- Albert-Ludwigs-Universität,
- Freiburg, Germany
- Sorbonne Université, France
- University of Turin, Italy
- University of Verona, Italy
- University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- University of Coimbra, Portugal
- University of Barcelona, Spain
- University of British Columbia, Canada
- University of Miami, USA
- University of Otago, New Zealand
- School
- School of English, Drama and Film
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Level
- Undergraduate
- NFQ Level
- 8
- Award
- Bachelor of Arts
- Mode of Delivery
- On Campus
- Programme Director
- Dr Emma Bennett
- Overall Programme Credits:
- 180
- Programme Credits:
- Stage 1
Core/Option: 55 Electives: 5
Stage 2
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Stage 3
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Stage 3
Core/Option: 60 Electives: 0
Stage 4
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10 - Major/Minor Core & Option Credits:
- Stage 2: 25
Stage 3: 25
Stage 4: 25
Curricular information is subject to change.
At UCD we understand drama as the art of being human. The Drama course is for students who wish to deepen their understanding of the fundamental role theatre and performance play in shaping society and the individual, and who wish to enlarge their critical engagement with a wide variety of performance texts and cultures.
Our mission is to produce graduates capable of fulfilling their highest potential as creative and critical citizens. Develop your creativity and your practical and analytical skills through classes in the history of theatre, in current theoretical methods and approaches to theatre and performance, and in a wide range of generic, historical and national literatures. Investigate methods of making, watching, discussing, and producing theatre, drama and performance through scholarly, creative, and practical “on-your-feet” tasks and assignments.
At UCD we understand drama as the art of being human. The Drama course is for students who wish to deepen their understanding of the fundamental role theatre and performance play in shaping society and the individual, and who wish to enlarge their critical engagement with a wide variety of performance texts and cultures.
Our mission is to produce graduates capable of fulfilling their highest potential as creative and critical citizens. Develop your creativity and your practical and analytical skills through classes in the history of theatre, in current theoretical methods and approaches to theatre and performance, and in a wide range of generic, historical and national literatures. Investigate methods of making, watching, discussing, and producing theatre, drama and performance through scholarly, creative, and practical “on-your-feet” tasks and assignments.
UCD is Ireland’s Global University and its largest university with a track record in empowering students to enter a diverse range of careers that reflects the most diverse curriculum on the Island of Ireland. Consistently, over 90% of graduates are employed or in further study or training 9 months following course completion. The QS World Ranking on Graduate Employability has placed UCD at number 1 in Ireland for Graduate Employability since 2018. On the global stage UCD leads the Irish higher education sector and is the only Irish university to be ranked inside the world’s top 80 for Graduate Employability.
At University College Dublin we are aware that for many students, programme outcomes in terms of graduate jobs and career options is important. The purpose of this statement is to help you understand and appreciate the range of skills you may develop during your time at UCD and how you may develop your employability. Visit the UCD Careers Networks website and MyCareer, the UCD Career management Platform, to access career information, internships and graduate roles as well as information about the range of initiatives, supports and events available to you.
This programme provides opportunities for students to develop in areas such as:
- Writing
- Researching
- Oral Communication
- Written Communication
- Presentations
- Teamwork
- Creativity
- Global awareness
- Social responsibility
- Critical thinking
- Self-awareness
This programme supports students’ career development and employability through:
- Cultural awareness, resilience and self-confidence e.g. Study Abroad/ERASMUS
- Social responsibility e.g. UCD In the Community and UCD Volunteers Overseas
- Enhancing digital literacy skills
- Development of critical thinking, problem solving skills and decision-making e.g. through individual and group projects and assignments
- Development of self-reflection skills
- Creativity and entrepreneurship e.g. elective modules at UCD Innovation Academy
A degree in Drama Studies will develop your presentation, teamwork, performance and analytical skills, allowing you to pursue careers in the following areas: Theatre Industry (writer, director, actor, dramaturge, producer, theatre and cultural management), Tourism, Advertising and Public Relations, Education (teaching, research and educational drama), Journalism and Broadcasting.
Drama Studies will develop your knowledge of theatre and performance, and hone and enhance your research and writing skills through academic and practical study. Masters programmes are offered in specialised areas of Drama and Performance, including a collaborative MA in Theatre Practice, jointly offered by UCD and The Gaiety School of Acting, and an MA in Writing for Stage & Screen, which entails intensive playwriting and screenwriting components. (www.ucd.ie/englishdramafilm/study/ postgraduate). PhD options are also available.
Stage 2
Students must register to their Stage 2 core modules and select three of the listed Stage 2 option modules. Students select a minimum of one module and a maximum of three modules from Option List A and a maximum of two modules from Option List B.
Stage 3
Students must register to two cores and then an additional 15 credits of options at Stage 3. You may choose any combination of 5 or 10 credit modules totalling 15 credits to make up this requirement. Students may take up to 10 additional credits of option modules in place of electives if they wish.
Stage 4
Students are required to take two core modules, totalling 10 credits, and an additional 15 credits of option modules. You may choose any combination of 5 or 10 credit modules totalling 15 credits to make up this requirement.
Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.
Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.
| Trimester | Credits | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Stage 2 Core Modules |
DRAM20110 | Contemporary Ireland On Stage | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
DRAM20010 | Performance in Everyday Life | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 5CR: Option List A: 3 x 5 credit modules must be chosen across both option lists. Students must select at least one module from the list below. The remaining two option modules can be chosen from this list, or List B, or one from each. |
DRAM20090 | Contemporary British Theatre | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 5CR: Option List A: 3 x 5 credit modules must be chosen across both option lists. Students must select at least one module from the list below. The remaining two option modules can be chosen from this list, or List B, or one from each. |
DRAM20180 | 20thCentury AvantGarde Theatre | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 5CR: Option List A: 3 x 5 credit modules must be chosen across both option lists. Students must select at least one module from the list below. The remaining two option modules can be chosen from this list, or List B, or one from each. |
DRAM20200 | Contemporary American Drama | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0CR: Option List B: 3 x 5 credit modules must be chosen across both option lists. Students are not required to select any modules from the list below, but can choose their remaining two option modules from this list, or List A, or one from each. |
DRAM20170 | Introduction to Acting: Monologue Workshop | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0CR: Option List B: 3 x 5 credit modules must be chosen across both option lists. Students are not required to select any modules from the list below, but can choose their remaining two option modules from this list, or List A, or one from each. |
DRAM20190 | Playwriting | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0CR: Option List B: 3 x 5 credit modules must be chosen across both option lists. Students are not required to select any modules from the list below, but can choose their remaining two option modules from this list, or List A, or one from each. |
DRAM20030 | Devising Theatre: A Practical Approach | Autumn and Spring (separate) | 5 |
Stage 3 Core Modules |
DRAM30100 | Contemporary Theatre & Performance | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Core Modules |
DRAM30320 | Performance Across the Globe | Spring | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0CR: Students can choose maximum one module from option list A below. |
DRAM30280 | Solo Performance | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0CR: Students can choose maximum one module from option list A below. |
DRAM30310 | Digital Theatre | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0CR: Students can choose maximum one module from option list A below. |
DRAM30300 | Directing for the Stage | Spring | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 10CR: Students are required to take 10 credits from the list below. An additional 5 or 10 credits may be taken in place of your electives. If you have any queries about this, please contact the English, Drama & Film School Office. |
DRAM30340 | Site-Based & Immersive Theatre | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 10CR: Students are required to take 10 credits from the list below. An additional 5 or 10 credits may be taken in place of your electives. If you have any queries about this, please contact the English, Drama & Film School Office. |
ENG32030 | Theatre of Martin McDonagh | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 10CR: Students are required to take 10 credits from the list below. An additional 5 or 10 credits may be taken in place of your electives. If you have any queries about this, please contact the English, Drama & Film School Office. |
ENG32780 | Presenting Tennessee Williams | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 10CR: Students are required to take 10 credits from the list below. An additional 5 or 10 credits may be taken in place of your electives. If you have any queries about this, please contact the English, Drama & Film School Office. |
DRAM30130 | Independent Project | Spring | 10 |
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 10CR: Students are required to take 10 credits from the list below. An additional 5 or 10 credits may be taken in place of your electives. If you have any queries about this, please contact the English, Drama & Film School Office. |
DRAM30350 | Performance Festival | Spring | 5 |
Stage 4 Core Modules |
DRAM30100 | Contemporary Theatre & Performance | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 4 Core Modules |
DRAM30320 | Performance Across the Globe | Spring | 5 |
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0CR: Students can choose maximum one module from option list A below. |
DRAM30280 | Solo Performance | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0CR: Students can choose maximum one module from option list A below. |
DRAM30310 | Digital Theatre | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0CR: Students can choose maximum one module from option list A below. |
DRAM30300 | Directing for the Stage | Spring | 5 |
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 10CR: Students are required to take 10 credits from the list below. An additional 5 or 10 credits may be taken in place of your electives. If you have any queries about this, please contact the English, Drama & Film School Office. |
DRAM30340 | Site-Based & Immersive Theatre | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 10CR: Students are required to take 10 credits from the list below. An additional 5 or 10 credits may be taken in place of your electives. If you have any queries about this, please contact the English, Drama & Film School Office. |
ENG32030 | Theatre of Martin McDonagh | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 10CR: Students are required to take 10 credits from the list below. An additional 5 or 10 credits may be taken in place of your electives. If you have any queries about this, please contact the English, Drama & Film School Office. |
ENG32780 | Presenting Tennessee Williams | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 10CR: Students are required to take 10 credits from the list below. An additional 5 or 10 credits may be taken in place of your electives. If you have any queries about this, please contact the English, Drama & Film School Office. |
DRAM30130 | Independent Project | Spring | 10 |
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 10CR: Students are required to take 10 credits from the list below. An additional 5 or 10 credits may be taken in place of your electives. If you have any queries about this, please contact the English, Drama & Film School Office. |
DRAM30350 | Performance Festival | Spring | 5 |
See the UCD Assessment website for further details, including worked examples of how degree award GPAs are calculated
Module Weighting Info
Module Weighting Info
| Award | GPA | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Programme | Module Weightings | Rule Description | Description | ||
| BHACS001 | Stage 3 - 50.00% Stage 2 - 50.00% |
Standard Honours Award | First Class Honours | 3.68 |
4.20 |
| Second Class Honours, Grade 1 | 3.08 |
3.67 |
|||
| Second Class Honours, Grade 2 | 2.48 |
3.07 |
|||
| Pass | 2.00 |
2.47 |
|||
| BHACS023 | Stage 3 - 70.00% Stage 2 - 30.00% |
Standard Honours Award | First Class Honours | 3.68 |
4.20 |
| Second Class Honours, Grade 1 | 3.08 |
3.67 |
|||
| Second Class Honours, Grade 2 | 2.48 |
3.07 |
|||
| Pass | 2.00 |
2.47 |
|||
| BHACS027 | Stage 4 - 50.00% Stage 3 - 30.00% Stage 2 - 20.00% |
Standard Honours Award | First Class Honours | 3.68 |
4.20 |
| Second Class Honours, Grade 1 | 3.08 |
3.67 |
|||
| Second Class Honours, Grade 2 | 2.48 |
3.07 |
|||
| Pass | 2.00 |
2.47 |
|||