Theatre & Performative Practices
Our BA (Hons) Theatre Performative Practices degree at University College Cork (UCC) explores the wide world of theatre and performance. Our teaching focuses on three key areas:
Making theatre and performance production
Cultural innovation and collaboration
Creative thinking through analysis and practical experimentation
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | National University of Ireland |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | National University of Ireland | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
3 / 4 Years full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Leaving Certificate entry requirements:
At least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H5 in two subjects and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish. Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:
English O6/H7
Irish O6/H7
Other Language O6/H7
Additional Requirements
This is a restricted programme, all applicants must apply to the CAO on or before 1 February in the year of entry. Late applications cannot be considered.
All applicants are required to pass an Admission Interview and will be called for this automatically once the application is made through the CAO. The Admission Interview is usually held in March and again in April and May of the incoming year.
Students who wish to take Theatre & Performative Practices with Music must first apply through the CAO for Theatre & Performative Practices (CK112). In addition to the normal CAO requirements, such students must also satisfy the Professor of Music and the College that they are capable of successfully completing the Music component of the programme by taking and passing a Music test. Music tests happen in April – please contact the Music Department at music@ucc.ie to book your test.
Arts Subjects Requirements with Points to Note
Chinese Studies (Group 3)
This subject is available in First Arts and thereafter as a 10-credit subject in the Single Subject Programme or as a 20-credit subject in the Major Subject Programme in the three year BA Degree. Students wishing to continue with Chinese Studies as a 30- or 40-credit subject must make an application seeking the approval of CACSSS to transfer to the BA (International). All such applications are subject to examination results and availability of places. These students will spend the third year of their degree studying at an approved university in China and return to UCC to complete their degree programme in Fourth Year.
German (Group 3)
Students wishing to select German Non Beginners should have a minimum grade H4 in German in the Leaving Certificate Examination (or equivalent). Students wishing to take German (Beginners) are recommended to have a minimum of grade H3 in another modern continental language.
Latin (Group 3)
This is available in First Arts and thereafter only as a 10-credit subject in the Single Subject Programme..
Mathematical Studies (Group 3)
Students will be required to achieve a minimum H4 in Mathematics in the Leaving Certificate or equivalent.
French (Group 4)
A Student will not normally be allowed to select French unless they have attained a pass standard in French in the Leaving Certificate Examination (or equivalent).
Studies in Music (Group 4)
This is available in First Arts and thereafter as a 10-credit subject in Single Subject Programme only.
Béaloideas (Group 5)
Students wishing to select Béaloideas should normally have a minimum grade H4 in Irish in the Leaving Certificate Examination (or equivalent). Lectures are through the medium of Irish.
Students may not take both Béaloideas and Folklore.
Students intending to apply to transfer to the BA (International) and take Chinese Studies or continental languages, at a Single, Major or joint subject in Second Year, should note that they cannot register for Béaloideas in Second Year.
Greek (Group 5)
This is available in First Arts and thereafter only as a 10-credit subject in the Single Subject Programme.
Italian (Group 6a)
Students wishing to take Beginners’ Italian are recommended to have a minimum of grade H4 in another modern continental language, or Irish, or Latin, or Greek in the Leaving Certificate examination (or equivalent). Students wishing to take Non-Beginners’ Italian are recommended to have a minimum of grade H4 in Italian in the Leaving Certificate examination (or equivalent).
Spanish (Group 6b)
Students wishing to take Beginners’ Spanish must have obtained a minimum grade H4 in the Leaving Certificate (or equivalent) in another modern continental language, or Irish, Latin or Greek OR evidence of competence equivalent to Grade H4 in a foreign language other than Spanish. Students who have studied Spanish at second level and obtained a grade below H4 can also join the Beginners’ Spanish course. Students wishing to take Non-Beginners’ Spanish must have obtained a minimum Grade H4 in Spanish in the Leaving Certificate examination (or equivalent).
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme LCVP
Distinction 66 points
Merit 46 points
Pass 28 points
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Careers / Further progression
Skills and Careers Information
The UCC Employment and Employability Guide note that University College Cork (UCC) graduates are highly sought-after by employers. Our graduates go on to the widest range of careers after this study. From theatre performance and production to video-making; from stage and screen to arts administration; from teaching at primary and secondary levels to giving workshops in the community; from the social services and youth theatre to digital art and coding: our students succeed. Many students pursue postgraduate study.
You will have an opportunity to elect to study our international pathways and spend your third year abroad. Our partnerships open up opportunities in Denmark, Germany, Malta, France, Canada, the US, Mexico, and beyond, in English or in other languages.
UCC has a long and established theatre tradition and our alumni include some outstanding examples of this tradition, and include:
Cillian Murphy (actor)
Fiona Shaw (actor)
Graham Norton (TV presenter/actor/writer)
Jessica Reagan (National Theatre, London)
John Crowley (theatre & film director)
Lochlainn McKenna (music video director)
Oonagh Kearney (film director)
Ray Scannell (composer/actor Abbey Theatre)
Stefanie Preissner (writer/actor/director)
Thomas Conway (Druid Theatre Co.)
Tom Creed (Festival, Theatre and Opera director)
Postgraduate Study Options
This BA (Hons) degree also qualifies you to explore exciting postgraduate options, at home and abroad. Some UCC options include:
Music (HDip in Arts)
MA Theatre & Performative Practices
MA Music & Cultural History
MA Music - Ethnomusicology
MA Experimental Sound Practice
MA Arts Management & Creative Producing
Further information
September 2026
Approximate Available Places 3
Find out about the mature entry requirements at https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/entryreqs/matureapplicants/
Approximate Available Places Overall 25
Entry 2026 - Restricted Course
Early online application (discounted): Fee €35 Closing Date: 20 January 2026 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €50 Closing Date: 1 February 2026 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid submitting an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all fees are non-refundable.
Restricted Courses
Applying for a restricted course – you must have applied to CAO by 1 February 2026 at 5pm if you wish to apply for a restricted course. The restricted course must be included on your course choices list by that date, or added to your application using the facility to amend course choices (for a fee of €10) before 1 March at 5pm.
Restricted courses normally require additional assessment procedures, for example, the submission of a portfolio, an oral assessment or interview, or a written assessment. Restricted courses are identified in the handbook by the words “(Restricted - see page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook)" on the same line as the restricted course’s title. Please make sure to acquaint yourself with the additional requirements, if any, of the restricted course(s) that you have applied for and go to page 24 of the 2026 CAO Handbook for more information about interviews and assessments.
Exception: If a restricted course shares the exact same assessment procedures with a course you had applied for by 1 February 2026, you may be permitted to introduce it on a Change of Mind. You should consult with the relevant HEI before introducing such a course.
Mature Applicants
Mature applicants – most HEIs will require mature applicants, who wish to be assessed on mature grounds, to have applied to CAO by 1st February 2026 at 5pm, and include course choices by that date or add them using the facility to amend course choices (for a fee of €10) before 1 March at 5pm. (This restriction does not apply if the applicant wishes to be considered on the basis of school leaving qualifications only.) For more information about applying to CAO on the basis of mature years go to www.cao.ie/mature
Supplementary Admission Routes
Applying for DARE and/or HEAR – to be considered for DARE and/or HEAR, applicants must have registered on the CAO system by 1 February 2026 at 5pm. To apply to DARE, you must answer YES to Question 1 ('Do you wish to be considered for DARE?) on Section A of the fully completed Supplementary Information Form (SIF) by 5pm on 1 March 2026.
To apply to HEAR, you must indicate on your CAO application that you wish to apply for HEAR and fully and correctly complete all elements of the online HEAR form by 5pm on 1 March 2026.
Supporting documents for DARE and/or HEAR applicants must be sent to CAO offices before 10 March 2026 at 5pm
Our BA (Hons) Theatre Performative Practices degree at University College Cork (UCC) explores the wide world of theatre and performance. Our teaching focuses on three key areas:
Making theatre and performance production
Cultural innovation and collaboration
Creative thinking through analysis and practical experimentation
As a Theatre student you will create performances: indeed, you usually devise, perform and evaluate your own material, rather than putting on existing plays. You will also learn how theatre engages with and responds to cultural change and work to explore the creative languages of the stage. We also look at the business side of theatre production through practical modules and internships.
These core themes of teaching are supported by an exciting voyage into the history of theatre, the kinds of ideas and theories that underpin theatre, and what theatre can do for you, for society, and for culture. Your studies will also include a wide range of performance forms such as dance, outdoor performance, and multi-disciplinary arts while advancing your understanding of performance phenomena in art and daily life. This broad-based degree, that seeks to leverage your creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, is taught by researchers, makers, and practitioners. Our modules use continuous and formative types of assessment, including oral presentations, project work, group work, portfolios combining practice and written analysis, digital tasks, online learning tasks, and reflections. This wide range of assessments enhances your creative problem solving and collaborative skills sets.
Practical workshops and classes, alongside academic study and passionate argument, are at the core of your learning. You will have the chance to perform, create work, and be involved in the technical development of productions as well as debate and examine ideas and theories. Our classes foster your creative curiosity, develop your skills in peer collaboration, communication, and critical thinking.
Degree Pathways Modules
There are four possible pathways from CK112 Theatre and Performative Practices and all pathways take the same core Theatre modules in Year 1.
Theatre and Performative Practices (Single Subject) - From second year
Theatre and Performative Practices (Joint Subject)
Theatre and Performative Practices (International) - Year 3 is spent abroad
Theatre and Performative Practices (with Music) - From first year
Year 1: All incoming CK112 Theatre and Performative Practices students take a Joint Honours pathway in first year, from either
50% Theatre modules and 50% other Arts subjects
OR
Theatre Music - 50% Theatre modules 50% Music modules
Important Note: Students who wish to take Theatre Performative Practices with Music must also complete the Music audition - details will be provided as part of the Theatre Admission process.
Core modules for all pathways:
DR1005 Performative Writing: Dramaturgy (Part I) (5 credits)
DR1006 Performative Writing: Dramaturgy (Part II) (5 credits)
DR1007 Introduction: Theatre and Performative Practice (10 Credits)
DR1009 Performance in Culture (5 credits)
DR1010 Cultures of Performance Practice (5 credits)
Electives:
Choose two Arts Subjects (15 credits each) from groups 3, 4, 5, 6. 50% Theatre modules and 50% other Arts subjects pathway
Group
Year 1 Arts Subjects Group Table
3 Archaeology; German; Latin; Mathematics; Mathematical Studies; Politics
4 French; Sociology; Studies in Music
5 Economics; English; Greek; Béaloideas; Religions and Global Diversity
6(a)* Geography; Italian
6(b)* Celtic Civilisation; Philosophy; Spanish
*Groups 6(a) and 6(b): Students may not combine Italian with Celtic Civilisation or Philosophy in Year 2. Students may not combine Geography with Celtic Civilisation, Philosophy or Spanish in Year 2.
Theatre and Performative Practices with Music
Year 1 Theatre and Performative Practices with Music students take Theatre and Performative Practices (30 credits) with Music (30 credits) and continue with this joint pathway in second and subsequent years. Students who wish to take Theatre Performative Practices with Music must also complete the Music audition - details will be provided as part of Theatre Admission process.
Fionn Woodhouse
theatre@ucc.ie
+353 (0)21 490 4229
http://www.ucc.ie/theatre