University of Plymouth and Theatre Royal Plymouth

Experts working together to give talented students training and professional experience that will set them apart in today’s arts and creative industries
Theatre and dance performance by University of Plymouth students at Theatre Royal Plymouth

Our courses

The future of theatre

Our collaboration with Theatre Royal Plymouth is totally unique. It gives our students the best of both worlds and access to leading research, teaching and creative practice. It allows us to get on board with the latest developments in theatre as they are happening.

"Training at Plymouth in 2020 looks like training will look like everywhere in 2030 – inclusive, accessible and progressive."

Dr John Matthews tells us why Plymouth offers a unique and career-building experience for performers

The House stage.

Best practice combined

University of Plymouth and Theatre Royal Plymouth have joined forces to give performing arts students – actors, dancers, and theatre-makers – the very best, up-to-date industry expertise, research and teaching practice as well as unrivalled access to professional opportunities.

Creative edge

Enjoying training in the theatre with performing arts practitioners hand-in-hand with top quality teaching from higher education specialists in a university, University of Plymouth students get the best of both worlds.

It is this winning combination that drives innovation, the exchange of ideas and best practice and that helps students to gain that all-important creative edge.

Building career portfolios while studying

The University of Plymouth's performing arts students are encouraged to have the highest aspirations. The University has well-established partnerships in the city, and with schools and colleges, as well as with experienced mentors at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.

These partners provide students with work opportunities so that, as new graduates, they have career portfolios that facilitate their entry into the workplace.

Theatre Royal Plymouth exterior at night
Theatre Royal Plymouth interior
Theatre Royal Plymouth interior

Expanded learning opportunities

The collaboration between the University of Plymouth and Theatre Royal Plymouth expands the teaching expertise, the practical opportunities, as well as the number of specialist venues in which students will be trained. Students will have access to industry-leading rehearsal spaces and stages across the city and contemporary facilities designed for both teaching and performance.

Theatre Royal Plymouth is the best attended and largest regional producing theatre in the UK, launching many major productions destined for the West End and enjoying a national reputation as producer of new plays.

As well as delighting and entertaining audiences with world-class productions on its stages, the Theatre Royal Plymouth believes passionately in the impact that theatre and performance can have on people’s lives and is recognised for its pioneering creative learning programme involving local young people and communities that are often hard to reach.

Theatre Royal Plymouth’s award-winning production and learning centre at TR2 provides training and rehearsal space to the University of Plymouth’s students. In addition, the theatre’s city centre stages – the prestigious Lyric, Drum and Lab – are just a short walk from the campus.

The House
The House, University of Plymouth

The House

The University of Plymouth committed Â£7 million to building The House, a purpose-built theatre on campus. 

A state-of-the art building, this award winning facility is a fully accessible building with a 200-seater auditorium, a studio theatre and rehearsal spaces.

Come in to The House

University of Plymouth Honorary Doctorate of Arts awardees