Explore all aspects of contemporary design practice for theatre and the live performance, including set and costume design; construction; digital technologies and design; lighting design and audio visual; site-specific design; puppetry; heritage installation; and design for community and education. The course is facilitated by the highly skilled team of staff and technicians who have years of professional and academic knowledge.

Key features

• This course is a member of the Performance Design Education Collective (PDEC), and the Society of British Theatre Designers (SBTD). Through these, we are also a member of the International Organisation of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians (OISTAT).
• Our facilities promote collaboration and innovation. You’ll be working alongside artists, designers, photographers, illustrators, animators, and filmmakers.  
• All first-year students within the School of Art and Design will work together on a joint project.
• Study in dedicated facilities, including a studio theatre, construction and paint workshops, and large teaching spaces.
• Work on live projects with industry such as The Royal National Theatre, Birmingham Opera Company, The National Trust and Nottingham Playhouse.
• Go on study visits for inspiration, research, and experience, including live performances, museums and heritage and educational organisations.
• Enter competitions set by organisations such as The Royal National Theatre’s Connections festival, and the Linbury Prize.
• During your time here, you will be given the opportunity to showcase your work to members of the creative industries.
• Opportunity to apply for a European or international exchange to one of our partner institutions, such as Ryerson University in Canada.
• 100% of students from the Theatre Design course would recommend studying at NTU. (National Student Survey 2020)
• We're ranked 12th best University for Art and Design in the UK. (The Complete University Guide 2021).
• NTU is ranked the top 15 universities in the UK for Design and Crafts (14th). (Guardian University Guide 2021).

Main image credit: Leslie Travers, Designer from Elysium at the Norwegian Opera.

Graduates have been employed as designers and assistant designers on a multitude of live productions or have gained employment in specific production roles with companies such as:

• the English National Opera (drawing room)
• National Theatre (scenic art)
• Cameron Mackintosh (model-making).

Graduates have also freelanced alongside internationally renowned designers in and out of the UK and worked on gallery installations, festivals, in film and TV, and for events and as community artists and practitioners.