COURSE CURRICULUM

The Theatre and Performance (Extended Degree) BA (Hons) at Northumbria University is a four-year program that combines practical training, critical study, and creative exploration to prepare students for careers in theatre and the performing arts. The foundation year develops essential skills and knowledge, introducing students to critical cultural theory, society and culture, film foundations, media genres, and performance practices, providing a broad understanding of creative disciplines. In the first year, students engage with core modules on theatre and performance, exploring big ideas, performance practices, urgent contemporary issues, and practical performance work, supported by academic language skills for international and EU students. The second year emphasizes applied and professional learning through core modules in arguments for theatre, contemporary theatre-making, applied theatre practice, investigating theatre, and performance in urban contexts, alongside optional modules in digital performance and performer training. Academic language support continues for international and EU students. In the final year, students consolidate their learning through a performance dissertation, a major performance project, and core study of performance and creative economies, with optional modules in performer training, popular performance, and performance and the politics of fear. Across all years, the program combines hands-on practice, research, and critical reflection, enabling students to develop as innovative, versatile, and industry-ready theatre practitioners and creative leaders.