Theatre and Film - BA (Hons)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Queen Margaret University

Program Overview

The BA (Hons) Theatre and Film at Queen Margaret University is designed for creative, ambitious students eager to explore both the artistic and practical sides of performance and screen production. This degree blends hands-on experience with critical insight, helping students develop as versatile practitioners ready for careers across theatre, film, and the wider creative industries.

Curriculum Structure

Year One:
Students build a strong foundation in performance, storytelling, and screen practice. Core modules such as Introduction to Theatre and Performance, Introduction to Filmmaking, and Text and Performance introduce key creative processes while developing collaboration and analytical skills. This year focuses on exploring the fundamentals of acting, directing, and film production through practical workshops and group projects.

Year Two:
In the second year, students refine their creative voice and technical expertise through modules like Theatre Production Skills, Film Practice and Production, and Devising Performance. They gain deeper experience in both stage and screen production, learning to manage projects from concept to completion. The year also encourages experimentation with new performance forms and camera-based storytelling.

Year Three:
Advanced studies centre on specialisation and professional preparation. Modules such as Advanced Theatre Practice, Screenwriting and Directing, and Professional Practice in the Creative Industries enable students to lead creative projects and engage with industry-standard practices. This stage emphasizes independent production, critical reflection, and building a professional portfolio for future careers or postgraduate study.

Focus Areas:
Theatre performance, film production, directing, screenwriting, stagecraft, creative collaboration, and critical analysis.

Learning Outcomes:
Graduates develop creative leadership, practical production skills, critical thinking, teamwork, and the ability to produce original, audience-ready work for both stage and screen.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):
The program maintains strong professional connections with Scotland’s creative industries, theatre companies, and film practitioners, ensuring that learning remains industry-relevant and practice-focused.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):
Queen Margaret University is recognised for its strong employability outcomes and creative arts teaching, ranked among Scotland’s top institutions for graduate prospects in the arts and media fields (Guardian University Guide 2024).

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

If you’re thinking about applying for the BA (Hons) Theatre and Film at Queen Margaret University, you’ll be joining a vibrant and creative community where learning goes far beyond the classroom. This is a hands-on degree designed to help you build real-world skills from the very start. You’ll work in professional studios, film-making spaces, and production workshops — developing the practical know-how that today’s theatre and film industries demand. With access to specialist equipment, film and photography labs, performance studios, editing suites, and a rich library of moving-image resources, you’ll be supported every step of the way as you bring your ideas to life.

Here’s how experiential learning is built into the programme:

You’ll work with industry-standard film and photography equipment, learning the technical skills you need while continuously reflecting on your creative process to grow as an artist.
Through studio and production-based group projects, you’ll create live performance events and film productions, gaining experience in both theatre and screen environments.
The course includes an Experiential Learning Placement, giving you the chance to work within a professional or semi-professional setting as part of your studies — a perfect bridge between university and industry.
You’ll study modules such as World Animation, Film and the Family, and Photography and Visual Culture, combining creative practice with critical study to sharpen both your technical and analytical skills.

Throughout your studies, you’ll collaborate closely with other students in workshops, rehearsals, and production teams, just like in real creative industries. You’ll also have space to explore your own artistic voice through independent projects.

You’ll be encouraged to engage in reflective practice, developing a deeper understanding of how your work fits into wider cultural and media contexts. This balance of creativity and critical thinking will prepare you to confidently navigate your professional journey.

Taught by staff with strong industry links across theatre, screen, and media, this course opens doors to networking opportunities and showcases your work to the world — setting you up for exciting careers in live performance, film production, screenwriting, directing, or media exhibition.

Progression & Future Opportunities

This degree sets you up perfectly for a range of exciting and creative careers — whether that’s working as a film production assistant, a theatre director’s trainee, an arts marketing coordinator, or even a teaching assistant in drama and media. You’ll graduate ready to step confidently into the creative industries and start making your mark.

Progression & Future Opportunities

At QMU, you’ll benefit from dedicated career support designed to help you succeed in the creative sector. The university’s Careers Service offers one-to-one employability guidance, CV and portfolio workshops, interview preparation, and exclusive access to internships and job opportunities across media, theatre, and film.

Graduates from similar programmes at QMU typically earn around £20,000 within 15 months of finishing their degree — a strong start for those entering the creative industries.

QMU also places a strong focus on real-world engagement. The Start-Up Studio on campus supports more than 40 creative start-ups in theatre and film production, giving you a chance to network, collaborate, and gain first-hand entrepreneurial experience.

You’ll be studying in Scotland — a hub for creativity and innovation. The country’s creative industries generate over £5.2 billion annually and employ around 60,000 people, offering plenty of opportunities for graduates with your skill set.

Beyond your first job, the degree’s mix of production, storytelling, and technical skills gives you lasting flexibility. These abilities are recognised and valued across different sectors, including entertainment, education, and media agencies — making your training relevant wherever your career takes you.

Many QMU alumni go on to build careers in theatre companies, on film sets, in media production houses, or move into teaching, arts management, and creative entrepreneurship.

Further Academic Progression

If you’re inspired to continue your studies after graduation, your BA can open doors to a wide range of postgraduate options — from a Master’s in Film or Media Production, Theatre Studies, or a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) to prepare for teaching drama or media, to research-focused degrees like an MPhil or PhD in Performance and Screen Studies.

Whichever path you choose, this degree provides a solid and versatile foundation to grow into leadership roles, develop your creative expertise, or contribute to research and innovation within the creative industries.