Theatre Design, BA (Hons)

Running for over 30 years, this course covers all aspects of contemporary theatre design practice. It focuses on what makes the visual narrative happen: design and making for live performance. It benefits from the support and collaboration of some of the biggest names in UK theatre.

This Chartered Society of Designers (CSD) accredited course is focused on design for the visual aspects of performance, allowing you to explore this in a range of different contexts. It will prepare you with knowledge, skills and experience in:

• design for set and costume
• set and costume construction
• scenic art
• puppetry
• site specific
• heritage installation design
• design for community and education.

You will also benefit from the fantastic links this course has with the theatre industry and associated professional practitioners.

Why choose this course?

You will have the opportunity to:

• focus equally on both your design and making skills
• work on live projects with professional organisations including The Royal National Theatre; Birmingham Opera Company; Blind Summit Puppetry Company; Manchester Royal Exchange; The Lyceum Theatre (Edinburgh) and Bristol Old Vic
• undertake a valuable work placement in Year Two as part of the Visual, Technical and Professional Skills module
• work in extensive, dedicated facilities, including a full working studio theatre and construction and paint workshops
• go on study visits to theatres, exhibitions and performances in the UK
• enter competitions and awards set by some of the UK’s most prestigious theatre companies
• exhibit your work in Year Three at our Degree Shows in Nottingham.

Recent graduates from this course have found employment in the following areas:

• theatre design and design for performance
• set, props and costume construction
• events and festival designers and managers
• teaching and education work
• film, television and production management.

Nottingham Skillset Media Academy
This course is affiliated to the Nottingham Skillset Media Academy.

Theatre Design student work gallery
Have a look at some of the work our students have created, in our Theatre Design gallery.

Open days
To get a real taste of this course, why not visit us on one of our open days?

Can't visit us? Talk to us online...
We know it's not always possible to come along to one of our open events, particularly if you don't live in the UK. Throughout the year we will be running a series of live chat sessions, where you can log on and talk to us remotely.

Find out more about live chats for this course on our live chat webpage.

Any questions?
Email us
Telephone: +44 (0)115 941 8418
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How many places are available on this course?

30 places in Year One.

When does the course start?

This course starts in September. For more information take a look at our academic calendar for details of term start and end dates.

What will you study?

Overall, there are five modules which are assessed; two in Year One and Year Two with one module over the whole of your Final Year.

Year One

• Introduction to Theatre Design (100 credits)
• Visual, Technical and Professional Skills 1 (20 credits)

Year Two

• Theatre Design Explorations (100 credits)
• Visual, Technical and Professional Skills 2 (20 credits)

Final Year

• Theatre Design Exposition (120 credits)

Find out what you will cover in each module of our Theatre Design course in more detail.

How do you study?

You will be taught through a variety of teaching and learning experiences which will include:

• lectures
• seminars
• workshops
• group and individual tutorials
• screenings
• master classes
• work based learning placement
• visits and events.

You will also be involved in self-directed project work where you will have the support of NOW, our virtual learning environment.

In Years One and Two you'll spend between 60 - 65% of your time in scheduled learning. This includes things like

• lectures
• seminars
• workshops
• group tutorials
• individual tutorials.

For the remaining time you will undertake self-directed independent study which may be spent researching, doing project work or completing coursework.

In Year Three you will have less scheduled learning as you will be working more independently on your final year coursework.

How are you assessed?

Assessment for this course is 100% through coursework.

You'll be assessed at the end of each module and awarded a grade band (1st, 2.1, 2.2 etc). You will receive feedback throughout the module so you know what level you're working at.

Project work will use a variety of outcomes and assessment methods, including:

• speculative designs
• live performances
• artefacts
• costume garments
• presentations
• written reflective and critically evaluative reports.

You will usually have an opportunity to talk about your work either through a formal presentation or in a group critique.

To progress through the course you must achieve 120 credits each year. Your final degree mark will be based 100% on your final year work.

Is the course professionally accredited?

Our BA (Hons) Theatre Design is one of only 10 courses in the UK accredited by the Chartered Society of Designers(CSD).

As a student on this course you will benefit from discounted CSD student membership. You will have access to CSD online careers advice, guidance and vacancies.

When you have successfully completed the course you will also be eligible for free, automatic entry to the CSD at Associate Member level and have continued access to discounted CSD student membership and its benefits, for one year.

Links with industry and practice

This course benefits from a wealth of contacts and links with regional and national theatre and performance organisations. This includes producing theatres, touring companies, production companies, event-based companies and schools and community organisations.

In Year Two you'll undertake a work placement of 3-5 weeks as part of the Visual, Technical and Professional skills module.

Learn from expert staff

Our Theatre Design team is made up of expert academic and technical staff who have extensive experience in education and industry. These, together with visiting professionals, provide a rounded, up-to-date education, informed by current practice.

Course Leader: Patrick Connellan

What do the course fees cover?

Find out what is included in the course fees for our BA (Hons) Theatre Design.

Where will you study?

You will study this course on NTU’s City site, based in Nottingham city centre.

Our Theatre Design studio, theatre and workshops are based in the Waverley building, a dedicated Art and Design building. You may have some lectures in other buildings across the campus, including our recently renovated Newton building.

Trips and study visits

You'll have the opportunity to go on a number of trips during the course. Recently this has included:

• The British Museum, London
• Nosferatu at The Barbican, London
• Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood at Nottingham Playhouse
• Passing On at Lakeside Arts Centre, Nottingham
• Boris Godunov at the RSC, Stratford
• Theatre Rites at Lakeside Arts Centre, Nottingham
• The Kite Runner at Nottingham Playhouse.

Exchange opportunities – study abroad

You'll have the opportunity to apply for an exchange in Year Two, to study at another university in Europe through our Erasmus scheme.

View the full course specification
Please note that course specifications may be subject to change

Our Theatre Design studios and workshops are based in the Waverley building, a dedicated Art and Design building.
Access to facilities

The Waverley building is open during term-time from

• 8 am – 8 pm (Monday – Thursday)
• 8 am – 7.30 pm (Fridays)

During this time you can access workshops and studios.

Technical support in studios and workshops

Technical support is available:

• 8.30 am – 5. 30 pm (Monday – Thursday) (lunch break from 1 – 2 pm)
• 8.30 – 5.30 pm (Friday) (lunch break from 1 – 2 pm).

You can use the workshop facilities outside of these times, but you won’t be able to use any machinery or equipment that needs power.

Theatre Design facilities

• Full working theatre studio with sound and lighting.
• Construction and paint workshops.
• Costume studios.
• In-house dye facilities.
• Fully equipped digital design studios.
• The latest industry-standard software.

Books and library resources

In our library you will have access to an extensive and diverse range of books and periodicals that focus on specialist areas within many areas of traditional and contemporary Theatre Design practice.

Bonington Art Shop

Our specialist in-house art shop is based in the Bonington building. Run by experienced and friendly University staff, the shop stocks a wide variety of arts and crafts materials.

The shop responds to the requirements of our students, and the stock on offer grows each year to support the courses offered within the School of Art & Design.

Bonington Colour Bureau

Located in the Bonington building, our Colour Bureau provides a range of in-house printing for NTU students and staff.
Specialising in graphic arts printing, the Colour Bureau offers high quality prints on a non-standard range of media in any size up to B0. It also operates a drop-off service so you won't have to queue, and aims to offer A4/A3 prints for same-day collection where possible.

IT resources

Our IT resource rooms and PC clusters are distributed across the City site, with PCs providing access to Microsoft Office, email, web browsing, networked file storage and high-speed online printing services (with a free printing allowance for each student). Resource rooms are available 24 hours a day.

What do our students say?

"Studying at Theatre Design at NTU was a great experience, there was always access to facilities, and between all of the technicians and academics there is an extensive body of knowledge bridging a huge area of theatre, arts and production."
Dorrie Scott, BA (Hons) Theatre Design