Film & Theatre

Film and theatre together form one of the most intellectually vibrant fields in the arts and humanities. Both are live, time-based art forms with their own histories, aesthetic traditions, and critical languages, and yet they are deeply intertwined: film grew out of theatrical traditions, and theatre has been transformed by cinematic techniques, technologies, and ways of seeing. Studying them together means developing a rich understanding of how stories are told, how performers embody characters, how space, light, and time are used to create meaning, and how audiences make sense of what they see.

The University of Reading's three-year full-time degree in film and theatre includes a sandwich year and a year abroad, giving you both professional experience in the arts or cultural sector and the chance to study at an international partner institution. Reading has a strong tradition in both film studies and theatre, and the programme combines analytical and critical work with practical engagement, including performance and production projects that develop your understanding of making as well as watching. You will study film history and theory, theatre history, performance studies, dramatic literature, screenwriting, directing, and the cultural and political contexts that shape screen and stage.

The year abroad adds a genuinely international dimension to a discipline that is global in its reach.

Graduates from film and theatre programmes go on to work in theatre, film, television, arts administration, education, cultural journalism, criticism, production, and the wider creative industries. Many continue to postgraduate study in film studies, theatre studies, or performance practice, deepening their expertise or developing a specialism in directing, design, or performance. The analytical and communicative skills the degree develops are also valued across journalism, publishing, public relations, and any role that requires engagement with culture and communication.