I haven’t been to an Open Day prior to my Applicant Day. Is that an issue?
That’s not a problem at all. The first optional talk on your Applicant Day is the same as the presentation that we give at our Open Days. If you’d prefer to watch a pre-recorded version of this before attending the Open Day, you can view this here.
Where is the best place to find out more about Theatre and Performance Studies at Warwick?
The best place to learn more about us is from our Theatre and Performance Studies Prospectus. This gives a great overview of what you could get up to on the course, beyond the course in your free time while at University, and once you’ve left Warwick. We’d usually give you a hard copy of this prospectus to take away as part of our Open Days and Applicant Days. You can also find out more on our UG Theatre and Performance BA page. If you want to know about our wider department, including our staff and research interests, take a look on our website.
What modules might I study as part of the course?
In first-year you do four core modules which balance theory and practice. In second and third year there’s only one core module, so you’re empowered to curate your own path through the degree. There’s a wide range of modules available for you to choose from. Check out what modules are currently available on our website.
If you want to find out what our students have to say about their modules, check out the Our Students page on our website and take a look at their blogs displayed there. Evie has recently written about the first year core modules, Hannah has written about the Post-War Theatre and Social Abjection module, Emma has written about her course Placement, and Olivia has written about Applied Theatre.
What does a typical week as a Theatre and Performance Studies student look like?
In first year, everyone on the Single Honours course has the same timetable. One of our first-year bloggers has captured a typical week for her. In your second and third year, everyone’s timetable will be unique. This is because there’s a lot of optionality with our course, allowing you to design a degree to suit your interests and strengths. Those who take more theory-based modules may have less contact time, but more independent study. Those who choose more practical modules could end up with a more intensive weekly schedule.
What do your students have to say about the course?
We know that what our students have to say is really important to prospective students. During these Virtual Applicant Days we like to ensure that you have plenty of time to hear from and speak to current students about their experiences on the course. Theatre and Performance Studies students will be involved in almost all sessions during the day. They’ll be contributing to the morning’s presentation, leading the Virtual Campus Tour and will be around during the Common Room Cuppa session. They’ll be in a virtual waiting room as you prepare for your one-to-one discussion, and they’ll join us for the end of the day ‘What Next?’ session. In advance of the Virtual Applicant Day, you can also hear from our students by checking out the Our Students section of our website where you can view videos, student blogs and vlogs, and more.
What sort of careers do your students go on to have after their degree?
Our students work in a vast array of careers. First and foremost we have graduates working in the Creative Industries: as actors, directors, producers, designers, technicians, artistic directors and more. These work for companies such as the RSC, the National Theatre, Cameron Macintosh, ATG Theatres, Youtube, the BBC and more.
Secondly, we have graduates who form fledgling theatre companies during the course. These regularly go on to be hugely successful. One of our graduate companies which has received critical acclaim in the last few years is Breach, but there are plenty more. In 2015, Theatre Critic Andrew Haydon asked in The Guardian: ‘What is it about Warwick?’. This was his response to the Edinburgh Festival, where he found that some of the best work that he’d seen that year had originated at Warwick.
Thirdly, a quality degree from a Russell group university such as Warwick can take you in all sorts of other directions. Graduates have used the unique set of skills developed on our course to work in Law, the Civil Service, PR, Marketing, Journalism and more. Take a look at our Alumni Video and hear what our graduates have to say about Theatre and Performance Studies at Warwick.If you had to summarise Theatre and Performance Studies in numbers, what would you say?
How strange that you should ask that! Dr Tim White has used some of his technological wizardry to prepare a video to summarise Theatre and Performance Studies at Warwick in numbers.
Do you offer any joint degrees?
Yes. You can choose from the following Joint Honours degrees:
- Theatre and Performance Studies and Global Sustainable Development (BASc)
- English and Theatre Studies (BA)
- French and Theatre Studies (BA)
- German and Theatre Studies (BA)
- Hispanic and Theatre Studies (BA)
- Italian and Theatre Studies (BA)
Can I study abroad?
As part of your degree you have the option to apply to do an intercalated year studying with one of our partner institutions overseas. In 2020/21 these partners included University of Toronto in Canada; Monash University in Australia; and a number of Universities in Europe, including in Helsinki, Lisbon, Ljubljana, and Dublin. The locations that you can travel to are confirmed in November of the preceding academic year to when you would be travelling and these locations can change each year. There will also be opportunities for you to apply to have short periods of study, work, research and/or volunteering overseas during vacation periods in order to gain international experience without adding a year to your studies. The Study Mobility Team offers support for these activities, and the Department’s dedicated Study Abroad Co-ordinator can provide more specific information and assistance. For more information on studying abroad, you can access this here.
What work experience opportunities are available?
You will encounter performers, directors, playwrights and arts administrators from the industry throughout your degree in seminars and practical workshops. The optional Theatre and the Creative Industries module brings professionals and experts into the classroom on a regular basis.
You can also opt to do a placement module as part of the course. Our students gain valuable industry experience during their degree at Warwick Arts Centre, taking roles such as Youth Theatre Leaders, Performance Stewards, or Marketing and Programming Interns.What are the benefits of having Warwick Arts Centre on campus?
Warwick Arts Centre is the largest multi-arts venue outside of London. It has a Concert Hall, a Theatre, two Studio Theatres, a Cinema, an Art Gallery, a Lecture Theatre and more. In 2014, as the venue celebrated its 40th birthday, we found out what this venue means locally and nationally but also (perhaps more importantly for you) to students. Take a look at these two videos to find out more. We’d also suggest that you take a look at their website, to get a sense of their artistic programme and the sort of companies and artists who perform there.
From the get-go, our students get to experience the theatre industry up close through our collaborations with Warwick Arts Centre. As part of their course they’re taken to see work there, they can do the Theatre and the Creative Industries module in partnership with the venue in Year 2 or 3 of their degree, and they can perform there as part of the final-year Verge Festival showcase.
Beyond the course, students perform at Warwick Arts Centre with the student societies. Every year Warwick Arts Centre dedicates time in its jam-packed schedule to produce student work. Many of our students see shows at the venue in their spare time. They also regularly secure voluntary or paid work there. Students can be found working as Stewards, Box Office Assistants, Duty Managers, Youth Theatre Leaders, and Marketing and Programme Interns, amongst other things.
What student societies should I join?
Warwick has one of the largest number of student societies in the UK, with 268 societies as of June 2020. These relate to sports, cultures, faiths, campaigning, hobbies and much more. While many Universities may only boast one or two drama societies, we have at least 11. These include: Music Theatre Warwick, Opera Warwick, Freshblood (New Writing), Codpiece (Devising and Adaptation), Pantomime Soc, Shakespeare Soc, Tech Crew, and BAME Creatives. Many of these have Facebook pages and Instagram accounts if you want to take a look at what they’re up to. Besides these, there are other performance societies focussing on all different genres of dance and music, including the impressive University Orchestra and Chorus. A full list of student societies can be found on the Warwick SU website.
You can join multiple societies. Many of our students get involved in certain societies when a project arises that interests them. Almost every week during Term Time there are 2-3 shows or events taking place. Societies are a great way of meeting other like-minded people beyond the course.
There are a few student blogs which can tell you more about the Theatre Societies at Warwick. Our final-year blogger, Olivia, has written about her Year of Shows in 3 parts as well as giving an Overview of the Theatre Societies at Warwick. The list of societies has grown since this was written, and Hannah has recently done an interview with our newest society: BAME Creatives. Hannah has also written about the process of putting on a society show at Warwick Arts Centre.
What are your typical entry requirements?
Our typical A Level offer is ABB, but we do consider those with slightly lower predicted grades too. In addition, we accept a wide range of other qualifications, including BTECs and IB. Find out more here.
How many students do you usually take on the course?
One of our defining features is that we’re purposefully small. We aim to take 40 students on the Single Honours BA Theatre and Performance Studies course. In addition, we aim to take around 30 Joint Honours students each year.
Theatre and Performance Studies Brochure
At our on-campus Open Days and Applicant Days we’d usually give you a hard copy of our Theatre and Performance Studies brochure. We’d strongly recommend that you download this, as it summarises what you might expect from this degree and the wider University experience a Warwick.
Welcome to Your Virtual Applicant Day
Wednesday 27th January
While we would have loved to welcome you in person to campus for our Theatre and Performance Studies Applicant Day, our Virtual Applicant Day is the next best thing. Join us for a jam-packed day full of activities to help you to get a feel for what Theatre and Performance Studies at Warwick is all about. During the day you’ll get to see the campus and Warwick Arts Centre on a Virtual Tour, to engage with current students over a cup of coffee, to get involved in a taster seminar with peers, and to have a one-to-one discussion with a member of our academic team.
Before the event starts, take a look at the agenda, so you know what to expect from the day. There are events that can be attended by parents or family members and there are others which are entirely optional. There are also some events that you, as applicants, are required to attend in order to receive an offer for a place on the course. You’ll also be asked to do a few things before the day, so keep an eye out for guidance on what we’d like you to prepare.
We’re looking forward to meeting you at our Virtual Applicant Day very soon!
Your Title Here
360 Campus Tour
As part of your Applicant Day, you’ll be taken on a guided tour of campus and Warwick Arts Centre. This will be led by current Theatre and Performance Studies students and by a member of the Warwick Arts Centre Team. From lecture rooms to drama studios, and from the Library to the launderette, this tour will highlight how our campus can give you everything you need to thrive. But campus is far too big to see all in one go! Warwick’s campus is central to our students’ University experience, so you may wish to explore it further in your own time. If that’s the case, then we’d recommend that you go on an adventure around campus using our 360 Tour.
FAQs