BA/BSc (Hons) Drama and Psychology

Program Overview

The BA/BSc (Hons) Drama and Psychology program at Bath Spa University is a three-year, full-time course providing a stimulating and intellectually engaging learning experience. It is structured to progressively build foundational performance skills and psychological knowledge in the first year, explore diverse dramatic techniques and core psychological theories in the second, and culminate in specialized studies at the intersection of drama and psychology, along with an interdisciplinary research project in the final year. Students benefit from intensive drama workshops, engaging psychology lectures and seminars, opportunities for applying psychological principles to character development and performance analysis, and collaborative projects. A key element involves fostering a critical understanding of how drama can illuminate psychological concepts and how psychological theories can inform creative practice. The program encourages students to develop their creative expression and analytical skills in tandem, exploring the complexities of human behavior through both artistic and scientific lenses.

Curriculum: The curriculum for the BA/BSc (Hons) Drama and Psychology program is designed to provide a comprehensive and integrated understanding of the core areas of both disciplines. Core modules typically cover acting techniques, theatre history, play analysis, core psychological principles (social, cognitive, developmental), research methods in both drama and psychology, and abnormal psychology. As students progress, they often have the opportunity to specialize in areas such as applied drama, dramatherapy (with further training), performance psychology, social psychology, and developmental psychology through elective modules that bridge the two disciplines. The program emphasizes the development of essential performance skills (voice, movement, characterization) alongside critical thinking, analytical skills, research methodologies relevant to both the arts and sciences, and ethical considerations in both dramatic practice and psychological research. Students will engage in intensive drama workshops, psychological experiments and data analysis, case study analysis from both dramatic and psychological perspectives, and undertake interdisciplinary projects that require them to integrate knowledge from both fields. The final year often includes a significant performance project or devised piece informed by psychological principles and a substantial piece of psychological research or an interdisciplinary project that bridges drama and psychology.

Research Focus: The BA/BSc (Hons) Drama and Psychology program at Bath Spa University benefits from a research-informed learning environment within the School of Music and Performing Arts and the School of Psychology. Faculty members in both disciplines are actively engaged in research related to areas such as the psychology of performance, the use of drama in therapeutic contexts, the psychological impact of theatre, and the application of psychological theories to understanding character and narrative. This research informs the curriculum, ensuring that students are exposed to current trends in both performance and psychological inquiry, innovative approaches to exploring human behavior through drama, and cutting-edge psychological research relevant to the performing arts. Students are encouraged to develop their own research interests at the intersection of these fields through assignments and their final year interdisciplinary project, fostering intellectual curiosity and analytical skills relevant to both their creative and scientific pursuits.

Industry Engagement: Bath Spa University's BA/BSc (Hons) Drama and Psychology program fosters connections with relevant organizations in both the performing arts and mental health sectors. The program may facilitate guest workshops and masterclasses led by actors, directors, and applied drama practitioners, as well as guest lectures by psychologists, therapists, and professionals working in mental health and well-being. Students may have opportunities to explore the application of drama in therapeutic settings and to learn about career pathways that combine these two fields. While formal placements may vary, the program emphasizes the development of transferable skills relevant to both sectors, such as communication, empathy, observation, and analytical abilities. The curriculum often incorporates case studies and practical applications that bridge the gap between dramatic theory and psychological practice.

Global Perspective: The BA/BSc (Hons) Drama and Psychology program at Bath Spa University incorporates a global perspective by exploring diverse theatrical traditions and their psychological underpinnings, examining cross-cultural perspectives on human behavior, and considering the role of drama in different cultural contexts for communication, healing, and social change. The curriculum may include the study of non-Western performance forms and their psychological significance, discussions on cultural variations in emotional expression and mental health, and the exploration of global applications of drama in education and therapy. The university's diverse international student body contributes to a global learning environment, fostering discussions and collaborations across different cultural perspectives on drama and psychology. Furthermore, the program may touch upon topics such as intercultural communication in performance and the global impact of psychological theories on understanding human behavior in diverse cultural settings, preparing graduates to engage with a diverse and interconnected global landscape in both the arts and sciences.