Subject overview

Why drama studies? 

Studying drama equips you with a broad range of skills, both practical and theoretical, that are transferable in a variety of cultural spheres and contexts. 

Jason's faculty perspective

‘Drama at Sussex has an interest in balancing the theoretical and historical with the practical.

‘What makes our courses distinctive is the careful attention to the relationship between the social and political significance of theatre and the ways in which it is practised. The work students do here isn’t simply about putting on plays, it’s about scrutinising the ways performances are made – from classic plays to contemporary experimental performances.

'For us, performing isn’t simply "acting", but a specific mode of enquiry that enables students to experience and experiment with the mechanics and subtleties of different forms of theatrical representation.’

Dr Jason Price
Lecturer in Contemporary Theatre and Performance,
University of Sussex

Programme content

This course defines ‘theatre’ in a broad and inclusive manner, and you will encounter plays as well as examples of contemporary performance practices in your studies. The course offers you the opportunity to engage with modern theatre in great depth, and prepares you to develop academic and performative skills.

You take a rich variety of modules that interrogate the processes involved in approaching, making and performing theatre. Most modules include complementary theoretical and practical elements, and you are encouraged to express your ideas both in essays and performance presentations.

Core content

Year 1 

You are introduced to reading and staging theatre texts, and to theorising and making performance. Teaching throughout your course mostly takes the form of seminars and workshops

Year 2 

You familiarise yourself with developments and debates in contemporary theatre performance and composition • the study of the historical/cultural shift from modern to postmodern drama • writing for theatre • the early modern drama period

Final year

You specialise and choose from topics such as the study of theatre and ethics • approaches to making theatre politically • the body in performance • postdramatic theatre. You also choose from one of two final performance projects in which you undertake technical and performance roles

How will I learn?

You learn through a combination of seminars and practical workshops, where practice enables you to examine theoretical concepts, topics, methods and debates you are researching. Some modules are taught through seminar only. You also spend sustained periods in the studio, rehearsing and preparing performance projects and workshop presentations.

Your work is assessed by various means including seminar presentations, essays and longer dissertations, which train you in the academic disciplines of close reading and analysis, researching, writing, logical thought, critical evaluation of ideas, articulation of complex concepts, succinct expression and meticulous verbal presentation. There is also scope within your course to develop your own writing for theatre, as well as development of specialist production skills (eg devising, lighting, design, sound, directing). Your practical work is assessed through group workshop presentations, productions and critical reflective essays.

For more information, visit Studying at Sussex.

What will I achieve?

• a detailed knowledge of drama, theatre and performance, focusing on the modern and contemporary periods

• exploration of practical and performative concepts in drama, staging and the writing of texts

• an understanding of theatre as a social and political construct and as a form of communication. Performance offers a rich source of information about the way different cultures have developed

• intellectual understanding of the role of drama within society, as well as practical awareness – gained through exercises in writing, devising, acting and performance – of how drama is composed and staged

• by studying drama alongside other related subjects such as film, English or a language, you are able to make interdisciplinary connections

• a wide range of skills relating to analysis of texts, research, constructing bibliographies, presentation and articulation of ideas, collaboration and leadership, and critical and creative thinking
  
  
• if your course includes a language, the ability to speak and write the language to a high level, and to read dramatic texts in their original language.

Entry requirements

Sussex welcomes applications from students of all ages who show evidence of the academic maturity and broad educational background that suggests readiness to study at degree level. For most students, this will mean formal public examinations; details of some of the most common qualifications we accept are shown below. If you are an overseas student, refer to Applicants from outside the UK.

All teaching at Sussex is in the English language. If your first language is not English, you will also need to demonstrate that you meet our English language requirements.

A level

Typical offer: AAB-ABB

International Baccalaureate

Typical offer: 34 points overall

For more information refer to International Baccalaureate.

Access to HE Diploma

Typical offer: Pass the Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher.

Specific entry requirements: The Access to HE Diploma should be in the humanities or social sciences.

For more information refer to Access to HE Diploma.

Advanced Diploma

Typical offer: Pass with at least grade B in the Diploma and A in the Additional and Specialist Learning

Specific entry requirements: The Additional and Specialist Learning must be an A-level (ideally in a humanities or social science subject).

For more information refer to Advanced Diploma.

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma

Typical offer: DDD-DDM

For more information refer to BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.

European Baccalaureate

Typical offer: Overall result of at least 77%

For more information refer to European Baccalaureate.

Finnish Ylioppilastutkinto

Typical offer: Overall average result in the final matriculation examinations of at least 6.0

French Baccalauréat

Typical offer: Overall final result of at least 13/20

German Abitur

Typical offer: Overall result of 1.8 or better

Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher level)

Typical offer: AAAABB-AABBBB

Italian Diploma di Maturità or Diploma Pass di Esame di Stato

Typical offer: Final Diploma mark of at least 90/100

Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

Typical offer: AAABB-AABBB

For more information refer to Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers.

Spanish Titulo de Bachillerato (LOGSE)

Typical offer: Overall average result of at least 8.0

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma

Typical offer: Pass the Core plus at least AB in two A-levels

For more information refer to Welsh Baccalaureate.

Related subjects

• American studies
• English
• English language
• Languages

Fees and funding

Fees

Funding

The funding sources listed below are for the subject area you are viewing and may not apply to all degrees listed within it. Please check the description of the individual funding source to make sure it is relevant to your chosen degree.

Careers and profiles

This course prepares you for employment in fields such as theatre and performing arts, arts administration, further study to Masters and PhD level at professional conservatoires and drama schools, and for the media, film and journalistic professions. Other graduates will use their skills in applied and socially engaged practices, such as drama therapy, community and prison work, and teaching.

Recent graduates have taken up a range of posts with employers including: associate producer at Brand New School • marketing executive at Triniti Marketing • operations executive at Boundary i-Media • senior team leader at IMG • marketing executive at Future Publishing • PA to Head of Business and Legal Affairs at BBC Worldwide • production assistant at the Arcola Theatre.

Specific employer destinations listed are taken from recent Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education surveys, which are produced annually by the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

Careers and employability

For employers, it’s not so much what you know, but what you can do with your knowledge that counts. The experience and skills you’ll acquire during and beyond your studies will make you an attractive prospect. Initiatives such as SussexPlus, delivered by the Careers and Employability Centre, help you turn your skills to your career advantage. It’s good to know that 94 per cent of our graduates are in work or further study (Which? University).

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Jonathan's staff perspective

‘Sussex provides world-leading teaching and excellent academic facilities, with a vibrant student life in a fantastic location. All of this meant that I left Sussex with a unique set of experiences and a degree that has prepared me for my future.

‘Joining Student Recruitment Services at the University has enabled me to share my experiences of Sussex with others. Coming to an Open Day gives you the opportunity to meet our research-active academics and our current students, while exploring our beautiful campus. But don’t worry if you can’t make an Open Day, there’s plenty of other opportunities to visit Sussex. Check out our Visit us and Open Days pages or our Facebook page to find out more.

‘I’ve loved every moment of my time at Sussex – these have been the best years of my life.’

Jonathan Bridges
Graduate Intern, Student Recruitment Services