BA (Hons) in Theatre and Creative Writing, Lancaster University

Lancaster,

36 Months

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About this course

Lancaster University's degree in Theatre and Creative Writing is a dynamic joint program taught by the Lancaster Institute for the Contemporary Arts and the Department of English and Creative Writing. It combines theatre studies with the creation of original fiction, poetry, or plays, encouraging interaction between these two creative fields. The programme offers practical and academic approaches, focusing on innovative twentieth and twenty-first century theatre and performance. Students learn from award-winning practitioners and scholars, developing both critical and creative skills applicable to theatre and broader creative industries. Creative Writing courses are led by widely published authors in a variety of genres like fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction. Core courses include foundations in theatre and creative writing, progressing to specialised modules in performance techniques, critical reflections, and genre-specific writing, culminating in a final year production or creative project.

Why this course is highly recommended

Lancaster University's course is highly regarded because it offers a unique combination of Theatre and Creative Writing taught by experienced professionals and scholars. The university ranks highly in Drama and Creative Writing according to The Complete University Guide and The Guardian. The programme provides extensive practical experience through productions, workshops, and collaborations, while also emphasizing academic analysis. Students gain transferable skills including communication, project management, and research, making them highly employable across creative and cultural industries. Graduates have gone on to become performers, writers, community artists, educators, researchers, and arts administrators, demonstrating the course's versatility and industry relevance.

Specialisation

This course seamlessly blends Theatre with Creative Writing, allowing students to develop skills in performance, dramaturgy, scenography, and diverse writing genres such as poetry, fiction, and non-fiction. You can explore genre-specific options like Short Fiction, Poetry Writing, Creative Non-fiction, and more specialized modules like Writing for Performance or Visual Theatre. The curriculum is designed to enhance your practical skills whilst fostering critical thinking about contemporary theatrical practice and literary forms, enabling you to tailor your degree towards your specific interests in either or both disciplines.

Course fees

Application fees

1st year tuition fees

26.07L

Living cost

Degree requirements

Applicants typically need ABB at A level, with a preference for subjects like Theatre, Drama, Dance, or Performing Arts, though practical theatre experience is also valued. Other accepted qualifications include Access to HE Diplomas with specific credits, BTEC Extended Diplomas with at least DDM, and the International Baccalaureate with a minimum of 32 points. Additionally, applications from Scottish Highers, T levels, and other qualifications are considered. Proficiency in English is required, with an IELTS score of 6.5 overall, including at least 5.5 in each component.

English language test

IELTS

6.5

TOEFL

PTE

DUOLINGO

Career prospects

Graduates from this programme are equipped to work as performers, choreographers, dramaturgs, technicians, directors, writers, community artists, arts administrators, and educators. Many pursue postgraduate studies to become academics, lecturers, or researchers. The course also develops key skills like creative thinking, communication, project planning, and research, which are valuable in the UK’s creative industries and beyond. The diverse skill set supports careers in theatre production, writing, arts management, social change through community theatre, and arts therapy, among others.

FAQs

What are the entry requirements for this course?

The typical entry requirements are ABB at A level, with subjects like Theatre, Drama, Dance, or Performing Arts being desirable. Other qualifications such as BTEC, IB, and Scottish Highers are also accepted, alongside English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 overall.

Are there practical components in this course?

Yes, the course includes practical modules such as Theatre Practice, Devised Theatre, Visual Theatre, and Writing for Performance, which involve group projects, performance development, and technical work.