Studying Performance at Salford

Students rehearsing in theatre

Congratulations on your offer to study a performance course at Salford!

To help you get ready for studying this September, we've put together some information about how you will study your chosen course, what to expect in your first year and share answers to some of the top applicant questions.

Remember if you have any questions or queries about your application, you can email enquiries@salford.ac.uk, or call us on +44 (0)161 295 4545.

Top applicant questions - answered!

Are the performance courses more practical, or do I need to write a lot of essays?

Learning and assessment happens in many ways. You'll be assessed practically around 60% of the time, but you'll also write essays, deliver presentations, create journals or blogs, and take part in vivas. Generally, practical work amounts to 60%, written 20% and presentations 20%. This means you have a varied set of assessment methods that give learners multiple ways to express themselves.

Are there internship options, or what type of jobs could I get after I finish my degree?

The University of Salford has internships across many different departments where you can enhance and learn new skills. 

After you graduate with us, you could apply to be working with the New Adelphi Theatre team or work in the performance department, helping schedule and manage productions. 

Our performance graduates have gone on to do many things, such as acting for TV, theatre, and film.  Many have become casting directors, theatre directors and ran their own small scale theatre companies. Alumni have also become drama facilitators, scriptwriters, playwrights and worked as educators.

For technical theatre, there is a work placement module where you spend 60 hours in a professional organisation such as The Royal Exchange or independent technical practitioners or designers. Technical theatre students are also encouraged to be involved with the professional technical staff in the running of shows at the New Adelphi Theatre, and they also are heavily involved with Almost Famous, the university drama society. 

Can I make and showcase my own work?

You'll have the opportunity to shape your own content and future. During your second year, we'll help build your confidence, and you'll work under the direction of a theatre or film director to show your work to an external audience. 

During the third year, you'll be making your own performances, films, or developing your own scripts.  These will be presented at the Debut Festival of Theatre and Comedy, or part of our public screening festival at the New Adelphi Theatre, and potentially also at the creative culture hub HOME, in Manchester.

We give you the opportunity to showcase your work both publically and privately. Our students have performed at TaPP Fest, a public performance festival for second year theatre students. There's also the option to show video projects and screenings for Media and Performance students, to perform at the Debut Theatre and Comedy Festival, and there's more film screenings in the third year.

We have strong working relationships with agents. We host 'agent showcases' so you have the opportunity to be audition and present your skills to industry. 

I only like scriptwriting - do I have to do other things if I choose the University of Salford?

Well, coming to university gives you the chance to explore new things and expand your skills and knowledge in a wide range of theatre, media, academia. We encourage you to learn new skills and pursue new interests. Many of our students discover a passion for something new; however, you can still specialise and develop your own work as you move through the degree. We hold one-to-one tutorials with students so we can work all of this out together.

Is there much technical work involved in putting together a performance?

This really depends on the module or the performance you're in. Our Technical Theatre students support a lot of our performances. You may take on some extra responsibility for the performance you're in, for example in lighting design, production management, costume, and set production elements including camera, edit, and multi-media. We encourage students to get involved in all aspects of the performance, from devising and working on a script to the 'get-in and get-out.' We champion the motto: the more you put in, the more you get out!

What's the performance lecturers' professional background?

We're researchers writing new books and academic papers that contribute to the national and international landscape of performance. We're actors, voice-over artists, theatre-makers, filmmakers, directors, radio presenters, writers, sound artists, lighting designers, physical theatre and clowning specialists, young people's theatre facilitators, impro specialists, and more. And most importantly, we're here to get the best performer out of you and will support you throughout your degree. 

Is there an opportunity to do a placement?

Unfortunately, we don't have any formal placement opportunities because it is so difficult to secure placements for all our students. However, University of Salford has great connections with industry professionals who put on masterclasses for our students. We also advertise lots of casting calls which students can apply and audition for which enables them to gain more industry practice. 

 

Is there any crossover between the courses in anyway?

There is quite a lot of cross-over as students from all courses will get the chance to study the same modules throughout their degree. In the first year, the theory module is the same for all courses, but you will look at a specific area. For example, Theatre and Performance Practice will look at it from a theatre point of view.

Are the courses accepted by Spotlight?

Our BA (Hons) Theatre and Performance Practice is classed as professional training by Spotlight which enables you to join as a professional member. 

What have students gone on to do whilst studying these courses?

Many of our students have gone on to create inspiring pieces of work both as part of their study and once they have graduated, as well as securing incredible roles within the industry. 

Our facilities

  • 350 seat New Adelphi Theatre
  • Studio theatre
  • Voice acting studio
  • Screen acting studio
  • Radio drama recording facilities 
  • Ampitheatre for outdoor performances
  • A library full of physical and digital resources
  • Equipment and prop stores

Don't forget to check out the programme for the New Adelphi Theatre too - you can see brilliant work on campus at the same time as making it!

Offer Holder Days

Experience life at Salford

If you haven't already, make sure you secure a place at one of our upcoming Offer Holder Days. These will give you the opportunity to experience life as a Salford student on your chosen course - you'll meet the teaching team, hear from current students and connect with other applicants.

MEET YOUR ADMISSIONS TUTOR

Helen Mason portrait, Performance Admissions Lead

If you have any questions about our Performance courses, or if you would simply like to discuss your course with a member of the teaching team, then we'd love you to get in touch.

Your admissions tutor for Performance is Helen Mason, and you can get in touch with her at h.l.mason1@salford.ac.uk.

For general application enquiries, please contact enquiries@salford.ac.uk.