BA (Hons) Stage Management

You should submit your application before 28 February 2025 (16:00 GMT). If you apply after 28 February, we can’t guarantee there will still be places on your course.

Applying after a break in studying
The application process is the same as it is for everyone else. You will have the option within your personal statement to explain why you have chosen to return to study now and how you feel you will benefit.
We accept a variety of qualifications, including the Access to HE Diploma and Open University credits. View our course pages to find out about entry requirements for each course. If you are a mature student and you have any questions about our entry requirements or your qualifications email [email protected].

Equal opportunities
The School is committed to the promotion of equal opportunities for all. We consider each application on the basis of the applicant’s suitability for the proposed programme of study, at the same time acknowledging the statutory and professional requirements of some programmes. We are keen to encourage applicants from a wide range of academic and social backgrounds to take up the opportunity of studying at the School. We aim to create an environment that respects the diversity of students and enables them to derive maximum benefit and enjoyment from their involvement in the life of the School. To do this we will be proactive about ensuring people are treated fairly regardless of age, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity, gender, religion or sexual orientation.

Application enquiries
The Admissions Office deals with enquiries and applications for all degree courses.
Telephone: +44 (0)117 9733535
Email: [email protected]
Post: Admissions Office, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, 1-2 Downside Road, Bristol BS8 2XF, UK

Application regulations
We will only accept one application per applicant, per year. You cannot apply for more than one course. If you need further advice about choosing a course, please contact the admissions team.

Bristol Old Vic Theatre School is an associate school of the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), a Higher Education Provider registered with the Office for Students. On successful completion of this course, you will receive an award from UWE Bristol. Because of their vocational nature, BOVTS does not award degree classifications – all assessment is completed on a pass or fail basis.

This course is taught predominantly at the School’s main site at Downside Road. Audio and film work is taught at the School’s current centre for recorded media at Christchurch Studios, and on-location across the city of Bristol. Read more about the sale of Christchurch Studios.

The School stages theatre productions at venues across Bristol, and the productions you work on will be based in one or more of the city’s many performance spaces. Recent venues have included Bristol Old Vic, the Redgrave Theatre, the Wardrobe Theatre, Circomedia, Tobacco Factory Theatres and the Malcolm X Community Centre amongst others.

From time-to-time, rehearsals and teaching may take place in alternative spaces in close proximity to the School.

Scheduled learning includes lectures (virtual and in-person), small group seminars, tutorials, project supervision, demonstration, practical classes and workshops, fieldwork, external visits, work-based learning, supervised time in studio/workshop. The annual cohort size is expected to be around 12 students and classes are mainly taught in groups of 6. Occasional group sessions may be held for the full cohort as well as cross course collaborations where the classes may be of a larger size.

Independent learning includes hours engaged with essential reading, case study preparation, assignment preparation and completion etc. Scheduled sessions may vary slightly depending on the module. The course includes a placement component where students can spend up to five weeks with a professional production company or organisation. Students arrange their placements directly with a placement organisation of their choice with support from tutors. Placements are arranged ensuring they fit well with the student’s interests and other course commitments.

The course is immersive with an average of 25 hours contact time a week. Independent study hours are expected to be around 10 hours a week. Weekly timetables can vary, especially during production and performance weeks where hours will be higher and are likely to include evenings and weekends. BOVTS aims to avoid scheduling any teaching across the School on Wednesday afternoons, except during production weeks when technical rehearsals will continue.

You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge match the content of the modules on the course. The team includes the Head of Course, and tutors specialising in lighting, sound and prop-making. You will also be supported by a range of visiting industry professionals who will teach specialist masterclasses and workshops, supporting you in developing your professional network. You can find further information about all our core teaching staff on our staff pages.

Because of the vocational nature of the training, BOVTS does not award degree classifications – all assessment is completed on a pass or fail basis. There are no written exams, dissertations or theoretical essays. Assignments are based on industry-standard paperwork and processes.

Practical assessments are based around making, planning and sourcing, as well as management and design tasks, which would be required as part of staging a show. Your interaction with the team around you is as important as your individual contribution.

Each module is worth a specified number of credit points. All modules are compulsory, enabling you to cover key subject knowledge while developing your own interests.

Year 1:
Stage Management Fundamentals (40 credits)
Technical Operation for Stage Managers (30 credits)
Props for Stage Managers (30 credits)
Professional Portfolio 1 (20 credits)

Year 2:
Collaborative Projects (40 credits)
Industry and Employment (40 credits)
Professional Portfolio 2 (40 credits)

Year 3:
Industry Portfolio (60 credits)
Professional Portfolio 3 (60 credits)

Applicants are normally expected to meet UWE Bristol’s minimum entry requirements. However, BOVTS welcomes interest from applicants who may not have the standard entry requirements. We will consider evidence of personal, professional and educational experience which shows an ability to meet the demands of the course. Please see “selection process” for further information, or contact our admissions team for further advice.

If English is not your first language, you will need to demonstrate English language proficiency through a relevant qualification, such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). For this course, an overall score of 7.0 is normally required, with a minimum of 7.0 in each component of reading, writing, listening and speaking. Please contact our admissions team for further advice.

Your application should demonstrate a passion for live events and an understanding of stage management.

Everyone who applies for this course will be interviewed, where you will be asked to demonstrate your experience, motivations and aspirations with our panel. As part of the selection process, we may also invite you to take part in a comprehensive workshop day which will be communicated with you by our admissions team.

Home students (UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man) £9,250 per year
International students (including EU) £22,050 per year

Fees are subject to further increase in subsequent years in line with government policy.

We regret that we are unable to consider applications from students requiring a visa to study in the UK during the 2025–26 academic year. For further information, please see the drop down “Students requiring a visa to study in the UK.”

Accommodation and living costs are not included in your tuition fees.

Further information about financial support from the government, and bursaries and scholarships that you may be eligible to apply for is available from our fees and funding page.

There are some additional costs associated with this course that are not covered by your tuition fee. Costs given in brackets are to help with budgeting and are indicative only. These are likely to include:

• recommended books – before buying your own copy, you may wish to see if you can borrow through the School’s library or view through the Drama Online portal (available to current students) (up to £100)
• IT equipment – it is recommended that you have your own laptop or computer. Please see the School’s recommended IT specifications for further information (PDF, 52 Kb);
• stationery, photocopying and printing costs (estimated £50 for duration of the course).

If you are facing financial hardship, then the School may be able to loan you equipment or help you meet these costs with a bursary. New students should contact admissions for further advice.

Due to a recent change in the Theatre School’s governance, our Higher Education provider UWE Bristol is unable to issue Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) documentation for BOVTS courses. Regrettably we are therefore unable to consider applications from students requiring a visa to study in the UK for 2025 entry.

The Theatre School is able to consider applications from international students who do not require a visa to study in the UK. If you are unsure of your tuition fee status, please consult the UK Council for International Student Affairs guidelines or contact our admissions office for further guidance. Prospective international students for future years of entry are encouraged to join our mailing list to learn more about training at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

In the meantime, there are several ways that prospective international students can undertake training with BOVTS:

• We run a series of online masterclasses throughout the year, which are accessible wherever you are in the world. Find out more about what’s coming up on our short courses webpages.
  
• We offer intensive, in-person short courses for adults throughout the year in acting, creative and production disciplines. These currently range from day-long masterclasses to a ten-week acting foundation course. International students for these courses can normally visit the UK on a standard (holiday) visa, where required. Find out more about what’s coming up on our short courses webpage.
• We run acting international masterclasses in selected destinations throughout the year. Sign up to our prospective student mailing list or follow us on social media to be the first to know when new dates are set.