Fees and key information

Course type
Undergraduate
UCAS code
W443
Entry requirements
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Why study this course?

Our Theatre and Performance BA (Hons) programme will train you to be an industry professional with the ability to work across different areas of theatre and the performing arts. You’ll be immersed in a range of creative disciplines, including performing, directing, writing, dramaturgy and technical areas of theatre.

Our teaching team is composed of industry professionals and the programme includes regular sessions with innovative guests who will share their expertise with you. This will allow you to make valuable contacts and learn from the experiences of some of the most exciting theatre-makers the city has to offer. You’ll also have many opportunities to showcase your work and create original performances. Get a first-hand experience of our 2021 graduate cohort's theatre show, which was live streamed to adapt to the lockdown period. You can also read about a graduate's experience of studying in the lockdown in this Evening Standard article.

Looking for a course that'll prepare you for life as a leader in theatre and the performing arts? Our Theatre and Performance BA (Hons) does just that. We emphasise learning by doing, which means you’ll not only gain comprehensive knowledge of theatre production from conception to performance, but also create and showcase your own performances.

We will work with you to create original performances from your very first year, with a number of opportunities to share your work. By Year 3, once you have gained enough knowledge, skills and confidence, you’ll create and perform an original piece that you have made at one of London’s arts institutions or theatres. This will involve a group project, where you write, direct, perform and even market your own show – equipping you with practical experience of creating theatre from all aspects.

Although the programme includes significant training in acting, the goal is to provide you with knowledge of all major areas of the industry, from writing and directing to design and stage management. The performance-specific classes include subjects such as acting, voice, movement, ideas in theatre and much more. This holistic approach is designed to help you to find yourself as an artist.

The course is taught by active theatre practitioners who bring their industry experience to the classroom. Your lecturers come from varied and specialised backgrounds in theatre and performance, including artists who have worked in London’s West End, including Tate Modern, Royal National Theatre and Roundhouse and many other venues around the world. Their diverse experience and approaches to performance will empower you to examine the way you think about performance and help you find your own artistic direction.

In addition to the University's own teaching staff you’ll also learn from practitioners based at a number of different companies. In previous years our students have learned from practitioners from the National Theatre, Royal Court, Cirque du Soleil and other international companies. They've also had numerous classes and talks with artists from Complicité – one of the country’s most celebrated theatre ensembles.

Over the years we have built a strong community of staff and students, allowing for seamless collaboration with your peers. We have a diverse range of students on the course who offer differing artistic perspectives and enable exploration of different themes and ideas. You’ll also be involved in decision-making about the course programme and become an active participant in your lessons. You can read a recent report by The Stage which features London Met as it considers the additional value that academic theatre degrees can offer students over traditional drama schools.

The course has a Facebook page with news and events from alumni, students and staff.

Benefit from external experts

You’ll have the chance to learn from practitioners based at a number of different companies, which in the past have included the National Theatre, Royal Court, Cirque du Soleil and Complicité

Second in the UK for student satisfaction

Our drama, dance and cinematics courses ranked second in the UK for student satisfaction in the Complete University Guide 2025

Learn from industry professionals

Your lecturers come from varied and specialised backgrounds in theatre and performance, including artists who have worked in London’s West End, including Tate Modern, Royal National Theatre and Roundhouse

Course details

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:

  • a minimum of grade C in three A levels or a minimum of  grades BC in at least two A levels in academic subjects (or a minimum of 112 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification, eg BTEC National, OCR Diploma or Advanced Diploma)
  • English Language GCSE at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent)

You will be required to attend an interview workshop day as part of the application process.

If you don't have traditional qualifications or can't meet the entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, you may still be able to gain entry by completing our Film and Television Production (including foundation year) BA (Hons) or Film and Television Studies (including foundation year) BA (Hons).

Accreditation of Prior Learning

Any university-level qualifications or relevant experience you gain prior to starting university could count towards your course at London Met. Find out more about applying for Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL).

English language requirements

To study a degree at London Met, you must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. If you require a Student visa (previously Tier 4) you may need to provide the results of a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. This course requires you to meet our standard requirements.

If you need (or wish) to improve your English before starting your degree, the University offers a Pre-sessional Academic English course to help you build your confidence and reach the level of English you require.

There are no exams during this course. Assessment is conducted via a combination of workshops, performances, productions, discussions, presentations, journals/portfolios and essays.

Self-assessment and reflection are key factors in the process of learning and are considered throughout assessment.

There is a focus on helping you develop professional skills throughout the course. As a graduate you could find yourself working in many exciting areas of theatre, including acting, directing, producing, community performance or theatre in education, theatre-making, arts policy making, arts administration or marketing.

Much of the course replicates working industry environments, which strengthens the careers education element of the course. Staff maintain strong links with the industry and use these to help students to access opportunities for internships and employment during and after the course. Modules in creative and cultural industries and business and marketing will give you the opportunity to learn the skills appropriate for self-management in the arts.

If you study your undergraduate degree with us, as a graduate of London Met, you'll be entitled to a 20% discount on a postgraduate course if you continue your studies with us.
* exclusions apply

Please note, in addition to the tuition fee there may be additional costs for things such as equipment, materials, printing, textbooks, trips or professional body fees.

Additionally, there may be other activities that are not formally part of your course and not required to complete your course, but which you may find helpful (for example, optional field trips). The costs of these are additional to your tuition fee and the fees set out above and will be notified when the activity is being arranged.

You may be asked to pay for a Disclosure and Barring Service check in your third year.

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Discover Uni – key statistics about this course

Discover Uni is an official source of information about university and college courses across the UK. The widget below draws data from the corresponding course on the Discover Uni website, which is compiled from national surveys and data collected from universities and colleges. If a course is taught both full-time and part-time, information for each mode of study will be displayed here.

How to apply

If you're a UK applicant wanting to study full-time starting in September, you must apply via UCAS unless otherwise specified. If you're an international applicant wanting to study full-time, you can choose to apply via UCAS or directly to the University.

If you're applying for part-time study, you should apply directly to the University. If you require a Student visa, please be aware that you will not be able to study as a part-time student at undergraduate level.

When to apply

The University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) accepts applications for full-time courses starting in September from one year before the start of the course. Our UCAS institution code is L68.

If you will be applying direct to the University you are advised to apply as early as possible as we will only be able to consider your application if there are places available on the course.

To find out when teaching for this degree will begin, as well as welcome week and any induction activities, view our academic term dates.

Are you from outside the UK? Find out how to apply from your home country

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