Help others to express their creativity.
Three A-levels at grades CCC or above.
Or BTEC triple grades MMM or above.
Or Access 32-45 D/M with min 6D
And GCSE English Language at grade 4 or grade C or above.
Experience of performing arts should be demonstrated via your personal statement. DBS check required.
If you have a passion for the challenge of performance and want to share this with others, this performing arts degree is for you. The course will help you to understand how to bring out the best in people through participation in dance, drama and music, as well as developing your own performance skills. You’ll learn how to help them to overcome challenges such as vulnerability or lack of confidence, and you’ll provide memorable experiences in which others can discover what they are really capable of.
As a member of The Actor's Wheel Theatre Company, you’ll train intensively in music, dance and acting alongside our actors and actor musicians, and benefit from our excellent track record in teacher training as you work alongside students on our education degrees to explore how people of all ages learn. Through projects in educational and community settings you’ll perfect your practical teaching and facilitation skills, preparing you for employment or to set up your own business as a community arts practitioner. You’ll explore your love of the arts, perhaps discovering career paths you hadn’t previously considered, and have the opportunity to perform yourself as well as facilitating others’ performance.
Opportunities to develop work for and with a range of groups through our close links with hundreds of schools and community groups.
Intensive training in drama, music and dance led by industry professionals.
Perform in our 300 seat theatre and black box studio theatre.
Long history of creating exceptional teachers, blended with an innovative and inspirational performing and acting community.
Taught by practicing professionals in teaching, performance and applied theatre.
Three varied work placements.
Is talent born or made?
How can performance lead to social change?
Which is more important in a school play: high quality or participation from everyone?
Why does creativity in communities matter?
How can performing arts help children learn other subjects?
Why use performing arts in prisons, rehabilitation centres or special education needs schools?
At the end of the course you are well placed to begin a PGCE or School Direct qualification to become a secondary or primary teacher specialising in drama. Or you could move into roles in the broader education or theatre sectors such as educational management, community theatre groups or informal educational environments such as those around tourism or events. You could also choose to lead children’s and community theatre groups as well as potentially setting up your own performing arts company.
“The course allowed me to perfect the practical side of my work, and to understand all the educational and performance theory. Among my standout moments at university were when I directed a performance of ‘The Jungle Book’ in a local primary school and organised and led a school trip to Marjon Arts Centre. I’ve now launched my own education theatre company and have recently been working in a school, teaching teachers how to use performing arts skills in their day to day practice.”
Tom is founder of the Mallender Theatre Company.
“ "During your first year you will learn the fundamentals of education and explore how music is used in an educational environment. You'll also learn about the origins of theatre while working towards a performance. In the second year you will learn how childhoods differ around the world; discover different attitudes to education over time and learn how to lead acting workshops in the community. The third year has a focus on developing your own philosophy of education. Modules are also run on theatre production, music and supporting young people in schools."”
Fees UK students: £9,250 per annum
Fees for International students: £12,000 per annum
Teaching takes place through lectures and seminars as well as workshops, rehearsals and performances.
Assessment is through a variety of tasks including essays, log books, performances, running workshops and presentations.
Natalie is a performance artist with over 10 years professional experience in industry, presenting and exhibiting her work across Europe and North America. She is a specialist in performer training, working with students across Acting, Musical Theatre, and Performing Arts in Education programmes to deliver a blend of strength & conditioning, yoga, and physical theatre technique. She teaches and researches feminist performance; sex, gender, and the body in performance; and contemporary performance making technique.
View full profileKate is an experienced Performing Arts teacher. She is passionate about social justice and the use of drama and theatre for social and political purposes, and as a platform for individual or social change. She is currently researching the use of theatre in mental health contexts.
Katy is a professional actor and has performed in many musicals on UK national tours, including at the Victoria Palace, London and the Theatre Royal, Plymouth. She teaches Performing Arts in Education and Musical Theatre.
Linzie is the resident Vocal Coach for our Performing Arts courses. She has over twenty years professional performing experience as a comedy vocalist, impressionist and singer. She has performed worldwide in theatres, onboard cruise ships and in the commercial and corporate entertainment business. Alongside this, she also has experience as a Creative Learning Practitioner and Drama Teacher, working for Theatre Royal Plymouth and in schools across Devon.
In addition to the structured course elements there will be extra curricular opportunities to develop your practice and CV which are actively encouraged.