your love of making and thinking about these global art forms. With expert guidance – from academics, industry professionals and dedicated technicians – you’ll examine how film, theatre and television shape the world around us and change the minds of audiences.

Throughout your studies, you'll explore:

• the cultural impact, cultural legacies, and digital futures of film and theatre-based art forms
• a diverse and international range of practices, from mainstream to radical and experimental works
• the contexts from which these works emerge.

Professional facilities

Reading is one of the fastest-growing screen industry hubs in the UK. The University of Reading is a founding member of Screen Berkshire, a partnership between Berkshire-based film production companies, studios, and the University set up provide training and pathways to employment within the Film and Television industry. By studying with us you will benefit from these connections and opportunities to enhance your industry-related skills and experience. You’ll interact with industry-standard facilities and professional staff and be supported by our Business and Employability Manager, who is dedicated to helping you develop your CV and find future employment within screen industry. During your time here and once you graduate, you’ll also benefit from the Screen Berkshire Freelance Network which hosts networking events for local freelance film and TV professionals and highlights employment opportunities.

You’ll also be close to Shinfield Studios (hosts to the recent filming for Netflix’s Bridgerton and Disney’s ‘Star Wars: The Acolyte’ and ‘Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire’) which are built on the University of Reading land and part of the Screen Berkshire partnership. The studios include 18 sound stages, a 9-acre filming backlot (for exterior sets for shooting), workshop facilities, sustainable facilities and production support facilities, such as post- production services.

The Screen Berkshire Partnership means you may have the opportunity to take part in lots of exiting opportunities at Shinfield Studios including:

• Bootcamps for filmmaking – these are short courses (between one day and one week) that introduce new entrants to the skills and working practices in film production.
• Training courses on cameras including the Arri Alexa camera.
• Workshops (for example final year students recently had a day long workshop at Shinfield studios on getting into the industry)
• Simulations (full scale simulation of a real life shoot including 30 members of staff on a sound stage at Shinfield studios)*

* Examples are of potential opportunities and are subject to availability and timetabling.

You'll develop your own creative confidence and artistic ‘voice’ through experimentation and exploration in our purpose-built, industry-standard Minghella Studios, a dynamic, collaborative environment in which film, theatre and television makers work alongside each other.

You'll have access to:

• three flexible theatre spaces
• a multi-camera and TV studio featuring Arri Alexa film cameras
• a digital cinema
• a dedicated recording studio and mixing suite with state-of-the-art equipment.

Discover your specialism

Actively pursue your developing creative interests and enhance your practical work through informed, critical study of film, theatre and television. By experiencing all three media – through collaborative practices of film, performance, and television programmes – you'll be supported to identify your emerging interests and specialisms. As an ethical, thinking practitioner, you'll explore flexible strategies of design, knowledge exchange, and creative collaboration with other makers, as well as communities, organisations and funders.

You'll also have the opportunity to extend your practice across a range of different contexts through industry placements, professional collaborations, and Study Abroad opportunities.

Our Department proudly subscribes to the industry-leading BAFTA Albert scheme, which supports film-and-television makers in their efforts to work sustainably and limit their environmental impact. By studying with us you'll join one of the UK’s leading Universities in Environment and Sustainability’ Ranked 1st in the world in the People and Planet University Awards 2023/24.