Drama and English

Drama and English is a pairing built on a deep historical connection: theatre emerged from the same traditions that produced literature, and some of the greatest works in the English language were written to be performed rather than read. Shakespeare is the most obvious example, but the relationship between text and performance runs from the classical dramatists through to contemporary theatre makers who continue to challenge and extend the possibilities of the form. Studying drama and English together means engaging with that relationship directly, developing skills both in the interpretation of texts and in the embodied, collaborative practice of performance.

At Lincoln you will draw on the full resources of both the drama and English programmes, engaging with theatrical performance, directing, and devising alongside the close reading, critical analysis, and literary history that English study develops. Drama training will develop your understanding of theatre history, your ability to interpret and perform dramatic texts, and your skills in collaborative creative work. English study will deepen your analytical reading, your understanding of how literary form and language work, and your engagement with critical theory.

The three-year full-time programme includes a sandwich placement year with a work placement, giving you professional experience in a relevant creative or educational context and the opportunity to develop your portfolio before you graduate.

Graduates pursue careers in theatre and performance, teaching, arts administration, community arts, writing, publishing, arts journalism, broadcasting, and the creative industries more broadly. The combination of textual analysis and performative practice is also useful in training, facilitation, and any professional context where communication and storytelling matter. Many students continue to postgraduate study in drama, English literature, creative writing, or education.