Program Overview

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Introduction to Applied and Contemporary Theatre BA (Hons)

The Applied and Contemporary Theatre BA (Hons) at the Guildford School of Acting (GSA) is designed to train tomorrow's theatre-makers who aspire to use theatre to build communities and influence social change. This program equips students to devise, produce, and direct theatre, work creatively in various settings, and become the next generation of performance artists, activists, and creative entrepreneurs.

Key Course Information

• Course Options: BA (Hons), BA (Hons) with placement
• Typical Offer: CCC
• Start Date: September 2026
• Full Time: 3 years (BA (Hons)), 4 years (BA (Hons) with placement)
• UK Fees: To be confirmed
• Overseas Fees: Ł24,300
• Subject Area: Theatre and performing arts
• UCAS Code: W438 (BA (Hons)), W439 (BA (Hons) with placement)
• Campus: Stag Hill

Why Choose This Course?

• Applied theatre utilizes drama to discover, learn, and share issues and themes that concern communities and spotlight social inequalities.
• The course engages with contemporary politics and questions how and why theatre is made, and what is conveyed through performance.
• Students have the opportunity to get industry-ready with award-winning Professional Training placements.
• This unique program trains future directors, devisors, performance artists, theatre makers, writers, applied theatre practitioners, and more.

Statistics

• 3rd in the UK for drama, dance, and cinematics in the Complete University Guide 2026
• 10th in the UK for drama, dance, and cinematics in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026
• 1st in the UK for drama and music in the Daily Mail University Guide 2026

Course Details

What You Will Study

On the BA (Hons) Applied and Contemporary Theatre course, students are taught by industry-leading professionals and join a vibrant community of talented performers, theatre-makers, creative practitioners, stage managers, and technicians. The course covers:

• Theatre for social change
• Political theatre
• Contemporary performance
• Devised theatre
• Community theatre
• Theatre in education
• Education and outreach programs
• Health and wellbeing organizations
• Disability arts
• Creative ageing
• Theatre studies
• Collaborative large-scale ensemble performance in a traditional theatre setting
• Professional development

Course Structure

The academic year is divided into two semesters of 15 weeks each, with each semester consisting of a period of teaching, revision/directed learning, and assessment. The Guildford School of Acting delivers its provision across three teaching blocks within the University of Surrey's existing semester structure.

Modules

Modules are subject to teaching availability, student demand, and/or class size caps. The University operates a credit framework for all taught programs based on a 15-credit tariff. Modules include:

• Performance Fundamentals
• The Actor and the Ensemble
• Theatre Studies
• Professional Placement
• Sustaining and Supporting Performance
• Theatre Making
• The Ensemble and the Audience
• Creating Performance
• Professional Development
• Advanced Performance

Teaching and Learning

GSA has a collaborative approach to learning and teaching, with an extensive support network available to students both personally and professionally. Teaching methods include:

• Group work
• Independent study
• Lectures
• Practical sessions
• Seminars
• Rehearsals and performances
• Trips
• Tutorials

Assessment

Modules are assessed individually, and credits are awarded for the successful completion of each one. Assessment takes place through a combination of examination and/or coursework, practical examinations, and reports.

Career Opportunities

Our graduates have an unrivaled employment record in all performance media. 98% of Guildford School of Acting students are in employment or further study within 15 months of graduating (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2025, HESA). Alumni have secured employment in numerous regional theatres, opera and ballet companies, arts venues, scenic construction and prop-making companies, corporate events, and lighting, sound, and video hire companies.

Facilities

We offer the best of both worlds at GSA, with world-class performance training on an exciting university campus. Our extensive performance, rehearsal, and production facilities provide students with a comprehensive learning environment.

Hear from Our Students

Students praise the balance between work and play that the University of Surrey offers, allowing them to experience life outside of the typical drama school routine.

Entry Requirements

• A-level: Overall CCC. Please note: A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not accepted.
• BTEC (QCF Level 3) Extended Diploma: Overall MMM.
• International Baccalaureate Diploma: Overall 29.
• European Baccalaureate: Overall 68%.
• Access to HE Diploma: QAA recognized Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits overall including 21 at Distinction, 3 at Merit, and 21 at Pass.
• Scottish Highers: Overall BBBCC.
• Welsh Baccalaureate: Overall CCC from a combination of the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales and two A-levels.
• T Level: Pass overall, with minimum C in the Core Component.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in each other element.

Fees and Funding

• BA (Hons): UK fees to be confirmed, Overseas fees Ł24,300.
• BA (Hons) with placement: UK fees to be confirmed, Overseas fees Ł24,300.
• Professional Training Placement Year Fees: Approximately 20% of the full-time UK fees of the academic year in which you undertake your placement.
• Additional Costs: Clothing and equipment Ł300, Books/stationery Ł30, Placement (dependent on the nature and location).

Placements

Our award-winning Professional Training placement scheme gives students the chance to spend a year in industry, either in the UK or abroad. Placement hosts have included Boundless Theatre, Burnt Orange Theatre, Chickenshed, Guildford Shakespeare Company, New Victoria Theatre, Peer Productions, and Yvonne Arnaud Theatre.