COURSE CURRICULUM

The Theatre Arts with Psychology curriculum combines practical theatre training with the scientific study of psychology, enabling students to develop creative, analytical, and research-based skills throughout the program. In the first year, students establish a strong foundation through Technical Theatre and Design, Devising 1: The Creative Process, Spotlight on Industry Practice, Introduction to Social and Cognitive Psychology, Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology, and Introduction to Biological and Developmental Psychology. These modules develop essential skills in theatre production, performance creation, technical theatre, psychological theory, research methodology, human cognition, biological processes, and human development while introducing students to professional theatre practice and creative collaboration. In the second year, students continue to strengthen their theatre expertise through Devising 2: Performance Making – Creation and Collaboration, Spotlight on Research and Professional Practice, and Introduction to Applied Drama, while selecting psychology options such as Animal Behaviour, Psychopathology, Social and Cognitive Psychology, Cyberpsychology, Psychology, Nature and Wellbeing, Individual Differences and Quantitative Methods, Themes in Forensic Psychology, Qualitative Methods: The Individual in Society, or The Psychology of Health. These modules allow students to explore specialist areas of psychology alongside creative theatre-making, research, and applied performance. In the final year, students undertake Devising 3: Independent Project, completing a substantial self-directed theatre project that allows them to specialize in areas such as acting, directing, writing, producing, design, or backstage production while applying advanced research and professional practice. They also choose from advanced psychology modules including Addictive Behaviours, Positive Psychology, Applied Psychology of Human Performance, Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD, Behaviour Change, Clinical Applications of Psychology, Work Readiness, Forensic Applications of Psychology, Human Behaviour and Evolution, Neuropsychology, or a Psychology Literature Review Project. Throughout the program, students combine artistic creativity with psychological knowledge, research skills, critical thinking, and practical experience, preparing them for careers in theatre, education, community arts, mental health and wellbeing initiatives, applied drama, creative industries, and psychology-related fields, while also providing a strong foundation for postgraduate study and interdisciplinary professional development.