Dance and Drama BA Hons (Drama) with Kingston University London

Course overview

The BA (Hons) Dance and Drama degree at Edinburgh College is an intensive industry training course validated by Kingston University. Challenge your potential as you immerse yourself in the art of theatre and performance through a range of techniques. This is a university-level course that will ensure you are prepared to an industry standard to progress into a career as a portfolio artist.

You will develop a range of transferable skills to equip you for the demands of a competitive world. Actors and performers have a massive influence on society and this course aims to show you how you can become a part of that influence. You will critically engage in industry practices and learn how to take a simple performance idea and bring it to life. Throughout the course, you will gain essential experience in professional environments and make crucial connections with industry professionals. 

Performing Arts Studio Scotland (PASS) has a range of exceptional professional facilities including the Pass studio theatre as well as dance, acting and aerial studios. Many of the BA Performances take place in external venues such as Festival Theatre Studio, Traverse Theatre and Assembly Roxy. 

Spotlight Membership

The BA course is also a member of the Spotlight Graduate scheme, our BA students can apply to become Graduate Spotlight members during the first term of the year. 'Spotlight is the industry's leading casting platform helping to connect performers, agents and casting directors. Spotlight graduate membership is the stamp of professionalism that puts you in the best place to promote yourself to the industry as you complete your training. 

Further Performance Opportunities 

Edinburgh Fringe Festival - The BA cohort rehearse and perform a play which runs as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 

Babel FAST Festival - Students have the opportunity to devise and perform at this International theatre festival in Romania. They are also able to participate in workshops delivered by well-known artists from around the world and get free entry into all of the shows in the festival programme. 

Core Modules are:

• Acting: Context, Genre and Application. Module leader, Michael Cox.
• Applied Theatre: Health and Wellbeing. Module leader, Clara Bloomfield.
• Production Project: Making a Performance. Module leader, Ashling Findlay-Carroll.
• Ensemble Performance. Module leader, Eleanor Morrison.

You will also participate in classes to develop your skills in:

• Body Conditioning for Performers
• Acting Techniques
• Study Skills for Performing Arts
• Personal and Professional Planning
• Choreography and Dance
• Theatre Directing

Placement information

Applied Theatre: Health and Wellbeing - Enables students to organise and undertake a placement with a professional theatre organisation in a range of contexts and settings to explore the role and functionality of theatre in ‘communities’.  Past students have undergone placements with Tricky Hat, Scottish Youth Theatre, Surge, Firefly Arts, Strange Town, Artlink, Standeasy and WHALE Arts.

Many students have gone on to be offered paid work as a result of their placements while on the course.

How the course is assessed

• practical observation
• performances
• portfolio submissions
• presentations
• written assessments

Number of days per week

• 4-5 days a week
• there will be some requirements to work outside of normal college hours 

Entry requirements

• HND Acting and Performance with a Graded Unit A/B result
• HND Musical Theatre with a Graded unit A/B result

Information on Tests / Auditions / Interview Requirements

Stage 1: Complete the application form including the following evidence: 

Written Task - Please respond to the question below in 500 words

If drama is a reflection of the world in which we live and our position in it – what do you want to say? Who do you want to say it to? And how will you say it? 

Upload the response to the personal statement section on your application

Stage 2: Live Audition and Interview 

• Creative Workshop You will particpate in a series of creative tasks with your fellow auditionees, please come dressed appropriately for movement. 
• Workshop Plan:  Prepare to deliver an exercise at your audition to fellow auditionees, be able to talk through this activity, discuss the target group and justify how you would approach this task with said group.  

Interview

During your audition day, you will be interviewed by two of the BA teaching faculty who will ask you a series of key questions to further assess your suitability for the course.

Should you have any further questions regarding the course or audition please email DramaDanceBA@edinburghcollege.ac.uk  

AUDITION DATES: (Granton Campus)

• December  2024
• January  2025
• February  2025
• March 2025
• April 2025
• May 2025

Allocated dates will be given once applications have been completed.

Privacy Notice for Performing Arts and Photography Selection

Applications will close once the course is full, please note they will be checked at the end of each month through November to June and invitations will be sent for interviews.

Progression and Articulation Routes

• The University of Edinburgh Playwriting MSc
• The University of Glasgow Playwriting and Dramaturgy MLitt
• Theatre Studies MLitt
• Royal Conservatoire Classical and Contemporary Text (Acting) or (Directing) MA
• MEd Learning and Teaching in the Performing Arts

Career options

• Work as a performer, writer, director, producer, participatory artist
• Gain representation from an acting agent
• Establish your own company and make performance work
• Continue studying to become a teacher