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.
The Departments administrative and academic staff were always friendly and happy to help
Career opportunities
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.
Modules
Here are some of the current modules which are available during your studies at Lancaster:
PartI
- English Literature
- Introduction to Theatre Studies
PartII (Year 2)
- Applied Theatre Practice I
- Contemporary Fine Art Practitioners
- Contemporary Hong Kong Cinema
- Critical Reflections
- Documentary Drawing
- History of Electronic and Computer Music
- Ideology and Politics in the Cinema
- Introduction to Television Drama
- LICA Work Placement
- Media & Performance
- Modern Dance
- Perception and the Arts
- Performance Composition
- Postwar European Playwrights
- Silent Cinema
- Sound and space
- The Cultural History of American Film
- The Evolution of America's Music
- The Theory and Practice of Criticism
PartII (Year 3)
- Analysing Popular Music
- Applied Theatre Practice II
- Contemporary British Theatre
- Contemporary European Theatre
- Contemporary Fine Art Practitioners
- Contemporary Hong Kong Cinema
- Creative Enterprise
- Dissertation
- Documentary Drawing
- History of Electronic and Computer Music
- Ideology and Politics in the Cinema
- Introduction to Television Drama
- Music, Culture and 'The Hollow Years'
- Perception and the Arts
- Post modern Dance & Physical Theatre
- Rock and Roll in American Culture
- Silent Cinema
- Sound Synthesis and Design
- Sound and space
- The Cultural History of American Film
- The Evolution of America's Music
For more detailed module information please visit the Lancaster Institute for the Contemporary Arts department website.
Entry Requirements
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.
For details of how we evaluate international qualifications, please click here.
Financial Support
Lancaster University's priority is to support every student to make the most of their life and education. In addition to government maintenance loans, grants and national scholarships, Lancaster University offers a range of financial support for full time UK Undergraduate students from lower-income backgrounds. Many students each year will be entitled to bursaries or scholarships to help them with the cost of fees and/or living expenses.
The Lancaster Scholarship package is designed to reward the hard work and natural ability of full-time UK students applying to study with us regardless of their household income. Students achieving A*, A, A in their A-level examinations (or equivalent academic qualifications) will receive a £1,000 per year Lancaster Scholarship during their undergraduate studies if they place us as their firm choice institution. Continuation of the Lancaster Scholarship is subject to satisfactory academic progression.
Our combined £5,000 bursary package will help students from England whose household incomes are less than £25,000 per year with fees and living costs.
Students from England eligible for our £5,000 bursary package will also be awarded a £3,000 Lancaster Scholarship if they achieve A*, A, A in their A-level examinations (or equivalent academic qualifications). This totals £8,000 of support for students during their studies.
For full details of the University's financial support packages including eligibility criteria, please visit our fees and funding page.
