BA (Hons) Drama: Applied Theatre and Community Performance​

This degree is ideal if you have a passion for using performance for social change. You will learn performance and facilitation skills, while exploring the ideas that underpin them.

• At a time when the politics of climate, disability, economics, gender, race, and sexuality are increasingly contended, performance has a unique role to play in creating a better, fairer future.
• The BA Applied Theatre and Community Performance degree explores the practice of theatre and performance in community and educational settings, for social, political and personal change. You will learn about the relationship between arts and activism, particularly in the fields of politics, international relations and sociology.
• You will be offered a grounding in the skills and understanding of theatre in socially engaged contexts. As well as working in theatres and other arts settings, you will engage with work in schools, community settings, the criminal justice system and festivals.
• The BA Applied Theatre and Community Performance course will educate and develop you as a critically thinking, creatively articulate, politically informed, self-reliant, collaborative, socially engaged artist in contemporary theatre and performance.
• Our students come from diverse backgrounds and enthusiastically embrace our blend of practice and theory, producing their own innovative and original work. Students on the programme contribute substantially to the vibrance of the Department of Theatre & Performance, as well as College life more widely.
• You will have access to unique workplace networks in inner London through the work placement option and outward-facing modules. Students often undertake both paid and voluntary opportunities to enhance their career profile.
• Our staff are exceptionally well qualified to deliver the degree. You will be taught by an exemplary team of Goldsmiths artists and academics who not only teach and mentor you, but also lead their own creative projects and publish their own academic work
• Join a community – our alumni are involved as mentors and allies, our staff are friendly and accessible, and we promote a supportive and generous working culture.

Contact the department

If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Ben Levitas.

We accept the following qualifications:

A-level: BBB
BTEC: DDM
International Baccalaureate: 33 points overall with Three HL subjects at 655
UAL Extended Diploma: Merit overall
Access: Pass with 45 Level 3 credits including 30 Distinctions and a number of merits/passes in subject-specific modules
Scottish qualifications: BBBBC (Higher) or BBC (Advanced Higher)
European Baccalaureate: 75%
Irish Leaving Certificate: H2 H2 H2 H2

If you can't find your qualification here, then please visit our entry requirements page for a list of alternative qualifications.

Additional requirements

You must be able to express a well-informed interest in theatre and performance theory and practice.

While drama and theatre studies would be an advantage, this is not necessarily essential as we are also interested in those with other subjects or complementary experience. Applicants with A-levels in an arts and humanities subject such as English, history, languages, philosophy and sociology are welcomed.

Selection process

The Department of Theatre and Performance does not offer applicants auditions, although some – but not all – candidates will be invited for interview.

The degree doesn't aim to provide a vocational training in acting and comedy but rather the opportunity to engage in a broad creative and critical study, exploring the possibilities of comedy in a wide historical and cultural context to provide transferable skills for a richly diverse array of career choices. This is why we're not looking for performing skills alone but for a range of intellectual, creative, critical and inquisitive qualities when we select candidates for a place.

International qualifications

We also accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.0 (with a minimum of 6.0 in the written element and no element lower than 5.5) to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for degree-level study.

Alternative qualifications

See our full list of undergraduate entry qualifications.

We welcome students with a range of educational experiences. If you believe you may not meet the standard qualification requirements we would still encourage you to apply because we consider all aspects of your application when making a decision.

We’ll pay particularly careful attention to your personal statement, which is your opportunity to demonstrate your interest in the subject you’ve applied for. Your referees are also welcome to include any relevant contextual comments around your academic achievements. We’ll look at all these things when making a decision on your application, as well as your qualifications and grades, and may still be able to offer you a place.

Graduates of this programme have progressed to postgraduate teaching and Masters courses, as well as paid work in drama facilitation, journalism, TV scriptwriting, and academia.

Students have also completed work experience with Actors Touring Company, Boundless Theatre, Emergency Exit Arts, Half Moon Young People’s Theatre, Theatre Centre, Theatre Peckham, and Theatre Royal Stratford East.

During your studies, you will also have the opportunity to participate in the Department's Personal and Professional Development programme, which aims to provide students with the self-confidence and initiative to begin to develop their portfolios as young artist/scholars/practitioners as well as to gain a better understanding of the ways in which their academic and practical skills can be applied and transferred to a range of other careers.

You can find out more about the career options open to you following graduation on our Theatre and Performance careers page.

Skills

This degree offers a rich array of modules that equip students with skills in applied theatre practice, community development, drama education, and political, economic, and cultural theory.

You'll be given an excellent foundation for further academic study, particularly in areas of applied theatre, theatre sociology and art and politics. In addition, it will develop your aptitude for critical engagement with key theoretical questions about society, culture and politics. By integrating academic skills into the core curriculum, you will complete the degree with excellent oral and written communication, group interaction and management and IT skills.

Most importantly, the degree exposes students to professional practice through direct experience of the workplace, international study opportunities and expertise from visiting practitioners. This will allow you to graduate with a portfolio of skills that are directly relevant to future employers.

Find out more about employability at Goldsmiths.