4-Term Pathway - Foundation Certificate in Humanities - Continue to Bachelor of Arts (Honours) - Drama and Literature (Placement Year)

For students who've finished high school but don’t meet the entry requirements for university, a Foundation Certificate can help them gain entry to an undergraduate degree. After completing this pathway option students qualify for progression to the 1st year of an undergraduate degree at the University of Essex.

A student’s course length is determined mainly by their English language level (UKVI IELTS score). Students on all course lengths take a set of common or similar modules to gain a solid base of skills for university. Students taking a course longer than 2 terms, will take additional modules designed to improve one or more of their English language level, academic skills, and basic knowledge of particular subjects.

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) - Drama and Literature

Students can study a wide range of dramatic texts, from Ancient Greek times to the present day, and develop an understanding of the principal developments in European Theatre.

They can benefit from the Lakeside Theatre, which has been established as a major venue for excellent drama, known for a commitment to new writing for the stage. Not only do many professional touring companies bring their productions of new plays to the Lakeside Theatre but there has been a wealth of new work produced by its own staff and students. An essential element of the Lakeside Theatre’s program has been the opportunity it gives students to write or direct new plays, as well as re-define classics and re-discover neglected masterpieces.

Topics covered in the modules include:

• Transforming dramatic texts into dramatic performance • Comedy, tragedy and the development of genre, both in theory and practice • Gender and sexual politics on stage • Writing for theater • Translating novels for the screen • Writing of the US South

The commitment to the student experience is why the Department is ranked first for drama in the Guardian University Guide 2020 and top 5 for dance, drama and cinematics The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020. The students love them too; 94% of their drama students expressed overall satisfaction with their course (NSS 2020).

* Please note that this delivery option of the course includes a placement year.

Students may decide to opt for a placement year, where they develop their professional skills and build a network of business contacts. A placement year can give students a career advantage by showing future employers that they are a dedicated and experienced professional.