(BA) Bachelor of Arts
Creative Producing (Theatre and Short Film)
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
East 15 Acting School
Southend Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
Dance, Drama and Performance
BA W900
08/05/2024
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
Successful interview, plus one of the following qualifications
- A-levels: DD/EEE, or 48 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels.
- BTEC: MP, or 48 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels.
- Combined qualifications on the UCAS tariff: 48 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A levels or equivalent. Tariff point offers may be made if you are taking a qualification, or mixture of qualifications, from the list on our undergraduate application information page.
- T-levels: Pass with E in core
- IB: two Higher Level certificates with 33
- IB Career-related Programme: We consider combinations of IB Diploma Programme courses with BTECs or other qualifications.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
If you do not require a student visa to study in the UK then we will assess your English language proficiency/ability at your interview or audition.
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component, or specified score in another equivalent test that we accept.
Details of English language requirements, including component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
If we accept the English component of an international qualification it will be included in the academic levels listed above for the relevant countries.
English language shelf-life
Most English language qualifications have a validity period of 5 years. The validity period of Pearson Test of English, TOEFL and CBSE or CISCE English is 2 years.
If you require a Student visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.
Pre-sessional English courses
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Pending English language qualifications
You don’t need to achieve the required level before making your application, but it will be one of the conditions of your offer.
If you cannot find the qualification that you have achieved or are pending, then please email ugquery@essex.ac.uk.
Additional Notes
If you’re an international student, but do not meet the English language or academic requirements for direct admission to this degree, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the University of Essex International College
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
Ms Rosalind Maddison
Head of Production
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
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 as entrepreneurial creative practitioners in the field of theatre, performing arts and related entertainment and media fields.
- To develop skills and approaches to aspects of theatre making and producing that, through innovation, resourcefulness, personal responsibility and creative decision-making, support the realisation of purposeful, high-quality artistic outcomes.
- To stimulate the application of reflection, creativity or imagination to the process of producing theatre and short films.
- To develop the critical and analytical skills required to communicate projects, ideas or arguments clearly and objectively in order to support highly effective collaboration and the realisation of desired artistic outcomes.
- To prepare students for the self-directed learning and research necessary to support proposal, development and fulfilment of projects within the industry.
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: Students will develop their understanding of the history and context of Western theatre, performance culture and inter-disciplinary arts
A2: Students will be able to demonstrate a strong understanding of production processes relating to the realisation of theatre and film and the application of these processes
A3: Students will be able to evidence their understanding of industry practices and conventions
A4: Students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of processes relating to the creation of practical objects which support theatre making and film, and evidence understanding of various skills, conventions and approaches to meeting a brief
A5: Students will be able to identify conventions within and employ a variety of approaches to writing (both creatively and for business purposes) within the context of theatre making
A6: Students will develop a working understanding of technical considerations, identify skills processes, and explain approaches to the application of Digital Media within theatre and film
Learning methods
A1 – A6 are taught through participation in a range of classes, skills development workshops, lectures, seminars, and research and projects.
Students will be expected to work independently, through research, in order to explore conventions, innovations, concepts, skills/processes and approaches to theatre making and producing.
Students will participate in formative discussion both in groups and online to share ideas, explore various approaches to problem-solving and consider feedback from peers/tutors.
In Year Three, at Honours level, students will be expected to use their learning to engage creatively as theatre makers and producers, to interpret and critically evaluate knowledge and understanding and apply it to a range of briefs, some of which will be innovative and unexpected.
Assessment methods
A1 and A5 is assessed through written submissions
A5 may be additionally assessed through written submissions.
A2, A3, A4 and A6 may be additionally assessed through written submissions, presentations and/or submission of creative responses to project briefs.
A2, A3, A4 and A6 may, in some cases, also be assessed through practical observation of knowledge applied in relation to a defined project brief.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Through employing an inquisitive, explorative approach to their work, students will be able to evidence the application of rigorous independent research that supports the development of their knowledge and understanding
B2: Students will develop, consolidate and refine their approach to presenting complex and original ideas in response to analytical or creative briefs
B3: Through exploring ideas, opportunities and approaches collaboratively in order to reach appropriate conclusions, students will be able to demonstrate that they can communicate effectively with one-another and their tutors
B4: Students will be able to evidence analysis of interpretation around the use/application of raw/original artistic material
B5: Students will be able to use critical and analytical skills to ensure appropriate discernment and selection or adaptation of raw/original material or creative processes
B6: Students will be able to show that they have considered a range solutions when working creatively and apply learned techniques appropriately
Learning methods
B1- B6 are taught through participation in a range of classes, skills development workshops, lectures, seminars, research and projects.
Students will also be expected to work independently and in groups in order to explore and apply concepts and knowledge they are acquiring through taught provision.
In some modules, students will keep a web log as a record of how they (and their colleagues) explore ideas, processes and approaches. Their blog will offer a platform through which to share ideas, explore approaches to problem-solving and consider feedback from peers/tutors.
In the third, Honours level year, students are expected to adapt and interpret their cognitive skills to a range of creative situations with increasing independence and originality.
Assessment methods
B1 – B6 are assessed through practical, project-based and written submissions or presentations
B3, B5 and B6 may be assessed through observation of project work, continuous assessment, set tasks and/or evidence submitted within a portfolio
C: Practical skills
C1: Students will be able to work independently and collaborate to demonstrate practical skills that underpin the practical theatre to include props, costume, effects, set, mask, puppets and scripts
C2: Students will be able to use appropriate software and hardware to create and editing digital assets such as digital video, audio and stills
C3: Students will be able to apply knowledge to practice
C4: Students will be able to apply advanced practical skills across a range of contexts to support the completion of set tasks and projects
C5: Through a clearly evidenced process of development, exploration and creative decision-making, to a clear conceptual starting point, students will be able to translate ideas and create work that links back
C6: Developing and working with digital content, students will be able to skilfully create and deploy the content, taking into consideration the aesthetic, practical, and technical considerations of the context for use
Learning methods
C1- C6 are taught through participation in a range of classes, skills development workshops, lectures, seminars, independent research and projects.
Students will also be expected to work independently and in groups in order to explore concepts and develop their approach and decision-making around how to apply knowledge and skills they have acquired.
In some modules, students will keep a web log as a record of how they (and their colleagues) engage with practical/professional briefs. Their blog will offer a forum to share their learning, their ideas and discuss the approaches they take to responding to project briefs.
In the third, Honours level year, students are expected to be increasingly independent in the application of practical skills, to take responsibility for both producing and business processes and to critically evaluate and make decisions on appropriate conceptual, business and practical solutions.
Assessment methods
C1 – C6 are assessed through practical, project-based and written submissions or presentations
Additionally, learning outcomes may be assessed through observation of project work, continuous assessment, set tasks and/or evidence submitted within a portfolio
D: Key skills
D1: Communicate complex ideas or arguments confidently and effectively orally, in writing or in visual form
D2: Students will be able to evaluate and select appropriate IT applications or technology for research or written work or to create performances
D3: Formulating or managing complex production budgets
D4: Students will be able to critically evaluate and take decisions on the appropriateness of different approaches to production processes
D5: Work effectively and collaboratively as a self-directed member of a team
D6: Ability to critically analyse and evaluate own learning or performance or to interpret and make use of critical feedback constructively
Learning methods
D1- D6 are taught through participation in a range of classes, skills development workshops, lectures, seminars, independent research and projects.
For D2, D3, D4 students will also be expected to work both independently and collaboratively in order to further refine their use of key skills within the context of project work.
To support D6, students will keep various logs/portfolios as a record of how they (and their colleagues) engage with learning and specific project briefs.
Assessment methods
D1 – D6 are assessed through practical, project-based and written submissions or presentations
To support D6, students will keep web logs and develop portfolios as a record of how they engage with learning and specific project briefs. These elements will evidence how discussion, sharing of ideas and critical feedback has influenced decision-making, approach or outcomes.
Students may also be assessed in relation to their approach and response to the problems they are required to solve. This may be assessed through observation of practical work evidencing how application, exploration and experimentation around acquired skills and knowledge has contributed towards completion of set tasks/projects.