
Dr James Hudson - Programme Leader
Dr James Hudson is a Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader in the Lincoln School of Creative Arts. His teaching and research is concerned with contemporary playwriting, British twentieth-century theatre, and the relationship between theatre and contemporary politics (particularly right-wing and reactionary politics). He is also the School Admissions Officer.
Academic Staff ListWelcome to BA (Hons) Drama and English
Combine your passion for theatre, performance, and literature with the BA (Hons) Drama and English degree at the University of Lincoln.
Combine your passion for theatre, performance and literature with the BA (Hons) Drama and English degree at the University of Lincoln.
This interdisciplinary joint honours programme allows students to engage with the vast majority of modules available on the Drama and English degrees and offers full access to the range of unique opportunities developed by both programmes.
English considers literature from a variety of theoretical, historical, and cultural perspectives, while the theatre and performance components of the course allow students to encounter creative practice, technical theatre, and performance skills together with a critical study of drama and theatre.
Led by experts in drama and English literature, professional performers, theatre makers, and industry specialists, this course will help prepare you for a range of careers. Through a mixture of core and optional modules, both practical and theoretical, you'll be able to curate your own journey through the programme. While the English side of the course covers poetry, fiction, and drama, as well as less traditional literary forms such as life-writing and graphic novels, in Drama students can choose to focus on script work, play analysis, live performance, technical theatre, devised work, and more.
As part of your studies you may also choose to study abroad through one of our many international schemes, or take up a placement in a professional setting, working alongside a theatre company, arts organisation, school, or other education setting.
The course also provides opportunities for you to perform, create, and participate in a variety of performances, trips, and events with a range of partners including interdisciplinary students, professional artists and performers, and external organisations. Recently we've worked with organisations including the BBC, National Youth Theatre, Nottingham Playhouse, and the Royal Air Force.
How You Study
Teaching practice on the Joint Honours degree is diverse and takes place mainly through lectures, seminars, studio-based workshops, and individual tutorials.
During the first year, on the English side of their course students are introduced to literary forms and theories, and texts and authors spanning almost a millennium, from the Gawain poet to Kazuo Ishiguro. In Drama, students take core modules designed to embed crucial skills, including ensemble and devising work, as well as play analysis and script performance.
In their second and third years, students are able to tailor their degree to match their own individual interests and aptitudes. They can choose from a wide range of optional modules and complete an independent study/dissertation in either subject on a topic of their choice.
What You Need to Know
We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision on where and what you want to study. To help you choose the course that’s right for you, we aim to bring to your attention all the important information you may need. Our What You Need to Know page offers detailed information on key areas including contact hours, assessment, optional modules, and additional costs.
An Introduction to Your Modules
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
How you are assessed
Assessment methods on this course may vary for each module. For modules based in English, examples include coursework such as written assignments, reports, or dissertations; equally, there are practical assessments such as presentations, observations, and written exams. The weighting given to each assessment method may vary across each academic year and from module to module. For modules based in drama, students will encounter a wide variety of assessment types, including but not limited to performances, essays, individual and group presentations, annotated performances, presentation of practice, portfolio, Viva Voce, structured rehearsal/workshop, and programme notes.
Fees and Scholarships
Going to university is a life-changing step and it's important to understand the costs involved and the funding options available before you start. A full breakdown of the fees associated with this programme can be found on our course fees pages.
For eligible undergraduate students going to university for the first time, scholarships and bursaries are available to help cover costs. The University of Lincoln offers a variety of merit-based and subject-specific bursaries and scholarships. For full details and information about eligibility, visit our scholarships and bursaries pages.
Course-Specific Additional Costs
We encourage students to see as much theatre and performance as they can, and we support students with a ticket allocation at the Lincoln Performing Arts Centre. Each student will receive event/performance credits which can be used against ticketed performances.
For specific optional modules where a placement may be involved, students will be expected to fund travel costs to and from their individual placement, plus any accommodation, and general living costs.
Students who wish to join runs at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe are currently required to contribute £150 towards the cost of attending and are responsible for their travel and general living costs. Accommodation costs in Edinburgh are covered by the University.
Students on this course are expected to obtain their own copies of primary texts indicated for use and discussion in seminars (where available) and will be responsible for any additional costs incurred.
Entry Requirements 2023-24
United Kingdom
A Level: BBC (112 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of 3 A levels or equivalent qualifications).
International Baccalaureate: 29 points overall.
BTEC Extended Diploma: Distinction, Merit, Merit or equivalent.
T Level: Merit
Access to Higher Education Diploma: 45 Level 3 credits with a minimum of 112 UCAS Tariff points.
A combination of qualifications which may include A Levels, BTEC, EPQ, etc.
Applicants will also need at least three GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above, which must include English. Equivalent Level 2 qualifications may be considered.
The University accepts a wide range of qualifications as the basis for entry. We will also consider applicants with extensive and relevant work experience and will give special individual consideration to those who do not meet the standard entry qualifications.
International
Non UK Qualifications:
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/ for information on equivalent qualifications.
EU and Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements/
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-sessional English and Academic Study Skills courses.
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/pre-sessionalenglishandacademicstudyskills/
If you would like further information about entry requirements, or would like to discuss whether the qualifications you are currently studying are acceptable, please contact the Admissions team on 01522 886097, or email admissions@lincoln.ac.uk
Interviews
As part of the admissions process, Drama and English applicants will be invited to attend an interview. More information can be found within our Dance and Drama - Frequently Asked Questions.

"I made some incredible friends, had the most wonderful memories and still maintain they were the best three years of my life. I am now a full time English teacher and passing on the knowledge Lincoln helped me acquire to my students! The University of Lincoln helped me become a successful academic, and the people I met, both staff and students, helped me become a confident, determined individual and shaped who I am today."
Madelyn Essex, Drama and English BA (Hons) graduateFacilities
Students can work and perform in the Lincoln Performing Arts Centre, a £6 million, 450-seat theatre on campus. The Centre hosts a year-round programme of performances from students and national touring companies. Facilities include industry-standard studio and rehearsal spaces.
Each student will receive event/performance credits which can be used against ticketed performances at the Lincoln Performing Arts Centre.

Features
Visiting Writers
Students with interests in creative writing and contemporary literature benefit from readings and masterclasses by published authors and other guest speakers in creative industries, such as publishing. Past guests have included former Poet Laureate, Dame Carol Ann Duffy, Dame Penelope Lively, and Patience Agbabi.
Activities
In English students have the opportunity to go on field trips. Detinations have previously included Newstead Abbey, former home of the poet Lord Byron, and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London. There may also be opportunities to work with manuscripts in the archives at Lincoln Cathedral or optional workshops with local artisans on medieval arts and culture.
Study Abroad
The growing reputation of the Lincoln School of Fine and Performing Arts has led to the development of partnerships with other international institutions. We have established two exciting ‘study abroad’ affiliations in North America, with the University of Ottawa in Canada and at Drury University in Missouri, USA. These partnerships enable up to eight drama students per year to participate in an exchange programme, where they will study for a term at one of these partner institutions. These international exchange programmes can provide a fantastic opportunity for students to develop life skills, expand the breadth of their education, and enhance their employability upon graduation.
Exchange students applying to study outside of Europe do not pay tuition fees at their host university, but continue to pay tuition fees at their home institution.
Participants will usually be responsible for all other costs themselves including travel, accommodation, general living expenses, visas, insurance, vaccinations, and administrative fees at the host institution.
Students undertaking an exchange keep their entitlement to UK sources of funding such as student loans and should apply to their awarding body in the normal way, indicating that they will be studying abroad.
If a period of study or placement abroad is a mandatory part of your degree, you may be entitled to extra funding. Students should direct enquiries to their funding body about this.
Students may also be able to apply to their Local Education Authority or the Student Awards Agency for Scotland for further funding to assist with travel expenses. Please contact them for further information.
Performance Opportunities
Joint Honours students also have the option to apply for The Lincoln Company, The School of Drama’s professional company of emerging theatre, dance, and performance makers. As the company-in-residence at Lincoln Performing Arts Centre, each year they work to produce and tour high-quality, original performance to venues and festivals around the UK including Edinburgh Festival Fringe – the world’s largest platform for the arts.
Drama also offers additional, optional, extracurricular Technique Classes, which allows students to improve their skills as performers. Previous technique classes have included topics such as singing, ensemble work, play-reading for enjoyment and analysis, and stage combat.

Research
Students are welcome to attend the numerous research events hosted by the School of English and Journalism, which provide opportunities to learn more about the work in which members of staff are engaged, and to hear more about specialist research by visiting speakers. These include events run by the Medieval Studies Research Group, Nineteenth-Century Research Group, 21st-Century Research Group, and the English and Creative Writing Seminar Series.
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/ej/english/englishresearch/researchgroups/
Student Experience
Level 3 students, Sydney Vanderhoeven-Palmer from our Drama and English course and Caoimhe Shanahan-Peart from Drama and Theatre, share their experiences of studying, practice, and research, and tell us why they applied to Lincoln.
Career Opportunities
Students can develop the skills and knowledge relevant to a variety of roles within the theatre industry, including actor, director, playwright, producer, stage manager, and technician. Graduates may pursue careers in related professions such as theatre making, directing, stage management, technical theatre, producing, marketing, and arts administration.
Graduates can also go on to careers in publishing, journalism, advertising, public relations, the civil service, and communications. Some choose to continue their studies at postgraduate level, while others undertake qualifications in teaching
Visit Us in Person
The best way to find out what it is really like to live and learn at Lincoln is to join us for one of our Open Days. Visiting us in person is important and will help you to get a real feel for what it might be like to study here.
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