You’ll follow an experiential 'learning-through-doing' programme and your degree will see you choosing from a range of career-focused optional modules, completing a 50% practical Major Project, designing and creating a graduate showcase theatre festival and graduating with a professional CV, headshots and showreel.
As a student here, you’ll develop your performance, technical and production skills in our specialist facilities supported by your tutors, our expert technicians, and visiting professionals. You’ll get the chance to perform in public venues around Cambridge as well as in our performing arts spaces on campus, the Mumford Theatre and Covent Garden Studio.
You’ll be able to collaborate with other Cambridge School of Creative Industries students, such as our film students who need actors for their films and animators who need voice talent. We’ll also support you to find placements and work experience and you can also choose to study abroad for a semester, such as at Ramapo College, with funding available to help cover the cost.
Our students also develop a wealth of skills for educational, community or charity sector careers. Our students work on live briefs with external partners such as Great Abington Primary School, devising performances and workshop activities to enhance curriculum learning through interactive drama events. You can also experience being part of a professional troupe with our very own Community Theatre Company and take the chance to perform and collaborate with other creative industries students.
Closer to home, you can connect with Cambridge’s performance scene through our visits to local venues Cambridge Arts Theatre, Cambridge Junction and Town and Gown Theatre Pub, and links to local networks such as Cambridge Arts Network and Cambridge Live.
As an ARU student, you can also get involved in the city’s thriving creative scene such as University of Cambridge's Footlights comedy events, The ADC Theatre, and Troup Artist Development scheme.
The impact of our Music, Drama, Dance, Performing Arts, and Film & Screen Studies research was certified as 'world-leading' in the Research Excellence Framework 2021.
Course Leader: Dr Heather Lilley
Is drama a good career?
Studying drama can open up a number of career paths, both in the performing arts sector, the creative industries more broadly, and areas such as education and teaching.
What is a degree in drama?
A degree in drama can help you to develop a number of skills. At ARU, our Drama degree is strongly focused on performance, community and production. But you'll also gain transferable skills that can be used in areas such as theatre, broadcasting, teaching and arts organisations.
How long is a drama degree?
At ARU, you can study our BA (Hons) Drama degree over three years, or four years with a placement year. There is also the option of a four-year degree with a foundation year.
