Shakespeare in Performance
Explore Shakespearean theatre through a range of perspectives, creative practices and performances in the UK’s vibrant performing arts scene.
| Programme dates | Please note that this programme is not running in summer 2024. Please use the button above to register an interest in our 2025 summer programme. 2025 dates to be confirmed |
| Programme fee | To be confirmed What's included We offer a 10% discount for early-bird applicants who apply by early March 2025 (date to be confirmed) and to students from International Partner Universities and Study Abroad student mobility partners. Students from our partner institutions who apply to our study abroad programmes through an agent will not be eligible to obtain a fee discount. |
| Credits | Upon successful completion of the programme students will receive 10 academic credits, suggested as equivalent to 5 ECTS or 3 US semester credits. |
| Early-bird application ends | Early March 2025 - date to be confirmed |
| Closing date for all applications |
To be confirmed Places are limited and offers for programme places are made on a first-come, first-served basis. |
Who it's for
We welcome international undergraduate students from any academic background who have an interest in theatre, performance, and Shakespeare.
Our approach combines practical workshops and seminars, archival work and a range of visits and events to enable you to experience the theatrical life of Bristol and beyond.
What you'll learn
This summer school offers the opportunity to encounter Shakespearean theatre through a range of performances, creative practices, and perspectives.
- You’ll experience a range of practical workshops and thought-provoking lectures and seminars with leading theatre practitioners and academics within the oldest university drama department in the UK.
- You’ll attend theatre performances both in Bristol and further afield, visiting leading national companies such as the Royal Shakespeare Company.
- You’ll be given access to the University’s important Bristol Theatre Collection and its wide-ranging archive of material relating to Shakespeare in performance.
Starting with Early Modern theatre practice, you’ll explore developments in Shakespearean acting from the 1600s to the contemporary theatre, Shakespearean adaptations for stage and screen, and directing Shakespeare.
In doing so, you’ll develop your understanding and critical perspective towards Shakespearean performance and examine how and why these works continue to be staged in the fast-changing world of today.
Academic programme
Over the course of the summer school you will:
- develop your critical perspective on what you see;
- be introduced to trends, themes and issues in contemporary UK theatre, with a particular focus on Shakespearean performance;
- understand key methods and approaches to engaging with artistic and cultural activities;
- gain critical understanding of the practices and conventions through which Shakespeare has, and is, staged;
- learn the critical vocabularies and frameworks for appreciating Shakespearean performance in its various artistic and cultural forms; develop your communication skills, including scripting, editing and presenting, in order to articulate critically informed views of artistic and cultural activities to a wider audience;
- produce a portfolio of work (this might include a podcast);
- advance your collaborative working and teamwork skills.
You can read the course description, aims, intended learning outcomes, and teaching and assessment information in our Unit Catalogue.
Programme timetable
Find out more about your summer experience by viewing our Shakespeare in Performance Programme Outline 2023 (PDF, 175kB). Note that this programme outline is from 2023; the 2024 provision may vary.
If you need to view the programme outline in another format, email bristol-summer@bristol.ac.uk.
More information
Learn more about our Department of Theatre, where you will be based.
Entry requirements
You must meet all of these requirements to be eligible for this summer school:
| Study level | Currently studying at undergraduate level |
| Academic requirements | GPA equivalent to 60–63% on the UK scale, C on the ECTS scale, or 3.0 on a 4.0 GPA scale |
| English language requirements |
If English is not your first language, you need to meet our English language Profile B. You can view the tests and levels we accept by visiting our Profile B language requirements page and selecting the 'English Language Proficiency Tests' tab. |
| Age | 18 or over |
Why choose a Bristol Summer?
Study at a top-10 UK university and explore one of the UK’s most exciting cities. Programme fee includes accommodation and social programme.
Contact us
You can email or phone us if you have any questions about the course or your eligibility.
- Email: bristol-summer@bristol.ac.uk
- Telephone: +44 (0)117 455 3950