Key information
- Duration:
- 3 years full time
- Typical A-level offer:
- BBB
View full entry requirements - UCAS code:
- W400
- Start date:
- September 2025
“My Drama degree at Sussex was the best springboard for my work as a young artist and performer.”
Holly Nomafo Drama graduate
Drama, theatre and performance can transform how we think, act and understand the world. They help us remember the past, change the present and imagine alternative futures.
This course is for you if you’d like to:
- expand your mind about drama, theatre and performance
- collaborate with others passionate about making performance
- develop the confidence to present and reflect on your work in public contexts.
Site-specific theatre, live art, durational performance, contemporary playwriting, choreography and composition, visual arts, creative writing, acting and directing – you’ll learn from tutors who bring their passion to their teaching. Our campus facilities include the , which hosts professional theatre, music and dance by UK and international companies. We’re committed to antiracist pedagogy, and inclusive teaching and learning. Throughout your degree, you’ll:
- explore performance-making from multiple perspectives
- develop skills in collaboration, critical and creative writing, and independent research
- complete practical presentations and performance projects with focused tutor support
- experience guest artist workshops, talks and performances from internationally recognised industry professionals
- take electives from other subjects – from business to law and modern languages – to open your mind to other disciplines and tailor your degree to your interests.
When you graduate, you’ll be curious, critically informed and self-reflective. You’ll be able to make sophisticated performance, and shape cogent arguments in written work and discussion. Your skills as a critical thinker, creative practitioner and knowledgeable researcher will set you up for your future career.
We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We鈥檒l make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we鈥檒l let you know as soon as possible.
Corinne’s story from her Drama, Theatre and Performance BA (Hons)
- Video transcript
[Music starts – ambient textures with minimal piano building into an electro-pop groove]
Corinne Furman speaking: I started off as a dancer, from when I was really, really little. And, acting was the thing that I really fell in love with.
[Sequence of black and white still photos of Corinne alone on stage in striking poses, cutting to video shots of her walking into the beam of a spotlight on a stage from off-screen]
Corinne: You really get to use your life experiences and those emotions that you felt, to tell important stories. Anytime you felt anger or upset, you get to get that out of you
[Close up video shot of Corinne conveying emotional turmoil on her face, cutting to shot from behind her capturing her and the camera operator filming]
Corinne: And, I think that's why acting is so special.
Corinne: Coming back here today, walking back into the ACCA, I've just felt so calm, and it makes me feel safe, and it makes me feel happy. And, I had so many great memories here.
[Shot of fish pond outside ACCA with the building visible in the reflection, cutting to shot of Corinne walking through the main foyer at ACCA]
Corrine: What better opportunity to… really get to know yourself, where you can be learning, and you can do your degree in a theatre, in a full-size auditorium. You can do your workshops on the stage, and you're getting to really practise how to use your voice, and how to project, and how to perform, and how to reach the back of the room.
[Shots of Corinne entering the ACCA auditorium, cutting to shots of students rehearsing a course performance and ending with shots from multiple perspectives showing Corinne walk from behind the curtains off stage to the fully lit centre of the stage where she comes to a halt]
[Music: minimal electronic building gradually to a drop to finish as an energetic dance track]
[Slowly moving drone shot capturing an a busy library square during the daytime]
Corrine: But also the tutors. They really did care about us as individuals, and they wanted the best for us, and they really pushed us... to be the best versions of ourselves.
[Montage of various shots and stills of Corine having a photoshoot in various downstairs areas of ACCA]
Corinne: During my time here at Sussex, I was part of Sussex Dance Society. I have such fond memories of being here, and getting ready before shows or competitions, and being in the rehearsal space and being backstage in the wings and having that excitement, and that nervousness to get out on stage.
[Various shots of Corinne performing an energetic street dance routine on the stage at ACCA in vibrant and colourful stage lighting]
Corinne: And, you do your performance and...you have this adrenaline, and this feeling! It's just such a nice release.
[Shots of Corinne finishing her routine and easing to a relaxed walk off stage]
[Music: emotive minimal piano with brooding string motives]
Corinne: I had the opportunity to go into a place called 'First Base Day Centre’, which is a homeless shelter for people in Brighton. Just seeing other people who had maybe never acted in their lives, experience the same thing that I do…I feel like without that experience, and learning about other people's life experience, I wouldn't be as a matured actor as I am now.
[A further montage of shots and stills of the photoshoot seen earlier in ACCA]
Corinne: The most recent job that I did, I had a main part in a drama on TV, which is to be released soon. And, this was the job where I could really show off what I can do, and have a really raw, deep storyline.
[Smooth drone shot starting a close top-down perspective of the roof of the Meeting House and orbiting away whilst a seagull flies into land]
Corinne: I don't think that I would be where I am today, without those experiences that Sussex gave me.
[Shots of Corinne performing a slow sequence of ballet moves, ending on a graceful bow as the auditorium fades into complete darkness]
[END CARD: Still of the 柠檬视频 logo against a blue-purple solid colour background]
[Music ends]
Silver
The student experience and student outcomes are typically very high quality.
This rating was awarded in 2023, for four years.
()
Find out more about our approach to teaching and supporting you to thrive
Our staff
At Sussex, you’ll explore what theatre means in the 21st century. You’ll examine both classic plays and experimental performances that challenge conventions and redefine what theatre can be.”Dr Augusto Corrieri
Senior Lecturer in Drama, Theatre and Performance
Dr Augusto Corrieri
Senior Lecturer in Drama, Theatre & Performance
Dr Arabella Stanger
Senior Lecturer in Drama: Theatre and Performance
Careers
Among our recent graduates are theatre directors, performers/actors, arts and cultural managers, festival producers, and consultants in theatre and other creative sectors. Some have set up their own theatre companies or engaged in specialised theatre training. And others have started careers in related fields such as publishing, librarianship, education, law, counselling and drama therapy.
Through regular workshops with artists and industry professionals, you hear from those working in theatre and performance in the UK and internationally. Recent workshops have been conducted by acclaimed artists including:
- theatre group Forced Entertainment
- site-specific company dreamthinkspeak
- practitioner Sylvia Mercuriali
- choreographer Seke Chimutengwende.
We also organise careers events, often inviting recent graduates to talk about their work.
When you graduate, you can also go on to further study, or pursue a career in:
- media, film and journalism
- publishing, libraries/archives and digital media
- teaching, education support or university education
- drama therapy, counselling, language therapy
- community work and the charity sector.
Working while you study
Our Careers and Entrepreneurship team can help you find part-time work while you study. Find out more about career development and part-time work
Career ambitions – John Giannini, Drama, Theatre and Performance BA
Design your future at Sussex
Taking the next step in your career can feel daunting, but we鈥檒l help you to explore, connect and flourish throughout your studies and beyond.
As a Sussex student, you鈥檒l learn how to tackle real-world challenges and have access to tailored programmes of careers support:
- our Career Lab helps you to explore your options, build key skills and connect with employers. Take part in internships, community consultancy projects and insight visits, where you can learn about life at organisations including Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club, Gatwick Airport and the Knepp Rewilding Project
- one-to-one coaching with your Faculty Careers Consultant can enable you to identify your career goals, write an effective CV and prepare for future interviews
- entrepreneurship initiatives like StartUp Sussex and Ideas Lab can empower you to turn your concepts into reality.
Explore how our Careers and Entrepreneurship team can support you
Winner
Supporting Student and Graduate Employability Award
Winner
Entrepreneurship Catalyst Award
A-level - contextual offer
BCC
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma and one A-level - contextual offer
Grade C in A-level and Distinction, Merit in Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate and two A-levels - contextual offer
Grades BC in A-levels plus Merit in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma) - contextual offer
DMM