Program Overview

A Pathway in English, Media, Drama and Writing is designed to develop strong foundations in design, critical thinking, and research.

In the First Year Pathway students complete the ARU first year of the degree, undertaking the same modules, in the same classes as students entering the University directly. Alongside the ARU modules, students entering through the First Year Pathway will have additional support and tuition from ARU College.

First Year

A First Year pathway is available for students who:

• Don’t meet the entry requirements to enter university level study directly (but hold equivalent to AS/A level studies)
• Feel that additional support at the start of university studies will help them stand a better chance of success
• Have been away from studies for a period of time
• Come from a different academic environment to that of the UK

If you fall into any of the above categories, choosing an undergraduate pathway at ARU College is the right decision. Depending on your academic needs here at ARU College we have two pathway entry points available, foundation and first year pathway.

Progressing from First Year

At ARU College we offer a first year or stage 2 level study. Either students will enter this pathway following completion of the foundation, or for students that have completed equivalent of A level study we also have an entry point at first year of a bachelor’s degree.

Upon completion of the first year, or Stage 2, you will seamlessly progress to the second year of your chosen degree with the University, and no longer be registered with ARU College.

BA (Hons) Drama

Our English and writing courses let you develop your own style of writing and explore facets of English language, literature and linguistics that fascinate you. And we give you industry insight through links with creative organisations.
Our film and media courses let you to explore the culture of communication, and develop your own style of media production – while focusing on the skills and knowledge valued by employers.
Explore different modes of performance and drama practice on our full-time Drama degree in Cambridge. Choose to study abroad for a Semester, and get ongoing support to find work placements. By studying our Drama BA (Hons), you’ll develop skills for the stage, screen and other performance media, to help you forge a career as a director, actor, performer, technician or teacher.

• Perform in public venues around Cambridge, as well as our on-campus Mumford Theatre and Covent Garden Studio
• Study abroad for a semester, and apply for funding to help cover the cost
• Follow an experiential, 'learning-through-doing' degree programme: choose modules for your ideal career, propose a 100% practical major project and graduate with a professionally produced showreel and portfolio
• Take advantage of our links to local networks such as Cambridge Arts Network and Cambridge Live to build foundations for your future career
• Immerse yourself in our industrious community - perform and collaborate on projects with other creative industries students
• Experience being part of a professional troupe with our Community Theatre Company
• Develop technical and production skills in all our facilities, supported by our specialist technical staff

Our BA (Hons) Drama will help you grow into a confident, versatile and exciting drama practitioner, whichever field you hope to work in.
With a strong focus on performance, you’ll work on public productions and smaller-scale projects, exploring practices from the 20th century onwards as well as devising your own original productions.
You'll be encouraged to create innovative and daring performance practice and develop expertise in group collaboration, alongside your own solo performances.
With our optional modules, you can choose to weight your studies towards 80% performance and practice or specialise further towards a particular career, such as Applied Theatre, dramatherapy or backstage production skills in lighting, sound, video or theatre administration and marketing.
Our close links with local companies, including venues such as Cambridge Junction, will help you make contact with industry leaders and gain work experience in professional theatre environments, both backstage and front of house.
During your first year of study, you’ll work on a performance at Covent Garden Studio as soon as you arrive, and then at our on-campus Mumford Theatre in your second Semester. Your second year will begin with another major production for the mumford Theatre and, in your third year, at a commercial venue in Cambridge. Besides these major productions, the majority of your compulsory and optional modules will also be based on and assessed by practical or performative work. For your course-ending major project, you can even propose a project that is 100% practical.