Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA)
Our mission is to shape versatile performing artists, arming them with a powerful combination of theoretical knowledge, hands-on skills, and essential values. Elevate your potential and thrive in the vibrant and competitive realm of the performing arts industry. Join us to unlock a world of opportunities and become a sought-after talent in the ever-evolving landscape of performing arts.
Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA)
Our mission is to shape versatile performing artists, arming them with a powerful combination of theoretical knowledge, hands-on skills, and essential values. Elevate your potential and thrive in the vibrant and competitive realm of the performing arts industry. Join us to unlock a world of opportunities and become a sought-after talent in the ever-evolving landscape of performing arts.
The programme is hosted by the Department of Performing Arts
The Bachelor of Performing Arts of Kyambogo University is offered by Department of Performing Arts in Faculty and Humanities. We aim to make you a trendy artiste, a graduate performing artiste with up-to-date knowledge, effective practical skills and appealing values to engage competitively with the complex and volatile trends in the performing arts industry in Uganda and world over. In this three-year programme, you will take an abundance of state-of-the-art courses such as Drama and Performance, Basics of Dance, Computer Operations in Performing Arts, Voice and Musical Instrument Skills and Basics of Voice and Aural skills etcetera tailored towards expertise and professionalism. If you have a deep passion for performing arts, pursuing The Bachelor of Performing Arts of Kyambogo University allows you to engage with your interests on a profound level. It is a personally fulfilling and enriching experience in areas of music, instrument playing, staging plays, making films and television series among others. Through both face-to-face and online lecture and practical engagements, this programme shall not only revolutionalise your academic life but also your nature-gifted talent. Apply today and explore the untapped well of opulent opportunities of performing arts.
General Objective
The overall objective of the Bachelor of Performing Arts program at Kyambogo University is to produce a robust graduate performing artist with knowledge, practical skills, and values to engage competitively with the trends in the performing arts industry.
Specific Objectives
- To exhibit practical knowledge, skills and values in music, dance, drama and film;
- To demonstrate skills in current trends in the technological and digital age in the performing arts industry;
- To apply knowledge and skills of research to enhance activities of the performing arts industry;
- To employ entrepreneurial skills in music, dance, drama and film to initiate businesses in the performing arts industry;
- To apply professional, ethical, and legal values in the performing arts industry.
You must meet the minimum Kyambogo University requirements for undergraduate admissions, thus:
Direct Entry
Advanced Level certificate with two (2) principal passes in any subject, whether arts or sciences.
Entry into the First (1st) Year
To join this programme in the first year, you must be:
Either a holder of Grade VI of the Associated Board of the Society of Royal Music (ABRSM) or Trinity College of Music (TCM) or its equivalent; Diploma in Secondary Education—Music; Diploma in Primary Education—Music
Or Mature Age entry
Have passed the Mature Age Examination of Kyambogo University or from a recognised institution.
Entry into the Second (2nd) Year:
If you hold any of the below-listed certificates, you can join the programme in its second (2nd) year: Diploma in Music and Theatre Arts of Kyambogo University or its equivalent; Diploma in Performing Arts from a recognised institution; Diploma in Music, Dance, and Drama (MDD) from Makerere University or its equivalent from any recognised institution of higher learning.
| COURSE CODE | COURSE NAME | LH | PH | CH | CU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year I Semester One | |||||
| HPA 1101 | Basics of Voice and Aural skills | 30 | 30 | 45 | 3 |
| HPA 1102 | Theory and Literature of Music | 45 | 0 | 45 | 3 |
| HPA 1103 | Drama and Performance | 30 | 30 | 45 | 3 |
| HPA 1104 | Basics of Dance | 30 | 30 | 45 | 3 |
| HPA 1105 | Computer Operations in Performing Arts | 15 | 60 | 45 | 3 |
| HPA 1106 | Communication Skills for Artistes | 30 | 30 | 45 | 3 |
| SUB-TOTAL CU | 18 | ||||
| YEAR I SEMESTER II | |||||
| COURSE CODE | COURSE NAME | LH | PH | CH | CU |
| HPA 1201 | Voice and Musical Instrument Skills | 30 | 30 | 45 | 3 |
| HPA 1202 | Aural and Choral Conducting | 15 | 60 | 45 | 3 |
| HPA 1203 | Improvisation in Drama | 45 | 0 | 45 | 3 |
| HPA 1204 | Contemporary and Indigenous Dance Techniques | 15 | 60 | 45 | 3 |
| HPA 1205 | History and Development of Music in Uganda | 45 | 0 | 45 | 3 |
| HPA 1206 | Health and Safety in Performing Arts | 30 | 30 | 45 | 3 |
| SUB-TOTAL CU | 18 | ||||
| YEAR II SEMESTER I | |||||
| COURSE CODE | COURSE NAME | LH | PH | CH | CU |
| Core Courses | |||||
| HPA 2101 | Electronic Media and Performance | 30 | 30 | 45 | 3 |
| HPA 2102 | Ugandan Theatre and Film | 30 | 30 | 45 | 3 |
| HPA 2103 | Performance Production and Recording | 15 | 30 | 45 | 3 |
| Music Major Electives | |||||
| HPA 2104 | Applied African Music and Aural Skills | 15 | 90 | 60 | 4 |
| HPA 2105 | Music Composition and Lyric Writing | 60 | 0 | 60 | 4 |
| Dance Major Electives | |||||
| HPA 2106 | Social and Contemporary Dance Performance | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| HPA 2107 | Ethnic Dances of Western and Central Uganda | 15 | 90 | 60 | 4 |
| Drama Major Electives | |||||
| HPA 2108 | Play Writing Skills | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
| HPA 2109 | Development of Acting Skills | 30 | 30 | 45 | 4 |
| SUB-TOTAL CU | 21 | ||||
| YEAR II SEMESTER II | |||||
| COURSE CODE | COURSE NAME | LH | PH | CH | CU |
| Core Courses | |||||
| HPA 2201 | Film Production | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| HPA 2202 | Research Methods and Internship | 30 | 0 | 45 | 3 |
| HPA 2203 | Popular Entertainment | 30 | 30 | 45 | 3 |
| Music Major Electives | |||||
| HPA 2204 | Aural Skills, Conducting and Choral Training | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| HPA 2205 | Western Music Instrument Playing and Singing Skills | 15 | 90 | 60 | 4 |
| Dance Major Electives | |||||
| HPA 2206 | Dance in Education | 15 | 90 | 60 | 4 |
| HPA 2207 | Ethnic Dances in Northern and Eastern Uganda | 15 | 90 | 60 | 4 |
| Drama Major Electives | |||||
| HPA 2208 | Drama in Education | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| HPA 2209 | Play Directing Skills | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| SUB-TOTAL CU | 22 | ||||
| YEAR III SEMESTER I | |||||
| COURSE CODE | COURSE NAME | LH | PH | CH | CU |
| Core Courses | |||||
| HPA 3101 | Designing for Production and Performance | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| HPA 3102 | Field work and Research Report in Performing Arts | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| HPA3103 | Radio and Television Production | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| Music Major Electives | |||||
| HPA 3104 | Harmony, Composition and Counterpoint | 30 | 30 | 45 | 3 |
| HPA 3105 | Music Appreciation and Analysis | 30 | 30 | 45 | 3 |
| Dance Major Electives | |||||
| HPA 3106 | Dance Analysis and Criticism | 30 | 30 | 45 | 3 |
| HPA 3107 | Dance Choreography: Social and Contemporary Dances | 30 | 30 | 45 | 3 |
| Drama Major Electives | |||||
| HPA 3108 | Popular Entertainment in Drama | 30 | 30 | 45 | 3 |
| HPA 3109 | Young People’s Theatre | 30 | 30 | 45 | 3 |
| SUB-TOTAL CU | 21 | ||||
| YEAR III SEMESTER II | |||||
| COURSE CODE | COURSE NAME | LH | PH | CH | CU |
| Core Courses | |||||
| HPA 3201 | Criticism and Analysis of Performance | 30 | 30 | 45 | 3 |
| HPA 3202 | Ethics and Legal Framework of Performing Arts | 45 | 0 | 45 | 3 |
| HPA 3203 | Entrepreneurial Skills in Performing Arts | 30 | 30 | 45 | 3 |
| Music Major Electives | |||||
| HPA 3204 | Music Invention Project | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
| HPA 3205 | Instrumental playing, Singing and Aural Skills | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
| Dance Major Courses | |||||
| HPA 3206 | Dance Practice in the Communities | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| HPA 3207 | Choreography and Performance Project | 15 | 90 | 60 | 4 |
| Drama Major Courses | |||||
| HPA 3208 | Applied Drama in Community | 15 | 90 | 60 | 4 |
| HPA 3209 | Acting Project | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| HPA 3210 | Play Directing Project | 15 | 90 | 60 | 4 |
| SUB-TOTAL CH | 21 | ||||
| GRAND TOTAL (GRADUATION LOAD) | 121 |
By the end of this course, you will:
- Exhibit practical knowledge, skills and values in music, dance, drama and film;
- Demonstrate skills with current trends in the technological and digital age in the performing arts;
- Apply knowledge and skills through research and innovations to solve problems in the performing arts;
- Employ entrepreneurial skills in music, dance, drama and film to initiate businesses in the performing arts industry;
- Apply professional, ethical and legal values in the performing arts industry.
Study the Bachelor of Performing Arts of Kyambogo University and
- Pursue a career as a dancer, actor, musician, or any other performing artist.
- Work in theatre, film, television, or music production.
- Work behind the scenes in arts organisations, such as theatres, dance companies, or music venues.
- Manage events, marketing, fundraising, or coordinating productions.
- Become a performing arts teacher in schools, colleges, or private studios to pass on your knowledge and skills to the next generation.
- Combine your artistic skills with therapy by working as an arts therapist. You can use performing arts as a means of healing and supporting individuals with mental health issues or disabilities.
- Work as a talent agent, casting director, or production assistant.
- Plan and manage performing arts events, festivals, or concerts.
- Become an arts journalist, reviewing performances, interviewing artists, or writing critiques.
- Start your own performing arts company, dance studio, or theatre group, taking on roles such as producer, director, or artistic director
Access the approved fees structure from the main website. Please ensure to search and find this programme to view the fees.
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