Discover how our societies have shaped and been shaped by English literature, and explore different modes of performance with our BA (Hons) Drama and English Literature degree in Cambridge.
Grow into a confident, versatile and exciting drama practitioner, while exploring classic literature and genres ranging from sci-fi to children’s books.
You’ll work on public-productions and smaller-scale projects, exploring drama practices and texts from the 20th century onwards as well as working on original pieces. Alongside this, you’ll explore many other subjects including history, politics, philosophy and religion as well as developing your literacy and communication skills.
Our BA (Hons) Drama and English Literature degree lets you weight your studies to your own interests and career goals. Prepare for a career in the arts or fields such as teaching - and get ready to change the way others see the world.
Understanding the importance of literature and drama to society is the main focus of our BA (Hons) Drama and English Literature degree. You’ll take part in an experiential, 'learning-through-doing' programme. Your degree will allow you to choose from a range of career-focused optional modules, completing either a 100% practical drama Major Project or an English literature one, and graduating with a professionally produced showreel and portfolio.
Connect with Cambridge’s performance scene through our links to local networks such as Cambridge Arts Network and Cambridge Live. You’ll have the chance to perform in public venues around Cambridge as well as in our own Mumford Theatre and Covent Garden Studio.
Experience being part of a professional troupe with the Anglia Ruskin Community Theatre Company, and take the chance to perform and collaborate with other creative industries students.
Take the opportunity to go on field trips and attend productions to broaden your real-world experience. You might even choose to study abroad for a semester. There’s funding available to help cover the cost.
Improve your creative and critical writing skills, and develop your technical and production skills in our specialist facilities. Our technical officers will be on hand to offer help and support. As part of your studies at ARU, you’ll have access to all of our creative industries facilities including our on-campus Mumford Theatre for workshops, rehearsals and putting on shows, as well as seeing professional touring companies and musicians; two dedicated drama studios, including a highly flexible black-box performance space; a dance rehearsal room including audio playback facilities, portable dance mirrors, gymnastic mats and a sprung floor; and an additional rehearsal space.
Our Drama and English Literature BA (Hons) degree will give you practical experience as a performer or technician, and the academic understanding to be a director or a teacher.
We work with employers to make sure you graduate with the knowledge, skills and abilities they need. They help us review what we teach and how we teach it - and they offer hands-on, practical opportunities to learn through work-based projects, internships or placements.
Graduation doesn’t need to be the end of your time with us, of course. You might decide to stay at ARU and study for a Masters, such as our renowned MA Dramatherapy or MA English Literature. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.
Course Details - Modules
Year one, core modules
Performance Contexts 1A
Performance Contexts 1B
Staging and Reception
Staging and Production
Introduction to Literary Criticism
A History of English Literature from Chaucer to Equiano
A History of English Literature, from the present to 1789
Year two, core modules
Making Performance
The Body in Performance
Dialogue and Debate 1: Shakespeare and Renaissance Drama
Postcolonialism
Year two, optional modules
Performance Practitioners
New Media Performance
Design for Performance
News and Feature Writing
Romantic Conflicts
The History of the Book
Special Topic 1: Bible and Literature
The Victorian Experience: Texts and Contexts
Dialogue and Debate: More to Milton
Anglia Language Programme
Year three, core modules
Devising Performance
Major Project
Year three, optional modules
Performance and Identity
Contemporary Texts
Principles of Music Therapy and Dramatherapy
Modern Science Fiction
Working in English and Media
Special Topic 2: Modernism
Adaptations and Afterlives: the Art of Rewriting Stories
Course Details – Assessment Method
You’ll demonstrate your learning through essays, reports, oral presentations, studio and public performance, and a major project using practice-based research techniques.
Course Details – Professional Bodies
Professional Bodies are not listed for this Course.
How to Apply
26 January This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application Codes
Course code:
WQ43
Institution code:
A60
Campus Name:
Cambridge Campus
Campus code:
Points of Entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
Year 1
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry (Year 2 and Beyond)
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry are not listed for this Course.
International applicants
Standard Qualification Requirements
96 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of 2 A Levels (or equivalent), preferably to include Drama, Theatre Studies or a related subject.
UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of 2 A Levels (or equivalent), preferably to include Drama, Theatre Studies or a related subject.
UCAS Tariff Points accepted.
2020 Entry requirements are under review for the next cycle and have been published using the current cycle information. Please check back when apply opens for the exact requirements.
If English is not your first language you will be expected to demonstrate a certificated level of proficiency of at least IELTS 6.0 (Academic level) or equivalent English Language qualification, as recognised by Anglia Ruskin University.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
