COURSE CURRICULUM

The Theatre and Performance degree at Canterbury Christ Church University is carefully structured across three years to build students' creative, technical, and professional expertise for careers in the contemporary performing arts industry. In Year 1, students are introduced to the foundations of theatre through modules like Arts & Belonging, which explores the role of the arts in identity and community. Core practical modules such as Stagecraft and The Dedicated Performer focus on developing essential performance and technical skills, while Company: Directed Practice provides experience in ensemble work and collaborative performance making. Student Success Modules also support the academic and personal transition into university life.In Year 2, students deepen their practice and expand their knowledge of the industry. Industry, Careers and Enterprise offers insight into the professional world, helping students develop career awareness and entrepreneurial skills. The Versatile Performer enhances adaptability across performance styles and contexts, while Digital Bodies, Virtual Spaces explores the integration of performance with digital and virtual technologies—skills increasingly vital in contemporary theatre. Interdisciplinary modules further broaden students’ perspectives by allowing them to work with peers from other creative courses.Year 3 prepares students for independent professional practice. The Autonomous Performer fosters creative independence and advanced performance capabilities. Community Arts Engagement emphasizes socially engaged practice and the use of theatre in community settings, broadening the application of students' skills. Company: Professional Practice provides opportunities to engage with industry-standard processes and roles in live projects. The Final Specialist Project serves as a capstone experience where students showcase their creative and professional development in a self-directed performance or research project. Across all three years, the course balances theory, performance, and professional development, ensuring graduates are prepared for a wide variety of careers in performance, production, arts administration, or further study in the creative industries.