Launch your backstage career with our Production Arts Foundation Degree specialising in Technical Theatre and Stage Management. This course will train you in all aspects of lighting, sound, video and stage management. Our amazing facilities and industry partnerships with AC Entertainment Technologies ensure you will be trained on the latest equipment. You will work alongside professionals and other students from The School of Creative Arts and Leeds Conservatoire collaborating on a variety of events and productions.
The course is designed for enthusiastic, hands-on, creative people who are looking to start a successful career in technical theatre and events and stage management.
The course has been designed alongside our active industry partners to provide an extensive range of production skills to ensure you are highly employable by the time you graduate.
You will have full access to our state-of-the-art sponsored facilities in Leeds’ cultural quarter and spend significant time on industry placements. You will apply your skills and knowledge on collaborative projects gaining professional experience whilst also developing a varied portfolio of work and in-depth knowledge of the production arts industry.
Students will attend lessons in the Quarry Hill Campus. Additional sessions will also be delivered at Leeds Playhouse, Leeds Conservatoire’s The Venue, Red Ladder’s Albion Works, Prime Studios and EPH Creative’s base at Thorpe Arch.
Year 1 (Level 4)
You will work toward 120 credits from a mix of mandatory and optional modules that will allow you to choose your pathway through the course. The modules may include:
Mandatory modules:
The Production Professional - 20 credits
This module will introduce you to what it is to be a production professional by introducing you to the breadth of roles and career opportunities within the production arts, and then ask you to consider your own professional trajectory.
Professional Development Industry Certificates - 20 credits
This module is achieved by completing and reflecting upon a range of professional training activities to show competence in the workplace. You will identify courses that will enhance your CV, such as First Aid at Work, a H&S qualification, Mobile Elevated Work Platform training, Pyrotechnic Safety etc.
Optional Pathway modules from which you would choose a total of 80 credits:
Technical Stage Operations - 40 credits (TTSM pathway)
This collaborative module requires you to undertake technical production duties on at least two major projects in the lighting, sound or video departments.
Stage Management Roles - 40 credits (TTSM pathway)
This collaborative module requires you to undertake stage management duties on at least two major projects working as assistant stage manager or in the props department.
Stage Electrics - 20 credits (TTSM pathway)
This module will give you a secure grounding in electrical principles, wiring, soldering techniques and electrical safety. You will apply your knowledge designing and managing electrical distribution for a live event. You will consider the regulatory processes impacting this work.
Touring Production - 20 credits (TTSM pathway)
Through studying this module you can develop an understanding of touring operations, broadening your production skills.
Year 2 (Level 5)
You will work toward 120 credits from modules that allow you to focus on an electected production specialism.
Sustainability Investigation - 20 credits
This module will ask you to carry out research into sustainable production practices and present a new model of working for the industry.
Extended Placement - 30 credits
To ensure you are exposed to contemporary production practices and professional working relations you will undertake an extended placement with a professional company.
Freelance Employability Skills - 10 credits
This module will introduce the legal, financial and contractual nuances of employment in the industry ensuring you have the knowledge needed to thrive as a freelance practitioner.
Production Realisation - 60 credits
This module requires you to undertake significant production duties on at least three major projects. You will apply the skills, knowledge and personal attributes needed to ensure the success of a collaborative project.
Our assessments draw on a range of skills to reflect the activities of a typical industry employee.
Ideas and research are assessed through a presentation as well as written and practical outcomes.
Creative practice and practical outcomes are the chief component of assessment on the course. The Production Realisations require practical bodies of work that demand creative stamina and technical accomplishment. Reflection and evaluation are important in self-directed learning and development, reflective journals feature in all the collaborative production modules and allow you to document your progress.
Assessment methods may include:
● Portfolio
● Reflective journal
● Project observations
● Interview
● Research presentation
● Live events
● Live production
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
University Centre Leeds, Leeds City College 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?
The following entry points are available for this course:
Please visit the international page on our website for further information at https://ucleeds.ac.uk/international/international-applicants/
GCSE English: English grade 4 or above. Key Skills Level 2, Functional Skills Level 2 and the Certificate in Adult Literacy are accepted in place of GCSEs.
GCSE Maths: Maths grade 4 or above. Key Skills Level 2, Functional Skills Level 2 and the Certificate in Adult Numeracy are accepted in place of GCSEs.
Interviews: A successful interview.
References: An appropriate reference required
IELTS: IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any component.
International qualifications: International qualifications will be assessed against these criteria
Mature applicants: University Centre Leeds welcomes applications from mature* applicants who may not have met the academic criteria, but who can demonstrate a wealth of experience in their chosen field. Candidates in this category and otherwise are likely to be interviewed to assess their suitability for the course and may be asked to provide a portfolio of evidence to support their application.
*21 years and over at the start of the course
RPL claims: The course structure actively supports claims for Recognition of Prior Certified Learning (RPCL) or Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL).
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.
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.
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| EU | £14000 | Year 1 |
| International | £14000 | Year 1 |
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.
Fees are charged per academic year.
Students are expected to have their own safety boots. Additional costs may be required for creative materials as well as resources such as books, journals or memberships for personal research. Commuting to work placements may result in additional costs.
Local opportunities and trips are often subsidised, but optional national and international trips would require additional funds.
University Centre Leeds
68 Mabgate
Leeds
West Yorkshire
LS9 7DZ
Visit our website Visit our course page
Email:admissions@ucleeds.ac.uk
Phone:03330901218
At University Centre Leeds, Leeds City College
