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Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Theatre Design

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College
Wimbledon College of Arts UCAS code
W463 Start date
September 2023 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.

Course overview

The BA Theatre Design course focuses primarily on set and costume design for live performance but also covers sound, lighting and video projection design. Students are encouraged to be proactive and to develop their own focus within these core design areas.

As well as having a range of practical skills, theatre designers must be good communicators and collaborators. They must be enterprising, curious and agile problem solvers. 

The rich mix of practice and theory on the BA Theatre Design course ensures that experimentation and critical thinking are equally valued. Students are given the tools to enable them to  make considered design decisions in relation to text, music and the core themes and concepts of live performance.

What you can expect

  • A staff team of practicing theatre and performance designers
  • Teaching specifically  focused on interpretation of text, perception of character, dramatic space and the role of the designer within the creative team
  • Core themes of sustainability, decolonisation and making and materiality inform the course across the 3 years
  • A creative research programme which builds your knowledge and understanding of film,  television and the arts
  • An introduction to Computer Aided Design (CAD), fabric dyeing, costume construction, lighting and sound, precision model-making (digitally and by hand) and recorded digital arts for live performance
  • To examine the role of drawing in relationship to costume, performance, technical rendering and storyboarding
  • To build a strong network of theatre-makers through collaborative live projects both internally with other Wimbledon College of Arts courses and externally with other institutions. 
  • To develop a professional portfolio that showcases your practice and personal identity 
  • To have access to Wimbledon's shared workshops. View the Wimbledon facilities

Work experience and opportunities

Students gain production experience on the course with our professional practitioners, as well as through specialist work placements with companies or individuals.

Our students have the chance to collaborate with established and emerging choreographers and directors designing sets and costume for a wide variety of realised performances including, dance, plays, opera, site-specific theatre and new writing projects.

Students can study abroad in their second year as part of the college’s 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

This unit will introduce you to the creative skills that are essential to working within the world of contemporary theatre design. You will begin to get an idea of the range and scope of current professional practice.

You will use model-making, basic surveying, 3D modelling techniques and technical drawing to aid analysis and representation of spatial forms and colour

Projects will provide a foundation of working methods and processes that you will build on through the course

This unit will focus on costume design and making. You will:

  • Explore methods for carrying out in-depth costume research and character analysis in relation to a given text, play, music
  •  Consider and respond to the impact and possibilities of the body in the performance space
  • Use drawing as the core process to develop your ideas

Unit 3  - Exploring ideas

In this unit you will create set and costume designs for a set text using a small London theatre as the venue.

  • Structured projects led by academics 
  • Self-directed studio-based project work
  • You will engage with the debates and ideas around theatre design
  • Begin to evaluate the potential impact of theatre design in a wider cultural context Look at critical approaches to theatre design

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

This unit 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.

  • You will carry out research, practical experiments and speculative design projects 
  • Visit external institutions

Unit 6  - Collaborative and collective practices

This unit aims to introduce you to different ways in which collaborative working can focus and enhance your own creative strengths. This unit has 3 core purposes:

  • To engage with fellow students with different practices and interests in a collaborative project
  • To engage with external audiences, participants or institutions to consider new contexts for your work
  • To develop your creative attributes to enable you to take on future challenges in a variety of contexts

Unit 7  - Where in the world? 1

This unit 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
  • Engage with and respond to broader concepts and themes. These might include, but are not limited to body, gender, genre, agency, authenticity, movement, audience, spatiality
  • Attend and review performances and events
  • Apply for work placements to be undertaken in unit 8
  • Work on your CV and professional portfolio
  • Have lectures delivered by a range of industry professionals

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 8. Your proposal will include storyboards, set, costume, lighting and sound design.

During this unit you can 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. The unit has 3 elements:

  • Research portfolio - a visual and reflective project that demonstrates your research voice within your studio work
  • Dissertation - a research project which can be written, filmed or presented
  • Professional portfolio - development of a portfolio for potential employment that articulates your aesthetic and personal identity

Unit 10  - Show your work: independent practice

This final unit enables you bring together all the ideas and learning from the course.

  • To continue a self-directed programme of practice and related research Seminars and talks on working in the theatre design industry
  • To prepare your portfolio to help you enter the theatre design profession To present work in the college degree show

Optional Diploma between year 2 and 3

Between year 2 and 3 you can opt to undertake the Diploma in Professional Studies or the UAL Diploma in Creative Computing. Whilst these Diplomas are an optional aspect of the course, they are designed as an integrated and assessed part of your journey through the course.

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

Student work

  • wimbledon-college-of-arts-ba-theatre-design-Youngjun-Chang-Interactive-Projection.jpg
    Youngjun Chang
    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-Pip-Terry-Waiting-for-Godot.png
    Pip Terry
    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
  • wimbledon-college-of-arts-ba-theatre-design-Pan-Laura-Fessey-Kohle.png
    Laura Fessey Kohle
    BA (Hons) Theatre Design, Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL

Film

Graduate Showcase: Anna Gorman

BA Theatre Design Showreel

Stories

  • Live digital motion capture
    Credit: Youngjun Chan Youngjun Chan, Moving without a body
    Performance and design for theatre and screen, Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL | Photograph: Wimbledon College of Arts
    Technology and the transformation of choreography

    BA Theatre Design graduate Youngjun Chan uses machine learning and artificial intelligence to explore the relationship between theatre and digital engagement.

  • Actors with masks on rehearsing the play Furies
    Nobby Clark., Furies rehearsal.
    , Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL
    What is the role of a theatre designer?

    Sophie Jump on working with the National Theatre and Google Arts to make the Jocelyn Herbert archive more accessible.

Staff

Fees and funding

Home fee

£9,250 per year

This fee is correct for 2022/23 entry and is subject to change for 2023/24 entry. 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

£23,610 per year

This fee is correct for 2022/23 entry and is subject to change for 2023/24 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 will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

Scholarship search

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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

Home International

Apply

You must apply through UCAS, where you’ll need the following information:

  • University code - U65
  • UCAS course code - W463

Application deadline

We recommend you apply by 25 January 2023 at 18:00 (GMT) for equal consideration.

However, this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.

What happens next

Communicating with you

After you’ve submitted your application, you’ll receive a confirmation email providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We’ll use this portal to contact you to request any additional information, including inviting you to upload documents or book an interview, so please check it regularly.

Initial application check and selection

We check your application to see if you meet the standard entry requirements for the course. If you do, you will be invited to submit a digital portfolio through UAL’s online portfolio review system.

Following the review of the digital portfolio, a small number of applicants will progress to the interview stage. All interviews are held online and last 15 to 20 minutes. For support with your interview, visit our Interview tips page.

Portfolio advice

  • A maximum of 30 pages showing a range of visual recording, such as drawing, life drawing and photography.
  • Experimentation, which demonstrates idea generation and development.
  • Visual work which uses form, structure, colour, texture and space.
  • Design development showing how problems are solved.
  • Previous experience of theatre work if you have it.
  • Images from sketchbooks and notebooks.

For more support, please visit our Portfolio advice page and PebblePad advice page.

How we notify you of the outcome of your application

You will receive the final outcome of your application through UCAS.

Applicants for this course may be given an alternative offer. This decision will be based on our assessment of your creative and potential interests.

Feedback requests:

This course receives a high number of applications. Unfortunately, we can’t provide feedback to everyone who is unsuccessful. We can only provide feedback after you’ve had an interview. We are only able to provide feedback to you directly, or to someone you have told us in writing can receive it on your behalf. If you would like to request feedback please email ccw.ukeu@arts.ac.uk.

Deferring your place

This course accepts requests from offer holders to defer their place for one academic year. Deferral requests are granted on a first-come, first served basis until all deferral places are filled, or a deadline has been reached, whichever is sooner.

Read our Admissions Policy for details, and request your deferral by contacting us through the UAL Portal using the Contact Us button in your My Application(s) tab.

Transfers

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.

Be ready to provide us with:

  • Your current course handbook
  • Year 1 / Year 2 unit transcripts

Apply

There are 2 ways international students can apply to an undergraduate course:

Applying through UCAS you will need the following information:

  • University code - U65
  • UCAS course code - W463

Read our immigration and visa information to find out if you need a visa to study at UAL.

You can only apply to the same course once a year. Any duplicate applications will be withdrawn. Read the UAL international application advice for further information on how to apply.

Application deadline

We recommend you apply by 25 January 2023 at 18:00 (GMT) for equal consideration.

However, this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.

What happens next

Communicating with you

After you’ve submitted your application, you’ll receive a confirmation email providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We’ll use this portal to contact you to request any additional information, including inviting you to upload documents or book an interview, so please check it regularly.

Immigration history check

You will be asked to complete an Immigration History Check to establish whether you are eligible to study at UAL. We will not be able to proceed with your application until you have submitted your completed Immigration History Form.

Initial application check and selection

We check your application to see if you meet the standard entry requirements for the course. If you do, you will be invited to submit a digital portfolio through UAL’s online portfolio review system.

Once we have received your digital portfolio it will be reviewed by the academic team. A decision will be made on your application which may include - offer, offer alternative, recommend to alternative course, reject or invite to interview.

We aim for all on time application reviews to take place by the end of March 2023.

Portfolio advice

  • A maximum of 30 pages showing a range of visual recording, such as drawing, life drawing and photography.
  • Experimentation, which demonstrates idea generation and development.
  • Visual work which uses form, structure, colour, texture and space.
  • Design development showing how problems are solved.
  • Previous experience of theatre work if you have it.
  • Images from sketchbooks and notebooks.

For more support, please visit our Portfolio advice page and PebblePad advice page.

How we notify you of the outcome of your application

You will receive the final outcome of your application through UCAS.

Applicants for this course may be given an alternative offer. This decision will be based on our assessment of your creative and potential interests.

Feedback requests:

If you would like to request feedback please contact us through the UAL Portal using the Contact us button in your My Application(s) tab.

Deferring your place

This course accepts requests from offer holders to defer their place for one academic year. Deferral requests are granted on a first-come, first served basis until all deferral places are filled, or a deadline has been reached, whichever is sooner.

Read our Admissions Policy for details, and request your deferral by contacting us through the UAL Portal using the Contact Us button in your My Application(s) tab.

Transfers

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.

Be ready to provide us with:

  • Your current course handbook
  • Year 1 / Year 2 unit transcripts
  • An official document (translated into English) from your current university, explaining the learning outcomes of the units you have completed

Study Abroad

Through the Study Abroad programme international students can apply to join an undergraduate course.

For information on how to apply visit the Study Abroad section.

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.

Wimbledon College of Arts

Contact

Telephone

+44 (0)20 7514 9641
Address
Wimbledon College of Arts
Merton Hall Road
London
SW19 3QA