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On this course you will:

• have the unique opportunity to study two increasingly interrelated disciplines in depth and in tandem, developing your knowledge of theatre, film and everything in-between, to prepare yourself for an exciting career in an evolving field;
• learn about the histories of theatre and cinema, and examine the key critical, cultural and political debates that shape them;
• discover the practicalities of theatre and film making, from scriptwriting to production, across genres and forms; and
• take advantage of industry-focused learning, exploring the economics and management of the creative industries, with insight into funding, freelancing and creative entrepreneurship.

Structure

All students enrol onto the honours degree, but you can choose to exit with an ordinary degree after three years.

Teaching, learning and assessment

You learn through lectures, seminars, practical workshops, individual work and group work, where you will be producing a range of performance events and production material.

You will learn from experts in the theories and practices of theatre and film, drawing on staff's extensive academic and industry experience. In addition, you will have the opportunity to attend panels, Q&As and workshops led by industry professionals such as directors, writers, producers.

Assessment methods include portfolios, presentations, essays, short films, performances, screenwriting and playwriting, amongst others.

Facilities

Our industry standard facilities include Performance Studios with full technical capabilities, Rehearsal Spaces, a Film Editing Suite, and a TV Studio with green screen technology. In addition, equipment including cameras, sound recording equipment, laptops, virtual reality headsets are available upon request.

QMU students have access to the QMU Start Up Studio, our incubator which is home to over 40 start-ups in theatre and film production, healthcare, and food and drink. More than half are founded or co-founded by women. Many of them are award winners.

Together, these facilities enable students to gain hands-on and industry-focused experience.

Placement (industry-based learning)

You will not go on a compulsory placement, but frequent work-based learning opportunities will help you apply your studies in real-world scenarios.

The Year Three module ‘Working in the Film and Creative Industries’ will prepare you for the realities of working in the industry, whilst electives such as ‘Experiential Learning Placement’ will allow you to organize and undertake a work placement.

Our students often take advantage of Edinburgh's vibrant cultural life, making films, putting on performances or participating in film festivals and competitions.

Exchange opportunities

Studying abroad through our exchange programme can be one of the most exciting and rewarding challenges for a student to experience. The opportunity to travel and live in another country, learn different customs and traditions, meet new people and future career opportunities draws many students into the exchange programme. In Year Three you have the opportunity (subject to availability) to study for one semester at a university overseas. Please visit the Exchanges and Study Abroad pages for more information.

Teaching staff, class sizes and timetables

You will learn from experts in the theories and practices of theatre and film, drawing on staff's extensive academic and industry experience.

You can read more about the teaching staff on this course at the bottom of this page. Please note that teaching staff is subject to change.

For more information, please also visit ‘How we teach and how you’ll learn’.

Year One

You will:

• gain a broad understanding of how theatre and film work as forms and as creative industries; and
• start your theatre and film making journey.

Modules

• Film Histories
• Introduction to Theatre Production
• Creative Practice: Visual Storytelling
• The Origins of Theatre
• Analysing Texts and Performance
• Creative Practice: Fiction Filmmaking

Year Two

You will: 

• dive deep into the histories and theories of theatre and film; and
• continue your theatre and film-making journey by exploring documentary making and use of new technologies in your practice.

Modules

• Film Genre
• Transformations in UK Theatre
• Creative Practice: Researching Documentary
• Creative Writing and New Technologies
  20th and 21st Century Scottish Theatre
• Creative Practice: Documentary Filmmaking 

Year Three

You will: 

• explore the most recent debates and ideas in global film and theatre making;
• get insight into the intricacies of working in the creative industries;
• tailor your own learning journey by choosing from a vast list of optional modules designed to respond to your career ambitions and pathways. These include modules in scriptwriting, playwriting, directing, photography, socially-applied art, creative business, feminist film and media, radio, theatre and film production, and more; and
• have the opportunity (subject to availability) to study for one semester at a university overseas. For more information, visit Exchanges and Study Abroad.

Modules

• Working in the Film and Creative Industries
• Current Debates in Performance Theory
• Designing Research Projects
• Global Film Cultures
• 2 Elective Modules of your choice, allowing you to specialize in areas of interest.

Year Four

You will:

• look at the unique relationship between theatre and film in a core module on Adaptation: Stage and Screen; 
• tailor your own learning journey by choosing from a vast list of optional modules designed to respond to your career ambitions and pathways. These include modules in scriptwriting, playwriting, directing, photography, socially-applied art, creative business, feminist film and media, radio, theatre and film production, and more; and
• create your dissertation project: this can be a practical project (ie a film, a documentary, a script, a performance), or it can be theoretical project (a dissertation essay).

Modules

• Adaption: Stage and Screen
• Dissertation Project
• 3 Elective Modules of your choice, allowing you to specialize in areas of interest.

Year Three and Four options (electives):

In Years Three and Four you will have the option to choose from a vast range of elective modules, allowing you to pursue your interests, develop an area of specialisation and work towards your own career goals. You will have a choice of five elective modules in total, from the following:

• Photography and Visual Culture
• Film and the Family
• Experiential Learning Placement
• World Animation
• Film and Feminism
• The Only Way is Ethics: Art, Participation and Ethics
• Communication, Arts and Activism
• Short Filmmaking
• Digital Cultura and Society
• Screenwriting
• Filmmaking: Pre-Production
• Playwriting
• Drama in Education
• Staging the 20th Century
• Digital Performance for Social Change
• Working in Performance Archives
• Film Festivals
• Now That’s What I Call the 90s
• Food in Film and Media
• Women, Film and Media
• Popular Music
• Radio and Audio Media
• Photography Practice
• The Video Essay
• Eastern Philosophies and Popular Culture
• The Business of Creativity
• Student Initiated Module
• Advanced Theatre Production
• Writing for Aural Media
• Creative Learning and the Community
• Directing, Designing and Performing Contemporary Plays
• Directing, Designing and Performing Shakespeare
• Arts Funding in Its Policy Context

NB This course is due for routine re-validation in 2025 and we hope for the course content to be as described on this page. Any further necessary updates will be made to this page once the re-validation process is complete.

This course will arm you with the knowledge and specialist skills to embark on a host of exciting careers. Our graduates have used the course as a springboard to careers in theatre, film, teaching, postgraduate study and professions demanding communication and creativity. Example careers include TV, film and theatre production, freelance video production, festival curation, scriptwriting, running your own theatre production company, assistant director and director, drama teacher, administrative work in creative industries, content creator, social media and marketing, and more.

Entry requirements

Scottish Higher: Standard - AABB, Minimum - BBBB

A Level: BBB

Irish Leaving Certificate: H2 H3 H3 H3 H3

International Baccalaureate: 30 points

International: IELTS of 6.0 with no element lower than 5.5.

Required subjects: English, Drama or Media Studies preferred at Scottish Higher/A Level. English required and Maths preferred at Nat 5/GCSE at grades C/4 or above. We can also accept National 5 Application of Maths or Lifeskills at the same grade.

Am I a Widening Access student?: We apply the minimum entry criteria to applicants who meet one or more contextual factor. To see if this would apply to you, please refer to the access and application page.

Mature/Access: We welcome applications from mature students with other relevant qualifications and/or experience. Visit our College Leavers and Mature Students Advice page for more information. 

Direct Entry: Not typically available

Other requirements

A satisfactory criminal records check from the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme will be required if you select the optional module Drama in Education later in your studies.

Other costs

• The cost of the PVG check is the responsibility of the student. For more information on this, visit the 
• The additional costs associated with placement travel and accommodation are the responsibility of the student. Students who receive SAAS funding may be able to claim for some of these expenses to be reimbursed.

Disability/health conditions

If you have a disability, long-term physical or mental health condition, or learning disability, it should not stand in the way of your studying at 17³Ô¹ÏÍø. However, if you are not sure whether your disability might be a barrier in your studies or in relation to the professional standards, please contact the disability service who will be able to have a conversation with you about reasonable adjustments and supports available to you.

Terms and Conditions

• The delivery of this course is subject to the terms and conditions set out in our 2025/26 Entry Terms and Conditions (Undergraduate).
• The course information on this page is correct at the time of posting (Feb 2024) but may differ slightly for 2025 entry. Please check back here for updates.

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