BA (Hons) World Performance
Overview
What is the BA (Hons) World Performance?
East 15's BA (Hons) World Performance is a three-year, hands-on degree for curious creatives who want to understand and create culturally-informed theatre.
From 2026-27, this course will be based at our Colchester Campus, offering bespoke East 15 studio spaces and other specialist facilities within a creative university environment set in 200 acres of parkland.
Why this course
The BA (Hons) World Performance goes beyond traditional approaches to deliver you an intensive, hands-on training that embraces diverse perspectives.
You’ll train, create and perform in an exciting range of global theatre practices. You’ll explore Western and non-Western acting techniques alongside performance traditions from around the world, developing a deeper understanding of storytelling through different cultural perspectives.
In your final year, you'll apply the techniques you've learned in three technically-supported productions.
By the end of the course, you’ll have developed as a performer and theatre-maker with the artistic and technical skills to create innovative and culturally-informed work.
Students of this course gave it an 100% student positivity score for 'teaching on my course' in the National Student Survey 2026.
Who should apply
- Curious, ambitious creatives who are eager to explore the world's rich performance traditions
- Aspiring actors and theatre-makers who want to discover their own artistic voice and challenge conventions
- Creative individuals who are dedicated to creating theatre and other media anywhere in the world
What you’ll learn
- Acting technique and performance skills: Develop a strong foundation in acting, movement, voice and articulation, alongside global performance styles such as Balinese Kecak, Kathakali, Capoeira, Biomechanics, Commedia Dell’Arte, and non-Western Character work
- Global theatre: Cultivate a deep understanding of theatre around the world and learn to adopt an intercultural approach to examining theatre in its social, political and cultural contexts
- Professional practice: Work with visiting international artists, who lead workshops in theatre traditions from around the world. Past examples include Butoh, Chinese Opera, African Performance and Drumming, Kabuki, Brazilian Theare, Shakespeare in a Global Context, and Thai Theatre
- Basics of production: Learn the basics of production and media, including filmmaking, lighting, set design, and theatre production
Your learning experience
- Further opportunities: Choose to study abroad for a term or attend a summer programme at one of our partner institutions
- Public performance opportunities: Perform in three technically-supported productions at our campus theatre, applying the techniques you’ve learned in text-work, multicultural approaches, and political theatre
- Industry-focused final year: Take part in a showcase in Central London and film a showreel to promote yourself to agents, casting directors, theatre companies and film, TV and theatre directors
Careers and outcomes
A BA (Hons) World Performance prepares you for careers anywhere in the world, such as:
- Actor and performer in theatre, film and TV
- Workshop facilitator, arts educator and outreach practitioner
- Playwright, theatre-maker and deviser
- Director and producer
- Theatre researcher
Where have graduates go on to work?
Graduates from this course have performed in major productions in the West End, appeared in theatres such as Birmingham Rep, and featured in films and TV shows both in the UK and internationally.
Many graduates have founded theatre companies, taking their productions to renowned venues and festivals like the Edinburgh Fringe and Camden Fringe, as well as international stages.
What is Colchester Campus like?
- Green campus setting: Located within 200 acres of parkland, offering an inspiring environment for creative practice, just two miles from Colchester city centre
- Performance and study facilities: Home to the 200-seat Lakeside Theatre, the Albert Sloman Library, rehearsal spaces and creative study areas
- Student life: Cafés, restaurants, street food outlets, SU bar, social spaces, sports centre, gym and a weekly food market
- Accommodation: A range of University of Essex student accommodation options within walking distance of campus facilities
- Future-focused facilities: East 15 is developing bespoke studio spaces and specialist performance facilities at Colchester to support conservatoire-style training
- Gain practical skills in Global dramatic styles to become a versatile, rounded performer
- Work with international practitioners to explore diverse global performance traditions and techniques
- Study abroad for a term or join a summer programme at a partner institution
“I have had unique opportunities to meet and work with expert practitioners from around the world and to learn skills that will set me apart from other drama school graduates. I would recommend East 15 and its courses to any student looking for contemporary training for the theatre of today – the industry is changing and East 15 has their finger firmly on the pulse.”
Natalie Bradbury, BA World Performance
Entry requirements
Clearing entry requirements
We currently have places available in Clearing across a range of our courses with most offers expected to be made at CCD - CDD (88 - 80 UCAS tariff points) or equivalent. A complete breakdown of expected Clearing entry requirements, by course, is available on our Clearing entry requirements page.
We consider each application individually and requirements may be lower for some of our courses, so please still get in touch if your grades are below those outlined.
English language requirements
If you do not require a student visa to study in the UK then we will assess your English language proficiency/ability at your interview or audition.
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English
IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component, or specified score in another equivalent test that we accept.
Details of English language requirements, including component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
If we accept the English component of an international qualification it will be included in the academic levels listed above for the relevant countries.
Pre-sessional English courses
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Structure
Course structure
At East 15, our training draws upon over 60 years of tradition combined with a keen sense of the world of stage and screen today. Our carefully selected modules will give you the chance to explore and develop your specialist training.
The BA (Hons) World Performance course provides a comprehensive, hands-on training in global performance traditions. Your learning will take place through lectures, workshops, seminars, written work, and practical performance projects.
In Year 1, you'll build a strong foundation in acting, voice, movement, and music while exploring a variety of performance techniques. Year 2 focuses on developing specific techniques with visiting international artists, alongside modules on production and media. In your final year, you'll apply your learning in theatrical productions and prepare to enter the industry as a professional.
Our carefully selected modules will give you the chance to explore and develop your specialist training.
We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.
Teaching
Year 1
In your first year, you’ll lay the groundwork for your training, learning both traditional and global performance techniques. You will:
- Engage in classes in Acting, as well as Voice, Movement, Singing, and Music.
- Examine and experiment with different performance forms that integrate music and theatre. These can include including Western styles such as opera and choral performance, and non-Western styles such as Kathakali, African Drumming, and Samba.
- Explore a variety of performance forms and practitioners from around the world.
- Begin experimenting with your creative interests, connecting different cultural influences, music-making, and collaborations with peers.
- Develop research and writing skills through academic tasks and original investigations into the social, political and cultural contexts of theatre traditions.
Year 2
In your second year, you will deepen your practical skills and develop your knowledge and practice in different performance traditions. You will:
- Train intensively in specific techniques that may include Kathakali, Balinese Dance-Drama, Storytelling, Clowning, Commedia Dell’Arte, and non-Western Character Work.
- Work with two visiting international artists specialising in techniques such as Butoh, Chinese Opera, African Performance and Drumming, Kabuki, Puppet Theatre, Brazilian Theare, Shakespeare in a Global Context, Thai Theatre etc.
- Build fundamental skills in media and production, including filmmaking, screenwriting, lighting, set design, and theatre production.
- Develop and produce a short film from conception to scriptwriting, filming, editing and final screening.
Year 3
Your final year is focused on collaborative projects where you apply the techniques you have learned throughout your course. You will:
- Perform in three technically-supported productions, one per term, at our campus theatre, incorporating the techniques and approaches you learned on the course.
- Participate in a showcase in London to an invited audience
- Film a showreel intended to promote your work to industry.
- Prepare to launch your professional career, with industry-led workshops in audition and interview techniques, CV-writing, self-managing etc.
Fees and funding
Home/UK fee
£9,790 per year
Additional costs for materials and field trips of up to approximately £650 per academic year. Equipment lists are reviewed annually.International fee
£22,600 per year
Additional costs for materials and field trips of up to approximately £650 per academic year. Equipment lists are reviewed annually.Fees will increase for each academic year of study.
Scholarships and financial support
There may be scholarships, bursaries or discounts available to help with the cost of this course.
Fees and funding guide
What's next
How to apply during Clearing
Once you’ve checked that we have the right course for you, applying couldn’t be simpler. Fill in our quick and easy Clearing application form with as much detail as you can. We’ll then take a look and get back to you with a decision.
If you already hold an offer from Essex
Please don't reapply through Clearing. We'll review your existing application using our Clearing entry requirements. If you're worried about meeting your offer or would like to change course, please contact our Admissions Team on ugquery@essex.ac.uk.
Interviews
We don’t require an interview for most of our courses that are available through Clearing, however there are some courses such as those in our School of Health and Social Care and East 15 Acting School where an interview (or audition) may be required. If this is something that’s required for the course you have applied for, we’ll email you with all of the details.
Visit Colchester Campus
Set within 200 acres of award-winning parkland - Wivenhoe Park and located two miles from the historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.
Open Days
Our events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex. We run a number of Open Days throughout the year which enable you to discover what our campus has to offer. You have the chance to:
- tour our campus and accommodation
- find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
- meet our students and staff
Check out our Visit Us pages to find out more information about booking onto one of our events. And if the dates aren’t suitable for you, feel free to book a campus tour here.
Virtual tours
If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360-degree virtual tour allows you to explore our University from the comfort of your home. Check out our Colchester virtual tour to see accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.
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