BA/BA (Hons) Performance

You will:

• Extend your understanding of performance through practice, learning the principles of contemporary devising practices in semester 1, and adapting existing texts to create an original ensemble piece in semester 2.
• Develop an awareness of the contexts within which theatre currently operates in Scotland, in order to understand potential career trajectories, and develop key academic skills.
• Learn how to research through performance, to create a basis for your practice-based dissertation.
• Gain valuable placement experience in the Drama in Education module and/or the optional module Experiential Learning Placement
• Have the opportunity (subject to availability) to study for one semester at a university overseas. For more information, see Exchanges and Study Abroad.

Modules

• Contemporary Scottish Theatre in Context
• Devising Practices
• Drama in Education
• Performance Project
• Designing a Research Project
• Optional module

You will:

• Create an original group performance work and understand how to make it an entrepreneurial activity, as a basis for an independent career in the arts.
• Research and produce a practice-based dissertation, in an area of study of your choice (for example education, contemporary performance, textual interpretation, community practice, playwriting, directing).
• Develop a performance project with and for a specific community in the Creative Learning and the Community module

Modules

• Creative Practice & Enterprise
• Honours Study
• Creative Learning and the Community
• Optional module

Optional modules may include:

• Playwriting
• Site-Specific Performance
• Site & Sound
• Experiential Learning Placement
• Devised Physical Theatre
• Performance Art Practices
• Theatre Laboratory Practices
• Directing, Designing and Performing Shakespeare
• Directing
• Designing and Performing Contemporary Plays
• Student Initiated Module

NB These modules are indicative and may be subject to change year on year.

The course adopts a blended learning approach with teaching and learning activities mostly falling into two broad categories, each best suited for particular types of activities: seminars and workshops, which comprise the majority of the hours of staff-student contact on the course.

In seminars students will participate in active debate on theories, concepts and ideas in this academic field, collaborate on problem solving and engage in critical analysis of performance.

Workshops are the primary form of student-staff contact for this course, with students engaging in practical activities facilitated by the lecturer (or supervised by members of the staff team) either individually or in groups, as best befits explorative learning within this collaborative art form. The teaching team recognises that student-to-student interaction can be a highly effective learning activity and use various forms of group work, problem-solving groups, case based learning and project production teams, to enable this.

Peer teaching is enabled through the use of seminar presentations, postings of individual and group research processes on the Hub and/or PebblePad, and collaborative devising or workshop generation processes. Students are encouraged to be enquiring, critical and innovative. Emphasis is placed on analytical, divergent ways of thinking. In addition to their own independent learning, students also initiate and lead individual tutorials/workshops with members of staff related to coursework or dissertation supervision. 

You complete a placement as part of the Drama in Education module in Year Three. There are also further placement opportunities in the Experiential Learning option module in Years Three and Four. Placements can occur in a diversity of areas (community and youth theatre organisations, schools, arts organisations, charities and community groups). Students will source a placement host with support from QMU staff. Placements are usually in the creative sector but we will consider other options suggested by students if we feel they offer an opportunity for you to develop your practical skills

Yes. see 'Year Three' tab for more information.

This course is particularly suited to those who wish to pursue a career through applied performance practice (education, community outreach, independent performance making, directing, producing etc). For those interested in pursuing a career as a professional actor, we would instead recommend our Acting and Performance course.

Employability is built into the course through modules like Creative Practice and Enterprise, as well as through the practical skills taught to students and the transferable skills of research, communication and independent learning that are delivered across the curriculum. Students are encouraged to liaise with QMU’s careers service to identify further opportunities for professional and personal development.

During the course, students are introduced to the on-campus Business Gateway and Business Innovation Zone (BIZ). The BIZ provides business incubation space for any student or graduate led start-up companies. 

You can find career stories of QMU's various drama and performing arts courses on our dedicated website.

Standard entry requirements

• HND in Acting and Performance OR Musical Theatre OR Performing Arts with CB in the graded unit.
• Successful completion of years one and two of a undergraduate performing arts degree in a relevant subject area.

International: IELTS of 6.0 with no element lower than 5.5.

Non-standard entry

Our admissions team will manage applications for standard entry, to ensure consistency of decision making the programme leader or admissions officer will assess applications for non-standard entry. An interview with the applicant may be arranged in order to gather evidence. Entry would normally be based on the following criteria:

• Evidence of aptitude in written English, which is essential for ensuring applicants will be able to cope with the written assessments required.
  • A personal statement demonstrating a realistic anticipation of the challenges presented by the degree and a sense of their potential to meet these.
  • Experience of/enthusiasm for drama whether as an audience member or as a theatre-maker that is gauged within what was accessible to the candidate. In some parts of Scotland there is little youth theatre, little offer of drama within secondary education and limited access to professional theatre performances.
  • Qualifications demonstrating the ability to engage in sustained, systematic study even if this is not within the standard entry requirements (see below for the recognition of prior learning).

Applications for entry with general advanced standing (ie credit for previous study) are referred to the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning Panel. Credit may be given for prior experiential learning. Normally, credit given will be specific rather than general (ie on a subject for subject basis).

International: IELTS of 6.0 with no element lower than 5.5

QMU. For more information, please see ‘External Review’ section on the ‘How we teach and how you’ll learn’ page.

For more information, please see ‘How we teach and how you’ll learn’.