Scenography and Theatre Design at Aberystwyth University

If you are looking for a radical and innovative approach to design in the context of theatre and performance, then our Scenography and Theatre Design degree is for you. Supported by internationally-recognised staff with a wide range of expertise, you will look beyond the established boundaries of set, costume, lighting and sound design to take a total view of the performance space. You will gain an understanding of how the organisation of space can be an artistic practice in its own right, taking into account the conventions of traditional theatrical disciplines such as set, lighting, and sound. Through a combination of practical and theoretical explorations of the craft, you will critically examine and engage with a wide range of contemporary practices from playhouse theatre to site-specific performance and from environmental theatre to performance installation. Studying Scenography and Theatre Design at Aberystwyth is your opportunity to develop your own design practice within or beyond the practice of theatre and performance.

Why study Scenography and Theatre Design at Aberystwyth?

• This course will enable you to explore a radical and innovative approach to theatre and performance design.
• You will be taught and mentored by a team of internationally known designers and experts. 
• We are a vibrant and creative department where drama and theatre, film and media, and scenography and theatre design collide.
• All students benefit from our complementary learning experiences where theory and practice are designed to feed into each other.
• As a department, students benefit from our connections with key industry partners, such as National Theatre Wales, Music Theatre Wales, Quarantine Theatre Company, and Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru. These creative partners provide an excellent opportunity to network and liaise with those in the industry before graduation. 
• Students in the department have access to our superb facilities and resources for practical work: three rehearsal studios, each with flexible technical facilities; 2 large professionally-equipped studios with digital lighting rigs controlled via ETC Congo and Strand Lighting consoles, Yamaha and Soundcraft PAs, Sanyo AV systems and Strand lighting and two NXAMP; and costume and wardrobe facilities.
• On our campus and situated next door to the Arts Centre is one of the largest Arts Centres in Wales, which regularly presents national and international theatre and dance work.
• Aberystwyth University’s is known for having a large number of clubs and societies, so be assured that your time will be occupied with your studies and taking part in your chosen club / society's activities.  The University has a large and energetic drama society, come and say hello during a visit to Aberystwyth. 
• If you're looking for an experience beyond Aberystwyth, all students will have the opportunity to take part in a study abroad placement with one of our partnered Universities in Europe through the Erasmus + programme and some further afield through our International Exchange programme.

What can I do with a Scenography and Theatre Design / Drama and Theatre Studies degree?

Many of our students have been successful in obtaining employment in these fields:

• Set, Costume and Lighting Design;
• Production Design and Art Direction;
• Acting and Performing;
• Directing;
• Stage Management;
• Script Writing;
• Teaching and Education;
• Arts administration;
• Marketing;
• Management and Project Co-ordination;
• Marketing and Public Relations.

What skills do I gain from this degree?

Students on this degree gain the following valuable skills that are sought after by employers. These include the ability to:

• Gather, assimilate and interpret intellectual and aesthetic material independently and critically;
• Structure and communicate ideas efficiently and creatively through oral, written, visual and performative means to a range of audiences;
• Apply creative, imaginative and problem-solving skills in a variety of situations;
• Work effectively in group settings to develop, rehearse and produce live events;
• Apply creative, imaginative and problem-solving skills in a variety of situations;
• Research, evaluate and organize information;
• Structure and communicate ideas effectively in a variety of situations and using a variety of means;
• Work independently and with others;
• Effectively organize your time and deploy your skills;
• Listen to and make use of critical advice;
• Be self-motivated and self-disciplined;
• Use a range of information technology skills and resources;
• Be entrepreneurial in developing cultural projects.