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Frequently Asked Questions

Questions

1. What Skills Will I Learn in Drama?

2. What Careers Can I Pursue with a Drama Degree?

3. Will I Have Contact With Theatre Professionals During My undergraduate studies?

4. Will I Receive Acting Training During My Degree?

5. Do You Offer Training in Technical Theatre?

6. How Will My Work Be Assessed?

7. Can I spend a year or part of a year at Queen's while studying for a degree elsewhere?

Answers

1. What Skills Will I Learn in Drama?

A degree in Drama will equip you with a variety of skills that are essential to success in most careers. You will:

Gain an understanding of, and be able to discuss knowledgeably, a diverse body of theatre practice (including theatre texts, criticism, history, and theory): learn how to think critically about, and engage constructively with, other people’s ideas and writing; learn how to reflect critically on, and thereby improve, your own work; learn how to present your ideas cogently in written form Learn how to present your ideas orally and generally to improve your communication skills; learn how to work collaboratively with colleagues on projects; learn how to work under pressure; acquire computer and other ICT skills; develop the capacity for sustained concentration over long periods.

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2. What Careers Can I Pursue with a Drama Degree?

Graduates of Drama often pursue a wide range of careers. Some of these include:

Theatre and creative industries (including film, television, newspapers, and radio) Teaching at the primary and secondary level Higher education (after further study) Advertising and promotions Public service and cultural sector A drama background can be a great asset in all areas of business.

The UK-wide statistics show that Drama Graduates are very successful in the job market , and often in fields other than the theatre. We believe this is because that in addition to the analytical skills required by all arts degrees, drama also develops team-working and communication skills which are highly valued in the workplace.

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3. Will I Have Contact With Theatre Professionals During My undergraduate studies?

Full-time staff at Queen’s have experience working professionally in Europe and North America. The Drama programme also invites practitioners with specialist skills to conduct workshops as part of students’ performance training. The course enjoys an especially close relationship with the Lyric Theatre, the region's main producer of live theatre and with leading local independent companies. Recently, third year students have completed placements with Tinderbox, Ransom, Prime Cut, Replay, C21, Centre Stage, Kabosh and the Lyric Theatre.

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4. Will I Receive Acting Training During My Degree?

While there are many opportunities to develop performance skills at every stage of the course, like all academic drama programmes, the Drama degree at Queen’s places an emphasis on each student’s understanding of practice within a theoretical context. Our principle goal is to teach you "how to learn" so that you can continue to acquire and develop your skills after graduation. A drama degree is therefore an ideal opportunity for anyone contemplating an acting career to explore their interest before committing to the competitive demands of Drama School entry.  We offer extensive advice to students interested in following up their drama degree with a fully vocational course, and have found that Drama Schools often welcome the maturity that graduates bring to their Drama School training.  Recent drama graduates at Queen's have studied at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), Central School of Speech and Drama, London Academcy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA), the Guildhall School of Acting, the Bristol Old Vic Drama School, the Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin, and at Ecole Jacques Lecoq in Paris. We also enjoy strong links with the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and Trinity College, Dublin.

 

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5. Do You Offer Training in Technical Theatre?

 

There are plentiful opportunities to gain hands-on technical experience in the university’s new Drama & Film Centre and through our links with the local theatre industry. As well as employing two highly-experienced full-time technical staff in our Studio Theatre, we also regularly invite Stage Managers, Lighting, Set and Costume Designers to deliver specialist seminars and provide professional mentoring on specific projects.  There is also a specific Technical Theatre module in Level 2. 

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6. How Will My Work Be Assessed?

In Drama ideas research can be presented in many forms. Students write formal academic essays, sit formal exam papers, present critical performance pieces that engage with module materials, reflect critically during oral interviews, give oral presentations in class, and are continuously assessed on their progress during performance workshops.

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7. Can I spend a year or part of a year at Queen's while studying for a degree elsewhere?

We regularly welcome students from universities outside the UK for one or two semesters. The Erasmus program may provide opportunities for exchange with students at universities in EU countries (and even EU applicant countries). Queen's has close links with universities in many other countries including the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Australia.

Details are available from the University's International Office (international@qub.ac.uk).

 

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