BA Performance Design and Practice interprets performance design and practice in eclectic, cross-disciplinary contexts of contemporary arts including theatre, film, video and live art, challenging traditional territories and assumptions.

Distinctive features of the degree course include:

• Includes an opportunity to take a one-year Diploma in Professional Studies between Stages 2 and 3, involving a 20-week work placement
• Promotes experimental, investigative approaches to the event-performer-spectator dynamic and the conceptualisation of space and text, exploring their potential for performance through practical experience
• Enables the pursuit of design, composition/directing and performing perspectives, together with a holistic approach to learning of integrated curriculum elements through live and college-based projects. Research, set design, costume, lighting, sound, project management, performance history and more are explored at increasing levels of directional choice
• Has a strong emphasis on collaborative practice. Project work develops negotiation, management and team skills, often through activities with professional organisations and venues
• Develops a wide range of specialist and transferable skills including research, planning, scale drawing, model making, documentation processes, reflective and evaluative writing, visual and verbal presentation
• Progressively increases individual responsibility for learning and direction, offering the opportunity to choose emphasis and orientation of third year and final award towards theoretical research or practical career.

BA Performance Design and Practice runs for 90 weeks full time over three years, and is divided into three Levels, each lasting 30 weeks. The whole degree course is credit-rated at 360 credits, with 120 credits at each Level.

Under the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications the Levels for a BA are: Level 4 (which is stage 1 of the course), Level 5 and Level 6.

There's a progression point at the end of each Level and, in order to progress, all units of the preceding Level must normally have been passed.

If you're unable to continue on the course a Certificate of Higher Education (Cert HE) will normally be offered following the successful completion of Level 4, or a Diploma in Higher Education following the successful completion of Level 5.

To gain a BA (Honours), students must successfully complete 360 credits. The final award consists of marks from Level 6 units only, weighted according to their credits.

Course outline

BA Performance Design and Practice is undertaken in studio/performance practice and in lectures, seminars and assignments, in a sequence of distinct Units. The programme of study enables you to identify with a broad pathway focused on performance design, or performance practice, as described below, presenting your work accordingly. You don't have to opt for a pathway at entry. The options are presented within the Units of Stages 1 and 2 of the course, enabling you to develop your direction by the outset of Stage 3.

Both pathways are interlinked and involve collaborative and individual practical work, critical and theoretical studies, and personal and professional development. Skills developed include creative, critical and reflective processes, research and analysis, budgeting and marketing. A core studies programme of contextual knowledge and practical skills sessions supports the development of a community of practice across the BA and MA.

Performance Design pathway

This pathway focuses on activities associated with the production and realisation of the visual components of a performance. Forms include theatre, live art, video, and community events. This pathway develops skills in design including drawing, drafting, scale model making and presentation.

Performance Practice pathway

This pathway focuses on a range of overlapping activities that support your development towards roles such as director, performer, devisor, choreographer, writer and dramaturge. Skills developed include writing for performance, movement, performance modes, as well as skills such as pitching ideas and recording work.

Stages of the course

The emphasis in Stage 1 (Level 4) is on introducing perspectives on the creation of performance through explorations of source material, space, time, and the audience-performer relationship. You'll be introduced to practical and collaborative skills so that you can start building an informed personal approach to creating performance.

Stage 2 (Level 5) is a year of transition. You'll make progress towards developing an individual creative identity and methodology, and in identifying the areas of particular interest that will inform your choices in Stage 3. The practical and personal skills you need to communicate your ideas effectively (introduced in Stage 1) are refined here, particularly regarding the adoption of a 'role' in collaboration. You'll gain practical experience of creating performance within collaboration, either involving external practitioners or via peer group collaboration within a real or replicated professional working context.

A Diploma in Professional Studies is offered between Stage 2 and 3 of the BA (Honours) course. This separate qualification (120 credits) involves researching, undertaking and reflecting on a 20-week placement related to your professional interests and aspirations (e.g. within organisations such as the National Theatre or TV companies, on specific events, or as an assistant to a designer or director. The Diploma provides a valuable opportunity to make professional contacts and to develop your personal employability skills.

Stage 3 (Level 6) reflects as far as possible the challenges you’re likely to meet in professional practice or during further study at Masters level. Stage 3 units are designed to help you apply, expand and deepen the skills and understanding gained in Stages 1 and 2. Project work focuses on your development within a creative perspective, such as design, directing, or performing, enabling you to move between activities and contexts, or to pursue a specialist research or practical direction. All units offer flexibility, both to facilitate your personal perspective and to help you choose the best way to demonstrate your abilities.

Unit 9 ‘Critical Practice’, undertaken in Stage 3, focuses on your chosen topic in a field of research related to your practice and locates it within a theoretical framework. It involves developing of a piece of research work that is documented with a word count and bibliography.

Contextual studies embedded within units consist of explorations of historical and contemporary culture through debate, lectures, presentations and workshops.

Personal and Professional Development also embedded into the Units with practice and contextual studies, helps you focus on generic study skills and orientation, becoming more closely related to your chosen professional direction.

Developing your skills - external activities

BA Performance Design and Practice maintains active partnerships with key cultural institutions, venues and commercial enterprises to introduce you to London's networks of creative practice.

Collaborations include work with dance schools such as London Studio Centre and the Rambert School. BA Performance Design and Practice projects specifically target major and specialist galleries and museums in London as research bases. Opportunities within the degree course encourage you to self-direct your learning, utilising the diverse field of performance practice operating in London, via placements and external collaborations. You shape your final year curriculum, anticipating your future in a diverse and expanding industry.

BA Performance Design and Practice students leave with a broad and valuable understanding of performance practice in its many forms. Skills acquired enable BA Performance Design and Practice graduates to become versatile practitioners in exciting and diverse contexts including theatre, film and television.

BA Performance Design and Practice students find success as production designers, or in related roles such as director or producer, or, increasingly, in 'hybrid' roles such as designer-director or performer-designer.

BA Performance Design and Practice graduates also apply their knowledge outside the traditional contexts, working within the fine art industry as performance artists or within the fashion industry as creative managers, video directors and fashion show designers. Or they launch their own independent collaborative ventures, creating performance in their own image.

Recent BA Performance Design and Practice alumni activity demonstrates the breadth of student activity within the subject:

• Garance Marneur (2007): Winner of prestigious biannual Linbury Prize for Stage Design 2007. Recent design commissions: ‘Dirty Butterfly’ (Debera Tucker Green) Young Vic Theatre, London 2008; ‘Gianni Schicchi’ (Puccini), Mariinnsky theatre, St. Petersburg, 2008 ‘Turandot’ (Brecht), Hampstead Theatre, London 2009, currently designing for RSC Aut ’11 season
• Will Bock, Georgia Jacobs and Mary Pope (2005): Formed ‘Strangeworks’ collective, creators of live performance events including ‘March of the Dead’ street performance for Halloween, Hoxton, London 2008, and drawing workshops at Tate Britain 2009 – 11
• Jing Wong (2006): Co-founder of ‘Daydream Nation’, a company creating theatrical fashion events, including ‘Good Night Deer’ at the ICA Theatre, as part of London Fashion Week 2008
• Samal Blak (2009): Winner of prestigious biannual Linbury Prize for Stage Design 2009. Design Commission ‘Otello’ (Verdi), Birmingham Opera, 2009
• Jungmin Song (2007): Performance Artist making work at Shunt Vaults, Fierce Festival (Birmingham) and Spill Festival (2011)
• Nick Docherty (2008): UK Youth Theatre coordinator for National Theatre, South Bank
• Miriam Buether (2002): Recently awarded Best Design for work at the Royal Court – Evening Standard Theatre Awards. Designed ‘Anna Nicole’ for Royal Opera House – Feb 11
• Ben Stones (2004): Winner of prestigious biannual Linbury Prize for Stage Design 2007, designs frequently in West End and most recently for newly re-opened Arcola Theatre, London. 

This degree course requires portfolio evidence

Entry to BA Performance Design and Practice course is highly competitive. Selection is determined by the quality of the application, indicated primarily in your portfolio of work and written statements. A very high proportion of successful applicants complete a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design. The course will only exceptionally consider A Level candidates who can present a portfolio of equivalent standard to those produced by students on Foundation courses.

Applicants are normally expected to have achieved, or be expected to achieve, the course entry requirements detailed below:

• Foundation Diploma in Art and Design
• A pass in 1 GCE A level
• Passes at GCSE level in 3 other subjects (grade C or above).

This educational level may be demonstrated by possession of equivalent qualifications; e.g. International Baccalaureat or High School Diploma.

Applicants will also be considered exceptionally if they present a portfolio of equivalent standard to a one-year Foundation course in art and design and have achieved, or expect to achieve:

• Passes in 2 GCE A Levels (80 UCAS tariff points normally including one single award)
• Passes at GCSE level in 3 other subjects (grade C or above).

Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered if the course team judges the application demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might be demonstrated by, for example: related academic or work experience; the quality of the personal statement; a strong academic or other professional reference; or a combination of these factors.

English language requirements

All classes are conducted in English. If English is not your first language you will be asked to provide evidence of your English language ability in order to apply for a visa, enrol, and start your course. The standard English language requirement for entry is IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in any one paper, or equivalent. For further information visit the English Language requirementspage.

Applicants who will need a Tier 4 General Student Visa should check the Visa and Immigration page which provides important information about UK Border Agency (UKBA) requirements. 

What we look for

We're not just looking for a passion for performance - we're also seeking people who are open to new ideas and willing to get involved in the many different disciplines and practices of working in the professional field of performance.

Student selection criteria

We select applicants according to your potential and current ability to:

Work imaginatively and creatively in performance and visual media

• Engage with experimentation and invention
• Show imagination and ambition in proposals for your work.

Demonstrate a range of skills and technical abilities

• Demonstrate spatial awareness
• Show an understanding of narrative and time-based events
• Use verbal and/or visual and/or physical media appropriately and effectively.

Provide evidence of intellectual enquiry within your work

• Demonstrate relevant research
• Reflect critically on your learning.

Demonstrate cultural awareness and/or contextual framework of your work

• Identify historical and contemporary performance practices
• Identify social and/or cultural influences on your work.

Articulate and communicate intentions clearly

• Discuss your work in group situations
• Present your work appropriately and effectively.

Demonstrate commitment and motivation in relation to the subject and the degree course

• Develop your own ideas and address project briefs
• Show willingness to collaborate
• Reflect your knowledge of this degree course.

Portfolio and interview advice

Your work should demonstrate creative development, whether for a college project or in your personal work. By creative development, we mean ideas that have originated in your own experience and research and progressed towards potential visualisation. Ideas, visual research and experimentation are more important than finished design solutions and can be shown in 2D work, in made objects or through recorded moving image and live events. It's important that the creative work you include reflects and demonstrates your thinking, initiative and personal commitment to a particular project, theme or idea.

Both through your work and in talking to you at interview we're interested in you as an individual. Our focus is on your personal interests, your creativity and your initiative in finding out about your proposed area of study. We'd like to know about your favourite performers, directors, designers and artists, where you've seen their work at first hand, and how you've gathered more information about the work that interests you.

Before your interview we recommend you read some play scripts and books about theatre - for example 'The Empty Space' by Peter Brook. You should also try to see a cross-section of live performances - for example, West End productions, repertory, experimental or pub theatre, live art, community theatre or street performances.
As part of the application process you'll be asked to submit an 'interview project' designed to demonstrate your initial approach to design for performance. The brief for this project will be sent to you when you are invited for interview.

If you do not have a body of performance related or visual work to present, there is an option to complete a project set by the course prior to interview. This ‘interview project’ gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your initial approach to design for performance. When considering your application, if the course feels it will be helpful for you to complete this project, the brief and guidance will be sent to you when you are invited for interview. The interview project is designed to be completed without access to any special facilities or equipment.

Home / EU applicants

Apply to BA Performance Design and Practice through the University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) website. From the UCAS home page go to 'Apply', where you’ll be able to register and create a password that gives you unique access as you complete your application form.

The University UCAS code is UAL. The University code is U65. The course code is W460 BA/PDP.

The deadline for equal consideration is 15 January 2012.

International applicants

If you are from outside the European Union: You have three options to apply for undergraduate courses.

• Apply through UCAS. The deadline for equal consideration is 15 January 2012
• Apply directly to Central Saint Martins: download the international application form [PDF, 0.5mb] ].  Choose this option if you are only applying to undergraduate courses at UAL
• Apply through one of our overseas representatives.

Visit the undergraduate application page for full details of these options.

Study Abroad

For information on applying to Study Abroad please visit the Study Abroad section.

We're here to help

Our website includes all the information you need to successfully apply. However, if you still have unanswered questions about the admissions process, please contact us by email: international@csm.arts.ac.uk

The University has a dedicated team to help prepare you for your studies. For help on visa requirements, housing, tuition fees and language requirements visit the University's International section.

The Language Centre offers international students quality language training from qualified and experienced teachers. The Pre-sessional Academic English Programme is available to all international (non-EU) students who have been offered a place on a full time course at the University of the Arts. For further information visit the Language Centre website.

We also offer a number of short courses that enable students to improve their portfolios and English skills before applying to their chosen course. For further information visit our Short Course section.

Deferred entry

Entry can only be deferred in exceptional circumstances. Please contact us before submitting your application if you're considering applying for deferred entry.

What happens next?

Home/EU and International applicants applying through UCAS

All application forms are read and considered by the BA Performance Design and Practice course team. Depending on the quality of your application, you may then be invited to interview with items for presentation. When considering your application, if the course feels it will be helpful for you to complete a project to bring with you to interview, the brief and guidance will be sent to you when you are invited for interview. Please note, the interview project is normally only undertaken if you don’t already have a body of performance related or visual work to present.(see also portfolio and interview advice, on the entry requirements tab).

Interviews, with items for presentation, normally take the form of a group seminar discussion with candidates.

When you attend with your work, your application may be successful, you may be invited to interview in order to clarify any aspect of your application or your work, which is not evident from the material submitted, or you may be rejected.

Selection is conducted by two members of staff and offers of places are made on the basis of the selection criteria. Notes are kept in relation to decisions made following the interview process.

Please note that if you are unable to attend the portfolio review the College may not be able to re-schedule, however you could arrange to submit evidence of your work by post. You should send either a non-returnable A4 portfolio or a non-returnable USB documenting your work, following the guidelines below.

• Your A4 portfolio or USB should consist of a series of images of your work
• The quality of the work is more important than the quantity
• Please supply title, media and dimensions of each piece, bottom left of the image
• Where possible, scan rather than photograph work. Large or 3-dimensional work should be photographed
• Please organise your work by project, with supporting work presented alongside final outcomes
• Make sure you label your A4 portfolio or USB with your name.

If presenting your work as an A4 portfolio please ensure the sheets are attached in order to preserve the sequence. Do not send original work.

If presenting your work on USB:

• All portfolio images should be arranged in a single PDF file
• Individual images imported into PDF files should be no larger  than 1024 x 768 pixels.

International applicants applying directly to Central Saint Martins

You will be asked to submit a full portfolio for review. This can be in the form of printed photographs or images on USB. If you are in the UK you can bring your portfolio of original work to the College. Selection is usually based on the review of your portfolio of work.

Home/EU Postal Portfolios should be sent to Student Administration,  BA Performance Design and Practice, Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design, University of the Arts London, Granary Building, 1 Granary Square, London N1C 4AA.

International Postal Portfolio should be sent to the International Office,  BA Performance Design and Practice, Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design, University of the Arts London, Granary Building, 1 Granary Square, London N1C 4AA.

Receiving results of your application

• If you applied through UCAS the result of your application will be communicated to you via UCAS track.
• If you made a direct application, the result will be emailed or sent by post.
• If you applied through one of our overseas representatives, they will tell you the result of your application.

You’ll only receive further communication directly from the college if your application has been successful and this will be in the form of a full offer pack.