Aberystwyth University United Kingdom

BA Drama and Theatre / History

Integrated Masters with deeper specialization and research focus
Taught in English
Duration 3 Years
Mode On Campus
Level Undergraduate
Degree Bachelors Degree
Closing soon September 2026

Course Overview

The BA Drama and Theatre / History degree at Aberystwyth University invites you to explore the powerful interplay between performance and historical context. This joint honours programme is ideal for students passionate about understanding how societies and cultures are represented and remembered through both dramatic arts and historical inquiry. You will delve into the vast possibilities of theatre, engaging with practice and theory, while simultaneously examining historical narratives from medieval to modern periods. This course offers a unique opportunity to develop a critical lens on human experience, making it a compelling choice for aspiring cultural commentators and creative practitioners.

Studied full-time on campus over three years, you will experience a dynamic curriculum blending practical drama projects with rigorous historical research. Your learning will encompass core modules in theatre in context, historical methods, and performance studies, alongside a wide array of optional modules allowing you to specialise in areas such as site-specific performance, contemporary drama, or specific historical periods like African-American history or the Tudors. In your final year, you will undertake a significant dissertation, applying your combined skills to an independent research project. You will graduate with a versatile skill set, ready for careers in the arts, heritage, education, and beyond.

Course Curriculum & Details

Detailed information for serious evaluators

Program Overview

This BA program offers a comprehensive exploration of both drama and theatre, alongside historical studies. Students will engage with various performance contexts and historical periods, from medieval Britain to the modern world. The curriculum includes practical theatre projects, acting, design, and a wide range of historical topics, culminating in a dissertation or independent research project.

1 YEAR 1

Theatre in Context 1
Theatre in Context 2
Introduction to History
Site-Specific Performance Project
Studio Theatre Project
'Hands on' History: Sources and their Historians
Europe and the World, 1000-2000
Medieval and Early Modern Britain and Europe, 1000-1800
People, Power and Identity: Wales 1200-1999
The Modern World, 1789 to the present
Body, Voice, Expression
Body, Voice, Perception

2 YEAR 2

Making History
Acting for Camera
Acting: Process and Performance
Design Project
Devised Performance Project
Directors' Theatre
New Media Performance
Shakespeare in Performance
Theatre Production Project
Theatre and Contemporary Society
African-American History, 1808 to the Present
Crime, Riot and Morality in Wales 1750-1850
Germany since 1945
Magic in the Middle Ages: From Antiquity to the Eve of the Witch Craze
Media and Society in Twentieth Century Britain
Science, Religion and Magic
Southeast Asia at the Crossroads (c. 1400 to the Present)
The Atlantic World, 1492-1825
The Making of Europe: Christendom and Beyond, c. 1000-1300
The Tudors: A European Dynasty?
Interdisciplinary and Decolonial History
Memory, Myth and History: Investigating Medieval Chronicles, c. 1000-1250
Recounting Racism: Oral History and Modern American Race Relations
Victorian Visions: Exploring Nineteenth-Century Exhibitions

3 YEAR 3

Dissertation
Contemporary Drama
Musical Theatre Dramaturgies
Performance and Architecture
Performance and Disability
Place, Space and Landscape
African-American History, 1808 to the Present
Crime, Riot and Morality in Wales 1750-1850
Germany since 1945
Magic in the Middle Ages: From Antiquity to the Eve of the Witch Craze
Media and Society in Twentieth Century Britain
Science, Religion and Magic
Southeast Asia at the Crossroads (c. 1400 to the present)
The Atlantic World, 1492-1825
The Making of Europe: Christendom and beyond, c. 1000-1300
The Tudors: A European Dynasty?
Ensemble Performance Project
Independent Research Project
Playwriting

Cost & Affordability

A clear picture of what this course will cost you

Program Costs

10% off
First Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 23,256.00 USD 25,939.00
Second Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 25,939.00
Third Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 25,939.00
Total Program Cost Estimated total tuition
USD 75,134.00 USD 77,817.00

Currency note: Program costs shown in USD based on the available tuition breakdown.

Living Costs

Accommodation
USD 689.00 - USD 1,322.00
Food & Groceries USD 2,417.00 - USD 4,028.00
Transport USD 645.00 - USD 1,289.00
Utilities & Bills USD 1,128.00 - USD 1,934.00
Estimated Total USD 4,190.00 - USD 7,251.00

Living cost estimates are based on Penglais campus.

Outcomes & Employability

What happens after you graduate

96%
Graduate Employment Rate Within 6 to 12 months of graduation

Common Graduate Roles

Advertising & Media SalesAgrochemical & Seed IndustryAnimation & Visual EffectsCrop Production & FarmingEarly Childhood & Primary EducationGaming & Interactive MediaPhotojournalism & Visual MediaSecondary & High School EducationSpecial & Inclusive EducationTalent & Artist Management

Top Employers Hiring for this course

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

ITV

National Museum Cardiff

National Trust

Why Study BA Drama and Theatre / History at Aberystwyth University

What makes this program stand out

September 2026 Closing soon

Next intake is in September 2026

Life at Aberystwyth University in United Kingdom

What daily life looks like for international students

Language

English

Primary language everywhere

Climate

Mild & Rainy

10-20°C average, pack layers

Safety (Numbeo Safety Index)

Very Safe

Exeter is one of UK's safest cities

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about BA Drama and Theatre / History at Aberystwyth University

Can I work while studying?

International students can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during breaks for degree courses. No separate work permit is required.

What English language score do I need for this course?

For TOEFL, you need a minimum overall score of 93 with specific sub-scores. IELTS requires an overall score of 6.5, while PTE also requires an overall score of 59, along with comparable listening, reading, speaking, and writing scores.

What jobs can I get after studying this course?

Graduates can pursue careers as Theatre Directors, Historical Consultants, Scriptwriters, Archivists, or Drama Educators.

What will I actually study in this course?

This joint honours degree combines the study of drama and theatre with history, allowing students to engage with theatrical productions and examine key historical texts. Graduates will develop critical thinking and creative skills across both disciplines.

When can I start — what are the intake months?

The BA Drama and Theatre / History course begins in September. Make sure to check your eligibility and prepare the necessary documentation in advance.
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