University of Chichester

The University of Chichester’s Drama, Theatre and Directing (BA Hons) program emphasizes both creative practice and critical insight. Students are encouraged to perform and direct original works, as well as reinterpret existing texts, fostering strong theatre-making and directorial skills. The course incorporates exploration of dramatic traditions across historical and social contexts, preparing students for industry engagement and professional theatre work. It also benefits from opportunities to collaborate with the acclaimed Chichester Festival Theatre and gain hands-on experience at prestigious venues like the Edinburgh Festival and Forest Fringe.

For those passionate about contemporary performance, the Acting for Contemporary Theatre (BA Hons) stream offers a highly practical, actor-led curriculum. This course covers devising, scriptwriting, directing, and acting, focusing on developing independent “actor-maker” capabilities. Learners are immersed in a creatively collaborative environment, encouraged to produce original performances and build strong industry networks.

On the musical front, the university offers a variety of Musical Theatre BA (Hons) paths tailored to distinct strengths. The Musical Theatre (Music) degree is uniquely voice-centric, emphasizing vocal performance, song-based acting, and dance forms like ballet, tap, and jazz. The Musical Theatre (Film Acting) variant integrates stage and camera performance training, offering modular learning and screen acting opportunities, alongside industry perks such as Spotlight UK eligibility. Other specialized tracks include Musical Theatre (Cabaret), Musical Theatre Performance, Triple Threat, and options focusing on teaching, screen acting, and technical production—all delivering strong practical training and regular showcase opportunities.

Graduate students benefit from excellent facilities and advanced programs. The university offers robust MA and PhD pathways in Theatre and Performance, including practice-based research and interdisciplinary dialogues. The campus features strong infrastructure, such as two studio spaces, a 250-seat theatre, and a 110-seat studio theatre—supporting both creative experimentation and academic performance research.

Overall, the University of Chichester’s theatre offerings span a wide spectrum—from directing, contemporary acting, and musical theatre to advanced research and practical production. With deep industry connections, flexible performance tracks, and dedicated resources, the program offers a rich and supportive training ground for aspiring theatre-makers at all levels.