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Drama

These statistics relate to graduates who studied Modern Drama Studies as well as those who combined Drama with English and Film and Television Studies. Drama graduates fall broadly into two groups – those who wish to work in media and performing arts professions and those who use their degree as a route into careers unrelated to the subject studied. Around 60% of graduate positions are open to graduates from all disciplines.

In 2010/11, six months after graduating:

71.9% of graduates with a first degree were in employment

7.8% were in full-time further study

9.4% were combining work and study

Employment in the performing arts professions can, particularly on entry, be short term and often on a freelance basis. It is common to see Drama graduates who seek careers in this area initially taking on casual jobs (and in unrelated areas such as retail, administration and hospitality) to fill in the gaps while they develop their strategy for entry into their chosen field. Common employers of Drama graduates include local government, the retail sector and education institutions.

Another option for Drama graduates is to obtain a teaching qualification, usually through doing a PGCE. Qualified Teacher Status together with experience in secondary school teaching is often a very good basis for a career in community arts work, private drama teaching or drama therapy. Since “portfolio” careers are common in the performing arts field, a teaching qualification can add employability and flexibility to the package on offer, in addition to offering a stable and rewarding career in its own right.

In 2010/11 Drama graduates were employed in the following positions:

• Actor
• Assistant Editor
• Runner
• Stage Manager
• PR Officer
• Singer
• Assistant Radio Jockey
• Teacher (English & Drama)

In 2010/11 Drama graduates entered further study courses such as:

• MA English Literature
• MA Acting
• PGCE English & Drama (Secondary)
• Drama
• Documentary Styles

The graduate labour market remains competitive and relevant experience is increasingly required for graduate level jobs. For those without related experience job search strategy is often about getting a ‘foot in the door’ in order to compete for graduate positions later.

A growing national trend is for many students to delay their job applications until completing their studies, preferring to focus on achieving the highest grade possible. This can result in some graduates initially continuing with their part-time job while they explore their options after graduating.

The DLHE survey provides a snapshot of a very short amount of time (six months) after graduating and while many have progressed into relevant graduate jobs others are taking time out, travelling, waiting to start a course or continuing with their part-time job while they explore their options after graduating. Many graduates have moved on in their careers since completing the questionnaire.