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Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Theatre Design

Girls on stage dressed in white crushing pomegranates during a performance of a play called Full Moon.
Scott Fox., Scott Fox
BA (Hons) Theatre Design, Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL
College
Wimbledon College of Arts
UCAS code
W463
Start date
September 2024
Course length
3 years

BA Theatre Design at Wimbledon College of Arts focuses on set and costume design. The course also introduces you to other areas of design for performance such as video projection, lighting and sound design. You will gain the practical and conceptual skills required by today’s professional designers. We prepare you to work in live events, contemporary theatre and performance design.

Course overview

BA Theatre Design focuses on set and costume design for live performance. You’ll also learn about sound, lighting and video projection design to help you develop your own areas of interest.

This course mixes practical training with theory, experimentation and critical thinking. You’ll learn about the core themes and concepts of live performances, including text, character, dramatic space and the role of the designer within the creative team.

Using drawing as a core process, this course will help you make considered design decisions and prepare you for a career in live performance.

What to expect 

  • An ethical focus: We have a responsibility to contribute towards a better and more sustainable world. Throughout your course, you'll explore climate, social and racial justice and learn how to embed these principles into your creative practice. 
  • Expert staff: Learn from a team of practicing theatre and performance designers. 
  • Practical workshops: Develop your knowledge and skills in computer aided design (CAD), fabric dyeing, costume construction, lighting and sound, precision model-making and recorded digital arts for live performance.
  • New ideas: Access a programme of creative research to build your understanding of film, television and the arts. 
  • Sustainability: Learn about and practice the course key themes of sustainability  and decolonisation in relation to the discipline. and making and materiality their relation to theatre design.
  • Networking opportunities: Grow a strong network of theatre-makers through collaborative live projects with emerging and established choreographers and directors.
  • Creative facilities: Use of Wimbledon's shared workshops. Discover the Wimbledon facilities

Industry experience and opportunities

You’ll gain production experience working and learning alongside our professional practitioners and taking part in specialist work placements with companies and individuals.

You’ll design sets and costume for many types of performances such as dance, plays, opera, site-specific theatre and new writing projects so you can build a strong portfolio.

You'll also have the option to study abroad in your second year as part of our international exchange scheme. 

Mode of study

BA Theatre Design is offered in full-time mode. It is divided into 3 stages over 3 academic years. Each stage consists of 30 teaching weeks. You will be expected to commit an average of 40 hours per week to your course, including teaching hours and independent study.

Course units

Year 1 

Unit 1: Introduction to Theatre Design 

This unit is an introduction to your course, the College and the University. 

Unit 2: Designing and making 

Unit 2 will introduce you to the creative skills that are essential to working within the world of contemporary theatre design. The unit focus will be on costume design and making. Projects will give you the working methods and processes that you will build on during the course. You will use model-making, basic surveying, 3D modelling techniques and technical drawing to aid analysis and representation of spatial forms and colour.

Unit 3: Exploring ideas 

In unit 3 you will create set and costume designs for a set text using a small London theatre as the venue. Students You will focus on the course key social, environmental and cultural themes of  including sustainability, decolonisation and making and materiality . 

Unit 4: Who are you? Establishing practice 

In this unit, a range of digital processes used in the theatre design and live performance industry will be demonstrated. You will work on short projects in relation to these. 

Year 2 

Unit 5: Practice as laboratory 

Unit 5 will enable you to investigate the breadth of contemporary theatre and performance design practice. Areas covered will include, but are not limited to, site-responsive theatre, immersive performance and other aspects of design for performance. 

Unit 6: Collaborative and collective practices 

You will be introduced to different ways in which collaborative working can help you to focus and enhance your own creative strengths. You’ll have the chance to work with fellow students and creative communities. 

Unit 7: Where in the world? 1 

Unit 7 will be mainly self-directed with support from academic tutors, theatre directors and performers. You will make a realised performance in response to themes from set contemporary and historical texts. 

Unit 8: Where in the world? 2 

The main component of this unit will be in the form of a complete speculative design proposal for the same text that was used in unit 7. Your proposal will include storyboards, set, costume, lighting and sound design. During this unit you can also undertake a work placement. 

Year 3 

Unit 9: Finding your voice: portfolio design, crafting research skills, career planning 

The work generated for your final year project will be self-directed and involve extended pieces of work. You’ll be encouraged to consider how themes of social, racial and climate justice relate to your project.
Attention must be paid to UAL’s Principles for Climate, Social and Racial Justice. The  unit has 3 parts: a visual and reflective project known as the research portfolio; a dissertation which can be written, filmed or presented; and the development of a personal profile for potential employment. 

Unit 10: Show your work: independent practice 

This final unit enables you to bring together all the ideas and learning from the course. You’ll continue to work on your self-directed project and prepare your portfolio to enter the theatre design profession. You’ll also have a series of talks on working in the theatre industry to help support your employment choices and decisions.

Optional Diploma between Years 2 and 3

Between Years 2 and 3 of the course, you’ll also have the opportunity to undertake one of the following additional UAL qualifications.

Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS)

This optional diploma can be taken between years 2 and 3. With support from your tutors, you’ll undertake an industry placement for a minimum of 100 days/20 weeks. As well as developing industry skills, you’ll gain an additional qualification upon successful completion.

Diploma in Creative Computing

Between years 2 and 3, you can undertake the year-long Diploma in Creative Computing. This will develop your skills in creative computing alongside your degree. After successfully completing the diploma and your undergraduate course, you’ll graduate with an enhanced degree: BA (Hons) Theatre Design (with Creative Computing).

Learning and teaching methods

  • Artist talks and lectures
  • Critical studies and writing
  • Design of a learning agreement
  • Documentation and dissemination of a project
  • Exhibition planning meetings with tutors and technical staff
  • Group discussions, crits, seminars and tutorials
  • Independent research
  • Individual academic tutorial advice and support
  • Lectures and seminars
  • Negotiation and development of a design proposal
  • Peer review and assessment
  • Planning for a formal presentation of a design proposal
  • Postgraduate forums
  • Practical workshops
  • Preparation and presentation of ideas at planning meetings
  • Project related professional work placement or collaboration
  • Seminars
  • Studio work
  • Study visits
  • Technical inductions and instruction
  • Workshops

BA Theatre Design

Open day recording

Course Leader Lucy Algar gives an overview of BA Theatre Design at Wimbledon College of Arts.

Student work

  • wimbledon-college-of-arts-ba-theatre-design-Pip-Terry-Waiting-for-Godot.png
    Pip Terry
    BA (Hons) Theatre Design, Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL
  • BA-Theare-Design-Wimbledon-College-of-Arts-Chon-Fong-2000.jpg
    Chon Fong
    BA (Hons) Theatre Design, Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL
  • wimbledon-college-of-arts-ba-theatre-design-Ruth-Badalia-costumes.png
    Ruth Badalia
    BA (Hons) Theatre Design, Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL
  • wimbledon-college-of-arts-ba-theatre-design-Youngjun-Chang-Interactive-Projection.jpg
    Youngjun Chang
    BA (Hons) Theatre Design, Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL
  • BA-Theatre-Design-Wimbledon-College-of-Arts-Sonia-Smullen-2000.jpg
    Sonia Smullen
    BA (Hons) Theatre Design, Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL
  • wimbledon-college-of-arts-ba-theatre-design-Pan-Laura-Fessey-Kohle.png
    Laura Fessey Kohle
    BA (Hons) Theatre Design, Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL
  • wimbledon-college-of-arts-ba-theatre-design-Maria-Kuncheva-Fahrenheit-451.jpg
    Maria Kuncheva
    BA (Hons) Theatre Design, Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL

Film

Graduate Showcase: Anna Gorman

Staff

Fees and funding

Home fee

£9,250 per year

This fee is correct for entry in autumn 2024 and is subject to change for entry in autumn 2025.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students.

Home fees are currently charged to UK nationals and UK residents who meet the rules. However, the rules are complex. Find out more about our tuition fees and determining your fee status.

International fee

£28,570 per year

This fee is correct for entry in autumn 2024 and is subject to change for entry in autumn 2025.

Tuition fees for international students may increase by up to 5% in each future year of your course.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

Scholarship search

Entry requirements

The standard minimum entry requirements for this course are one or a combination of the following qualifications:

  • Pass at Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (Level 3 or 4)
  • 2 A Levels at grade C or above
  • Merit, Pass, Pass (MPP) at BTEC Extended Diploma
  • Pass at UAL Extended Diploma
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma
  • Or equivalent EU/International qualifications, such as International Baccalaureate Diploma at 24 points minimum
  • And 3 GCSE passes at grade 4 or above (grade A*-C)

Entry to this course will also be determined by the quality of your application, looking primarily at your portfolio of work, personal statement and reference.

APEL - Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning

Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:

  • Related academic or work experience
  • The quality of the personal statement
  • A strong academic or other professional reference
  • A combination of these factors

Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.

English language requirements

All classes are taught in English. If English isn't your first language you must provide evidence at enrolment of the following:

Selection criteria

We look for:

  • An interest, commitment and motivation for studying the subject
  • An ability to work imaginatively and creatively in 2D and 3D visual media, materials and processes
  • An ability to create, investigate and develop ideas independently
  • An ability to communicate your ideas visually, verbally and in writing
  • Potential for creative problem solving
  • An ability to self-direct and evaluate your own work
  • An ability to engage with the idea of character in the context of a dramatic situation
  • Visual awareness and an understanding of the creative process
  • Cultural and historical awareness of theatre design and performance
  • Motivation for working in theatre related industries
  • A desire to learn and succeed

Apply now

Application deadline

31 January 2024 at 18:00 (UK time)

If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Apply to UAL

Home students can apply to this course through UCAS with the following codes:

University code:

U65

UCAS code:

W463

Start your application

Apply now

Application deadline

31 January 2024 at 18:00 (UK time)

If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Apply to UAL

International students can apply to this course through UCAS with the following codes:

University code:

U65

UCAS code:

W463

Start your application
or

Apply with a UAL Representative

Based across the world, our local UAL representatives can support you with your application from your home country. Check to see if there is a representative available in your country currently.

Find your representative

How to apply

Follow this step-by-step guide to apply for this course

Step 1: Initial application

You will need to submit an initial application including your personal statement.

Personal statement advice

Your personal statement should be maximum 4,000 characters and cover the following:

  • Why have you chosen this course? What excites you about the subject?
  • How does your previous or current study relate to the course?
  • Have you got any work experience that might help you?
  • Have any life experiences influenced your decision to apply for this course?
  • What skills do you have that make you perfect for this course?
  • What plans and ambitions do you have for your future career?

Visit the UCAS advice page and our personal statement advice page for more support.

Step 2: Digital portfolio

We will review your initial application. If you have met the standard entry requirements, we will ask you to submit a digital portfolio.

You’ll need to submit this via PebblePad, our online portfolio tool.

Digital portfolio advice

Your portfolio should consist of recent work that reflects your creative strengths.

It should:

  • be maximum 30 pages
  • include a wide range of work that explores form, structure, texture and space
  • include experimental work that demonstrates your ability to develop ideas and solve problems
  • feature any previous experience of theatre work
  • include photos or videos of any sketchbooks or notebooks.

For more support, see our Portfolio advice and PebblePad advice.

Step 3: Interview

You may be invited to an interview following our review of your application. All interviews are held online and last 15 to 20 minutes.

For top tips, see our Interview advice.

You also need to know

Communicating with you

Once you have submitted your initial application, we will email you with your login details for our Applicant portal.

Requests for supplementary documents like qualifications and English language tests will be made through the applicant portal. You can also use it to ask questions regarding your application. Visit our After you apply page for more information.

Visas and immigration history check

All non-UK nationals must complete an immigration history check. Your application may be considered by our course teams before this check takes place. This means that we may request your portfolio and/or video task before we identify any issues arising from your immigration history check. Sometimes your history may mean that we are not able to continue considering your application. Visit our Immigration and visas advice page for more information.

External student transfer policy

UAL accepts transfers from other institutions on a case-by-case basis. Read our Student transfer policy for more information.

Alternative offers

If your application is really strong, but we believe your strengths and skillset are better suited to a different course, we may make you an alternative offer. This means you will be offered a place on a different course or at a different UAL College.

Deferring your place

You must apply in the year that you intend to start your course. If you are made an offer and your circumstances change, you can submit a deferral request to defer your place by 1 academic year. You must have met your conditions by 31 August 2024. If you need an English language test in order to meet the entry requirements, the test must be valid on the deferred start date of your course. If not, you will need to reapply. Requests are granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Contextual Admissions

This course is part of the Contextual Admissions scheme.

This scheme helps us better understand your personal circumstances so that we can assess your application fairly and in context. This ensures that your individual merit and creative potential can shine through, no matter what opportunities and experiences you have received.

Careers

BA Theatre Design graduates progress into a wide range of roles within the field of theatre and performance.

As well as working as designers in television and film production, production managers and scenic artists our graduates work in site-specific theatre, opera, musicals, music concerts, festivals and animation.

They also possess a range of skills, which enable them to transfer into other areas such as further academic study, exhibition and retail design.

Alumni have been finalists and winners of the Linbury Prize for stage design, progressing to being BAFTA and Olivier Award-winning designers with the National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company and the BBC. They have also exhibited at World Stage Design.

Alumni

  • Sarah Greenwood - Oscar nominated and BAFTA winning production designer for films including Atonement, Anna Karenina, Pride and Prejudice and Sherlock Holmes
  • David Harris - Associate Designer for Cameron Macintosh's Les Misérables
  • Richard Hudson - Set designer for The Lion King
  • Ann Maskrey - Costume designer for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and Tim Burton’s Alice In Wonderland
  • Edward Thomas - BAFTA winning production designer who has worked on Dr Who and Torchwood
  • Cécile Trémolières - Freelance set and costume designer. Finalist of the Linbury Prize Stage Design (2013). Awarded the Royal Opera House Linbury bursary (2015)

Find out how careers and employability helps our students and graduates start their careers.