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Drama

  • BA (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 21 September 2026
  • Undergraduate
Main Site
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Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

BA Drama embraces all forms of drama across the stage, screen and beyond.

You may explore everything from literary adaptation to performance in public spaces, performance curation to audio design, playwriting to directing, and experimental film cultures.

Benefit from teaching informed by recent innovations in theatre and performance, alongside historical methods, and practices.

Our comprehensive facilities include the purpose-built Martin Harris Centre, home to the John Thaw Studio - a fully staffed, versatile area for performances, rehearsals, and workshops.

You will also find inspiration from the creative beating heart of the city itself, home to countless ground-breaking arts organisations and events - from Manchester International Festival, the world's first festival of original work, to HOME, the largest multidisciplinary arts centre outside of the capital.

Take advantage of strong links to partner organisations throughout the city, including TiPP (Theatre in Prisons and Probation Research and Development Centre), Manchester Museum and Contact Theatre, all based right here at the University.

Immerse yourself in the cultural pulse of the industry by engaging with professional practitioners during your coursework and extracurricular events.

This course is available in Clearing. If you have submitted an application, you can add this course. If you haven’t sent us an application yet, you can do this until 24th September 2026.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 21 September 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:
W400
Institution code:
M20
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Manchester 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:
W400
Institution code:
M20
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

A level
AAB

AAB including one essay based subject.

Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken.

Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, these won’t be included in your offer. We will only make offers consisting of three A Levels.

Typical Contextual Offer: BBB including one essay based subject.


Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken.


Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, these won’t be included in your offer. We will only make offers consisting of three A Levels.

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

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: we consider the National Extended Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Extended Diploma with grades Dist, Dist, Dist, plus one A-level at Grade A in an essay-based subject such as English Literature, History or Politics.

Access to HE Diploma
D: 39 credits M: 6 credits

We require a QAA-recognised Access to HE Diploma (a minimum of 60 credits overall with at least 45 at Level 3), with merit or distinction in a subject area relevant to the chosen course.

The specific course requirements are a minimum of 39 credits with a Distinction grade, plus 6 credits with a Merit grade, all in a Humanities-related subject.

Scottish Higher

We typically require grades AABBB in Scottish Highers including one essay based subject.

Applicants offering a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers should contact ug-drama@manchester.ac.uk for further advice.

English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C/ Intermediate 2 grade C/ Standard Grade Credit level grade3).

AS

AS level results are not considered as part of the standard admissions process at The University of Manchester.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DD

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma: we consider the National Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Diploma with grades Distinction, Distinction, plus one A-level at Grade A in an essay-based subject such as English Literature, History or Politics.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
D

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma: we consider the National Foundation Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Foundation Diploma with a Distinction grade, PLUS one A-level at Grade A in an essay-based subject such as English Literature, History or Politics, PLUS an EPQ or AS at Grade B.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
D

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate: we consider the National Extended Certificate for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Extended Certificate with a Distinction grade, PLUS two A-levels at Grades AA; one of which must be in an essay-based subject such as English Literature, History or Politics.

Scottish Advanced Higher

We typically require grades AABBB in Scottish Highers including one essay based subject.

Applicants offering a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers should contact ug-drama@manchester.ac.uk for further advice.

English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C/ Intermediate 2 grade C/ Standard Grade Credit level grade3).

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
35 points

35 points overall. 6,6,5 in Higher Level subjects

Applicants studying the International Baccalaureate Career Related Programme (IBCP) should contact the admissions team prior to applying so that their academic profile can be considered.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

We welcome and recognise the value of the Baccalaureate Wales and accept the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales (replacing the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate from September 2023)

The minimum grade required will normally be the same as the lowest grade listed in the A Level entry requirements.

For applicants who have studied the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate, this qualification will still be accepted in lieu of one A-level (normally the lowest A-level grade listed).

Extended Project

The University recognises the benefits of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. We strongly encourage you to provide information about the EPQ in your personal statement (and at interview, if relevant). We may also choose to take your performance in the EPQ into account, should places be available in August for applicants who narrowly miss the entry grades for their chosen course.

For this programme, you will be made the standard offer plus an alternative one, if you are studying for an EPQ. The alternative offer will be one grade below the standard offer but you will also be asked to achieve a Grade A in your EPQ.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education including acceptable levels of Literacy and Numeracy, equivalent to at least Grade 6 or B in GCSE/IGCSE English Language and Grade 4 or C in Mathematics. GCSE/IGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/IGCSE English Language.

Please note that if you hold English as a second language IGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of  our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications  or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the admissions team in your academic School/Department for clarification.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma
Not accepted

OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma
DD

We consider the Technical Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Diploma with grades Distinction, Distinction, plus an additional A Level at grade A in an essay based subject.

OCR Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma
DD

We consider the Technical Foundation Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Foundation Diploma with grades Distinction, Distinction, plus an additional A Level/A Level at grade A in an essay based subject, PLUS an EPQ or AS Level at grade B.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate
D

We consider the Technical Extended Certificate for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Extended Certificate with grade Distinction, plus two additional A Levels at grades AB, one of which must be in an essay based subject.

T Level
Not accepted

The University recognises a number of foundation programmes as suitable for entry to this undergraduate programme:
Applicants completing the INTO Manchester in partnership with The University of Manchester international foundation programme are required to achieve AAB in academic subjects and grade A in the EAP with writing, speaking, listening and reading grade B.

Applicants completing the NCUK International Foundation year are required to achieve AAB in academic subjects and grade A in the EAP with writing, speaking, listening and reading grade B.

Please read this in conjunction with our A-level requirements, noting any pre-requisite subjects.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)77.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in any one component.
All applicants to the University (from the UK and Overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency. The minimum English Language requirement for this course is either: GCSE/IGCSE English Language grade B/6, or; IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.5 in each subtest, or; An acceptable equivalent qualification. Please note that if you hold English as a second language iGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your iGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the academic School for clarification. The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that every student from outside the UK and the EU must show evidence of a minimum level of English Language in order to be granted a UK visa (Tier 4 visa) to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level. This level is often referred to as the 'B2 level'. Additionally, our individual Schools may ask for specific English Language proficiency levels that are necessary for their academic programmes. In most cases these requirements are likely to be higher than the B2 level.

Acceptable English Language Qualificationshttps://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/international/admissions/language-requirements/

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We operate contextual admissions meaning many applicants receive an offer and are admitted at least one grade below standard entry requirements. Entry requirements for applicants meeting contextual admissions criteria are listed next to the standard entry requirements on course profiles.

Contextual admissions means we consider your application in context helping us to ensure everyone has a fair chance of getting into Manchester. The data we use is automatically provided on your UCAS form.

Learn more on the University of Manchester website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course 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.

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

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.

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