Key information
- Duration:
- 4 years full time
- Typical A-level offer:
- ABB
- Contextual A-level offer:
- BBC-BCC
- UCAS code:
- W401
- Start date:
- September 2021
- 2nd in the UK for Drama, Dance and Cinematics (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020)
- 7th in the UK for Drama, Dance and Cinematics (The Complete University Guide 2021)
Explore theatre and performance through a distinctive combination of practice and theory. This degree examines the social and political contexts that shape contemporary performance - approaching theatre as a way of thinking and responding to the world we live in.
You’ll develop skills in performance, writing, directing and performance analysis in our versatile facilities, including the state-of-the-art Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts.
Benefit from regular theatre trips in Brighton and beyond, and the programme’s close relationships with international cutting-edge practitioners who bring shows to the ACCA and run visiting artist workshops. You also have the opportunity to apply for a year studying abroad.
Choosing Sussex – John Giannini, Drama, Theatre and Performance BA
Entry requirements
A-level
| Typical offer | ABB |
|---|---|
| Contextual offer | BBC-BCC Not everyone has the same support to get to higher education – we help you reach your potential. When we receive applications through UCAS, we consider all factors and will sometimes make contextual offers as part of our Access and Participation Plan |
| GCSEs | You should also have a broad range of GCSEs 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects. |
| Extended Project Qualification | We take the EPQ into account when considering your application and it can be useful in the summer when your results are released if you have narrowly missed the conditions of your offer. We do not routinely include the EPQ in the conditions of your offer but we sometimes offer alternative conditions that include the EPQ. If you wish to discuss this further please contact us |
Other UK qualifications
Access to HE Diploma
| Typical offer | Pass Diploma with at least 39 level 3 credits at Merit or above including 21-24 credits at Distinction |
|---|---|
| Subjects | The Access to HE Diploma should be in the Humanities. |
Cambridge Pre-U Principle Subjects (including A-level mixes)
| Typical offer | D3, M2 and M2 in the Pre-U If you have one A-level and two Cambridge Pre-U Principle Subjects, we would expect you to have a grade A in the A-level and M2 and M2 in the two Pre-Us. If you have two A-levels and Cambridge Pre-U Principle Subjects, we would normally expect you to have grades AB in the two A-levels and M2 in the Pre-U. |
|---|---|
| GCSEs | You should also have a broad range of GCSEs grade 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects. |
International Baccalaureate
| Typical offer | 32 points overall from the full IB Diploma. |
|---|
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma and one A-level
| Typical offer | Grade A in A-level, plus DM in Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma. |
|---|---|
| GCSEs | You should also have a broad range of GCSEs grade 9-4 (A*-C), including GCSE (or equivalent) in English at grade 5 (or grade B). |
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate and two A-levels
| Typical offer | Grades BB in A-levels plus Distinction in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate. |
|---|---|
| GCSEs | You should also have a broad range of GCSEs grade 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects. |
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma)
| Typical offer | DDD |
|---|---|
| Subjects | The BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma would normally be in Performing Arts. |
| GCSEs | You should also have a broad range of GCSEs grade 9-4 (A*-C), including GCSE (or equivalent) in English at grade 5 (or grade B).
|
Scottish Highers
| Typical offer | AABBB |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements | If you are taking Advanced Highers we would normally expect you to have at least BBB. |
Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced
| Typical offer | Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate and two A-level grades - ABB |
|---|---|
| GCSEs | You should have a broad range of GCSEs A*-C (9-4), including good grades in relevant subjects |
International Baccalaureate
| Typical offer | 32 points overall from the full IB Diploma. |
|---|
European Baccalaureate
| Typical offer | Overall result of at least 77% |
|---|
Other international qualifications
Australia
| Typical offer | Relevant state (Year 12) High School Certificate, and between 92% to 88% in the ATAR or UAI/TER/ENTER, or a Queensland OP of 3 to 4 or better.
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Austria
| Typical offer | Reifeprüfung or Matura with an overall result of between 1.8 to 2.0 or better for first-year entry. |
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Belgium
| Typical offer | Certificat d'Enseignement Secondaire Supérieur (CESS) or Diploma van Hoger Secundair Onderwijs with a good overall average. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Bulgaria
| Typical offer | Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie with excellent final-year scores (normally 5.5 overall with 6 in key subjects). |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Canada
| Typical offer | Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) 75% from 6 grade 12 U, U/C or M courses. British Columbia Certificate of Graduation AAABB-AABBB from 5 grade 12 courses. We also recognise the High School Diploma from other provinces -including Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick- where we look for strong performance in grade 12 subjects, and the Diplome d'Etudes Collegiales (DEC) from Quebec. |
|---|
China
| Typical offer | If you have the Goakao, we will consider applications for direct entry to first year. You would normally need an overall average of 75%, including required subjects. We are also pleased to consider applications if you are following a recognised International Foundation Year or you have one or more years of Higher Education in China at a recognised degree awarding institution. The Senior High School Graduation alone would not be sufficient for entry to our undergraduate degrees, but you may be eligible to apply for our International Foundation Year. If you successfully complete an International Foundation Year, you can progress on to a relevant undergraduate course at Sussex. Check which qualifications the International Study Centre accepts for the International Foundation Year. |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Croatia
| Typical offer | Maturatna Svjedodžba with an overall score of between 4.5 and 4.2 |
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Cyprus
| Typical offer | Apolytirion of Lykeion with an overall average of between 19 /20 and 18.5 /20 will be considered for first-year entry. |
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Czech Republic
| Typical offer | Maturita with a good overall average. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Denmark
| Typical offer | Højere Forberedelseseksamen (HF) or Studentereksamen with an overall average of at least 7 on the new grading scale. |
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Finland
| Typical offer | Pass Ylioppilastutkinto with overall final result of at least EEEM |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
France
| Typical offer | French Baccalauréat with overall final result of at least 13/20 to 14/20. |
|---|
Germany
| Typical offer | German Abitur with an overall result of 1.8 to 2.0 or better. |
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Greece
| Typical offer | Apolytirion with an overall average of at least 18.5 will be considered for first-year entry. |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Hong Kong
| Typical offer | Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) with grades of 5, 5, 4 to 5, 4, 4 from three subjects including two electives |
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Hungary
| Typical offer | Erettsegi/Matura with a good average of at least 55544. |
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India
| Typical offer | Standard XII results
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Iran
| Typical offer | High School Diploma and Pre-University Certificate. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Ireland
| Typical offer | Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher Level) at H1,H1,H2,H2,H3 to H1,H2,H2,H3,H3. |
|---|
Israel
| Typical offer | Bagrut, with at least 8/10 in at least six subjects, including one five-unit subject. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Italy
| Typical offer | Italian Diploma Di Maturità or Diploma Pass Di Esame Di Stato with a final Diploma mark of between 81/100 and 85/100. |
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Japan
| Typical offer | Upper Secondary Leaving Certificate is suitable for entry to our Foundation Years. Find out more about Foundation Years. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Latvia
| Typical offer | Atestats par Visparejo videjo Izglitibu with very good grades in state exams. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Lithuania
| Typical offer | Brandos Atestatas including scores of 80-90% in at least three state examinations (other than English). |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Luxembourg
| Typical offer | Diplôme de Fin d'Etudes Secondaires. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Malaysia
| Typical offer | Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) with grades of AAB-ABB, Matriculation with a least a grade of 3.5 or UEC with an overall average grade B3 (75%). |
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Netherlands
| Typical offer | Voorereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO), normally with an average of at least 7. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Nigeria
| Typical offer | You are expected to have one of the following:
You must also have a score of C6 or above in WAEC/SSC English. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Norway
| Typical offer | Norwegian Vitnemal Fra Den Videregaende Opplaering - Pass with an overall average of between 4 to 4.5 |
|---|
Pakistan
| Typical offer | You can apply for direct entry to Year 1 if you are completing at least two years of Bachelor degree studies. You'll normally need to complete a Foundation year after taking Intermediate Certificate or the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC). You might choose one of our International Foundation Years at the International Study Centre on campus.
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|---|---|
| Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Poland
| Typical offer | Pass Matura with least 3 Extended level subjects in the 75th percentile.
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Portugal
| Typical offer | Diploma de Ensino Secundario normally with an overall mark of between 17/20 and 18/20. |
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Romania
| Typical offer | Diploma de Bacalaureat with an overall average of 8.5. |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Singapore
| Typical offer | A-levels, as well as certain certificates and diplomas. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Slovakia
| Typical offer | Pass Vysvedčenie o maturitnej skúške (Maturita) with an average grade of 1.8 from 4 subjects. Please note: Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
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Slovenia
| Typical offer | Secondary School Leaving Diploma or Matura with at least 25 points overall. |
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South Africa
| Typical offer | National Senior Certificate with very good grades. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Spain
| Typical offer | Spanish Título de Bachillerato (LOGSE) with an overall average result of at least 8.0. |
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Sri Lanka
| Typical offer | Sri Lankan A-levels. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Sweden
| Typical offer | Fullstandigt Slutbetyg/Högskoleförberedande Examen with a total of 2,500 credits to include B grades in the majority of subjects.
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|---|---|
| Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Switzerland
| Typical offer | Federal Maturity Certificate. |
|---|---|
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Turkey
| Typical offer | We'll consider students who have taken the Lise Diplomasi or Lise Bitirme, with a score of at least 4/5 or 80/100 in their final year, on a case by case basis for direct entry to year 1. Where direct entry is unsuitable, we'll automatically consider you for one of our Foundation Years. Or you might want to apply to one of our International Foundation Years at the international Study Centre on Campus. Visit isc.sussex.ac.uk/our-courses/international-foundation-year or www.sussex.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/foundation-years |
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USA
| Typical offer | We look at your full profile taking into account everything you are studying, including the high school graduation diploma, Grade 12 GPA, SAT tests and subject tests and/or ACT grades We are particularly interested in AP tests and would ideally like to see 3 good AP scores Advanced Placement Tests with scores of between 5,5,4 to 5,4,4 in 3 AP subjects. If you have taken the SAT reasoning tests we'd normally expect a combined score of at least 1300 and will look for around 600 in relevant subject tests. If you've taken the ACT we'd expect to see a composite score of at least 26.
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My country is not listed
If your qualifications aren’t listed or you have a question about entry requirements, contact us
English language requirements
IELTS (Academic)
6.5 overall, including at least 6.0 in each component
Check your IELTS qualification meets all of our language requirements
Other English language requirements
Proficiency tests
Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English (CAE)
176 overall, including at least 169 in each skill
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
176 overall, including at least 169 in each skill
Duolingo English test (for 2020 entry)
115 overall
Check your Duolingo English test qualification meets all of our language requirements
Pearson (PTE Academic)
62 overall, including at least 56 in all four skills.
Check your Pearson (PTE Academic) qualification meets all of our language requirements
TOEFL (iBT)
88 overall, including at least 20 in Listening, 19 in Reading, 21 in Speaking, 23 in Writing.
Check your TOEFL qualification meets all of our language requirements
Find out more about TOEFL (iBT).
The TOEFL Institution Code for the University of Sussex is 9166.
English language qualifications
AS/A-level (GCE)
Grade C or above in English Language.
Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE)/ AS or A Level: grade C or above in Use of English
GCE O-level
Grade C or above in English.
Brunei/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.
Singapore/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.
GCSE or IGCSE
Grade C or above in English as a First Language (grade 4 or above in GCSE from 2017).
Grade B or above in English as a Second Language
German Abitur
A score of 12 or above in English.
Ghana Senior Secondary School Certificate
If awarded before 1993: grades 1-6 in English language.
If awarded between 1993 and 2005: grades A-D in English language.
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)
Level 4, including at least 3 in each component in English Language.
Indian School Certificate (Standard XII)
The Indian School Certificate is accepted at the grades below when awarded by the following examination boards:
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) – English Core only: 70%
Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) - English: 70%
International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)
English A or English B at grade 5 or above.
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education
Grades A – C in English
Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) 119/GCE O-level
If taken before the end of 2008: grades 1-5 in English Language.
If taken from 2009 onwards: grade C or above in English Language.
The qualification must be jointly awarded by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES).
West African Senior School Certificate
Grades 1-6 in English language when awarded by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) or the National Examinations Council (NECO).
Country exceptions
Select to see the list of exempt English-speaking countries
If you are a national of one of the countries below, or if you have recently completed a qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree or higher in one of these countries, you will normally meet our English requirements. Note that qualifications obtained by distance learning or awarded by studying outside these countries cannot be accepted for English language purposes.
You will normally be expected to have completed the qualification within two years before starting your course at Sussex. If the qualification was obtained earlier than this we would expect you to be able to demonstrate that you have maintained a good level of English, for example by living in an English-speaking country or working in an occupation that required you to use English regularly and to a high level.
Please note that this list is determined by the UK’s Home Office, not by the University of Sussex.
List of exempt countries
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Canada**
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- United Kingdom
- USA
** Canada: you must be a national of Canada; other nationals not on this list who have a degree from a Canadian institution will not normally be exempt from needing to provide evidence of English.
Admissions information for applicants
| Selection workshop | Yes |
|---|---|
| Transfers into Year 2 | Yes. Find out more about transferring into Year 2 of this course. We don’t accept transfers into the third or final year. |
If your qualifications aren’t listed or you have a question about entry requirements, contact us
For details on any additional costs, check out the Fees and scholarships section.
Don’t meet our entry requirements?
If you don't meet our entry requirements, we recommend our in-house Foundation Year course to prepare you for Year 1 of your chosen degree:
Modules
This is a single-honours course, allowing you to focus in depth on your core subject.
Find out about our types of undergraduate degrees, their structure, modules and credits
These modules are running in the academic year 2020/21. We also plan to offer them in future academic years. They may become unavailable due to staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let our applicants know of such changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
Core modules
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
Options
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
Explore modules from other subjects
At Sussex, you can choose to customise your course to build the sort of degree that will give you the knowledge, skills and experience that could take you in any direction you choose.
As part of this degree, you can explore subjects that are different to your course through electives and pathways that complement your main subject. You will either have the option to choose an elective as part of this course, or it may be necessary to choose an elective or pathway to meet the credit requirements.
These modules are running in the academic year 2020/21. We also plan to offer them in future academic years. They may become unavailable due to staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let our applicants know of such changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
Core modules
Autumn teaching
Options
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
- Modern and Postmodern Drama
- Performance: Directing and Composition
- Performing Practices
- Writing for Theatre
Explore modules from other subjects
At Sussex, you can choose to customise your course to build the sort of degree that will give you the knowledge, skills and experience that could take you in any direction you choose.
As part of this degree, you can explore subjects that are different to your course through electives and pathways that complement your main subject. You will either have the option to choose an elective as part of this course, or it may be necessary to choose an elective or pathway to meet the credit requirements.
Apply to study abroad – you’ll develop an international perspective and gain an edge when it comes to your career. Find out where your course could take you.
Studying abroad – John Giannini, Drama, Theatre and Performance BA
Please note: Programs with a study abroad year are not eligible for USA federal Direct Loan funds. Find out more about American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid
These modules are running in the academic year 2020/21. We also plan to offer them in future academic years. They may become unavailable due to staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let our applicants know of such changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
Core modules
Autumn teaching
Options
Spring teaching
The Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts at the University of Sussex
Virtual Open Days
28, 29 and 30 July 2020
Our staff
The work students do here isn’t simply about putting on plays, but scrutinising the ways theatre is thought about and made – from classic plays to experimental performances.”Dr Jason Price
Senior Lecturer in Contemporary Theatre and Performance
Fees
Fees are not yet set for entry in the academic year 2021. Note that your fees, once they’re set, may be subject to an increase on an annual basis.
Find out about typical living costs for studying at Sussex
Find out about our terms and conditions
Scholarships
We believe in helping students in need of financial support so we continue to attract talented people. Scholarships for 2021/22 entry aren’t available yet, but check back soon for details.
Careers
Through regular theatre trips and workshops with specialist faculty and professional artists, you study the cutting edge of contemporary theatre practice. Recent workshops have been conducted by, among others, Complicite, Reckless Sleepers, and Michael Attenborough.
You’ll develop practical careers skills in critical assessment, written communication, independent thinking and problem-solving. Our graduates have set up their own theatre companies and established themselves as professional directors and performers.
You can also go on to further study, or pursue a career in:
- media, film and journalism
- publishing, libraries and education.
Graduate destinations
Recent graduates have found jobs as:
- freelance theatre director, The Gate (JMK award winner)
- poet and playwright, The Roundhouse (Live Canon Poetry prize winner)
- media and project co-ordinator, Young Start-up Talent.
(Drama, Theatre and Peformance careers database)
Working while you study
Our Careers and Employability Centre can help you find part-time work while you study. Find out more about career development and part-time work
Sussex has taken me on a journey that includes teaching Drama in Budapest, and working as a film researcher.”Rosa Saunders
Drama Studies graduate
Career ambitions – John Giannini, Drama, Theatre and Performance BA
As part of the selection process for the Drama degrees, applicants who
appear to meet the academic requirements of the courses will normally
be invited to a selection workshop. We use these workshops to assess applicants' suitability for undertaking practical work during their degree and to see how they engage with learning in a
workshop context. This is taken into consideration alongside the UCAS application in selecting students for an offer.