Program Overview

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Drama and English Literature

Course Overview

Discover how our societies have shaped and been shaped by English literature, and explore different modes of performance.

Why ARU?

• Our English courses ranked 3rd in the UK for organisation and management in the National Student Survey 2024
• Our Drama courses scored 90% for Teaching on my course and 92% for Freedom of students to express ideas, opinions and beliefs in the National Student Survey 2024
• Develop a deep understanding of literature to improve your interpretation of dramatic texts and your performance skills
• Train in professional-standard facilities including our 260-seater Mumford Theatre
• Perform in public venues around Cambridge as well as on campus
• Graduate with a professional CV, headshots and showreel

Study at an award-winning university

We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.

Course Options

• 3 years full-time
• 4 years with foundation year
• 4 years with placement

Key Facts

• STUDY OPTIONS: 3 years
• START DATES: September
• LOCATION: Cambridge
• ENTRY: UCAS code: WQ43
• FEES:
  • £9,535 UK students starting 2025/26 (full-time, per year)
  • £16,700 International students starting 2025/26 (full-time, per year)

Teaching and Assessment

Year 1

• Fundamentals for Acting
• Researching Performance
• Reading Critically, Old English to Enlightenment
• Studio Project
• Introduction to the Study of Literature and Writing
• Into ARU

Year 2

• Nineteenth Century Afterlives and Adaptations
• Making Performance
• Community Theatre Performance
• Ruskin Module (15 credits)
• Principles of Dramatherapy *
• Physical Theatre *
• Science Fiction *
• Performing Shakespeare *
• Practice as Research *
• Performing New Writing *
• Crocodiles, Pirates and Moon-men: Renaissance Encounters *
• Anglia Language Programme (15 credits) *

Year 3

• Festival of Performance
• Undergraduate Major Project *
• Undergraduate Major Project in English *
• Spectacle and Representation in Renaissance Drama *
• Elizabeth Gaskell and the Brontës *
• Renaissance Magic *
• Site Specific and Immersive Theatre *
• Screen Drama Production *
• Careers with English *
• Literature and Exile: Displacement, Identity, Self *
• Romantic Ideals *
• Writing and the Present *
• New Media Discourse *
• Forbidden Stories: Banned Children's Books *
• Workshop Facilitation *
• Provocations *
• Anglia Language Programme (15 credits) *

Facilities

• Mumford Theatre
• Covent Garden drama studio
• Dance studio
• Students’ Union-run dance studio
• Podcast and video capture system

Careers

Our Drama and English Literature BA (Hons) degree will give you practical experience as a performer or technician, and the academic understanding to be a director or a teacher.

Graduation doesn’t need to be the end of your time with us, of course. You might decide to stay at ARU and study for a Masters, such as our dramatherapy or MA English Literature. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.

Employability and personal career development

Informed by employers, our courses support an integrated approach to employability. You’ll have opportunities to develop the skills and abilities they are looking for and gain a deeper understanding of how your academic learning relates to the world of work through Live Briefs and Ruskin Modules.

Entry Requirements

• 96 UCAS Tariff points. We accept A Levels, T Levels, BTECs, OCR, Access to HE and most other qualifications within the UCAS Tariff. Preferably to include Drama, Performing Arts or related subject at A level or equivalent level.
• 3 GCSEs at grade C, or grade 4, or above.
• If English is not your first language you will be expected to demonstrate a certificated level of proficiency of at least IELTS 6.0 (Academic level) or equivalent English Language qualification, as recognised by Anglia Ruskin University.

Fees and Paying for University

Tuition fees and student loans for UK students (2025/26)

£9,535 UK students starting 2025/26 (full-time, per year)

Tuition fees for international students (2025/26)

£16,700 International students starting 2025/26 (full-time, per year)

Apply for Drama and English Literature

UK students

Visit UCAS to apply

International students

Apply direct

Apply online

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