University of Ulster

Course Details

Ba (hons)Drama with Advertising

Course Description

Taking Drama as a Major subject in combination with another subject as a Minor allows you to develop a broad base of knowledge of Drama practices and systematic approaches to the analysis of works in performance. Students are therefore able to prepare themselves for the kinds of mosaic careers characteristic of the creative industries, and increasingly more common across a range of sectors. Depending on which Minor you take, you can therefore broaden your range of skills and knowledge or develop even further particular interests related to your proposed career. There are particular areas of specialist Drama practice which can be developed as students progress through each level of the degree. So, while we do not provide conservatoire training for actors, students may wish to specialise in modules focused on performance, for example. All students develop a core set of academic skills in research, analysis and communication in written and oral formats. Alongside these, each student will also develop transferable skills in group work, project management, problem-solving and the use of key technologies. The Drama programmes are designed to develop your ability to work independently. While students are offered extensive support and guidance throughout their studies, the programme also places increasing emphasis on the development of those skills necessary to carry out rigorous and sustained independent research and practice. In this way, students develop key skills alongside foundational professional competencies they can draw on in their future careers. Structure & content In Year 1 (Level 4), Major Drama students will take six compulsory modules, four in Drama and two in the Minor subject. These modules will provide a thorough grounding for more specialised modules in Years 2 and 3 (Levels 5 and 6). In Years 2 and 3, students are able to select from modules such as Acting, Commedia dell'Arte, Directing, Site Specific Performance, Music Theatre, Dramaturgy, Arts Entrepreneurship, Theatre and Community, Educational Arts, Irish Theatre, Working Class Performance, North American Theatre, Writing for Stage and Screen, and Storytelling and Performance. There is a compulsory Issues in Performance module at each level. This theoretical module will introduce you to new and challenging ways of thinking about and analysing plays and performance. Production Process and Arts Administration are also compulsory at Level 5. *Modules offered are dependent on staff availability and compulsory requirements.

Course Duration

NumberDuration
3year

Career outcomes

Our Drama graduates work in the professional theatre as actors, directors, writers and stage managers. They also work too as teachers, college and university lecturers, drama therapists or community artists. They have found work with: Kabosh Theatre Company, Blue Raincoat Theatre Company, the Millennium Forum, Jigsaw Productions, Lyric Theatre, In Yer Space, BBC, Derry Playhouse, amongst others. They have set up their own businesses, founded theatre companies, been employed in various media posts, management, theatre management, arts administration, and the civil service. Our graduates progress to postgraduate study and training such as at the University of Exeter, University of Warwick, Central School of Speech and Drama, Atlantic Acting School, Gaiety School of Acting, The Drama Studio, University of Manchester, and a range of PGCE courses in England and Scotland. Because of the range of transferable skills associated with drama - skills in communication, analysis, creative thinking, team management - you will also be equipped to work in a range of non-specialist careers. Drama graduates have amongst the best rates of employment amongst all arts and humanities graduates in the UK.




Ba (hons)Drama with Advertising University of Ulster