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Undergraduate courses

Acting and Theatre

Become an innovative and inspiring performer

Discover our Acting and Theatre courses here, or find out more at an Open Day.

Student performing in costume in York St John University quad.

Explore the theory behind theatre and develop the practical and creative skills you need to produce powerful performances.

On these courses you will explore the theory and practice of theatre and performance, developing the creative skills needed to produce powerful performances, create theatre for social change, and to enhance your artistic portfolio of work.

Our hope is that we can educate, inspire and embolden you to become the future socially engaged theatre makers and performers of the future, and for you to turn your love of theatre, drama facilitation and performing into a career.

92%

Music and Theatre students responded with a 92% positivity score for how often teaching staff make the subject engaging. (National Student Survey 2024)

Courses

Drama student performing. They are knelt on the floor in a spotlight with their hands on their head.

Acting BA (Hons)

Study the techniques and history of acting on this performance focused degree. Develop your practical skills as you explore the use of voice, movement and acting and build your unique identity as a performer. Connect with our partners in the...

Drama performance, students wearing face paints

Drama and Theatre BA (Hons)

Explore traditional and contemporary forms of drama and theatre on this practice-led course. You will reimagine and celebrate pieces of theatre as you play and experiment with a range of forms and techniques. Study the history of 20th and 21st...

Drama students performing

Drama: Education and Community BA (Hons)

Engage with theatre in a variety of different educational and community contexts such as schools, prisons, care homes, learning disabled provisions, recovery settings, youth theatre and ecological activist organisations. By exploring your passion for theatre and performance on this degree, you can realise the value of creative collaboration for social and ecological change.

Student performing

Musical Theatre BA (Hons)

On this course you will learn to create and perform musical theatre. You will sing, dance and act with other people who share your passion for the stage. We will encourage you to expand your creativity as you learn to devise new work and collaborate...

Amazing facilities

The York St John Creative Centre is a purpose-built space that features rehearsal studios and a 170-seat professional standard performance space. This is your space to explore the fundamentals of performing and learn innovative acting techniques and facilitation. The unique design and layout of the centre creates an environment for you to explore your creative practice.

Work with and learn from professionals

Be inspired by performers who are well established in the industry. You will have opportunities to go on trips to cultural hubs, where you will watch performances and conduct your own research. The Creative Centre programmes a series of performance events, called Performing House, which deliver nationally touring performances, by companies who choose to stage their work in the auditorium. There are specialist workshops alongside this programme, offering you further opportunities.

Professional skills

During your studies, you will have a vast array of opportunities to gain professional experience. These include opportunities to work for the following projects:

  • Co-Create Festival, an annual theatre festival for schools across North Yorkshire.
  • Mind the Gap work on placement with this acclaimed learning disabled performance company
  • NSPCC where you can work on a national theatre in education and digital project.
  • YSJ Prison Partnership Project, delivering drama workshops and performances in prisons.
  • Converge, work on placement with this NHS arts and health funded service.
  • York Theatre Royal Youth Theatre - through this partnership you will have the opportunity to work on weekly youth theatre workshops and performances.

Discover York St John University