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Drama, Theatre and Performance

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

2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

About the course

Drama, theatre and performance can transform how we think, act and understand the world. They help us remember the past, change the present and imagine alternative futures.

This course is for you if you’d like to:

  • expand your mind about drama, theatre and performance

  • collaborate with others passionate about making performance

  • develop the confidence to present and reflect on your work in public contexts.

Site-specific theatre, live art, durational performance, contemporary playwriting, choreography and composition, visual arts, creative writing, acting and directing – you’ll learn from tutors who bring their passion to their teaching. Our campus facilities include the Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts, which hosts professional theatre, music and dance by UK and international companies. We’re committed to antiracist pedagogy, and inclusive teaching and learning. Throughout your degree, you’ll:

  • explore performance-making from multiple perspectives

  • develop skills in collaboration, critical and creative writing, and independent research

  • complete practical presentations and performance projects with focused tutor support

  • experience guest artist workshops, talks and performances from internationally recognised industry professionals

  • take electives from other subjects – from business to law and modern languages – to open your mind to other disciplines and tailor your degree to your interests.

When you graduate, you’ll be curious, critically informed and self-reflective. You’ll be able to make sophisticated performance, and shape cogent arguments in written work and discussion. Your skills as a critical thinker, creative practitioner and knowledgeable researcher will set you up for your future career.

About Sussex

Our courses, research, culture and campus aim to stimulate, excite and challenge. From scientific discovery to global policy, from student welfare to career development, Sussex innovates and takes a lead. And today, in every part of society and across the world, you'll find someone from Sussex making an original and valuable contribution.

Location

Study on our beautiful, green campus on the edge of the South Downs National Park and just minutes from the vibrant seaside city of Brighton & Hove. We’re near to Gatwick airport and just over an hour from London.

Modules

See the modules you will study by year by going to the 'view course details' link.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 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:
S90
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1, 2

University of Sussex 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:
S90
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2

Open days

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Entry requirements

A level
BBB

You should also have a broad range of GCSEs 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.

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

The BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma would normally be in Performing Arts.

You should also have a broad range of GCSEs 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.

Access to HE Diploma

Pass Diploma with at least 39 level 3 credits at Merit or above including 21 credits at Distinction.

Scottish Higher
ABBBB

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
30 points

This score should be from the full IB Diploma.

Extended Project

We take the EPQ into account when considering your application and it can be useful in the summer when your results are released if you have narrowly missed the conditions of your offer. We do not routinely include the EPQ in the conditions of your offer but we sometimes offer alternative conditions that include the EPQ. If you wish to discuss this further please contact Admissions at ug.applicants@sussex.ac.uk

Additional entry requirements

Audition
This usually takes the form of a selection workshop to assess your ability to undertake the creative and practical work you will encounter at Sussex. This includes your willingness to engage with diverse and challenging theatre practices, to work intuitively and on your feet, to collaborate respectfully with others, and to demonstrate a critical/analytical curiosity about the practical process.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6Including at least 5.5 in each component. We accept IELTS One Skills Retake. We do not accept IELTS Online.
PTE Academic59Including at least 59 in all four skills. We do not accept the PTE Academic Online test.
TOEFL (iBT)80TOEFL (iBT), including at least 17 in Listening, 18 in Reading, 20 in Speaking, 17 in Writing. We do not accept TOEFL (iBT) Home Edition.

Please see our English language requirements.http://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply/international-qualifications/english-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.

At Sussex, we recognise that not everybody has the same support to help them get to higher education. At Sussex it’s important to us to have a diverse, inclusive university community with a range of voices and experiences. Contextual offers are one of the ways we remove the barriers to higher education ensuring that we have fair access to all regardless of background. A contextual offer is a reduced grade offer which is given to students who meet certain eligibility criteria.

Learn more on the University of Sussex 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

Fees are not yet set for entry in the academic year 2026-27. Note that your fees, once they’re set, may be subject to an increase on an annual basis.

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