Book your Online Open Day
Undergraduate Online Open Day
Explore undergraduate life and the support offered at Herts from the comfort of your home. Whether you've visited us on campus already and would like some more information, or you're discovering Herts for the first time, this is your chance to ask any questions you have about undergraduate study and life.
You'll hear from our staff and students, and can ask any questions you have around accommodation, applications, student life, finance, careers, placements and the wide range of support services available to you.
Book your spot below.
BA (Hons) Performing Arts (top up)
Why choose this course?
- Top up your Foundation degree or HND to an Honours Degree within a year
- Get first-hand experience with industry standard facilities on campus
- Learn by doing, with numerous opportunities to perform embedded in the programme
You are passionate about the world of theatre and are keen to contribute to this vibrant sector. You are looking to advance your career to become an independent artist and theatre-maker. This Performing Arts top up course has been created to provide you with the tools to thrive in the performing arts industry.
Delivered by Hertford Regional College, this innovative programme allows you achieve a full BA (Hons) degree in less than a year. It is a perfect kick-starter for your career, providing you with a clear line of sight for employment.
On the course, you will benefit from a curriculum that encourages learning by doing. Throughout the programme, you will continuously sharpen your skills by creating and presenting performances. In addition, you will have access to co-curricular activities that will support you in gaining a more in-depth understanding of core concepts on the course.
The campus’ location in Hertfordshire will be beneficial to you, giving you easy access to opportunities in London's West End and the soon to be opened Sunset Film Studio in north London.
All learning facilities are of industry standards. You will have access to dance and drama studios fitted with equipment that will support in drawing out your creativity and refining your skill set.
What's the course about?
Our Performance Arts top up course focuses on developing your existing skills so that you are able to produce, manage and sustain original theatrical work at a professional standard. The course structure allows for a single development plan to create a new entertainment production that carries through all modules. You will have the opportunity to develop a full original production of entertainment work, enabling you to create original work and strengthen your understanding of the operational and creative process behind the work.
Across your year of study, you will get fully immersed in the art of performance through consistent practice. The course will challenge you to think critically to develop ideas and encourages you to be independent, proactive and professional – all of which are qualities that underpin the industry. You will develop these attributes as you cover a diverse range of areas that prepare you for different aspects of working in industry. Topics covered include business management and financing, creative producing, character development, theatrical constructs, and performance.
What will I study?
Your learning will be delivered through a mix of interactive lectures, seminars and practice as well as independent study. Assessments are coursework based and you will work independently and with your peers on presentations, written reports, observations and performances. Assignments will cover multiple areas of theatre production including performances, business plan creation, marketing pitches, critical analysis with research, and more.
During this one year programme, you will complete three modules, each of which have been carefully designed to meet industry trends. Your course content considers traditional theatre practice combined with contemporary practice and ideas so that you have a deeper understanding of ideologies. This will feed into the quality of your practice and decision making.
In your first semester, you will work independently to create performance material as well as explore and implement the range of skills required to deliver your performance concept. Furthermore, you will explore the business opportunities within the industry allowing you to understand different models, paperwork and legislations to help set up your own performing arts business. This research will help support your understanding of career prospects and opportunities available to you upon completing your degree.
In Semester B, you will culminate all your learnings with a creative final major project. You will devise a full performance of your own based upon a selected stimulus and will be guided through the creative processes to achieve this.
To take your learning a step further, you will also have access to co-curricular activities outside of the classroom. You will have the opportunity to take tap dance and singing group technique classes, as well as live theatre visits and guest lectures from industry experts. Altogether, these different elements of the course will feed into the development of your personal production portfolio, which will serve as demonstrable proof of your expertise. You will graduate as more a forward-thinking individual, with the ability to operate effectively within the performance arts industry.