Drama is a challenging subject and a valuable learning tool. On this course you will study drama at an academic, practical and educational level throughout the three years. This course offers you the satisfaction of passing on your enjoyment and expertise to others. Group work will allow you to develop your own skills and learn how to apply your knowledge in a variety of settings. This course will allow you to create work for and with a wide variety of community groups including special schools, prisons, youth groups, people with mental health issues, care homes, cared for children, elderly people and organisations such as the YMCA, Age Concern, the NSPCC and Nacro and Action for Young Carers. At all stages of the course you practice what you learn. We establish as close a relationship as possible between theoretical and practical study. You will acquire a sound knowledge of academic theory and a wide variety of leadership skills including the organisation, running and evaluation of workshops. This course offers opportunities to gain practical experience in working collaboratively in groups and later in the course, on planning individual projects. In addition to our full time staff, we bring in specialist practitioners who will not only provide you with an up-to-date and relevant professional perspective but will also offer you opportunities for professional development. We have excellent facilities and our own Theatre Company, BG Touring Ltd, which gives you the opportunity to visit and perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival at the end of the second year. You are encouraged to work for the company, learning a range of practical organisational skills and valuable lessons in fundraising and event management. These enterprise skills alongside the problem solving abilities that you will acquire throughout your course are extremely valuable in the employment market.

Drama at BG is rated extremely highly for graduate prospects, ranked third in the UK by the Times Good University Guide 2011 and second in the UK by the Complete University Guide 2011. Graduates move on to work in areas such as, community work and projects, government schemes for young people, arts management, Theatre in Education companies and other theatre companies. A number of our students have started their own arts based businesses and many go into education by completing PGCE courses at BG (see our Postgraduate Courses section for further details). A number of graduates continue to study, taking MA qualifications in applied drama or in acting or training as drama therapists and counsellors. In addition to academic knowledge, research skills and practical skills students gain experience of working in a variety of settings in challenging circumstances. As a result of this, our students develop excellent communication skills which are transferable to most situations. In addition students undertake a great deal of problem-based learning both in sessions and in community settings. This course introduces you to professional codes of practice which include ethical considerations, business strategies, fundraising and setting up small companies. Working in community settings as performers and practitioners demands versatility and the ability to plan and adapt for a wide variety of circumstances. The large scale community project undertaken in the final year offers you direct experience of work-based learning and useful professional links. Each year significant number of graduates are offered references and even employment by their host organisation. In addition to this you will benefit from working with professional companies that we have links with.