Drama and Production BA (Hons)
Course code W440
What is special about this course?
Whether you dream of performing to an audience or you'd be happier applying your talents behind the scenes, raise the curtain on your theatrical dreams with this comprehensive, thoughtfully-constructed programme.
Train as a performer, practitioner, producer, or researcher, with a focus on planning, production, and entrepreneurial skills. Cultivate valuable performance production skills via involvement with in-house productions as well as those from visiting companies. Access fantastic placements and performance opportunities as a result of the programme’s connections with theatre practitioners and arts centres in the region, and develop a major piece of practice and/or text-based research in your fourth year, drawing on the critical performance and production skills developed throughout the degree.
Special features
- Theoretical, practical and entrepreneurial approaches to performance
- Showcase of final year work
- Placement opportunities and connections via the programme’s network of theatre practitioners
- Rolling programme of extra-curricular master classes and workshops
- Opportunities to develop independent performance projects
Accommodation
We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.
Entry requirements
Year 1 of this course is HNC Acting and Performance, or HNC Musical Theatre.
Advanced entry to year two:
- Direct entry to year two may be possible with an HNC Acting and Performance, or Musical Theatre, with 15 credits and B or above in the Graded Unit, or 120 credits at SCQF level 7 in a relevant subject
Advanced entry to year three:
- 120 credits at SCQF level 7 in a relevant drama/theatre studies degree PLUS 120 credits at SCQF level 8 in a relevant drama/theatre studies degree OR
- 30 credit HND Acting and performance/Musical theatre (30 credits, and a B or above in the graded unit)
Year 1 - HNC
Year 1 of this course is one of the following HNCs:
*Student Route Visa is only available for HNC Musical Theatre at Perth or HNC Acting and Performance at Inverness
Year 2 - DipHE
Core modules may include:
- Audio performance (S1)
- Entrepreneurship and production (S2)
- Introduction to directing (S2)
- Introduction to performance studies (S1)
- Live and online: digital performance (S2)
- Theatre design and the imagination (S1)
Year 3 - BA
Core modules may include:
- Applied drama 1: education (S1)
- Costume design and the imagination (S2)
- Drama and production: experiential learning (S2)
- Group devised performance (S2)
- Research and performance (S1)
- Script adaptation and development (S1)
Year 4 - BA (Hons)
Core modules may include:
- Applied drama 2 (health and wellbeing) (S1 and S2)
- Autonomous practitioner (S1 and S2)
- Creative industry research project (S1 and S2)
- Entrepreneurship and production (S1 and S2)
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- Part-time
- Part-time modular (standalone modules)
- The primary study mode is face to face, on campus
- It may be possible to join some classes online subject to approval from the programme leader. Students interested in this approach should contact the programme leader at UHI Inverness to discuss before making an application
- Learning includes intensive practical workshops as well as discussion based classes, supported by the university's VLE (virtual learning environment)
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 4 years
- Part-time: 8 years
- Part-time modular: variable
Where can I study my course?
- Inverness
Start date
- September
Fees
For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes
- EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
- EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
- EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Degrees | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (120 credit modules) per year | £1,820 | £1,820 |
| Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year | £915 | £915 |
| Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) | £305 | £305 |
Rest of UK students
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term time address in Scotland studying this course full time, the following fees apply:
| Full-time | Level | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | CertHE | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| Year 2 | DipHE | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| Year 3 | Degree | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| Year 4 | Honours | free | free |
4th year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Part-time (per 20 credit module) - £1,542.
Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.
There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.
EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK
Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes. Students will get an automatic scholarship of £3,000 per annum and the 4th year of study will be free for those studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Year | Level | 2024-25 Full-time | With scholarship | 2025-26 Full-time |
With scholarship |
| Year 1 | CertHE | £14,988 | £11,988 | £15,870 | £12,870 |
| Year 2 | DipHE | £14,988 | £11,988 | £15,870 | £12,870 |
| Year 3 | Degree | £14,988 | £11,988 | £15,870 | £12,870 |
| Year 4 | Honours | £14,988 | Free | £15,870 | Free |
Students will need Student Route visa sponsorship to study on the UK.
International students
For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
| 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (120 credit modules) per year | £14,988 | £15,870 |
| Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year | £7,494 | £7,935 |
| Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) | £2,498 | £2,645 |
Part-time study is not open to international students requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.
Further information on international course fees.
A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.
Funding
UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.
Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.
Additional costs
You will be required to cover any additional travel and accommodation costs for all residencies.
What can I do on completion of my course?
This degree prepares students for careers in a variety of areas relating to drama and theatre, including:
- Performance-making
- Arts management
- Health and wellbeing (Drama therapy)
- Education (PGDE with Drama)
Can I progress into further study?
On successful completion of the degree you may wish to consider further postgraduate study or research such as our MRes Creative Practice.
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
I didn’t consider any other universities, UHI offered a brilliant course at commuter distance which meant I could stay in work while studying. It offered a good blend of independent and supported learning- the modules around directing and the film making placement were perfect for me. The directing module allowed me to work on my personal relationship with a cast and how to lead a group to the best of their abilities.
Our course leader was incredible, the conversations in her class were an amazing and safe space to learn and challenge each other in and she was great at caring for us all individually as well. My favourite thing about studying at UHI was the friends I made that have turned into colleagues.
Rachel studied BA (Hons) Drama and Production at UHI Inverness.
Apply for Drama and Production BA (Hons)
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.