
Crossing disciplines, this course questions what performance is, how it is made and what it is for. It is part of the Performance programme.
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On BA Performance: Design and Practice, you will interrogate what performance means in the 21st century. The course challenges the traditional view that performance design is something to look at and performance is something to watch. We will support you to think about performance critically and how it can engage with the world in a meaningful way.
We believe that a dialogue between mainstream traditions and new practices will shape the future of performance. On this course, you will explore the expanding field of performance. In particular, you will study post-dramatic theatre, immersive and interactive events. You will undertake work which takes place outside of traditional theatre spaces. You will study different concepts of performance and its associated objects and materials.
On BA Performance: Design and Practice, we will develop your ability to think as an artist. Our teaching strategy integrates thinking and making. We acknowledge the varied and specialist skills different roles in the creative industry demand. Our teaching falls broadly into two categories:
Performance design practice – The skills and knowledge required to create the visual components of performance. These include: model making, technical drawing, film shooting and editing, storyboarding and costume.
Contemporary performance practice – The skills and knowledge required to create performance. These include: performance-making strategies, dramaturgy, experimental film-making, resourcing, scheduling, rehearsing and collaborative working.
BA Performance: Design and Practice challenges traditional British performance culture and its hierarchies. The course questions the long-established model of authorship in performance production. Instead, it promotes a more open structure. It encourages the view that the audio and visual languages of performance are not secondary to written text, but just as important.
A key element of BA Performance: Design and Practice is sharing and combining ideas and practice. We are proud of the fact that our students have great success doing things we never imagined. Our graduates have gone on to work in a wide range of performance-associated disciplines. These include: visual performance, theatre design, set design for fashion, festivals, design for dance, event design and applied theatre.
The BA Performance: Design and Practice curriculum is devised to develop cross-disciplinary skills appropriate to your emerging interests. It includes critical studies and personal and professional development. The course focuses on experiential practice, and personal reflection will inform your choices throughout. Across all stages of the course, we aim to build a shared language and study framework, made up of screenings, guest lectures, artist talks and external events.
Unit 1: Performance: Design and Practice: Introduction to Study in Higher
Unit 2: Right Here Right Now
Unit 3: Critical Practice 1: Drawing Colour Making
Unit 4: Performance: Frames and Territories
In Stage 1 you will begin to look at perspectives on the creation of performance. You will explore source material, concepts of space, time and the audience–performer relationship. You will be introduced to practical and writing skills, allowing you to start building your own approach to performance. Stage 1 establishes the critical skills needed to communicate ideas in collaborative, time-based media. These are mostly explored through peer-group projects.
Unit 5: Further Adventures in Performance: Making Stuff Happen
Unit 6: Critical Practice 2: Platforms and Communities
Unit 7: Performance Design in the Expanded Field
Stage 2 is a year of transition. You will continue to develop your individual creative identity. You will progress your own methods for working and identify the areas of particular interest that will inform your choices in Stage 3. The skills required to communicate your ideas effectively are refined through intensive practical projects. Towards the end of Stage 2, you will begin to prepare and plan for a major piece of written work in Stage 3.
Unit 8: Critical Studies
Unit 9: Design and Performance
The units in Stage 3 reflect the potential challenges of professional working life or further study at Master’s level. They are designed to help you apply and expand on the skills gained in Stages 1 and 2. Through project work, you will develop your creative perspective, enabling you to move between activities or pursue a specialist interest. These final units offer flexibility, allowing you to choose the best way to demonstrate your abilities.
Between Stage 2 and Stage 3 of the course there is an option for you to work within professional fields related to Performance: Design & Practice for the duration of an academic year (across three terms/two blocks) and complete a Diploma in Professional Studies. Whilst the Diploma is an optional aspect of the course, it is designed as an integrated and assessed part of your journey through the course, if you do take up this option. The Diploma results in a standalone qualification (rated at 120 credits), which involves researching, undertaking and reflecting on a 100 day/20-week (minimum) placement related to your professional interests and aspirations. The Diploma provides a valuable opportunity to make professional contacts and to develop your personal employability skills.
BA Performance: Design and Practice runs for 90 weeks in full-time mode. It is divided into three stages over three academic years. Each stage lasts 30 weeks.
You will be expected to commit 40 hours per week to study, which includes teaching time and independent study.
The course is credit-rated at 360 credits, with 120 credits at each stage (level).
On successfully completing the course, you will gain a Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA Hons degree).
Under the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications the stages for a BA are: Stage 1 (Level 4), Stage 2 (Level 5) and Stage 3 (Level 6). In order to progress to the next stage, all units of the preceding stage must normally be passed: 120 credits must be achieved in each stage. The classification of the award will be derived from the marks of units in Stages 2 and 3 or only Stage 3, using a dual algorithm.
If you are unable to continue on the course, a Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) will normally be offered following the successful completion of Level 4 (or 120 credits), or a Diploma in Higher Education (DipHE) following the successful completion of Level 5 (or 240 credits).
During your course you will engage with learning and teaching that includes both online and face-to-face modes. Typically, this will include:
Course Leader - BA Performance Design and Practice
Katherine Lane
Senior Lecturer, BA Performance: Design and Practice
Peter Bond
Acting Course Leader, MA Performance: Design and Practice; Lecturer, BA Performance Design and Practice
Pete Brooks
Lecturer, BA Performance: Design and Practice
Kane Husbands
Lecturer, BA Performance Design and Practice
Rosa-Johan Uddoh
Reader - Lecturer in Dramaturgy and Devising For Performance BA (Honours)
Andrea Zimmerman
Associate Lecturers
Katayoun Jalilipour
Michiko Oki
Liberty Sadler
Vicki Thornton
Specialist Technician Costume
Verity Cleary
Specialist Technician Lighting and Sound
Luke Cunningham
Specialist Technician Design and Projection
Michael Breakey
Specialist Technician Projection Mapping
Dimitrios Coumados
Programme Director, Performance programme
We are committed to making university education an achievable option for a wider range of people and to supporting all of our students in achieving their potential both during and after their courses.
We welcome applications from people with disabilities. If you have a disability (e.g. mobility difficulties, sensory impairments, medical or mental health conditions or Asperger’s syndrome) we strongly encourage you to contact us on disability@arts.ac.uk or +44 (0)20 7514 6156 so that we can plan the right support for you. All enquiries are treated confidentially. To find out more, visit our Disability & Dyslexia webpages.
The standard entry requirements for this course are as follows:
One or a combination of the following accepted full Level 3 qualifications:
And three GCSE passes at grade 4 or above (grade A*–C).
Entry to this course will also be determined by assessment of your portfolio. A very high proportion of successful applicants complete a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design.
Exceptionally applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:
Or a combination of these factors.
Each application will be considered on its own merit but cannot guarantee an offer in each case.
IELTS score of 6.0 or above, with at least 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking (please check our main English language requirements webpage).
We offer English Language Development for Overseas students. See how we can help you with your studies.
Learn MoreApplicants are selected according to their demonstration of potential and current ability to:
We are not just looking for a passion for performance – we are also seeking people who are curious, hard-working, open to new ideas and willing to take risks and get involved in the many different disciplines and practices of working in the professional field of performance. Suitable applicants work imaginatively and creatively in performance and visual media, demonstrate a range of skills and technical abilities, intellectual enquiry and cultural awareness.
You should apply through Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) and you will need the following information:
University Code: U65
UCAS Code: W460
Central Saint Martins does not accept applications for deferred entry. You should therefore apply in the year you wish to study.
If you are currently studying somewhere else on a course in an equivalent subject area and would like to transfer to this course, you can transfer to:
Year 2, if you’ve completed 120 credits in Year 1
Year 3, if you’ve completely 240 credits in Years 1 and 2
Apply via UCAS and choose Year 2 or 3 for your POE (Point of Entry). Please check our Student Transfer Policy for more important information and be ready to provide us with your current course handbook and Year 1/Year 2 unit transcripts.
Please be ready to provide an official document (translated into English) from your current university, explaining the learning outcomes of the units you have completed.
We recommend you apply by 29 January 2021 for equal consideration. However this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.
After you have successfully submitted your application, you will receive an email confirming we have successfully received your application and providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We will request any additional information from you, including inviting you to upload documents / portfolio / book an interview, through the portal. You should check your UAL Portal regularly for any important updates and requests.
Please add csm.ukeu@arts.ac.uk to your contacts to ensure that you do not miss any important updates re: your application to UAL. Also consider altering your spam or junk mail filter to ensure that emails from @arts.ac.uk get through to you.
There are three ways international students can apply to an undergraduate course at Central Saint Martins:
You can only apply to the same course once per year whether you are applying via UCAS, UAL representative or using the UAL online application system. Any duplicate applications will be withdrawn.
If you are applying via UCAS you will need the following information:
University code: U65
UCAS Code: W460
Central Saint Martins does not accept applications for deferred entry. You should therefore apply in the year you wish to study.
We recommend you apply by 29 January 2021 for equal consideration. However this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.
If you are currently studying somewhere else on a course in an equivalent subject area and would like to transfer to this course, you can transfer to:
Year 2, if you’ve completed 120 credits in Year 1
Year 3, if you’ve completely 240 credits in Years 1 and 2
Apply via UCAS and choose Year 2 or 3 for your POE (Point of Entry). Please check our Student Transfer Policy for more important information and be ready to provide us with your current course handbook and Year 1/Year 2 unit transcripts.
If you are an International applicant and studying outside the UK, please complete your Direct application and then contact us via your UAL Portal to ask to be considered for Year 2/Year 3.
Please be ready to provide an official document (translated into English) from your current university, explaining the learning outcomes of the units you have completed.
Whether you are applying online via UCAS or through a UAL representative or direct application you will need to complete an immigration history check to establish whether you are eligible to study at UAL. If you do not complete the check we will not be able to proceed with your application.
After you have successfully submitted your application, you will receive an email confirming we have successfully received your application and providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We will request any additional information from you, including inviting you to upload documents / portfolio / book an interview, through the portal. You should check your UAL Portal regularly for any important updates and requests.
Please add csm.international@arts.ac.uk to your contacts to ensure that you do not miss any important updates re: your application to UAL Also consider altering your spam or junk mail filter to ensure that emails from @arts.ac.uk get through to you.
We check your application to see if you meet the standard entry requirements for the course. If you do, you will be invited to attend a full portfolio review or submit a full portfolio digitally.
Your portfolio should be no more than 30 images comprising of your best work showing your skills and thinking. You can create the pages in any layout (For example: presentation boards) but they should be uploaded as jpeg images.
It's important that the creative work you include reflects and demonstrates your thinking, initiative and personal commitment to a particular project, theme or idea.
It should include:
The only files that can be uploaded as part of the portfolio are:
Your work should demonstrate creative development, whether for a college project or in your personal work. By creative development, we mean:
Please remember:
For more portfolio advice please visit: https://www.arts.ac.uk/study-at-ual/apply/portfolio-advice
Following the review of the portfolio we select a small number of applicants to move on to the next stage of the process. These applicants will be invited to an interview either online or by telephone.
You will receive the final outcome of your application through UCAS track.
£9,250 per year
This fee is correct for 2021/22 entry and is subject to change for 2022/23 entry. Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students.
Home fees are currently charged to UK resident nationals. However, the rules are complex. Find out more about our tuition fees.
From 2021/22 entry, most EU students will be charged the International tuition fee rate, depending on your individual circumstances. If you started your course in October 2020 or earlier, you’ll continue to pay Home (UK) fees for the duration of your course. Read more advice for EU students.
£22,920 per year
This fee is correct for 2021/22 entry and is subject to change for 2022/23 entry. 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 are currently charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about our tuition fees.
From 2021/22 entry, most EU students will be charged the International tuition fee rate, depending on your individual circumstances. If you started your course in October 2020 or earlier, you’ll continue to pay Home (UK) fees for the duration of your course. Read more advice for EU students.
You may need to cover additional costs which are not included in your tuition fees. These could include travel expenses and the costs of material. Find out more about additional costs.
Find out about accommodation options and how much they will cost.
Find out more about bursaries, loans and scholarships.
Find out how you can pay your tuition fees.
BA Performance: Design and Practice students leave with a broad and valuable understanding of performance practice in its many forms.
Skills acquired enable BA Performance: Design and Practice graduates to become versatile practitioners in exciting and diverse contexts including theatre, film and television.
BA Performance: Design and Practice students find success as production designers, or in related roles such as director or producer, or, increasingly, in 'hybrid' roles such as designer-director or performer-designer.
BA Performance: Design and Practice graduates also apply their knowledge outside the traditional contexts, working within the fine art industry as performance artists or within the fashion industry as creative managers, video directors and fashion show designers. Or they launch their own independent collaborative ventures, creating performance in their own image.
Recent BA Performance: Design and Practice alumni activity demonstrates the breadth of student activity within the subject:
For details of the wide range of careers support provided for students, please visit our Careers support page.