This programme offers a lively approach to the study of Drama, integrating practical exploration with research-based learning to advance both creative practice and critical inquiry. We offer students an industry-responsive, interdisciplinary education, with many opportunities to connect with industry professionals through guest lectures, workshops, placement experiences and through attending professional theatre productions. Through embodied learning, students will have the chance to engage with a broad sweep of historical and contemporary theatre analysis with specialist modules in, for example, contemporary performance, Irish studies and post-conflict drama, all celebrating the richness and diversity of theatre-making across the island of Ireland.

Teaching and research are also strong in the areas of applied theatre and theatre in education, acting theory and practice, with opportunities to explore the interdisciplinarity of theatre across diverse fields such as medical science, psychology, geography, architecture, and social science. In short, the programme aims to enable students to explore the social, cultural, and political dimensions of this vital artform.

The Drama team is deeply committed to student support and pastoral care, guiding learners through the transition to higher education and offering sustained career-focused advice and training throughout the programme. This holistic approach ensures that graduates are not only equipped with advanced academic and practical skills but also prepared to contribute meaningfully to the professional theatre landscape and beyond.

Drama Studies at Queen's builds on the remarkable heritage of Drama in Northern Ireland, as represented by its internationally acclaimed playwrights.

Course highlights

Global Opportunities

Students can access a range of international opportunities during their degree programme – both as year-long international exchanges and shorter learning opportunities and visits.

Industry Links

Drama at Queen’s has unparalleled links with the professional theatre sector and collaborates extensively with leading arts organisations and theatre companies, such as the Lyric Theatre, Prime Cut Productions, Kabosh, Tinderbox and Bruiser, as well as with the Belfast Festival and the Linen Hall Library. Students also have the opportunity to undertake a work-based learning module in Year 3.

World Class Facilities

Lots of teaching happens in the Brian Friel Theatre, which is one of the best-equipped theatres in Belfast with a 120-seat studio theatre, rehearsal room, dressing rooms, green room and workshop all housed in the Drama and Film Centre which also includes the Queen’s Film Theatre.

https://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/BrianFrielTheatre/

Internationally Renowned Experts

Our staff expertise encompasses both professional and scholarly aspects of drama and theatre practice, with many of our team acknowledged internationally as experts in their fields. You will learn from experts in Irish and British theatre, Shakespearean and Restoration theatre, applied theatre practices, global and intercultural theatre, dance and movement, writing and directing.

Student Experience

Extracurricular performance opportunities are offered by the Tyrone Guthrie Society and the student Drama Society, which have taken productions to student festivals in Ireland and the UK. Productions have also been taken to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and to festivals in Belgium and Italy.

Further Study Opportunities

Further study, including Master’s programmes, is also an option; see the School website for further information.

Drama at Queen’s integrates theory and practice in an interdisciplinary, critical engagement with a wide breadth of theatre styles and performance. Performance workshops, visits to live theatre and collaboration with other University disciplinary areas enable students to enhance their skills, knowledge and inform their creative practice within literary, cultural, historical and sociological studies. Students are also required to attend professional performances, and benefit from our exceptional links with the theatre sector in Northern Ireland and beyond. Visiting professionals lead workshops in specialist areas, including acting.

Stage 1

All students take five introductory modules at Level 1 (1st Year), which introduce the foundations of theatre, performance and production practice. Students also choose one optional module from a range available from across the Faculty.

Stage 2

In the second year of this programme, students have the opportunity to broaden their horizons, selecting from a range of modules that will allow them to build on the knowledge and skills gained in stage 1, and apply them to specific genres and styles of performance.

Stage 3

In Stage 3 students develop the skills and knowledge they need for a career in the performing arts. Many students opt to undertake a work-based practice module, developing skills, experience and a network of contacts.

• People Teaching You
  Dr Trish McTighe

  Senior Lecturer

  Arts, English & Languages
  

• Contact Teaching Hours

  Medium Group Teaching

  10 (hours maximum)
  hours of practical classes, workshops or seminars each week

  Personal Study

  24 (hours maximum)
  hours studying and revising in your own time each week, including some guided study using handouts, online activities, etc

  Large Group Teaching

  3 (hours maximum)
  hours of lectures

• Learning and Teaching

  On the BA in Drama we provide a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies, and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners. Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:

  E-Learning Technologies

  Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Canvas. A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the degree through, for example: interactive group workshops in a flexible learning space; podcasts and interactive web-based learning activities; opportunities to use IT programmes associated with design in practicals and project- based work, etc.

  Lectures

  Introduce basic information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading. Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments (normally delivered in large groups to all year group peers).

  Personal Tutor

  Undergraduates are allocated a Personal Tutor during Years 1, 2 and 3 who meets with them on several occasions during the year to support their academic development.

  Practicals

  Where you will have opportunities to develop technical skills and apply theoretical principles to real-life or practical contexts. You will be expected to attend two practical workshops per week for modules DRA1003 and DRA1004.

  Professionally Directed Theatre Production

  In Year 2 students are able to participate either as actors or in a production role in a professionally directed theatre production.

  Self-directed study

  This is a vital part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.

  Seminars/tutorials

  Significant amounts of teaching are carried out in small groups (typically 10-20 students). These provide the opportunity for students to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess their own progress and understanding with the support of peers. You should also expect to make presentations and other contributions to these groups.

  Supervised Projects

  In Year 3, you will have the opportunity to carry out a significant piece of research or a practical production on a topic or practical methodology that you have chosen. You will receive support from a supervisor who will guide you in terms of how to carry out your research or production and will provide feedback to you on at least two occasions.

  Work placements

  Students have the opportunity to undertake a work placement in Year 3. This is a significant learning and employability enhancement opportunity

• Assessment

  Details of assessments associated with this course are outlined below:

  • Assessment is by performance, presentations, and written coursework. There are no end of semester examinations in Drama. The way in which you are assessed will vary according to the Learning Objectives of each module. Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Module Outline Document which is provided to all students.
• Facilities

  The Brian Friel Theatre is one of the best equipped theatres in Belfast with a 120 seat studio theatre, rehearsal room, dressing rooms, green room and workshop, housed in the Drama & Film Centre which opened in 2004 which also comprises the Queen's Film Theatre.
  
  Drama at Queen’s has unparalleled links with the local theatre sector and collaborates extensively with leading arts organisations and theatre companies, such as the Lyric Theatre, Prime Cut Productions, Kabosh, Tinderbox and Bruiser theatre companies as well as Belfast Festival and the Linen Hall Library, all of whom have helped us develop a vital professional practice dimension as part of our overall provision.
  https://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/BrianFrielTheatre/

A level requirements

BBB

A maximum of one BTEC/OCR Single Award or AQA Extended Certificate will be accepted as part of an applicant's portfolio of qualifications with a Distinction* being equated to a grade A at A-level and a Distinction being equated to a grade B at A-level.

Irish leaving certificate requirements

H3H3H3H3H4H4/H3H3H3H3H3

Access Course

Successful completion of Access Course with an average of 65%.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

32 points overall, including 6,5,5 at Higher Level

BTEC Level 3 Extended/National Extended Diploma

QCF BTEC Extended Diploma (180 credits at Level 3) with overall grades DDD

RQF BTEC National Extended Diploma (1080 GLH at Level 3) with overall grades DDD

Graduate

A minimum of a 2:2 Honours Degree

All applicants

There are no specific subject requirements to study Drama, however, students should have an interest in studying theatre and performance, and be prepared to participate in practical theatre classes. All applicants who receive offers will be invited to attend an offer holders’ day, where they will gain experience of what Drama at Queen’s involves.

Note

All applicants must have GCSE English Language grade C/4 or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.

• How we choose our students

  Applications are dealt with centrally by the Admissions and Access Service rather than by individual University Schools. Once your on-line form has been processed by UCAS and forwarded to Queen's, an acknowledgement is normally sent within two weeks of its receipt at the University.
  
  Selection is on the basis of the information provided on your UCAS form. Decisions are made on an ongoing basis and will be notified to you via UCAS.
  
  For last year's intake, applicants for this BA programme offering A-level/BTEC Level 3 qualifications must have had, or been able to achieve, a minimum of five GCSE passes at grade C/4 or better (to include English Language). Performance in any AS or A-level examinations already completed would also have been taken into account and the Selector checks that any specific entry requirements in terms of GCSE and/or A-level subjects can be fulfilled.
  
  For applicants offering Irish Leaving Certificate, please note that performance at Irish Junior Certificate (IJC) is taken into account. For last year’s entry applicants for this degree must have had, a minimum of 5 IJC grades C/Merit. The Selector also checks that any specific entry requirements in terms of Leaving Certificate subjects can be satisfied.
  
  Offers are normally made on the basis of three A-levels. Two subjects at A-level plus two at AS would also be considered. The offer for repeat candidates is set in terms of three A-levels and may be one grade higher than for first time applicants. Grades may be held from the previous year.
  
  Applicants offering two A-levels and one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate (or equivalent qualification), or one A-level and a BTEC Diploma/National Diploma (or equivalent qualification) will also be considered. Offers will be made in terms of the overall BTEC grade(s) awarded. Please note that a maximum of one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate (or equivalent) will be counted as part of an applicant’s portfolio of qualifications. The normal GCSE profile will be expected.
  
  Applicants offering other qualifications, such as Higher National Certificates and Diplomas, will also be considered.
  
  For applicants offering a HNC, the current requirements are successful completion of the HNC with 8 Merits. For those offering a Higher National Diploma, some flexibility may be allowed in terms of GCSE profile but, to be eligible for an offer, the grades obtained in the first year of the HND must allow the overall offer to be achievable. The current entrance requirements for Stage 1 entry are successful completion of the HND with 9 Merits and 7 Passes overall. Applicants taking a relevant Higher National Diploma in Performing Arts may be considered for entry to Stage 2 and, where offers are made, these are currently conditional on successful completion of the HND with 12 Merits and 4 Passes overall.
  
  The information provided in the personal statement section and the academic reference together with predicted grades are noted but, in the case of BA degrees, these are not the final deciding factors in whether or not a conditional offer can be made. However, they may be reconsidered in a tie break situation in August.
  
  A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking would not normally be considered as part of a three A-level offer and, although they may be excluded where an applicant is taking four A-level subjects, the grade achieved could be taken into account if necessary in August/September.
  
  If you are made an offer then you may be invited to a Faculty/School Visit Day, which is usually held in the second semester. This will allow you the opportunity to visit the University and to find out more about the degree programme of your choice and the facilities on offer. It also gives you a flavour of the academic and social life at Queen's.
  
  If you cannot find the information you need here, please contact the University Admissions and Access Service (admissions@qub.ac.uk), giving full details of your qualifications and educational background.

• International Students

  Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.

  Please Select Your Country/Region Please Select Your Country/Region

  International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

  For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

  If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, Queen's University Belfast International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

  • Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
  • Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

  • Foundation
    The progression course suited to this programme is
    https://qubisc.com/en/courses/international-foundation-in-business-humanities-and-social-sciences.