COURSE CURRICULUM

The Drama and Film Studies course at Sussex combines practical performance training with critical film analysis, preparing students for careers in theatre, film, and related creative industries. In the first year, students build a strong foundation with modules on analysing film forms and contexts, European cinema, global cinema, and practical theatre through staging plays and making performance. The second year focuses on developing professional and creative skills through the Contemporary Performance Project, alongside a wide range of optional modules covering global film traditions, television, documentary, musicals, and performance writing, allowing students to tailor their studies to their interests. In the third year, students consolidate their learning by completing dissertations in Drama or Film Studies and participating in the Final-Year Performance Festival. Additional optional modules offer advanced exploration of cinema and performance, including American teen cinema, pop soundtrack cinema, cinema and migration, race and ethnicity in film, Hollywood industry studies, cinema and sexualities, film and revolution, and viewing women. The course emphasizes both practical application and theoretical understanding, enabling students to engage critically with global film cultures while gaining hands-on experience in performance. Graduates leave equipped with analytical, creative, and professional skills, as well as a versatile understanding of film and theatre, ready to pursue careers in the creative arts, media, and performance sectors.