Education and Drama

Explore the ways that education, society, and organisations are structured, and how these structures impact the wellbeing and opportunities of individuals, groups and communities.

We introduce you to education systems from around the world and investigate how education can be used in different ways to change lives. We also look at educational policy and practice and how these can be used to promote social justice.

Throughout your Drama studies, emphasis is placed on collaboration, industry input, and creating work for a variety of audiences.

Year one
The first year introduces key concepts and skills that underpin the study of Education. You'll be introduced to formal and informal education and explore the potential of education to transform lives. Key themes include wellbeing, global citizenship and the impact of research.   

In your Drama modules, you’ll work with other students as part of a theatre ensemble, develop foundational skills in acting and directing, and build critical skills in performance analysis. 

Year two
In your second year you’ll be introduced to the key ideas and theories needed to understand contemporary educational issues.

You’ll learn about education policy and its role on a local and global scale. You’ll also evaluate how education contributes to achieving change in the workplace.

You’ll explore global citizenship and wellbeing in more depth. You’ll have the opportunity to explore sustainable development. Depending on your choice of modules, you can undertake an education placement in your second year.   

In Drama, you’ll explore topics such as performance-making, applied theatre, playwriting, acting, directing, musical theatre and theatre production, with opportunities to work with your fellow students, specialist staff, and visiting professionals and artists. 

Year three
You’ll develop a deeper understanding of a professional career in education and education’s role in sustainable development. If you’re interested in a teaching career, and you’re on target to successfully complete your degree, we offer a guaranteed interview for our Primary or Secondary PGCE courses in your final year.   

In your final year Drama modules, real-world application of your skills becomes the focus of your study. You’ll have the flexibility to choose optional modules that are of particular interest to you in areas such as Shakespeare, Staging a Play, Writing and Directing for Performance, and Musical Theatre. 

In your Education modules, you'll be assessed through various tasks and coursework including written assignments, creative projects, practical assessments and presentations. There are no exams.

In the Drama component of your course, assessment tasks include public performance, playwriting, in-class performance of devised or published work, presentations, performance of backstage/technical roles, critical reflection, working as part of an ensemble, script analysis, devising, and individual / group research projects.

We’ll provide you with prompt feedback and give you regular guidance on how to improve your skills, knowledge and understanding.

All modules are led by experienced University staff. You’ll get to grips with your subject through a mix of seminars, lectures, workshops, one-to-one tutorials, practical classes, rehearsals, work placements and theatre visits. You’ll also learn from guest speakers.

To find out more about how we teach and how you'll learn, please read our Learning and Teaching Delivery Statement.

Throughout your degree, you'll be immersed in work-based learning, giving you the opportunity to investigate a range of education-related careers and develop your employability skills.

If you go into a school placement, you’ll be required to apply for a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Services). You'll get more details once you've accepted your place with us.

As part of your degree, you could study abroad on a placement at one of Bath Spa’s partner universities.

Depending on the optional module you choose in your second year, you can undertake additional accreditation in Outdoor Learning.

Please note that you’ll have to pay a contribution towards the costs of this opportunity, including DBS, transport costs and payment of accredited course fee.

This course is ideal for students interested in an education career, including teaching (on successful completion of a PGCE). If you’re on target to successfully complete your degree, we offer a guaranteed interview for our Primary or Secondary PGCE courses in your final year. 

You’ll also gain a broad understanding of education in lots of different settings, which prepares you for a career in:

• Youth work
• Other roles in schools, such as Teaching Assistant
• Charity education
• Heritage organisations
• Prisons.

This course also equips you with creative, collaborative, writing, presentational and communication skills that are useful in many professional and vocational areas.

Some graduates choose to pursue postgraduate study, especially in teaching or vocational training. Our Drama graduates have gone on to study Master’s degrees at the Central School of Speech and Drama, Yale Theatre School and the Royal Academy of Music. They’ve launched careers in the creative industries, including working with theatre and media companies.

Some of our Drama graduates are now: 

• Founder of an award-winning theatre company
• Executive Director of a theatre school
• Principal of an Academy of Performing Arts
• Dramatherapist and Tutor.

If you’re a full-time undergraduate student starting your first year at Bath Spa University, you can apply for the Certificate in Global Citizenship, which you’ll study alongside your degree.

You’ll gain global awareness and add an international dimension to your student experience, and funding is available. On successful completion of the programme, you’ll be awarded a Certificate in Global Citizenship. This is in addition to your degree; it doesn’t change your degree title or results.

The Professional Placement Year (PPY) provides you with the opportunity to identify, apply for, and secure professional experience, normally comprising one to three placements over a minimum of nine months. Successful completion of this module will demonstrate your ability to secure and sustain graduate-level employment.

By completing the module, you'll be entitled to the addition of 'with Professional Placement Year' to your degree title.

Before your PPY, you'll work to identify roles of interest and secure a placement. The Placements Team will support through timetabled sessions and 1:1 appointments.

As well as completing a minimum of 900 placement hours, you will complete two assessments demonstrating your skill development, growth in professional behaviours and how the PPY has impacted your future career aspirations.

Aiming to make work experience more accessible, we have introduced the PPY Bursary. Students undertaking a PPY can receive between £500 and £1,500 to be used towards placement costs such as travel, food, workwear or accommodation.

For more information and details of eligibility criteria, please visit the PPY Bursary webpage.

You'll be taught at our Newton Park campus. Nestled in the countryside at the edge of Bath, the campus offers a blend of modern and eighteenth-century buildings and good access to the city.

From your lectures, you’ll be able to visit the library, the Students’ Union, and access our student information and support teams, as well as many of our facilities.

You'll benefit from access to a wide range of excellent facilities, including:

• Commons building
• University Theatre
• Michael Tippett Centre: auditorium / practice rooms
• TV studios
• University Theatre studios
• Ashton Drama studio
• Newton Park library

You'll meet our PGCE tutors, and other professionals working in education. You can also get involved with our research centres to stay up to date with the latest in education research.

Other resources include: 

ASk (Academic Skills)

Available both in-person and online, this dedicated team can help with essay writing, referencing, maths skills and statistics.

Careers and Employability

The team runs networking events and advisory workshops that explore your future options and the essentials of the job application process. They help you get experience by assisting with your search for work placements and paid part-time jobs while you're studying.

When you're ready to progress into your chosen career, they can help you secure graduate-level employment, freelance opportunities, and funding for your own business ideas. Career support continues for years after you graduate with the dedicated Grad Support Unit.

English Language Unit

If English isn't your first language, the ELU can help you improve your English, reach your full potential and boost your confidence.

Expert speakers

You'll meet our PGCE tutors, and other professionals working in education. You can also get involved with our research centres to stay up to date with the latest in education research.

Online resources

You can access thousands of specialist Library resources digitally. Don't forget to contact your dedicated subject Librarian for help with your research. Tutors will post helpful resources to the Virtual Learning Environment.

You’ll have free access to thousands of business, design, and tech courses online via LinkedIn Learning.

Student Wellbeing Services

SWS (Student Wellbeing Services) is available to support you throughout your learning.