BA Theatre and Performance
Queen Mary University of London
About this course
BA (Hons) in Theatre and Performance, a drama degree focused on the study and practice of performance, texts and culture. Core topics include Research Methods. The course utilises studio theatres, rehearsal rooms and a production suite, and incorporates a London location with free theatre tickets and internship opportunities. The first year covers foundational studies through London/Culture/Performance, Power Plays, Making Theatre and Performance, and Performance, Acting, Text. The second year shifts towards critical and collaborative work via Culture, Power and Performance and Group Practical Project, alongside optional modules such as Making Contemporary Theatre, Art and the Climate Crisis, and Creative Writing Playwriting. The final year allows students to pursue specialized optional topics ranging from Live Art: Then and Now and Performance and Community to Show Business: Theatre and Capitalism, with a choice between a Practice-Based Research Project and a Written Research Project.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
Theatre and Performance - BA (Hons): A-Level: Grades BBB at A-Level. This must include at least one arts, humanities or social sciences subject. IB: International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum of 30 points overall, including 5,5,5 from three Higher Level subjects. This must include at least one arts, humanities or social sciences subject. BTEC: See our detailed subject and grade requirements. Access HE: We consider applications from students with the Access to Higher Education Diploma. The minimum academic requirement is to achieve 60 credits overall with 45 credits at Level 3, of which 15 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher. This must include at least 6 Level 3 credits in arts or humanities modules at Distinction. GCSE: Both GCSE English and Maths at grade C or 4 or an acceptable equivalent will be required. EPQ: Alternative offers may be made to applicants taking the Extended Project Qualification. For further information please visit: qmul.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry/epq. Contextualised admissions: Our standard contextual offer: BCC at A-Level. Our enhanced contextual offer: CCC at A-Level. More information on our contextual offer criteria can be found on our contextualised admissions page . Please note that General Studies and Critical Thinking are excluded from any A-Level offer and cannot be considered.
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What students say
Based on about 25 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 92%
- Learning opportunities: 89%
- Assessment and feedback: 91%
- Academic support: 98%
- Organisation and management: 89%
- Learning resources: 85%
- Student voice: 86%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 35 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 85%
- Left higher education: 5%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 15%
What graduates do next
Based on about 13 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 70%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 20%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Teaching Professionals: 15%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Caring personal services: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 55%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 60%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 20%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 65 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 4%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 4%
- East Midlands: 3%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 14%
- London: 46%
- South East: 12%
- South West: 9%
- Wales: 3%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 30 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 80%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- A degree: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
- Other qualifications: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- London/Culture/Performance
- Power Plays
- Making Theatre and Performance
- Performance, Acting, Text
- Interventions
- Spectatorship: Time, Place, Performance
- Culture, Power and Performance
- Group Practical Project
- Making Contemporary Theatre
- Performing the Play
- Art and the Climate Crisis
- Costume, Fashion, Performance
- Creative Writing Playwriting
- London Performance Now
- Theatre, Experiment and Revolution
- Practice-Based Research Project
- Written Research Project
- Performance in the Gallery
- Madness and Theatricality
- Live Art: Then and Now
- Offstage London
- Performance and Community
- Performance, Sexuality, Identity
- Show Business: Theatre and Capitalism
- Writing about the Arts
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Theatre and Performance at Queen Mary University of London earn?
The median salary is £25,000 after 15 months, £22,000 after 3 years, £27,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £21,000 and £32,500. The £27,000 median after five years is £3,000 more than the UK median for Drama.
What do graduates of BA Theatre and Performance at Queen Mary University of London do next?
75% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2022-23).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Theatre and Performance at Queen Mary University of London?
92% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2024-25.
What grades do I need for BA Theatre and Performance at Queen Mary University of London?
The typical offer is BBB at A level, or 30 points in the IB. The average entrant had 140 UCAS points.
Does BA Theatre and Performance at Queen Mary University of London include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Theatre and Performance at Queen Mary University of London?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.