Introduction
Study at an award-winning university
We're the Times Higher Education (THE) University of the Year. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.
Performing is at the core of our Drama and English Literature degree at ARU.
Grow into a confident, versatile and exciting drama practitioner, while exploring classic literature and genres ranging from sci-fi to children’s books.
You’ll work on public productions and smaller-scale projects, exploring drama practices and texts from the 20th century onwards as well as working on original pieces. Alongside this, you’ll explore many other subjects including history, politics, philosophy and religion as well as developing your literacy and communication skills.
Your deeper understanding of literary texts will improve your ability to interpret dramatic texts and your performance skills.
Our BA (Hons) Drama and English Literature degree lets you weight your studies to your own interests and career goals. Prepare for a career in the arts or fields such as teaching – and get ready to change the way others see the world.
Our English courses ranked 3rd in the UK for organisation and management in the National Student Survey 2024, and our English courses ranked 12th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2025, while our Drama and Dance courses ranked 13th in the UK with 92% for “satisfied with teaching”.
Our Drama courses also scored 90% for “The Teaching on my course” and 92% for “Freedom of students to express ideas, opinions and beliefs” in the National Student Survey 2024.
Course options
Key facts
Entry Requirements
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Fees and Paying for University
Student work
BA Drama showreel 2024
Graduating students from the course share their experiences, with clips from performances.
A Little of the Heart
British Academy-funded AI project by Dr Sarah Gibson Yates sees collaboration between ARU film & media students, Heartstopper star Leila Khan, Cambridge Film Trust’s Youth Lab and film industry professionals.
Find out more
Leila Khan
Leila landed roles in Netflix’s Heartstopper and BBC’s Death in Paradise while studying drama with us.
Read Leila's Spotlight interview
Kai Toktassyn
Since graduating from our Drama degree, Kai has built a successful career as an actor and producer/manager in the Kazakhstan film industry.
Read Kai's Spotlight interview
HMS Belfast - Brian Butler monologue
Created by ARU Writing, Film Production, Acting and Drama students for the Imperial War Museum’s D-Day commemorations. Brian Butler was a local Sightsetter in one of Belfast’s main gun turrets.
HMS Belfast - Captain Frederick Parham monologue
Created by ARU Writing, Film Production, Acting and Drama students for the Imperial War Museum’s D-Day commemorations. Captain Parham was remembered by Belfast’s sailors as a very gentle and humane leader.
HMS Belfast - Bob Shrimpton monologue
Created by ARU Writing, Film Production, Acting and Drama students for the Imperial War Museum’s D-Day commemorations. Bob Shrimpton was part of HMS Belfast’s ASDIC (sonar) equipment team.
HMS Belfast - Charles Simpson monologue
Created by ARU Writing, Film Production, Acting and Drama students for the Imperial War Museum’s D-Day commemorations. Charles Simpson was one of Belfast’s five Engineering Lieutenants.
BA Drama showreel 2023
Graduating students from the course share their experiences, with clips from performances.
#EnglishCreates
This new national campaign shows how you can make a difference in the world with an English degree, and futureproof your skills for life, work, and social change.
Find out more about #EnglishCreates
Dr Cassie Gorman
Cassie’s research revolves around science in long 17th century literature - she literally wrote the book on The Atom in Seventeenth-Century Poetry.
Read Cassie's Spotlight interview
Dr Cassie Gorman
Hear Course Leader Cassie talk about her project to unearth manuscripts by 17th-century women writers, and how studying English Literature helped her gain confidence to voice new ideas.
Listen to Cassie’s Spotlight podcast
Facilities and showcase
Professional Facilities
As part of your studies at ARU, you’ll have access to all of our creative industries facilities including:
- Dedicated drama studio, with highly flexible black-box performance space
- Full-size on-campus professional Mumford Theatre
- Large rehearsal space with audio playback facilities, piano, LED lighting rig, portable dance mirrors, gym mats and rostra/modular staging
- Students’ Union-run dance studio
- Podcast and video capture system
Futures Lab and workshop equipment
Our new digital workshop includes a variety of computer aided manufacturing machines, helping you learn up to date manufacturing and design processes as well as supporting many traditional techniques. These technologies include:
- 3D printers and scanners - FDM printers; material-specific extruders; SLA Formlabs printers; SLS Formlabs Fuse1; structured light 3D scanners
- 2D printing and cutting machines - laser cutters; Roland BN20 vinyl printer & cutter; Gerber substrate cutter; Mimaki TX300P sublimation printer.
Opportunities
During your time at ARU, you’ll have the opportunity to:
- develop your technical and production skills.
- put on productions on campus, in our Mumford Theatre, and at a commercial venue in Cambridge.
- volunteer with our Anglia Ruskin Community Theatre Company, and experience being part of a professional ensemble.
- gain valuable work experience through placements and live briefs.
Take a closer look
Our Creative Showcase shines a spotlight on what makes ARU creative and cultural – our spaces, places and people. Find out more about our community, the difference we make, the stories we tell, and the things that inspire us. You can also explore the work of our graduating students in our digital graduate showcase.
Lecturers
Careers
Our Drama and English Literature BA (Hons) degree will give you practical experience as a performer or technician, and the academic understanding to be a director or a teacher.
Graduation doesn’t need to be the end of your time with us, of course. You might decide to stay at ARU and study for a Masters, such as our dramatherapy or MA English Literature. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.
Employability and personal career development
Informed by employers, our courses support an integrated approach to employability. You’ll have opportunities to develop the skills and abilities they are looking for and gain a deeper understanding of how your academic learning relates to the world of work through Live Briefs and Ruskin Modules.
To amplify your career ambition, you will need to actively dedicate time outside of your studies, whether you choose to explore placements, internships or volunteering. Or you could make a social impact by collaborating with our partner organisations through our volunteer scheme Students at the Heart of Knowledge Exchange (SHoKE). These all give you an edge, providing you with experience that you will be able to evidence on your CV and talk about in interviews.
Our Employability and Careers Service offers a range of expert advice and support to build your unique professional profile, including tailored career appointments, advice on writing your CV, and help to complete job applications. You’ll have 24/7 access to the Careers Centre, our comprehensive online digital resource, which empowers you to start building a Personal Career Development Plan from the very start. Design your future at ARU.
Life in Cambridge
Our friendly, bustling campus is a stone’s throw from the centre of Cambridge, often described as the perfect student city.
Our favourite places in Cambridge Did you know...? Facts about Cambridge Watch: Our CambridgeWant to talk to someone?
Do you have a question that we haven't answered so far? Talk to our application experts. You can also ask our Student Ambassadors about life at ARU.
We're here Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm (please note we close at 3.30pm on the first and third Thursday of the month for staff training), and Friday 9am-4.30pm.
Prepare for your audition
Applying for one of our music or drama courses? Get information and insider tips on preparing for your audition.
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