Writing and Performance BA (Hons)

Do you want to see your stories on stage? Are you fascinated by live theatre performance and the written word? With this BA Writing and Performance, you will investigate theatre as a live event, as dramatic text and in its historical contexts. Based in the heart of central London’s vibrant cultural scene, you will develop your skills as a writer and learn from the expertise of our award-winning staff.<br/><br/>You will explore theatre histories and theories in depth, the ways in which it is possible to tell stories, and experiment with the relationship between creative and critical writing.<br/><br/>You will get to grips with the craft of writing:<br/><br/><br/>- poetry<br/><br/><br/>- fiction<br/><br/><br/>- drama<br/><br/><br/>- for the screen.<br/><br/><br/>Option modules across arts, literature and theatre-making will enhance your developing writing practice, culminating in your final dissertation project. Throughout your degree, you will visit the world’s most exciting theatre institutions and analyse live and digital performances.<br/><br/>BA Writing and Performance brings you guidance from our world-leading academics, theatre-makers and authors, and the opportunity to create new and original work.<br/><br/>If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study. It is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didnt achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree.<br/><br/>**This course has an evening timetable with lectures, seminars and classes taking place in the evening.** <br/><br/>**Highlights**<br/><br/><br/>- Our BA Writing and Performance is the only undergraduate evening study course in writing and performance in central London. It offers you multiple opportunities to originate creative work and a chance to gain specialist industry knowledge from guest speakers, including theatre artists, critics and funders.<br/><br/><br/>- Birkbeck is located in the heart of literary London - in Bloomsbury, WC1 - and writers and academics maintain strong links with publishers, broadcasters and the creative industries. You could be studying in a building that was once home to Virginia Woolf and frequented by members of the Bloomsbury Group. The building houses our own creative hub which includes the Peltz Gallery, the Gordon Square Cinema and a theatre and performance space.<br/><br/><br/>- You will be eligible to submit work to the annual Birkbeck creative writing journal, the Mechanics’ Institute Review, the Scratch Night as part of Birkbeck Arts Week, and to attend public events and performances curated by Birkbeck Centre for Contemporary Theatre.<br/><br/><br/>- Birkbeck was ranked 2nd in the UK for its English Language and Literature research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.<br/><br/><br/>**Careers and employability**<br/><br/>Graduates can pursue career paths in theatre, creative writing, journalism, education, media production and the creative arts. Possible professions include:<br/><br/><br/>- author<br/><br/><br/>- journalist<br/><br/><br/>- arts administrator<br/><br/><br/>- charity officer<br/><br/><br/>- theatre director<br/><br/><br/>- higher education lecturer.<br/><br/><br/>We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.