Technical Theatre and Performance Design BA (Hons)

Program Overview

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Technical Theatre and Performance Design BA (Hons)

Overview

This multidisciplinary course develops technical, design, and production knowledge and skills for theatre and live performance in the growing and dynamic creative industries. Students will learn and work alongside students from the BA (Hons) Theatre Arts course and external partners as part of the day-to-day operations of a busy professional venue: Derby Theatre.

Study Options

• Full-time: 3 Years
• UK fee: £9,535 per year (2025/26)
• International fee: £16,900 per year (2025/26)
• UCAS points: 112 (September 2025 entry)
• UCAS code: W443
• Start date: September
• Location: Derby Theatre, Markeaton Street, Derby Campus

Course Description

In this course, students will develop technical, design, and production knowledge and skills for theatre and live performance in the growing and dynamic creative industries. Students will learn and work alongside students from the BA (Hons) Theatre Arts course and external partners as part of the day-to-day operations of a busy professional venue: Derby Theatre.

What You Will Study

• Year 1
• Year 2
• Year 3

Core Modules

• Spotlight on Industry Practice
• Analysing Performance
• Performance Technology and Design
• Practice-Research
• Stage Management and Production Process

How You Will Learn

• Practice-led, studio-based exercises
• Workshops
• Performances
• Lecture or seminar activity
• Learning from expert lecturers who are also live performance professionals and artists
• Visiting companies, industry professionals, and guest lecturers
• Part of creative and technical teams working on ‘in house’ productions at Derby Theatre, and other venues or environments

How You Are Assessed

• Creative portfolios
• Presentations
• Written coursework
• Practical workshops
• Public performance

People You Will Meet

• Kit Lane – Senior Lecturer
• Cath Badham – Lecturer
• Visiting companies, artists, and theatre professionals as guest lecturers and mentors

Careers

Graduates from this programme will be multidisciplinary designers and/or technicians familiar with the creative possibilities of existing and emerging digital technologies alongside traditional theatre tools and techniques.

Notable Theatre Graduates

• Richard Gerver
• Dan Clarkson

Entry Requirements

• UCAS points: 112
• A Level: BBC
• BTEC: DMM
• GCSE: Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification
• Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits with 45 at Level 3. Distinction: 15 credits, Merit: 24 credits, Pass: 6 credits
• English language requirements: IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

Fees and Funding

• UK: £9,535 per year (2025/26)
• International: £16,900 per year (2025/26)

Additional Costs and Optional Extras

• Use of theatre workshop and all technical equipment in the Derby Theatre
• 2 national field trips
• Discounted tickets to Derby Theatre during studies
• Here at Derby, we provide excellent learning resources, libraries, and specialist laboratories and studios
• Some Personal Protective Clothing (PPC)
• The programme uses Adobe Creative Suite which is installed on all Macs in MS102 and MS012 at Markeaton Street and students are provided with an individual Adobe Creative Cloud subscription for home use

How to Apply

• UK students: Apply through UCAS
• International students: Apply through our online application portal

Discover Uni

• 93% say staff value students' views and opinions about the course
• 100% of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well
• 80% in work or doing further study 15 months after the course

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