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Applied and Contemporary Theatre

  • BA (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Stag Hill
More about University of Surrey

Course options

2026-2027
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Course summary

Why choose this course

  • Applied theatre utilises drama to discover, learn and share the issues and themes that concern communities and spotlight social inequalities. This course engages with contemporary politics and not only asks how we can make theatre but why do we make theatre and what is it that you want to say through performance.

  • Take the opportunity to get industry-ready with our award-winning Professional Training placements.

  • This unique programme trains future directors, devisors, performance artists, theatre makers, writers, applied theatre practitioners and much more.

What you will study
On our BA (Hons) Applied and Contemporary Theatre course, you will be taught by industry-leading professionals and will join a vibrant community of talented performers, theatre-makers, creative practitioners, stage managers and technicians.

You will embark on a journey that will equip you to devise, produce and direct theatre, work creatively in a range of settings such as prisons, youth centres and care homes, build industry contacts and become the next generation of performance artists/activists and creative entrepreneurs. As well as studying core skills in performing disciplines (voice, singing, movement, theatre making and music), course content includes, but isn’t limited to:

  • Theatre for social change

  • Political theatre

  • Contemporary performance

  • Devised theatre

  • Community theatre

  • Theatre in education

  • Education and outreach programmes

  • Health and wellbeing organisations

  • Disability arts

  • Creative ageing

  • Theatre studies

  • Collaborative large-scale ensemble performance in a traditional theatre setting

  • Professional development.

Alongside your core studies, you will also be offered opportunities to engage with the wider theatre sector. Field trips and visits from guest artists have previously included the Royal Albert Hall, London Bubble Theatre Company and theatre practitioner Indy Lee.

In Year 2, you'll undertake work placements where you gain professional experience within several innovative theatre/arts organisations. There is also a further optional Professional Training year between the second and final year of study. Work placement hosts have included but are not limited to Chickenshed, Peer Productions, Burnt Orange Theatre, Guildford Shakespeare Company, Boundless Theatre, New Victoria Theatre and Yvonne Arnaud Theatre.

Modules

To see the full range of modules for this course please visit our website – the link is under the Course contact details. You will also find full details of the programme, including programme structure, assessment methods, contact hours and Graduate prospects

This course is not accepting applications for deferred entry.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Stag Hill

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 09/2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
W438
Institution code:
S85
Campus name:
Stag Hill
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Surrey has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
W438
Institution code:
S85
Campus name:
Stag Hill
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

We are proud to be one of the most culturally diverse universities in the UK, with more than 140 nationalities playing a role in university life. Our International Recruitment team are here to help you throughout the application process – from advising on choosing the right course to applying for a visa and preparing for your first few weeks at Surrey. You can contact them via international@surrey.ac.uk

Applicants who require a Student Visa to study in the UK:
To apply for a Student Visa, you must have a Confirmation of Acceptance (CAS) for the University you wish to study at. This is a unique number which will enable you to apply for your visa. The University is under no legal obligation to sponsor any individual and exercises caution with respect to issuing a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) to avoid risking its status as a Student sponsor. Confirmation of Acceptance to Study (CAS) will be issued in accordance with the Student Route and CAS Issuing Policy, available at: https://www.surrey.ac.uk/apply/policies

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Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - CCC

Overall: CCC Applicants taking an A-level science subject with the Science Practical Endorsement are required to pass the practical element. We do not include General Studies or Critical Thinking in our offers.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MMM

Overall: MMM

Access to HE Diploma - D: 21 credits M: 3 credits P: 21 credits

Overall: QAA recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits overall including 21 at Distinction, 3 at Merit and 21 at Pass.

Scottish Higher - BBBCC

Overall: BBBCC GCSE or Equivalent: English Language: Scottish National 5 - C

Scottish Advanced Higher - CCC

Overall: CCC GCSE or Equivalent: English Language: Scottish National 5 - C

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 29 points

Overall: 29 GCSE or Equivalent: English A HL4/SL4 or English B HL5/SL6.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

Overall: Pass overall with CCC from a combination of the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales and two A-levels. Please note: A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not accepted. Applicants taking an A-level science subject with the Science Practical Endorsement are expected to pass the practical element. GCSE or equivalent: Please check the A-level dropdown for the required GCSE levels.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE English Language at Grade C(4) (or equivalent).

T Level - P

Overall: Pass overall, with minimum C in the Core Component. GCSE or equivalent: English Language at Grade 4 (C). Candidates who can demonstrate exceptional talent, and can satisfy the panel of their ability to successfully complete the course may also be considered.

Applications are considered on an individual basis, taking into account qualifications achieved, predicted grades, personal statement and academic reference. Conditional offers are specified in terms of required grades; we do not make offers in terms of overall UCAS tariff.

Candidates who can demonstrate exceptional talent, and can satisfy the panel of their ability to successfully complete the programme, may also be considered.

We understand that predicted grades are an estimate and will consider applicants who have predicted grades that are a little lower than our published requirement. Any offers we make will align with the grades shown above unless a grade reduction can be offered under our Contextual Admissions policy or our In2Surrey scheme. Details can be found here: https://www.surrey.ac.uk/schools-colleges/contextual-admissions-policy

Applicants with a mixed qualification profile (e.g. those taking A-levels and BTEC qualifications) are encouraged to contact admissions@surrey.ac.uk for guidance on the grades accepted.

Additional entry requirements

Other
We make offers in terms of grades after a successful workshop and interview. If you can demonstrate exceptional talent, and can satisfy the panel of your ability to successfully complete the course, you may be considered for a place irrespective of your academic background. We are unable to provide feedback.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.56.5 overall with 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in each other element.

View the other English language qualifications that we accept: https://www.surrey.ac.uk/apply/international/english-language-requirements

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

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Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

Please see our website for up-to-date information on our fees for 2026/27:

https://www.surrey.ac.uk/fees-and-funding/tuition-fees/undergraduate-2026-entry

Sponsorship information

The University of Surrey offers a range of scholarships and bursaries to support our students, please visit https://www.surrey.ac.uk/fees-and-funding/scholarships-and-bursaries for more details.

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