What is Joint Honours?
A Joint Honours degree gives you the opportunity to study two subjects as one degree. This type of degree will broaden your skill set and enhance your career prospects.
You can combine any two subjects as long as they’re in different zones, find out what you can combine this subject with.
New for September 2019: As part of our commitment to improving student experience we are continually enhancing and reviewing our courses. Changes are being made to this course to reflect the evolving nature of the industry and to keep the course in line with industry standards. Curriculum changes proposed will ensure that we equip our graduates with the prerequisite skills and subject knowledge to be successful in their careers. To find out more get in touch with our programme leaders or attend an open day. This webpage will be updated as changes are made to the programme.
The course is taught by practising professional artists and active researchers with expertise in their own specialist fields. We'll encourage you to explore the relationship between Drama, Theatre and Performance and consider Theatre Studies from many different perspectives. You'll not only encounter a wide variety of performance practice, but also the theoretical concerns related to that practice.
You'll study Modern Drama, Performance Analysis, Writing for Performance, Script Analysis and Applied Drama. You'll connect to the practices at Derby Theatre and have the opportunity to engage in projects and extra-curricular activities at the Theatre.
We will encourage you to explore the relationship between drama, theatre and performance and consider Theatre Studies from many different perspectives. You will encounter a wide variety of performance practice, as well as the theoretical concerns related to that practice. And you will connect to the practices at Derby Theatre and have the opportunity to engage in projects and extra-curricular activities at the Theatre.
We are at an exciting time where there continues to be extensive work in the fields of theory and theatre. You will explore a range of theories during your theatre modules. We encourage and support as wide an interest in world theatre as possible and relate theatre to the field of performance in its widest sense engaging in areas such as the non-verbal and non-narrative. During the course you will study a range of topics which will include theatre as text, theatre as embodied, theatre as an institution and issues related to social and historical forces that connect to theatre. You will also be able to develop your own creative work if you choose the writing for performance modules.
Employable graduates: we’re ranked 15th highest amongst all UK universities and 12th for English institutions with 96% of graduates in work or further study within six months of completing their degree (HESA 2016).
To find out more about the work that Derby Theatre do outside of the University, please visit their YouTube Channel.
What you will study
You can study Theatre Studies as either a joint, major or minor subject. This will determine how many modules you’ll study at each stage. Please check your other subject to ensure it is possible to create your chosen combination.
Depending on whether you take this subject as a major or minor, you will study modules such as:
Stage one
- Modern Drama
- Introduction to Performance and Production
- Introduction to History and Theory
Stage two
- Applied Drama 2
- Research Methodologies
- Theatricality and Madness
Stage three
- Independent Study
- Shakespeare Today
- Riots and Rebels
- Writing for Performance 3
Degree Show
Every year students from the School of Arts celebrate their time at University by showcasing their work at an end of year Degree Show at Markeaton Street and across the City of Derby. The Show usually runs throughout June and is a fantastic opportunity for potential employers, friends, family, industry and members of the public to see exciting creations by the next generation of artists, designers, creators and makers from Derby. The Show takes the form of:
For a glimpse of last year’s Degree Show take a look at our flickr photo album.
September 2019 typical entry requirements
| UCAS points | 112* (up to 16 from AS-levels) |
| Specific requirements at A-level | No specific subject requirements |
| Specific requirements at GCSE | GCSE Maths and English Grade C/Grade 4 (or above) or equivalent qualification |
| Interview / Audition | N/A |
| Portfolio | N/A |
Alternative entry qualifications:
- BTEC - DMM
- Access to HE Diploma 60 credits: 45 at level 3 with a minimum of Dist: 15 Merit: 24 Pass: 6
For joint honours degree entry you will need to choose two subjects. The entry criteria here is for this subject only. Your offer will be based on the higher entry criteria from the two subjects you choose to do. A good application/performance will be taken into account if you do not meet the criteria/offer conditions.
*The UCAS Points required for entry will depend on the subjects you choose to combine. The subject with the higher entry requirements will determine your offer.
Our entry requirements for this course should be read together with the University's general entry requirements, which details subjects we accept, alternative qualifications and what we're looking for at Derby.
How to apply
Apply by 15 January to start in September
Need help applying? Find out how we can help you with your UCAS application
Our Theatre Studies Joint Honours graduates are now working in a wide variety of areas, both in the theatre sector and beyond, including teaching, acting, creating new theatre companies, producing, directing, marketing, arts administration, BBC radio and education advisory work.
We create many opportunities for you to showcase your work to a wide audience. By the time you finish your course we will have introduced you to many important agencies and support networks relevant to working in the arts industry and helped you structure your CV and reflect on your employability.
We will do our best to equip you to be able to successfully plan your career development. You will develop the diverse range of skills and interests that employers are looking for and investigate other options, such as the potential of becoming self-employed or working on a freelance basis.
If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.
Contact us Contact us You will typically study your two subjects equally at stage one, before choosing whether you want to major in one subject at stages two and three.
Download programme specification
Teaching hours
Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.
Additional costs and optional extras
We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, state-of-the-art facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.
Included in your fees
- Here at Derby, we provide excellent learning resources, libraries and specialist laboratories and studios.
Mandatory costs not included in your fees
- Additional materials (printing, stationary, portfolio sleeves, folders, USBs/hard drives etc.) (Approx. costs - Year 1= £250, Year 2 = £300, Year 3 = £400)
- There will be occasions when you will be expected to attend exhibitions, screenings, performances and festivals. You will need to budget for these over each academic year.
Optional costs not included in your fees
- additional course related publications (approx. costs £100),
- specialist software/hardware (costs up to £1500)
- Final year project costs (costs determined by student £200-£600)
- Travel for work placement opportunities (costs will vary dependant on location)
- We provide full details of all course fees, but extra costs may include field trips (approx. cost £200-£400)
Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.
