Theatre & Performance

CCCU is 2nd in the UK for graduate employment
Among 111 UK higher education institutions with 3,000+ graduates (HESA Graduate Outcomes 2026).

Top 20 in the UK for student satisfaction in the subject area of Drama, Dance & Cinematics
(Complete University Guide 2027)

Study Theatre and Performance at CCCU - a degree created in collaboration with the nationally important Marlowe Theatre - and gain direct experience and insight into the contemporary theatre and performing arts sector.

With employability and creativity at the heart of our Theatre and Performance course, you’ll gain professional and artistic skills focused on roles within modern theatre and the wider creative sector. The degree will build your skills in performance, devising, programming, stage management, theatre production, digital technologies and marketing.

What you’ll learn


• Gain direct industry experience through our unique partnerships with local organisations such as the Marlowe Theatre.



• Master diverse professional roles, including performance, devising, stage management and theatre production.



• Participate in shows where every aspect of the production, front and back of house, is managed and presented by students.



• Learn in specialist facilities, such as our contemporary black box theatre, to refine your technical and artistic skills.



• Integrate digital technologies, such as motion tracking and 3D design, into your creative practice to meet modern industry demands.



• Develop essential career skills in programming, marketing and communications to broaden your professional horizons.



• Experience the vibrant creative scenes in Canterbury, Margate and Ramsgate, home to a variety of venues and international arts festivals offering volunteering opportunities.



From exploring digital systems and new technologies to developing your theatre management and performance skills, you’ll graduate with a well-rounded skill set that will prepare you for a range of careers in the theatre and performance industry.

You’ll be taught by a team who are either currently professionally engaged with the industry or have held significant roles within theatre and performing arts organisations. This expert team of tutors will guide you towards your future career aspirations while supporting you in developing your creative practice.

This course also offers the opportunity to study abroad for a year, giving selected students the chance to learn at one of our partner institutions in North America.

Developed with the Marlowe Theatre

BA Theatre and Performance at CCCU has been created in partnership with the Marlowe Theatre - one of the country’s leading large-scale theatres.

Specialist facilities

We have three dedicated on-site performance and rehearsal spaces: a contemporary black box theatre, a mirrored dance studio with a sprung floor, and a converted 19th-century church with excellent acoustics.

Alongside these performance venues, you’ll have access to the Anselm building, which houses two studio spaces that are ideal for theatre, dance and music.


• Studio 1 is a modern studio equipped with theatre-standard drapes, a lighting rig and a sound system. It also contains a professional-standard technical booth for controlling lighting and sound, providing a clear view of the studio.



• Studio 2 is a flexible space equipped with a sprung floor, mirrors, a sound system and full soundproofing.



Career-ready
You’ll examine the industry as a whole, gaining an understanding of performance, management, design and production, and opening up a range of sustainable career routes in the arts. Graduates have gained a variety of roles in the industry, including:


• Theatre director



• West End stage technician



• Actor



• Butlin’s Redcoat



• Lighting technician



• BBC production coordinator



• Festival programme coordinator



• Arts company director

University isn't just an education, it's the start of your career. At Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU), you'll get to explore a number of exciting career paths, whatever you study.

CCCU is ranked top 5 UK university for employability (Uni Compare Rankings 2026), highlighting its excellent student careers and employability support. The university is home to career-relevant courses and industry-standard facilities. For example, film students can showcase their creativity in the fully equipped film/TV studio, forensics students can test their observational abilities in mock crime scenes, and nursing students can practice their skills in simulated hospital wards.

With a campus in a World Heritage Site, Canterbury is also less than an hour on the train from London and is buzzing with student life. You've got beautiful coast and countryside right on your doorstep, and plenty of opportunities to make friends. With CCCU's range of clubs and societies, including Tennis, Musical Theatre and Dodgeball, you're bound to meet your friends for life.

Click register interest now to secure your place at CCCU this September.