What you'll study
This intensive and practical course offers a unique approach to performance training combined with study both in the UK and in the United States.
You will explore new material and take part in cutting-edge, immersive productions as well as being closely tutored in the American classics and their social and political contexts, including plays by writers such as Arthur Miller, Lorraine Hansberry, Tennessee Williams, August Wilson and David Mamet.
You will get the opportunity to fully explore trans-Atlantic theatre practices and challenge conventional notions of actor-training, have a platform for your voice and the chance to collaborate and experiment with your work.
Why choose this course?
Expert and diverse training
Explore a comprehensive range of performance disciplines with a diverse group of practitioners, including musical theatre, acting on camera, directing, playwriting and theatre for young audiences
Professional experience
You will perform in public productions directed by professional American and British directors
Explore new plays with professionals
Work with professional Directors / Musical Directors and participate in the creation and production of new materials mentored by experienced playwrights, devisers and composers
Study in the UK and US
As well as leading UK drama school training, you have the opportunity to spend a semester living and studying in the USA. We offer a choice of locations including prestigious institutions in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Kentucky, North & South Carolina and Texas. Additional costs are likely to be incurred for the international placement that is a part of this programme.
Reflect real-world issues
The course curriculum consciously reflects and responds to the world beyond the campus, giving a space for your creativity, engagement and social activism to be part of your studies
Cutting edge and collaborative
You will get the chance to work alongside designers and digital artists in the staging of unique immersive and multi-media productions that reflect the cutting edge of current industry practice
Course breakdown
Course content is regularly reviewed, to make it relevant and current. Course modules are therefore subject to change.
Year 1
Studied at Rose Bruford College (UK), you will be introduced to the academic and intellectual skills that you will need for professional development.
You will begin to learn a range of performance skills and contextualise these in developing your understanding of American theatre.
- Demonstrate a range of physical and vocal performance skills
- Integrate these various skills and techniques into performance related to your study
- Engage with and identify collaborative processes within theatre making
- Identify key concepts and ideas of major theorists and practitioners of American theatre
- Plan and prepare for seminars, workshops and rehearsals
- Demonstrate an awareness of professional discipline towards the work
- Demonstrate an independent imaginative response to your interpretation of text and performance
Year 2
Your skills will be further developed towards a level appropriate to professional work and you will experience performance in collaboration with other disciplines.
Studied at Rose Bruford College (UK).
- Employ diverse physical and vocal performance skills in a range of performative contexts
- Evaluate critically the processes of the performer, director and designer within theatre making
- Analyse the inter-relationships between the performer, director, designer and the audience in the creation of the theatre event
- Articulate and engage critically with the principles, concepts and ideas of writers and practitioners in an international context
- Apply a range of analytical, reflective and communicative skills informed by an understanding of practices inherent in theatre making
- Demonstrate creativity and originality in the study and presentation of material
Year 3
Studied in the United States and at Rose Bruford College (UK), you are expected to be a self-directed learner, with regular tutorials associated with specific projects guiding you and ensuring that your learning is appropriately contextualised.
- Examining shared aspects of theatre practice between America and Europe
- Classes in acting, musical theatre, improvisation, physical theatre, playwriting, directing and theatre-making
- Independent research projects further developed by students
- Staff-directed public productions of contemporary American plays and musicals
- Professional preparation
Teaching and assessment methods
- In each year you will complete around 600 hours of indicative scheduled learning and teaching activities and 600 hours of independent learning on projects, productions, placements or self-directed study. Assessment will be through: Performances; Coursework, presentations and portfolios; Continuous practical assessment
Programme specification
Get a flavour
Your future career
We aim to put you in front of and amongst the profession. This includes the opportunity to gain practical experience and network both in the UK and US as well as introducing your work to the industry and agents in fully realised productions for public performance. We also support you in creating a self-promotion and career plan.
Alumni success
Kate Spencer
Coronation Street; Doctors. Theatre includes Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, UK Tour/West End; Frost/Nixon, Crucible Theatre
Jeremy Cobb
Book of Mormon
David Ajao
Othello; Merchant of Venice, Royal Shakespeare Company
Tom Brennan
Directing credits: West End, Almeida Theatre and National Theatre
Rebecca Killick
War Horse, National Theatre and International Tour
Jay Marsh
Porgy & Bess, Regents Park; Sunny Afternoon, West End
Careers options
Studying an Arts related subject gives you a wide range of skills that can be put to use in many careers. Recent graduates have gone on to become:
- Actors, entertainers and presenters
- Authors, Writers and translators
- Arts officers, producers and directors
- Musicians
- Customer service managers and supervisors
- Leisure and travel services
- Business, Marketing and related associate professionals
Meet the staff
Course Director for Acting Part Time; Lecturer of American Theatre Arts
Read their profile
Programme Director American Theatre Arts
Steven Dykes’s credits as an actor include touring with Howard Barker’s The Wrestling School, leading roles at the Young Vic, Gate and Arcola theatres and regular work with the BBC, ITV and Granada Television (including Eastenders, Casualty and Emmerdale). Steven has worked extensively in the United States, as an associate artist with The Theatre Exchange, Minneapolis; as a collaborator with Julia Carey’s Theater M in New York; and a long association with the Potomac Theatre Project, which produced his plays The Spoils and A Light Gathering of Dust in a double bill entitled Territories, at New York’s Atlantic Theater, where he has also performed for four seasons as an actor.
Read their full profile Course Director for Acting Part Time; Lecturer of American Theatre Arts
Tony James is the Course Director for the acknowledged APT (Acting Part-Time) programme, which has seen over 400 graduates in the past 10 years, many of whom have gone on to highly successful careers within the industry. Tony has also initiated the APTO (Acting Part-Time Online) programme, which will see its first intake in September 2021.
Read their full profile Module Year Coordinator, BA (Hons) American Theatre Arts
Dana Blackstone is Module Year Coordinator for BA American Theatre Arts at Rose Bruford College. Alumni of Central School’s MA Actor Training and Coaching, she recently completed her PhD in actor training, sponsored by Canterbury Christ Church University.
Read their full profileHow to join
Applications are now open for September 2025.
UCAS application deadline is 29th January 2025.
Institution code: R51
Course code: W423
UCAS Points
64 UCAS points*
This is equivalent to:
- Two C’s at ‘A’ level/AVCE,
- A Pass in a single AVCE Double Award at Grade C or above
- One Merit and two Passes at BTEC (QCF) National Diploma or equivalent,
- One Pass (D or E on the core) at T level or equivalent.
- Successful completion of the Access to HE Diploma in Production Arts
Our Auditions page gives an overview of the process and a video about preparing for audition.
Course Summary
Duration
3 years
Mode of study
Full time
Start date
September 2025
Course Type
Undergraduate Course
Course Fees (2025 Entry)
UK/Republic of Ireland students (Fee per year)
£9535
International students (Fee per year)
£22800
