Program Overview

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Drama, Theatre and Acting

Overview

Do you have a passion for theatre and drama? Do you want to be part of something transformative? Are you ready to explore how the arts can change lives? This exciting hybrid course combines conservatoire-style performance and acting with rigorous academic study. Whatever your educational journey so far, this is a course for people with a passion for theatre.

Our modules cover both theory and practice, so you’ll experience acting, performing, and directing alongside your discussions and written work. You’ll explore how dramatists have tackled political and social issues and responded to historical events, and learn essential skills in acting, staging and directing. You’ll also dive into topics from dramatic forms to practical staging.

You'll enhance these skills on your professional placement, learning how to apply your knowledge to the workplace. Wherever you go and whatever you choose to do after your time with us, we’ll equip you to make a difference to the world around you.

Why Oxford Brookes University?

• Excellent reputation
• Professional Teaching Space
• Work placement module
• Explore your interests
• Learn a language
• Study abroad

Course Details

Course Structure

Drama, Theatre and Acting at Oxford Brookes will provide you with a solid grounding in theatre history, performance skills, and technical production. In your first year, you’ll learn the basics of acting and physical theatre as well as the methods of theatre practitioners such as Stanislavsky and Brecht. You’ll be exposed to a diverse mix of plays, genres, cultural contexts and discover how anywhere can be a theatre. You’ll also develop a good understanding of the history and changing styles of Western theatre.

In year 2, you’ll start to shape your modules around your interests. You’ll explore British theatre and Renaissance tragedies and comedies. And you will go on a work placement to explore how your creative and analytical skills apply in a professional environment.

For your advanced performance project in year 3, you’ll apply the theoretical and practical skills you will have gained on the course to researching, rehearsing, producing, and staging a show.

Learning and Teaching

Your learning will take place in the classroom, our on-campus Drama Studio and in a working theatre. Some of your on-stage and technical modules will take place at The Old Fire Station, an arts centre in the heart of Oxford. In this environment, you’ll get to grips with the workings of a real theatre - developing crucial knowledge and experience.

The Old Fire Station works in partnership with Crisis, together aiming to end homelessness in Oxford. And you’ll have opportunities to get involved with the theatre’s work.

Back on campus, you’ll explore dramatic works and theory in a seminar environment. Classes are small and supportive - and you’ll get to know your course mates and tutors well.

Assessment

You’ll be assessed through a mix of written and practical assignments - including:

• Essays
• Performance projects
• Technical skills work
• Presentations

Your assessments will help you build the strong communication and collaboration skills that employers expect. Your coursework will also strengthen your critical thinking skills - helping you to thoughtfully stage scripts and confidently create original shows.

Study Modules

Year 1

Compulsory Modules

• Acting Toolkit
• Page to Stage
• Theatre Styles and Contexts

Optional Modules

• Physical Theatre
• Introduction to Technical Theatre
• Creative Writing 1: Voice and Craft in Poetry and Prose

Year 2

Compulsory Modules

• British Theatre: 1950 to the present
• Professional Skills Placement

Optional Modules

• Modern British Theatre in Performance
• Devising Theatre
• Sights, Sounds and Scenes: Technical Theatre Project
• Renaissance Tragedy and Comedy
• Perspectives in Directing
• Creative Writing 2: Exploring Genre, Form and Style
• Independent Study

Optional Year Abroad

Optional Modules

• Year Abroad

Final Year

Compulsory Modules

• Advanced Performance Project

Optional Modules

• Dissertation in Drama, Theatre and Acting
• Research in Action I
• Research in Action II
• Creative Writing 3: Towards Professionalism and Publication

Careers

Our aim is for you to become an engaged and responsible citizen who believes that the arts can positively change the world. Many of our graduates go into jobs within theatre and the arts, while others enter other sectors of the economy. These include:

• PR, marketing and communications
• NGOs and charities
• research
• teaching
• higher education
• publishing
• media and journalism

Previous students have taken up jobs with organisations such as the Duckegg Theatre, the British Museum, Hestia Charity and the UK Civil Service.

Entry Requirements

Standard Offer

• UCAS Tariff Points: 104
• A Level: BCC
• IB Points: 29
• BTEC: DMM

Contextual Offer

• UCAS Tariff Points: 88
• A Level: CCD
• IB Points: 27
• BTEC: MMM

Specific Entry Requirements

Please also see the University's general entry requirements.

English Language Requirements

Please see the University's standard English language requirements.

Funding Your Studies

Financial Support and Scholarships

Featured funding opportunities available for this course.

• Oxford Brookes Bursary for Continuing Students
• Undergraduate maintenance loans for part-time UK students
• Undergraduate maintenance loans for full-time UK students
• Undergraduate tuition fee loans for UK students
• Oxford Brookes Bursary for New Students

Tuition Fees

2025/26

• Home (UK) full time: £9,535
• Home (UK) part time: £1,190 per single module
• International full time: £16,750

2026/27

• Home (UK) full time: £9,535
• Home (UK) part time: £1,910 per single module
• International full time: £17,250

Additional Costs

• You may choose to purchase books to support your studies. Many books on our reading lists are available via the Library, or can be purchased secondhand. (£10-30)
• It’s your responsibility to cover print / binding costs where coursework submission is required. Please note that a lot of the coursework is now submitted online. (From £30)
• Accommodation fees in Brookes Letting (most do not include bills) (£94-265 per week)
• Accommodation fees in university halls (bills included, excluding laundry costs) (£122-180 per week)
• Graduation costs include tickets, gowning and photography. Gowns are not compulsory but typically students do hire robes, starting at £41. (Typically £0-200)
• Students are responsible for their own travel to and from university for classes. For the 2025/26 academic year, the University is introducing an alternative subsidised travel offer for all students with further information on our Travel webpages. (From £10)