Set Design and Production (BA)

The first year of the Set Design and Production programme focuses on developing basic building blocks in the production process, where you establish your ‘toolbox’ of skills that will carry you through your degree.

You will explore topics such as scenic construction, drawing, design, lighting, sound, scenic art plus much more.

Students are supported throughout the degree as they build their confidence whilst improving their skills. Importantly, their individual creativity as designers, makers and technicians is nurtured.

The second year concentrates on the application of these skills in a variety of practical projects and installations. These include design process, design realisation and production projects, plus the opportunity to work on third year productions or industry work placements.

The final year centres upon applying your training to a professional production process. You will get the chance to explore a major project and a studio or site performance. Exposure to these types of processes, along with Professional Practice which develops your portfolio, CV, tax awareness, interview technique, SWOT and personal development plans, will prepare you for your career in the Creative Industries.

Year One - Level 4 (Cert HE, Dip HE & BA)

• Contemporary Challenges: Making a Difference (20 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• Learning in the Digital Era (20 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• Personal Project (20 credits; optional*)
• Principles of Design (20 credits; compulsory)
• Production Technologies (20 credits; optional***)
• Props and Production Roles (20 credits; compulsory)
• Scenic Art and Costume (20 credits; optional***)
• Scenic Construction and Drawing (20 credits; compulsory).

Year Two - Level 5 (Dip HE & BA)

• Changemakers: Building your Personal Brand for Sustainable Employment (20 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• Changemakers: Creativity and Value Creation (20 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• Design Process (20 credits; compulsory)
• Design Realisation (20 credits; compulsory)
• International Study Abroad (20 credits; optional**)
• Personal Project (20 credits; optional*)
• Production for Screen (20 credits; compulsory)
• Production Project (20 credits; compulsory)
• Work Placement (20 credits; optional**).

Level 6 (BA)

• Independent Project (40 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• Individual Project (20 credits; optional*)
• International Independent Study Abroad (60 credits; optional**)
• Major Project (30 credits; compulsory)
• Personal Project (30 credits; optional*)
• Professional Practice (20 credits; compulsory)
• Site-Specific Theatre (30 credits; compulsory)
• Work Placement (30 credits; optional**).

*This optional module is designed to offer students a retrieval position where the collaborative tasks specified in a particular module make it impossible for those learning outcomes to be met, such as where there are extenuating circumstances or a failure.

**This is an optional work placement/international study module. Where this option is selected through consultation with student and module tutor, up to two compulsory modules can be replaced.

***Students choose between Production Technologies OR Scenic Art and Costume at Level 4 in Semester 2.

Projects/Performances/Events
Students regularly have opportunities to take part in performances and events, this assists their professional growth and application of skills and knowledge.

Regular tutorials
We hold formal and informal tutorials throughout the degree. Each student can discuss their work with the module tutor or Programme Directors during tutorials. We look at practical development, conceptual growth and future ambitions.

Presentations
Presentations normally take place at the end of a module, exhibition or performance, in order to measure a student’s performance against established assessment criteria.

Process workbooks
At levels four and five, students will document their process and practical output in a workbook that demonstrates their learning and individual pathway preferences. At level 6, students write about their work in written tasks.

During this course, students may be required to explore texts containing themes and issues that may be perceived as intellectually, socially and emotionally challenging.

This Framework aims to develop your professional skills and competence alongside your academic subject knowledge. You’ll study up to 40 credits per level throughout your programme from the Graduate Attributes Framework.

The Graduate Attribute modules are designed to enable you to develop, and evidence, a range of career-focused skills related to your subject area. These skills include digital competency, research and project management, as well as such personal competencies as communication, creativity, self-reflection, resilience and problem-solving. 

• Find out more about the Graduate Attributes Framework

• Stacey-Jo Atkinson
• John Rowland Hill
• Dave Atkinson

You will be invited to visit the University to discuss the course and present a portfolio of your work (digital or physical).

A minimum of 64 UCAS points is required for entry to this course. However, we are keen to judge each application on merit, and this entry is based on an individual basis.

Our graduates have gone on to a variety of careers and further study, including:

• Arts management
• Costume maker
• Education
• Events management
• Postgraduate study/research
• Scenic artist
• Set construction
• Stage management
• Technicians
• Theatre designer
• Wardrobe supervisor

Who have our students & graduates worked for?

• Aztec Events
• Bay Studios
• BBC
• Bush Theatre
• Leviathan Workshop
• Marigold Costume
• National Theatre Wales
• National Theatre, London
• Netflix
• Regents Park Theatre
• RWCMD
• S4C
• Scamp Theatre
• Theatr Na N'Og
• Theatre by the Lake
• Torch Theatre
• Wales Millennium Centre
• Welsh National Opera

Plus many more...

You will not be expected to pay for materials or studio fees but will be given a basic kit list to buy in order to start the course.

The list will comprise items such as overalls, steel toe capped boots, ear defenders, goggles and a few tools. These items will begin to form your professional tool kit for the industry. 

• Acting (BA)
• Set Design (MArts, BA)

Molly Joiner

"The course has a good split between practical work and research, which has a level of independence. This has built my confidence in trusting the work we're producing. I've enjoyed scenic construction the most as it has expanded my knowledge on the process of building and how to organise a workload between a group of us to get things done effectively. I particularly appreciate that the course covers varying aspects of production as it's formed an interest in topics I hadn't previously considered. I have a much better understanding of how the different departments work with each other in theatre. Having tutors from the industry has been really helpful, especially those that have studied on this course as it's really positive to see where it can lead if you put the work in and it also helps in building future contacts.”

Faye Edwards

“The course is truly amazing and is very different to other courses out there as it covers all the aspects of backstage theatre while still going into depth about all of them. The tutors are extremely helpful and it’s great to be able to learn and talk to industry professionals. The best bit for me about the course is being able to be so hands on, as I learn by being practical. The spaces are made available to you in your own time and you are encouraged to ask the tutors to go back over things with you if you were unsure.”

Becca Moore

"The Theatre Design & Production course has certainly prepared me for a long and successful career in the creative industries. I have achieved more than I ever thought I could thank to here, and I cannot recommend this journey enough.”

Sarah Phillips – Freelance Stage Manager

"The BA Theatre Design and Production degree has so much to offer. Since graduating I have worked in many unusual spaces, including London’s oldest pie & mash shop, a derelict art school and Shakespeare’s Globe. I would not have been given these opportunities without the necessary experience that I gained during my time at UWTSD. It’s so much fun and has given me a really awesome career where I never know what’s around the corner!"

Iona Robertson

"The reason I chose this course in the first place was that I didn’t want to limit myself to one specialism and I’m so glad that I did come here because I found that I enjoyed areas that I wouldn’t have even considered beforehand."

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.

Embrace the opportunity to spend a semester abroad at universities in the US or Canada. We have exchange links with the following institutions:  

• California State University, Fullerton
• California State University, Long Beach
• Douglas College, Vancouver
• University of North Carolina, Greensboro