(BA) Bachelor of Arts
Acting and Community Engagement
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
East 15 Acting School
Southend Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
Dance, Drama and Performance
BA W496
10/05/2023
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
Applicants will need to submit a video audition and, if successful, complete a recall audition/workshop. Applicants should also have, or expect to have:
-A-levels: CDD, or the equivalent in UCAS tariff points, to include 2 full A Levels
-BTEC: MMP
-T-levels: Pass with C in core
-IB: 25 points or three Higher Level certificates with 433.
We are also happy to consider a combination of separate IB Diploma Programme Courses (formerly certificates) at both Higher and Standard Level. Exact offer levels will vary depending on the range of subjects being taken at higher and standard level, and the course applied for.
We can also consider combinations with BTECs or other qualifications in the Career-related programme – the acceptability of BTECs and other qualifications depends on the subject studied, advice on acceptability can be provided. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.
Additional requirements
You must also have a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check (including child and adult barred list check) - this is organised by the University. Please contact our DBS team if you have any questions relating to this.
A satisfactory Overseas Criminal Record Check/Local Police Certificate is also required, in addition to a DBS Check, where you have lived outside of the UK in the last 5 years for 6 months or more.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
If you do not require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK then we will assess your English language proficiency/ability at your interview or audition.
If your first language is not English and you are an international student that requires a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK then you will need IELTS 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.
Other English language qualifications may be acceptable so please contact us for further details. If we accept the English component of an international qualification then it will be included in the information given about the academic levels listed above. Please note that date restrictions may apply to some English language qualifications.
Please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English course that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
Dr Katie Beswick
Senior Lecturer in Drama
University of Exeter
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
To prepare students for a career in theatre practice focussed on community and education.
To provide opportunities for students to work with and in a range of communities to create relevant theatre .
To encourage students to gain an understanding of the social, policy and arts administration contexts of community theatre .
To enable students to gain an understanding of relevant theatre history and context .
To encourage students to use their learning in a self-directed and experimental practice and take responsibility for their own development as performers.
To develop students academic skills to research and present complex ideas and arguments orally or writing.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: A range of techniques and theories with which to develop participatory theatre forms.
A2: Knowledge and understanding of the ethical, political and practical issues of working with other peoples stories and lives or with vulnerable groups.
A3: Knowledge and understanding of the established critical vocabulary with which to analyse performance of theatre in community settings.
A4: Knowledge and understanding of the Structure, jobs, roles and functions in small to medium-sized arts organisations.
A5: Knowledge and understanding oftheories of representation drawn from visual, aural and popular culture.
A6: Knowledge and understanding of the basic technical requirements of community theatre production.
A7: Knowledge and understanding of the needs of a range of non-traditional theatre participants.
Learning methods
A1-A7 are learned in small group practical classes, workshops, master classes, rehearsals and performance and independent study.
Additionally, A4 learning takes place in lectures and seminars.
A3 and A5 are also learned in one-to-one tutorials as part of individual students performance preparation.
Assessment methods
Knowledge and understanding of A1-A7 are continuously assessed through observation of students contribution to class work, rehearsals and performance.
A2, A3, A4 and A6-A7 are additionally assessed through practice-based presentations, written assignments and essays and the Personal Record of Analysis and Reflection.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Ability to engage participants in theatre-making processes.
B2: Ability to identify problems and propose solutions for performance in community settings.
B3: Ability to respond to and collaborate with others to create a performance.
B4: Ability to select appropriately from a range of established performance styles and forms.
B5: Ability to understand the issues and challenges faced by voluntary and community sector arts providers.
B6: Ability to undertake critical analysis of government policies and initiatives in the arts and cultural sector
B7: Ability to use research to inform the presentation of complex ideas or arguments orally or in writing.
Learning methods
B1 to B7 are learned in small group practical classes, workshops, master classes, rehearsals and performance and independent study, including unsupervised rehearsals.
Additionally, for B3 and B5 students will see a wide range of performances, both their own groups performances, other student performances and professional works.
Learning then takes place in group discussions and seminars on these performances.
Assessment methods
B1 to B7 are continuously assessed through observation of students contribution to class work, rehearsals and performance.
B1, B3 and B5 to B7 are additionally assessed through practice-based presentations, written assignments and essays and the Personal Record of Analysis and Reflection.
Assessment of B1to B7 in the early part of the degree scheme is based primarily on processes.
For example, the assessment of B4 in Year One would be based on the extent to which a student was able to demonstrate learning of ensemble work methods.
As students progress through the scheme assessment becomes more focussed on the quality of the work produced, so that assessment of B4 in Year Three would be based on the quality of the students performance within the ensemble.
C: Practical skills
C1: Ability to perform in a range of roles, forms and styles
C2: The ability to devise time-management schedules and manage own and others' time efficiently according to those schedules
C3: Ability to use simple technical resources, video, sound recording or multimedia to produce participatory theatre.
C4: Ability to use simple design elements to transform performers and spaces, including scrap and found materials.
C5: Ability to use basic arts administration skills to engage with employers and arts providers.
Construct and lead participatory workshops for a range of client groups
C6: Ability to plan and implement appropriate systems for managing or delivering a production in a community setting.
Learning methods
C1 to C6 are learned in small group practical classes, workshops, master classes, rehearsals and performance and independent study, including unsupervised rehearsals.
C4 is additionally taught in practical workshop sessions and through technical advice surgeries for students preparing for performances.
C1 is also learned by students in one to one tutorials during performance preparation.
Assessment methods
C1 to C6 are continuously assessed through observation of students contribution to class work, rehearsals and performance.
C3 to C4 and C6 are additionally assessed through practice based presentations, written assignments and essays and the Personal Record of Analysis and Reflection.
Assessment of C1 to C6 in the early part of the degree scheme is based primarily on processes.
For example, the assessment of C1 in Year One would be based on the extent to which a student was able to demonstrate learning of acting methodology.
As students progress through the scheme assessment becomes more focussed on the quality of the work produced, so that assessment of C1 in Year Three would be based on the quality of the students performance.
D: Key skills
D1: Ability to present complex ideas or arguments or analysis in written or oral form
D2: Ability to use appropriate IT for research or written work or performance
D3: Ability to use simple budget control or financial accounting for production preparation.
D4: Ability to reflect on and meet the needs of the client group or participants for community theatre.
D5: Ability to work creatively in ensemble rehearsal and performance.
D6: Ability to critically analyse working models, practices or approaches to community theatre.
Learning methods
D1, D4, D5 and D6 are learned in small group practical classes, workshops, rehearsal and performance.
D1 to D4 and D6 are learned through lectures, presentations, seminars and independent study.
Assessment methods
D1, D4, D5 and D6 are continuously assessed through observation of students contribution to class work, rehearsals and performance.
D1 to D4 and D6 are additionally assessed through practice based presentations, written assignments and essays and the Personal Development Journal Assessment of D4 to D6 in the early part of the degree scheme is based primarily on processes.
For example, the assessment of D6 in Year One would be based on the extent to which a student was able to demonstrate learning of the processes of researching and creating a work.
As students progress through the scheme D6 assessment becomes more focussed on the originality and creative inventiveness of the work produced.