Overview

The BA (Hons) Theatre and Film at the University of Bristol brings together the study of live performance and screen media. The foundation stage develops the academic, analytical, and creative skills needed to examine how theatre and film communicate ideas, shape cultural experiences, and respond to different social and historical contexts.

What You'll Learn

• Theatre history, forms, genres, and approaches to performance.

• Film history, genres, theory, and critical approaches to cinema.

• Performance analysis, staging, acting, direction, and theatrical conventions.

• Film language, including narrative, cinematography, editing, and sound.

• Cultural, historical, and social contexts influencing theatre and film.

• Relationships between live performance, screen media, audiences, and society.

• Critical approaches to interpreting theatrical and cinematic works.

• Research methods, academic writing, independent study, and evidence-based argument.

• Creative collaboration, communication, presentation, and analytical skills.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to critically analyze theatrical performances and films using relevant theoretical, historical, and cultural perspectives. They will understand how performance, narrative, visual language, sound, staging, and other creative elements contribute to meaning in live and screen-based forms. Students will be able to consider how theatre and film reflect wider questions of society, culture, identity, and history, while recognising important differences between the two media. They will also develop the ability to undertake independent research, evaluate evidence, construct coherent arguments, and communicate complex ideas effectively. Through studying theatre alongside film, students will gain a broader understanding of performance and screen culture while strengthening their analytical, research, collaborative, and critical-thinking abilities.