Performance
Perform on stage or in front of the camera, in a variety of studio and professional settings. Become a well-rounded performer and develop multidisciplinary skills in performance and production. Get involved with industry through workshops and placements with industry professionals.
Welcome to Performance at Sunderland
Our Drama and Dance courses are 7th in the UK (Guardian University Guide 2024). We’re also proud to be shortlisted for University of the Year in the Times Higher Education Awards 2024. We offer three distinctive on-campus courses:
- BA (Hons) Performing Arts
- BA (Hons) Screen Performance
- BA (Hons) Music (Top-Up)
Each course offers a range of opportunities that will equip you with the tools you'll need to become a versatile performer or producer. We'll teach you performance techniques as well as pre-production, production and post-production skills. You'll also learn transferable skills, such as how to prepare for an interview, or teach in community and educational settings.
Photographer credit: Claire Bird
We're employability-focused, aiming to provide you with as much work experience as possible. You'll get plenty of different opportunities to perform, in professional settings such as The Fire Station Auditorium, or in our studios on campus. We also invite industry professionals to deliver masterclasses and workshops to enhance your performance experience. Some modules even offer placement opportunities, where you'll get first-hand experience of working in the performance industry. We have links with Sunderland Empire Theatre, The Fire Station, The Peacock, Northern Stage, Live Theatre, and the Customs House.
Whether you want to perform on stage or in front of the camera, or work behind the scenes in production, you'll graduate well prepared for a successful career in performing arts, music, or the screen industries.
- Live performances and professional venues From plays to musical theatre, you'll have many opportunities to perform live to audiences, in some amazing professional venues.
- Going beyond the triple threat Our Performing Arts course provides you with the skills, opportunities and experience to go beyond the triple threat.
- Masterclasses and extracurricular activities Enhance your performance experience through extracurricular activities, theatre visits, masterclasses and engagement with guest speakers.
- Live Theatre Learn about our relationship with Live Theatre, a real working theatre based in Newcastle upon Tyne that has gained an excellent reputation as a place for new talent to showcase their skills.
- The Police Project Work with Film Production students to produce a short film that helps increase awareness of serious crime for Northumbria Police.
- School workshops Explore the workshops we provide for sixth form and college students.
Our Performance courses
Take a look below to find the right course for you.
Undergraduate courses
Full-time/Part-time
BA (Hons) Performing Arts
Take your talent to the next level. Personalise your course with flexible modules suited to your interests and passions across dance, drama, and musical theatre. Perfect your skills in state-of-the-art, extensive facilities. Graduate with a wealth of experience and a host of transferable skills.
Find out more about Performing Arts
Full-time
BA (Hons) Performing Arts with Integrated Foundation Year
This is a four-year version of our popular BA (Hons) Performing Arts course, with an integrated foundation year. Take your talent to the next level. Personalise your course with flexible modules suited to your interests and passions. Perfect your skills in state-of-the-art, extensive facilities. Graduate with a wealth of experience and a host of transferable skills.
Find out more about BA (Hons) Performing Arts with Integrated Foundation Year
Full-time
BA (Hons) Professional Dance
This new and unique course is offered by North East dance organisation, Dance City, in partnership with the University of Sunderland. All of your practical and academic sessions will take place at Dance City in Newcastle upon Tyne which will give you access to professional tutors and facilities as well as placing you at the heart of the region’s dance industry networks. You'll also benefit from all of the University facilities and support on offer.
Find out more about Professional Dance
Full-time/Part-time
BA (Hons) Screen Performance
Explore the practical, theoretical and contextual aspects of the highly specialist areas of screen performance with this exciting new course. You will learn the insider skills and techniques for Television, Film and Radio and master industry standards and conventions alongside practitioners and leading researchers. We’ll guide you through the different genres of screen performance such as drama, comedy, soap opera and factual reportage.
Find out more about BA (Hons) Screen Performance
Full-time
BA (Hons) Screen Performance Integrated Foundation Year
This is a four-year version of our popular BA (Hons) Screen Performance course, with an integrated foundation year. You will learn the insider skills and techniques for Television, Film and Radio and master industry standards and conventions alongside practitioners and leading researchers. We’ll guide you through the different genres of screen performance such as drama, comedy, soap opera and factual reportage.
Find out more about BA (Hons) Screen Performance Integrated Foundation Year
Full-time
BA (Hons) Modern Music Industries
The BA (Hons) Modern Music Industries course covers the areas of music production, music marketing, event planning, composing, music industry knowledge, stylistic studies, and musical instruction. You'll gain practical skills in, and knowledge of, these areas in order to pursue a career in commercial music and associated fields.
Find out more about Modern Music Industries
Full-time/Part-time
BA (Hons) Music (Top-Up)
Top up your HND or Foundation Degree to a full honours degree in music. Build skills, complete work placements, and graduate as a skilled candidate with extensive dance experience.
Find out more about Music (Top-Up)
Full-time/Part-time
Customised Awards Scheme
Pick and choose the modules you want to study to build a tailor-made course. Available at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, this course allows you to gain a qualification that closely matches your particular needs.
Find out more about Customised Awards SchemePostgraduate courses
Full-time/Part-time
MA Modern Music Industries
MA Modern Music Industries covers the areas of music production, music marketing, event planning, composing, music industry knowledge, stylistic studies, and musical instruction. You'll gain practical skills in, and knowledge of, these areas to pursue a career in commercial music and associated fields.
Find out more about Modern Music Industries
Full-time/Part-time
MPhil Master of Philosophy
Take your education to the next level. Choose the areas you want to study, and which questions you want to research. Take the initiative while we support you with advice, guidance and facilities.
Find out more about MPhil Master of Philosophy
Full-time/Part-time
PhD Doctor of Philosophy
Refine your own agenda and do what you find interesting every day. Develop mastery of research methods that are appropriate to your chosen field. Discover things that no-one else has ever discovered.
Find out more about PhD Doctor of Philosophy
Part-time
PhD by Existing Published or Creative Work
Take the fastest route to a PhD. Convert your previous research outputs into a qualification which will increase your employability and open up new opportunities. Progress your academic career and add credibility in applications for research funding.
Find out more about PhD by Existing Published or Creative Work
Part-time
Higher Doctorate
Take your academic career to the highest level. Make a very significant and sustained contribution to your subject. Gain an elite qualification that will mark you out as an outstanding contributor to your field.
Find out more about Higher DoctorateResearch courses
Partner Centres
Full-time
BA (Hons) Professional Dance
This new and unique course is offered by North East dance organisation, Dance City, in partnership with the University of Sunderland. All of your practical and academic sessions will take place at Dance City in Newcastle upon Tyne which will give you access to professional tutors and facilities as well as placing you at the heart of the region’s dance industry networks. You'll also benefit from all of the University facilities and support on offer.
Find out more about Professional Dance
Full-time
BA (Hons) Modern Music Industries
The BA (Hons) Modern Music Industries course covers the areas of music production, music marketing, event planning, composing, music industry knowledge, stylistic studies, and musical instruction. You'll gain practical skills in, and knowledge of, these areas in order to pursue a career in commercial music and associated fields.
Find out more about Modern Music Industries