Popular Music
BA
Undergraduate
September 2025
Overview
Study Theatre and Performance at CCCU - a performing arts degree that has been developed with the Marlowe Theatre, one of the country’s leading large-scale theatres - and gain direct experience and insights from the contemporary theatre sector.
With employability and creativity at the heart of our theatre and performing arts course, you’ll gain the professional and artistic skills that focus on roles within modern theatre and the wider creative sector, including performance, devising, programming, stage management, theatre production, digital technologies, and marketing and communications.
You’ll be taught by a team that are either currently professionally engaged with the industry or have held significant roles within theatre and performing arts organisations. They make up an expert team of tutors who will focus on guiding you towards your future career aspirations, whilst supporting you with your creative roles.
What's more, you’ll develop production skills and gain practical performance experience in our specialist facilities, including a contemporary black box theatre, complete with industry-relevant technical facilities. From delving into digital systems and new technologies to developing your theatre and performance skills, you'll graduate with a well-rounded skillset that will set you up for an array of careers.
We know employers are looking for dynamic, open-minded graduates who can adapt, innovate, and collaborate. So we have designed a new way of teaching and learning to ensure that you are work-ready for when you graduate.
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Watch on YouTubeEntry requirements
Qualification type |
Grades |
|
A Levels |
BBC |
|
BTEC |
DMM |
|
Access |
15 Distinctions and 30 Merits |
|
International Baccalaureate |
29 points |
|
Combinations |
A combination of qualifications totalling 112 UCAS points |
Find out more information about entry requirements.
If you have any questions about entry requirements for this course, please contact our Course Enquiry Team.
International students
Find out more information about IELTS requirements.
Depending which country you're from, there may be specific entry requirements. Check your country to see if this is applicable to you.
112
UCAS Points
Module information
We know employers are looking for dynamic, open-minded graduates who can adapt, innovate, and collaborate. So we have designed a new way of teaching and learning to ensure that you are work-ready for when you graduate. Alongside the modules below you will choose from our new curriculum that will help you achieve student success, engage with contemporary topics and work with industry or the community.
As well as the core modules, you will also have the opportunity to study a number of option modules. The availability of specific option modules may vary from year to year. This will be subject to a minimum number of students choosing the module and staff availability. It means we cannot guarantee the availability of a particular option module. However, we will ensure you have a choice of option modules.
Core/optional modules
How you’ll learn
You’ll be taught through a series of lectures, seminars, and practical workshops and will have access to a range of online and library resources.
Outside of lecture time you’ll have the opportunity to book practical spaces for rehearsals and practical assessment work development.
You’ll be allocated a Personal Academic Tutor who will support you in your University journey and be able to advise you on academic support for your coursework.
When not attending seminars, workshops, or other timetabled sessions you’ll continue learning through self-study. Typically, this involves practice, rehearsal, and preparing for assessments. You’ll also be reading journal articles and books, undertaking research in the library, working on directed tasks or projects, and preparing for coursework assignments, performances, workshops, and seminars.
Your module tutor will direct you towards specific readings and/or activities to complete before each class.
For the Final Specialist Project in Year 3, you’ll undertake independent research working under the supervision of a member of the course team who you'll meet with regularly.
For every 30-credit module you will receive 66 hours of contact time and typically up to 234 hours dedicated to the completion of directed tasks, readings, rehearsals, practice, research and assignments.
The teaching team consists of highly qualified academics and practitioners with a wide range of expertise and experience. Our teaching staff are either still working actively in the performing arts industry or have previously held significant industry posts. Members of our teaching team are also active researchers developing new concepts, thinking, and ways of viewing and experiencing areas of the arts.
The lecturers really foster a community spirit that helped to build my confidence and give me the skills needed to prepare for the industry. I found their inspirational techniques and guidance ignited my creativity which motivated me to produce the highest quality work possible.
Pamela, performing arts graduate
How you’ll be assessed
A great deal of practical performance is built into the course. You’ll engage in the various processes of production, rehearsal, performance, presentation of seminars, and workshop leadership. Participating within performance workshops and masterclasses will provide you with the opportunity for your performances to be analysed and performance practice developed.
Whilst the practical component of many modules is important, most modules require an element of written work as part of the assessment strategy.
Your future career
You’ll know how to market yourself in print, online, and in person, but what areas you pursue, in a multi-faceted industry, will be up to you. You may wish to perform, or work with an arts organisation, undertake a Master's degree, or set up a business as a freelance entrepreneur. Some CCCU graduates choose to study a teaching qualification, such as a PGCE.
Job roles and careers of performing arts graduates, include theatre director, company manager, West End stage technician, assistant producer, actor, Butlins redcoat, lighting technician, front of house manager, drama teacher, BBC production coordinator, festival programme coordinator, and arts company director.
Read more about what you can do with a performing arts degree.
Securing my first professional job in this field prior to finishing my degree is a testament to the preparation and opportunities my degree has provided. I’m excited to continue my growth and look forward to seeing where my career takes me.
LibertyStage Manager, performing arts graduate
Related courses
Fees
The 2025/26 annual tuition fees for this course are:
| UK | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £9,535 | £15,500 |
Tuition fees for all courses are payable on an annual basis, except where stated. The fees represented here are for study with Canterbury Christ Church University. If you are looking to study at a partner institution, please visit their website for fees information.
Please read the 2025/26 Tuition Fee Statement for further information regarding tuition fees and year on year fee increases.
Home (UK) Fees
The Government has announced that it will increase the tuition fee cap by 3.1%, in line with inflation, for the 2025/26 academic cycle. Subject to parliamentary approval, the University intends to increase our tuition fees in line with this and as per our terms and conditions. This means that from September 2025 our undergraduate home tuition fees are expected to be £9,535.
Overseas/International Fees
Undergraduate / PGCE tuition fees for international students are not set by the UK Government.
- Read advice about funding your degree
- See information about the financial support available for undergraduate studies
- If you would like information about paying your fees, please contact accounts.receivable@canterbury.ac.uk
- For specific fee queries, please contact fees@canterbury.ac.uk
Regulated by the Office for Students
The Office for Students (OfS) regulates Canterbury Christ Church University. The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education in England. It aims to ensure that every student, whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their lives and careers. Further details about its work are available on the OfS website.
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Duration:
3 yearsUCAS code:
W490Location(s):
CanterburyAny questions?
*We are advertising this course as ‘subject to approval.’ When we add new courses or update existing courses, we advertise the course as ‘subject to approval’. We do this to let you know the University still needs to agree to run the course. It is rare for a course not to gain approval, but it is not guaranteed. There may be changes to course and module titles, content and assessment, but we will tell you about these if there is a change. You can still apply to study a course subject to approval. We have prepared some questions and answers to tell you more.