Fine Art and Theatre (Placement Year) Lancaster University

The Fine Art and Theatre course at Lancaster offers a unique opportunity to explore and develop the diverse dialogues that exist between these two disciplines in ways that enhance and extend our understanding of both. You will develop a deeper understanding of fine art materials, techniques, and processes while exploring the historical, theoretical, and performative territories shared by fine art and theatre.

Bridging practice and theory, this course also enables you to develop your artistic voice through innovative theatre projects. Lancaster is a hub of art and cultural activity, offering you the opportunity to join a thriving creative community.

Why study Fine Art and Theatre at Lancaster?

• Choose a course that expertly combines practical skills with contextual knowledge, giving you a strong understanding of contemporary ideas, art movements and 21st century theatre

• Benefit from a forward-thinking curriculum that is firmly based on the skills and knowledge that will be needed in the theatre and art industry in years to come

• Tailor your studies by specialising in your chosen area of theatre such as acting, scenography, scriptwriting, directing or applied and community performance

How will I develop my skills in Fine Art at Lancaster?

Fine Art at Lancaster is about finding your voice and deciding what matters to you in today’s art landscape. With engaging seminars in art history and theory, we’ll support you in shaping your values and understanding the evolving role of art.

You will broaden your understanding of contemporary Fine Art via hands-on projects, technical demonstrations and skills-based workshops. Experiment with painting, drawing, sculpture, installation, video, digital art, and their many hybrids.

Gaining experience of working to a brief is important. Recent Fine Art graduates have secured commissions with digital arts organisations such as FACT Liverpool and Future Everything, and rewarding roles at galleries such as Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art, Art Gene, and Home, and companies such as International Conservation Services, Science Museum National Collections Centre, Holocaust Centre North, ITV, United Colours of Benetton India, and The National Festival of Making.

What will I study in Theatre?

Focussing on the emerging trends and innovations of 21st-century theatre and performance, we will teach you the building blocks of performance making, whilst supporting your ability to develop highly creative, challenging and impactful work.

You will collaborate with others to create original performance projects spanning multiple genres, from intermedial theatre to naturalism and applied theatre. You will frequently work in professional theatre venues, including the Nuffield Theatre on the University campus.

You might choose to focus on acting, playwriting, scenography or directing. You may see yourself behind the scenes, managing productions from start to finish or creating sound, video and lighting concepts.

What opportunities are there outside the course?

You will have opportunities to attend workshops with professional artists and theatre practitioners, exhibit your own art, participate in community-based theatre projects and go on various field trips.

As professional artists, your Fine Art tutors bring a wealth of experience in exhibiting, curating and writing across a range of art and ideas, including high profile residencies and commissions in museums, galleries and cultural industries worldwide.

Your Placement Year
Sometimes known as a year in industry, your placement year will take place between your second and final year of study and this will extend your degree to four years. You'll spend your third year in a paid, graduate-level position, where you’ll work for between nine and twelve months in the type of role that you might be considering for after you graduate.

Entry requirements

These are the typical grades that you will need to study this course. This section will tell you whether you need qualifications in specific subjects, what our English language requirements are, and if there are any extra requirements such as attending an interview or submitting a portfolio.

A levels

ABB. Art and Design or a humanities subject would be considered desirable but not essential. Theatre, Drama, Dance or Performing Arts are considered desirable subjects, but we would also welcome an application from you if you can demonstrate experience and interest in practical theatre in your application.

Access to HE Diploma

30 Level 3 credits at Distinction plus 15 Level 3 credits at Merit. Art and Design or a humanities subject would be considered desirable but not essential. Theatre, Drama, Dance or Performing Arts are considered desirable subjects, but we would also welcome an application from you if you can demonstrate experience and interest in practical theatre in your application.

Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

We accept the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in place of one A level, or equivalent qualification, as long as any subject requirements are met.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDM, ideally in Performing Arts, but we would also welcome an application from you if you can demonstrate experience and interest in practical theatre in your application.

BTEC in combination with A levels

A level at grade B plus BTEC(s) at DD, or A levels at grade BB plus BTEC at D. Art and Design or a humanities subject would be considered desirable but not essential. Theatre, Drama, Dance or Performing Arts are considered desirable subjects, but we would also welcome an application from you if you can demonstrate experience and interest in practical theatre in your application.

International Baccalaureate

32 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 HL subjects. Theatre, Drama or Performance are considered desirable subjects, but we would also welcome an application from you if you can demonstrate experience and interest in practical theatre in your application.

Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

We are happy to admit applicants on the basis of five Highers, but where we require a specific subject at A level, we will typically require an Advanced Higher in that subject. If you do not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone, we will consider a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers in separate subjects. Please contact the Admissions team for more information.

T levels

Distinction overall. Ideally this would be in a relevant subject, although this is not essential. We would also expect you to be able to demonstrate experience and interest in practical theatre in your application.

GCSE requirements

English Language grade 4/C.

We will also look at your overall GCSE profile when considering your application as a whole.

We do have flexibility when considering GCSE requirements. Go to our GCSE information for more details.

Additional requirements

You will typically be asked to submit a portfolio. If you have not studied Theatre, Drama, Dance or Performing Arts as one of your qualifications equivalent to A level, then we would expect you to demonstrate experience and interest in practical theatre elsewhere in your application.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component for this programme. English language qualifications for undergraduate study.