Course Overview
Lancaster's Theatre Studies and English Literature degree gives you the opportunity to study contemporary theatre, drama and performance alongside works spanning Shakespeare, film and female writers. Theatre Studies is part of the Lancaster Institute for the Contemporary Arts (LICA) a vibrant, contemporary arts environment with excellent facilities. Our Department of English and Creative Writing offers both traditional and state-of-the art approaches to English Literature.
In English Literature, you'll explore texts of different periods and genres and develop a deeper critical understanding of the role of literature in society. You'll receive a full introduction to Theatre Studies and can choose from a range of options including playwriting, television drama, contemporary dance and physical theatre, arts administration and media in performance.
You'll begin your degree with modules that develop your understanding of your core subjects as well LICA's interdisciplinary arts course. In your second year, you'll study subjects such as Political Theatre and European Playwriting before completing your degree with final-year modules including a Dissertation unit and Contemporary Experimental Performance.
For a list of compulsory modules, please see the tab above.
Related Courses
Modules
Lancaster degree programmes are flexible, offering students the opportunity to cover a wide selection of subject areas to compliment their degree. The following is an example list of modules which our previous students have studied. For a full list contact the Lancaster Institute for the Contemporary Arts department.
Year 1
- English Literature
- Introduction to Theatre Studies
Year 2
- The Theory and Practice of Criticism
- Victorian Literature
Year 3
- Contemporary Literature in English
- Shakespeare
- Literature and Film
- Contemporary British Theatre
Lancaster University offers the chance to follow a structured study programme or the option to devise a more flexible programme. We divide academic study into 2 sections - Part 1 (Year 1) and Part 2 (Year 2, 3 and sometimes 4). In Part 1 you will take three modules of study which, depending upon your programme, will be drawn from one, two or three different academic subjects, a higher degree of specialisation then develops in subsequent years. For more information about our teaching methods at Lancaster visit our Teaching and Learning section.
For further information about the department, staff and courses please visit the Lancaster Institute for the Contemporary Arts department website.
Entry Criteria
A-level: A(Eng Lit or Eng Comb)AA. A-level Dance, Drama and Theatre Studies or Performing Arts is desirable but not essential. We normally expect three A-levels.
General Studies: Accepted as one of the best 3 grades if 4 A-levels presented
Key skills: Not included in offer
Scottish Highers: AAABB to include grade A in English
Irish Leaving Cert: Offers will be made on the basis of 5 or 6 Higher level subjects. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office (01524 592028) for further information
International Bacc: 36 pts overall with 16 pts from best three HL courses
BTEC: DD plus A-level English Literature or English Lang and Lit at Grade A
IELTS: 6.5
Mature students: Applications welcome, especially with evidence of recent successful formal study e.g. a pass in an Access Course involving English Literature with 6 - 8 unit distintions, including distinctions in all available English units. You need to be able to show experience and interest in practical theatre. Please give details of your activities in section 8 of your UCAS form.
Careers
Our Theatre Studies and English Literature graduates have strong communications, team working and creative skills, which open doors in a wide range of sectors.
Many of our graduates find jobs within theatre - as performers, directors, writers, technicians or administrators - and in associated fields such as journalism, the media, publishing and advertising.
Lancaster's alumni work in many areas concerned with the social applications of theatre and drama such as teaching, social work, community arts and drama and dance therapy. Others use the managerial and interpersonal skills they have developed through the course in jobs like personnel and the Civil Service.
A number of our graduates go on to postgraduate study at Lancaster and elsewhere.
Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, but that you also graduate with relevant life and work based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award which offers you the opportunity to complete key activities such as work experience, employability/career development, campus community and social development. Visit our Employability section for full details.
Studying
Teaching and Learning Methods
At Lancaster we offer a broad range of learning environments designed to best support the requirements of your chosen degree programme. These may include lecture and tutorials, interactive workshops, laboratory sessions, other practical activities, student-led seminars and web-based elivery.
The modules which make up a programme of study are assessed using a variety of different methods, enabling students to demonstrate their capabilities in a range of ways. Typical coursework assignments include laboratory reports, essays, literature reviews, short tests, short and sharply focussed critical reports, poster sessions and oral presentations. Formal examinations include short answer questions, essays and data analysis. Multiple choice formats are also employed where appropriate. Students are supported in the production of final year project reports and dissertations. Details of the assessment methods for individual modules can be accessed via the university's online module catalogue.
In addition to these learning and teaching methods we encourage independent study, meaning you take responsibility for your own learning. For more information visit our Teaching Approach page.
Assessment Methods
We offer you a variety of stimulating and effective approaches to teaching, learning and assessment. This enables you and your tutors to explore the very latest thinking within your subject and develops your skills in problem solving, analysis and critical reflection, communication, application of knowledge and modern technologies.
As a University, we commit to providing all our undergraduates with a minimum number of contact hours per week, providing you with timely feedback on your work and a maximum number of 15 students per seminar group.
Funding
Lancaster University has committed £2.7m in scholarships and bursaries to help with your fees and living costs. Our financial support depends on your circumstances and how well you do in your A-levels (or equivalent academic qualifications) before starting study with us.
Lancaster University's priority is to support every student to make the most of their life and education. For students starting their study with us in 2013, over 600 each year will be entitled to bursaries and/or scholarships to help them with the cost of fees and/or living expenses. For UK students entering in 2013 we will have the following financial support available:
- An Academic Scholarship of £2,000 for the first year of study to any student from the UK entering with A*, A*, A or equivalent academic qualifications
- An Access Scholarship of £1,000 per year for all UK students from households with an income of less than £42,600 who achieve grades of A*, A, A or the equivalent academic qualifications
- A Lancaster Bursary of £1,000 per annum for all students from England with a household income of more than £25,000 but less than £42,600
- As part of the National Scholarship Programme, a £1,000 Bursary, a £1,000 Fee Waiver and a £1,000 Accommodation Discount in the first year of study, for students from England with a household income of less than £25,000. Plus a Lancaster Bursary of £1,000 in subsequent years.
*All of the financial awards above are subject to approval by the Office for Fair Access July 2012.
For full details of the University's financial support packages including eligibility criteria, please visit our fees and funding page
View details of our current Undergraduate fees.
