This course is unparalleled in the UK and covers all aspects of contemporary theatre design practice. It blends the creative, technical, communicative and managerial skills needed to bring imagination alive on the professional stage.
Our unique curriculum covers:
- sceneography
- costume design
- costume construction
- scene and props construction
- puppetry
- performance
- model-making
- the role of theatre in education.
Following a good foundation in all of these areas, you will have the chance to evolve your skills in single or multiple specialist areas suited to your interests and abilities.
Nottingham Skillset Media Academy
This course is affiliated to the Nottingham Skillset Media Academy.
Any questions?
Email us
Telephone: +44 (0)115 9418 418
Visit the School of Art & Design website.
Please note the following information for applicants
The course focuses on collaborative projects that give you the opportunity to work with key professional partners, which will enhance your learning experience.
Cross-level teaching between year groups takes place within the context of design projects, again enhancing collaborative learning and reflecting live theatre. The work placement in Year Two is an important feature, giving you invaluable experience of being involved in a live project.
Year One
- Understand the relationship between design, craft and performance.
- Learn the fundamentals of set construction, scene-painting, lighting, and costume design and construction.
- Produce high-quality set models, storyboards, and costume and property designs.
- Use a range of techniques including life drawing, spatial and perspective drawing, conceptual modelling, Photoshop, Sketchup, technical drawing and AutoCAD.
- Develop your critical skills and explore the cultural contexts underpinning theatre design.
Year Two
- Enhance design and craft skills through design projects, objects, puppetry and costume creation.
- Undertake an industry placement for hands-on work experience.
- Focus on contemporary performances and design.
- Hone spatial and life-drawing techniques.
- Expand digital skills using the latest software.
Year Three
- Work produced over two terms is exhibited as part of the final-year degree show.
- Undertake an independent design project to demonstrate advanced design and crafts skills.
- Work with industry partners to produce advanced speculative deign to a professional standard.
- Undertake a written major research project.
- Create a professional digital and traditional portfolio of work and develop an understanding of professional practice.
Assessment
This is continuous throughout the course and is based on coursework.
Student gallery
Have a look at some of the work created on this course in our student gallery.
Industry focus
Students benefit from the support and collaboration of some of the biggest names in UK theatre, including:
Damian Cruden from York Theatre Royal, Giles Croft and Andrew Breakwell from Nottingham Playhouse, James Dacre from the New Vic Theatre, Richard Willarcy from Birmingham Opera Company, Ian Smith from TV Workshop, Gary Wright from the RSC, Derby Live's designer and costumier Tim Heywood, director Anthony Clark, scenic artists Sandra Field and Brett Naylor, and lighting designer James Farncombe.
Specialist equipment and facilities
We have a wide range of industry-standard facilities for you to use, including:
- studio theatre will full lighting and sound facilities
- dedicated sound studio
- construction and paint workshops
- wardrobe and costume department with dye and manufacturing facilities
- design studio with technical drawing and digital equipment
- film and editing facilities for mixed-media production work
- model lighting rig
- digital equipment including cameras, video and projectors
- the latest software including Photoshop, AutoCAD and 3D Studio Max.
Take a look at our art and design facilities through 360 degree panoramas and images.
Opportunities
We offer visits to overseas theatres, advice from industry experts, and study opportunities with other academies and universities. Over 30 years we have developed links in Prague, Bologna, Milan, Napoli, Rotterdam, Izmir (Turkey) and Sofia (Bulgaria) and we are currently forging new collaborations in Shanghai China and Japan.
Students have the opportunity to get involved in the Erasmus exchange programme - offering study abroad opportunities in Europe.
Your future career
We've built up an enviable national and international reputation for the excellence of our theatre design graduates.
Opportunities exist for designers in theatre, film and television. Numerous graduates are working as scene painters, costume and property makers. Some have set-up their own theatre companies.
Notable Alumni
Our previous graduates and course supporters include:
- Jonathan Glazer (Director of the famous surfer advert for Guinness, various music videos, Birth starring Nicole Kidman, and BAFTA nominated for the film Sexy Beast)
- Actor and comedian Paul Kaye
- Designers Robert Innes Hopkins, Angela Davies and Louise Wilson.
Work placements
Although this course does not offer a formal placement year, students are encouraged to undertake informal work placements and enter live industry competitions. All our courses are vocationally focused and benefit from strong links to industry.
Students will complete a placement of approximately five weeks in the second year of the course. This will be with one of the wide range of companies with which the course has long-established links, usually within the UK and occasionally abroad. Students are able to build on skills already developed during Year One, to gain a deeper understanding of the designer's contribution to the art of making theatre. These placements often provide our students with contacts for the essential first job.
Our recent student destinations for work placements and further employment include:
Find out more about the course's industry links and work experience opportunities.
Giving you competitive advantage
In today's competitive job market graduates often find that a degree is no longer enough to attract employers. A work placement is a valuable addition to your education. You'll gain real-life work experience that will make you stand out from the crown and enhance your employability in your chosen field of work.
What are the benefits of a work placement?
Practical work experience has many benefits for you. It can help in your day-to-day studies and is often paid. It can enhance your commercial awareness and your ability to link theory and practice which will be an invaluable skill in your future career. Although a work placement is highly recommended, obtaining one is based on an individual's effort and is not guaranteed.
How to apply
Application for this course is through UCAS application form. For more general information on the UCAS application process please visit the UCAS website.
If you are an International (non-EU) applicant you will still need to apply to us through UCAS, but can find information and guidance about the application process on our Applying and Fees for International (non-EU) students web page.
Application deadline
- 2012 entry: 15 January 2012
Applications received after this date will be marked as 'late' and only considered if places are still available after all on time applications have been assessed.
We have a number of open days that take place throughout the year. If you'd like to visit us, click on the book an open day button at the top right of this page.
Interviews and portfolios
Selection for this course takes place through UCAS application form and, where invited, interview and portfolio.
UK applicants
If you are invited to attend an interview at the University, you'll bring your portfolio with you for assessment. For more information about what we look for during an interview, and some useful tips for your portfolio, download our BA (Hons) Theatre Design interview and portfolio information. 
Overseas applicants
If you meet the minimum entry requirements we will ask you to send us:
- 12 examples of your practical work
- a piece of written work (approximately 500 words) from your current or previous course.
When we receive your UCAS application we'll contact you to tell you how to submit your work online. Overseas applicants are not expected to attend an interview at the University.
English language requirements
English language entry requirements for courses in the School of Art & Design, and a full list of all English language qualifications accepted by the University are available on our website.
UCAS points
The 240 UCAS tariff points needed for entry to this course should be taken from a minimum of two A-levels or equivalent qualification (such as a BTEC National Diploma or art and design foundation course). Additional tariff points obtained from AS-levels, where the subject was not continued to A-level, will also be accepted towards the 240 UCAS points required.
If you are unsure whether the qualifications you have, or are currently studying for, meet the minimum entry requirements for this course please contact us before submitting an application through UCAS
Non-standard / mature students
We welcome applications from non-standard applicants over the age of 21 for this course, and will assess candidates of this nature on an individual basis. If you're a non-standard applicant you'll still need to apply by UCAS form but you don't necessarily need to meet our minimum entry requirements - you must, however, have portfolio work to present at interview.
Any questions?
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.
Email us
Telephone: +44 (0)115 9418 418
