Program Overview

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Drama and Psychology

BA/BSc (Hons)

Overview

Drama and psychology are complementary disciplines that share a core concern in analysing, interpreting, representing and understanding humans and the world we inhabit. Our combined Drama and Psychology degree exposes you to a wide variety of methods to explore and understand the human mind and behaviour, from both scientific and artistic perspectives.

Why study Drama and Psychology?

Drama and Psychology have their specific career paths, but they also give you transferable skills that are sought by employers in a broad range of jobs and industries.

Psychology develops your skills in research, critical analysis and communication, while Drama offers opportunities to learn about theatre, media, arts therapies and education.

By combining the two subjects, you’ll develop highly valuable people skills and gain experience in communication and planning, project and event management, and working in diverse situations with a variety of collaborators and clients.

If you’re not yet sure what career you want to pursue, our British Psychological Society accreditation means you can keep your options open – you’ll be able to study Psychology at postgraduate level if you decide to become a professional psychologist.

Accreditation

Both our single and combined honours Pyschology courses are accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) providing Graduate Basis for Registration with the BPS to gain Chartered Psychologist status, provided you achieve a 2.2 overall and pass the final year dissertation.

What you'll learn

Year one

• Build the foundations and develop the core knowledge and skills you’ll need in both strands of your course.
• Explore the main areas of psychological science, with an introduction to research and data analysis skills.
• Work with other students as part of a theatre ensemble, with opportunities to perform, direct and produce.

Year two

• Take on further depth and challenges.
• Take a closer look at biological, cognitive, developmental and social psychology, and advance your understanding of research design and analysis.
• Explore topics such as performance-making, applied theatre, playwriting, acting and directing, musical theatre and theatre production, with opportunities to work with students, specialist staff and visiting professionals and artists.

Year three

• Real-world application of your skills becomes the focus of your study.
• Have the flexibility to choose optional modules in areas that are of particular interest to you, with an emphasis on collaboration, industry input, and creating work for a variety of audiences, including the general public.
• Explore how Psychology is applied for the wider good but also used in business and enterprise for profit.
• Complete a consultancy project that enables you to take what you’ve learned and apply it in a collaboration with an external organisation.

Facilities and resources

• Commons building
• Library
• Virtual Learning Environment
• University Theatre
• University Theatre studios
• Ashton Drama studio
• Commons lecture and seminar rooms
• Michael Tippett Centre: auditorium / practice rooms
• Library
• TV Studios
• EBSCO (online access to over 400 Psychology-related journals)
• Statistical computer software for analysing quantitative data
• NVivo for qualitative data analysis
• Biopsychology lab where we make use of "biopac" equipment (computerised biological measures such as EEG) for practicals and project work

Fees

• 2025 entry:
  • UK full time: £9,535
  • UK part time: £4,768
  • International full time: £17,430

Professional Placement Year

• During the placement year, the fee is reduced to 20% of the full time fee.
  • UK: £1,905
  • International: £3,486

Additional course costs

• You may need to pay additional course costs over and above your tuition fees, for example, for specialist equipment or trips and visits.

Entry requirements

• A Level - grades BBB-BCC including a grade B in Drama, Theatre Studies or Performing Arts preferred. If studying Psychology, then a Grade B or higher is required. If Psychology is not an option at your school or college, then another A Level subject will be accepted, but a keen interest in psychology will need to be described in your personal statement.
• BTEC – Extended Diploma grades from Distinction Distinction Merit (DDM) to Distinction Merit Merit (DMM) in a related subject. Applicants will need to show a keen interest in psychology in the personal statement and evidence of experience in Performing Arts.
• T Levels – grade Merit preferred in a relevant subject.
• International Baccalaureate - a minimum of 32 points are required. Applicants will need to show a keen interest in psychology in the personal statement in addition to evidence of involvement in drama or performing arts.
• Access to HE courses – typical offers for applicants with Access to HE will be the Access to HE Diploma or Access to HE Certificate (60 credits, 45 of which must be Level 3, at Merit or higher). Applicants will need to show a keen interest in psychology in the personal statement together with evidence of involvement in drama and performing arts.

English Language Requirements for International and EU Applicants

• IELTS 6.0 - for visa nationals, with a minimum score of IELTS 5.5 in each element.