Why Study Drama at Manchester?
At a glance
- Ranked first in the UK for Drama and Cinematics (Complete University Guide 2026).
- Benefit from studying in a city built for performance, with organisations, facilities and events that include the Manchester International Festival, HOME, and the Royal Exchange Theatre.
- Perform in The John Thaw Studio Theatre, a dedicated space for performances, rehearsals and workshops.
- Explore drama beyond the traditional stage, with opportunities to learn about playwriting, directing, activist performance, street theatre, audio design, television drama, experimental film and literary adaptation, alongside theatre and performance.
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Frequently asked study questions
To apply for a Drama programme at the University of Manchester, you’ll need to:
- Choose the Drama course that best matches your interests;
- Check the entry requirements and course-specific requirements;
- Complete your UCAS application.
For Drama, your application should show why you’ve chosen the course and what interests you about studying Drama at Manchester. We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and qualifications, including international and mature applicants.
You can choose from courses including BA Drama, BA Drama and English Literature, and BA Drama and Film Studies, with opportunities to develop your practical and theoretical skills across theatre, performance and screen
A Drama degree can open the door to a wide range of careers, both in the creative industries and beyond. At Manchester, you’ll develop practical and transferable skills in communication, collaboration, leadership, critical thinking, research and creative problem-solving - skills that are valued by employers across many sectors.
Our graduates have gone on to enjoy careers in:
- theatre
- television
- film and radio, including acting, directing, producing, writing, script editing and production
- journalism
- teaching
- arts administration
- community arts
- business and law.
Through our degree programmes, you will have opportunities to gain valuable industry experience through placements, professional workshops, our Drama Society and links with organisations including Contact Theatre and the Royal Exchange Theatre.
Our graduates include Benedict Cumberbatch, Toby Jones, Meera Syal, Ade Edmondson and Ben Elton, alongside many others working across the creative industries and beyond.
If you’d like to combine your interest in Drama with another subject, The University of Manchester offers two joint honours options: BA Drama and English Literature and BA Drama and Film Studies.
Both are three-year degrees, allowing you to explore Drama alongside another subject while developing a broad range of creative, analytical and practical skills.
Drama and English Literature combines the study of theatre and performance with literature from different periods and cultures. You can explore areas such as playwriting, directing, literary adaptation and performance alongside poetry, prose and contemporary literature.
Drama and Film Studies allows you to explore theatre and performance alongside film and television. You’ll study theatre and film history and theory, with opportunities to develop practical skills in theatre and filmmaking.