BA (Hons) Drama and Film and Screen Studies

Program Overview

The BA (Hons) Drama and Film and Screen Studies program at Bath Spa University is a three-year, full-time course providing a vibrant and intellectually stimulating learning environment for aspiring performers, theatre-makers, and film enthusiasts. It is structured to progressively build foundational performance skills and film knowledge in the first year, explore diverse dramatic and cinematic forms and traditions in the second, and culminate in specialized performance projects, advanced film studies, and a substantial interdisciplinary project in the final year. Students benefit from intensive drama workshops, engaging film screenings and discussions, hands-on filmmaking exercises, opportunities for performance and screen analysis, and collaborative projects. A key element involves fostering a deep understanding of how stories are conceived, crafted, and experienced across both the stage and the screen. The program fosters a collaborative and critically engaged atmosphere, encouraging students to develop their creative potential and analytical acumen in tandem.

Curriculum: The curriculum for the BA (Hons) Drama and Film and Screen Studies program is designed to provide a comprehensive and integrated exploration of both performance and screen media. Core modules typically cover acting techniques, theatre history, play analysis, and the study of key periods and genres of film history and theory. As students progress, they have the opportunity to specialize in particular performance styles or dramatic forms through advanced drama workshops and to delve deeper into specific areas of film and screen studies through elective modules, which may include screenwriting, film production, television studies, and adaptation. The program emphasizes the development of essential performance skills (voice, movement, characterization) alongside critical film analysis skills (mise-en-scène, cinematography, editing, sound). Students will engage in intensive drama workshops where they explore performance techniques and textual interpretation, participate in lively discussions and debates about films and plays, produce critical essays, and potentially collaborate on short film or theatre projects. The final year often includes a significant performance project or devised piece and a substantial piece of film criticism or a film studies research project that may explore the intersection of drama and film.

Research Focus: The BA (Hons) Drama and Film and Screen Studies program at Bath Spa University benefits from a research-informed learning environment within the School of Music and Performing Arts and the School of Art, Film and Media. The faculty comprises experienced drama practitioners and film scholars who are actively engaged in their own creative practice and academic research across a wide range of theatrical traditions, cinematic movements, and critical theories. This research informs the curriculum, ensuring that students are exposed to current trends in both performance and screen studies, innovative storytelling techniques, and cutting-edge critical perspectives on screen culture and theatre. Students are encouraged to develop their own research interests through critical essays, presentations, and their final year interdisciplinary project, fostering intellectual curiosity and analytical skills relevant to both their creative and critical pursuits.

Industry Engagement: Bath Spa University's BA (Hons) Drama and Film and Screen Studies program actively fosters connections with both the performing arts and screen industries. The program may facilitate guest workshops and masterclasses led by professional actors, directors, playwrights, filmmakers, and other industry professionals. Students may have opportunities to participate in theatre productions, film shoots, and networking events. The university often has its own theatre spaces and film production facilities, supporting student-led performances and film projects. The curriculum may include modules focused on professional development in both the performing arts and screen industries, such as acting for screen, script development, and understanding the film and theatre markets, equipping students with practical skills for navigating these industries.

Global Perspective: The BA (Hons) Drama and Film and Screen Studies program at Bath Spa University incorporates a global perspective by exploring diverse theatrical traditions and cinematic works from around the world. The curriculum may include the study of non-Western dramatic forms, global theatre histories, international cinema, and the impact of globalization on storytelling across different cultures and media. The university's diverse international student body contributes to a global learning environment, fostering discussions and collaborations across different cultural perspectives on theatre and film. Furthermore, the program may touch upon topics such as intercultural performance, international co-productions, and the global circulation of screen and theatrical narratives, preparing graduates to engage with a diverse and interconnected global media landscape.