STUDYING PERFORMING ARTS
BA (Hons) Acting
BA (Hons) Dance and Professional Practice
BA (Hons) Performing Arts
Faculty of Creative Arts, Technologies & Science
School of Arts and Creative Industries
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Welcome to Performing Arts 4 Essential contacts 5 What to expect during Welcome Week 6 What you will study in your first year 8 How you will be assessed 10 Preparation for your first week 12 Teaching timetable 14 Frequently asked questions 16 Final thoughts 18
CONTENTS
WELCOME TO PERFORMING ARTS
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BEDFORDSHIRE
Welcome to Performing Arts at the University of Bedfordshire.
We are delighted that you have chosen to study with us. Our excellent staff will guide you through your studies and collaborative projects, and inspire you to work just as you would in the creative industries. Like former students, you could go on to work with well-known dance companies; appear in music videos; perform in theatres; act in a TV drama; become a fitness professional; run your own company; be a theatre technician, a community artist; or teach performing arts. This booklet provides you with important information that will prepare you for your course and with taking your first steps at University. We look forward to meeting you soon and to you becoming part of our caring family of diverse students, where you can belong and achieve your potential.
Carlota Larrea
Head of School of Arts and Creative Industries
ESSENTIAL CONTACTS
Course coordinators
BA (Hons) Acting
• Peader Kirk, peader.kirk@beds.ac.uk
BA (Hons) Dance and Professional Practice
• Sadie Hunt, sadie.hunt@beds.ac.uk
BA (Hons) Performing Arts
• Amalia Garcia, amalia.garcia@beds.ac.uk
MA Dance Performance and Choreography
• Tamara Ashley, tamara.ashley@beds.ac.uk
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Student Information Desk (SiD) beds.ac.uk/sid sid@beds.ac.uk
Student Support beds.ac.uk/studentsupport
BedsSU (Students’ Union) bedssu.co.uk help@bedssu.co.uk
SUPPORTING YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY
During Welcome Week you will meet your course coordinator, who is responsible for the overall running of your course. You will be taught by a variety of lecturers and visiting experts from industry who will help prepare you for the workplace. Unit coordinators will guide you through each unit of study and your assessments.
You’ll also have a personal tutor who is there to support you (you’ll meet them during Welcome Week too). They have weekly office hours so you can book an appointment if you need to chat to them. The whole team will be with you every step of the way.
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WHAT TO EXPECT DURING
WELCOME WEEK
It is very important to start your course well. Welcome Week is an essential part of navigating student life and your studies, and it’s a brilliant way of getting to know staff and students. It includes a cross-course project, key information, course activities and, of course, a lot of fun!
The following is a typical Welcome Week schedule (the exact schedule will be available to you prior to starting).
Meet the Head of School and course teams
A day in the life – what to expect (including Q&A with current students)
Day 1
Who are PAT and SID?
Library and academic support
Course activities
Day 2
Introduction to university life: Student services, Students’ Union and library services
Treasure hunt
Introduction to collaborative project
ID and document check appointments for international students
Day 3 & 4
Freshers’ Fayre and Students’ Union activities
Course activities and PAT meeting
Ready for studies: research and support
Getting online and finding your way around
Day 5
Introduction to BREO (our online learning environment)
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WHAT YOU WILL STUDY IN YOUR FIRST YEAR
Performance skills and techniques
Creative practices
Academic skills and critical thinking
Core subjects
How to research
Industry specific professional practice
Applied practices for community arts and teaching
Digital technologies and performance
Work with industry professionals throughout your studies
Go on theatre trips to see current performance work by renowned artists
ESSENTIAL LINKS
Further study
Take part in cross-curricular collaborative projects
Extra-curricular performance projects
How to find your Timetable
Information about your learning with BREO
Get support with your learning and assignments Study Hub
Visit the Library
Begin@Beds Start your student journey
Thrive@Beds My Beds Life
Succeed@Beds Careers and Employability Service
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HOW YOU WILL BE ASSESSED
Our course assessment strategy is closely aligned to the University’s teaching and learning strategy which is designed to:
• Be relevant to industry practice
• Draw on expertise by experience
• Develop your individual skills and abilities through personalised feedback and formative tasks
A distinct feature of the course is the range of assessment tasks. Students are assessed as holistic artists and practitioners with an emphasis on practical, performance and creative skills.
RANGE OF ASSESSMENTS
These can vary depending on the course you are studying, but here’s an example of what your assessments might include:
Performances
Performance making and creative practice
Skills and technique demonstrations
Presentations
Portfolios
Critical thinking
Research
Assessments are purposefully diverse and created to relate to industry practices.
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PREPARATION FOR YOUR FIRST WEEK
REGISTERING FOR YOUR COURSE
Once you have met the conditions of your offer, you will receive an email to complete your online registration. Keep an eye on your emails and junk box to make sure that you don’t miss it!
Your course coordinator will be in touch with you via email to let you know what kit you need to bring. The School is equipped with Macs and PCs throughout our studios and in the library. The University also has a number of laptops available to borrow. But, if you have a laptop, feel free to bring that with you. And, most importantly, don’t forget to bring your curiosity, enthusiasm and courage.
Once you are an Arts and Creative Industries student, you will get free access to Adobe software for use on your home computer or laptop.
SOMETHING TO WATCH
We love this cinema advert as it gives a true flavour of life on campus (and it opens with one of our dancers!)
• With us, it’s all about YOU
SOMETHING TO READ
Read about our recent ‘alien invasion’, when students and alumni from various creative courses took part in a collaborative showcase event.
• ‘Aliens’ invade University campus
MEET OUR STUDENTS
Follow us on Instagram where you can meet some of our students and watch them performing!
• @uniofbedsdance
• @uniofbedsperformingarts
• @uniofbeds_creative
ABOUT THE CAMPUS
Take time to familiarise yourself with the layout of our campus and the names of buildings. This will help you get around with ease when you arrive.
• Bedford campus
SOMETHING TO EAT
• Eating and drinking on-campus
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TEACHING TIMETABLE
EXPECTATIONS FOR TEACHING
As a first year student, you will typically have scheduled taught sessions over four days every week, with one day free for reading and research.
If you work part-time, please let your employer know your class days for each semester so your hours don’t clash. Remember, your classes are compulsory.
Your timetable will be available online prior to arriving on campus, or you can contact your course coordinator to ask them to let you know when it is available.
To find out how to access your timetable go to beds.ac.uk/timetable
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QUESTIONS FREQUENTLY ASKED
What happens if I miss class due to illness or have difficulties with childcare or travel?
We understand that everyone will face some difficulties now and again and we aim to be flexible. You are encouraged to discuss ongoing issues with your personal academic tutor or unit coordinator.
Who can help me with my assessments?
The academic team is always available to guide you with the theory based content and you can book a one-to-one tutorial with your unit coordinator or tutor. If you need more time to complete an assignment due to specific circumstances, illness or additional learning needs, please contact the Student Engagement and Mitigation team (SEAM) who deal with extensions for assessments. Their email is: mitigation@beds.ac.uk
What support do you provide for learning differences such as dyslexia?
There is plenty of help available. You may be eligible for a Learning and Teaching Agreement, where you can discuss any reasonable adjustments needed for classroom learning and examinations. There is also help available for practice based learning, so please make us aware in advance.
Are there clubs and activities I can get involved with?
Yes! The Students’ Union can tell you everything you need to know about sports clubs, activities and events for all our students. You can even set up your own society! Contact Beds SU by emailing beds.su@beds.ac.uk
What if I’m struggling with my mental health at university?
We will support you and have a range of services offering specialist help. You can email mentalhealth@beds.ac.uk for new or ongoing mental health support needs. To access our counselling services, email counselling@beds.ac.uk
Can I talk to someone about my money worries?
Yes, we recognise the cost of living crisis is impacting significantly on students. Our financial advisors can help you. Contact studentmoney@beds.ac.uk
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THOUGHTS FINAL
Enjoy your course, have fun, and make friends, because being surrounded by people who listen to and support you will help you overcome challenges. Tuya, Art and Design, 1st year
Always remember, our team is here for you!
There is a lot to take in when you start university, so don’t be afraid to ask questions. Many of our teaching team have worked in industry and higher education for many years and have lots of experience to draw on and wisdom to impart. Every year, our alumni come back to share their experiences and successes with our students, so make sure you make the most of these learning opportunities.
Never be afraid to make mistakes because it’s not always about how the dance looks, it’s about how it feels. And never be afraid to talk to the lecturers: they are there to help you.
Isis, BA (Hons) Dance and Professional Practice
INSIGHT AND TIPS FROM OUR COURSE COORDINATORS AND CURRENT STUDENTS
We’re really looking forward to working with you to nurture and support you to achieve your goals. You’ll be part of a diverse and creative family at Bedfordshire. You will have plenty of opportunities to develop your unique talents, collaborate with others and learn from incredible artists and practitioners.
Sadie Hunt, Course Coordinator, BA (Hons) Dance and Professional Practice
We look forward to fostering your unique talents and witnessing your growth as a creative, as well as finding out what path within performing arts leads to your future.
Amalia Garcia, Course Coordinator, BA (Hons) Performing Arts
You will have the opportunity to explore a diverse range of acting styles, devise pieces and be directed by professional directors. Each year we’ll perform and create. We’ll also work with other performing arts students.
Peader Kirk, Course Coordinator, BA (Hons) Acting
The Master’s course is very practical and physical. Do pace yourself, get enough rest and eat a nutritionally balanced diet. We are very excited to work with you to develop as a dancer, artist and as an individual.
Tamara Ashley, Course Coordinator, MA Dance Performance and Choreography
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Discover more about the University of Bedfordshire, tour our facilities, and meet some of our academics and current students at one of our Open Days.
Find out about our up-coming Open Days at beds.ac.uk/open-days
beds.ac.uk
+44 (0)300 3300 073
facebook.com/unibeds instagram.com/uniofbeds
twitter.com/uniofbeds youtube.com/uobvideos
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