University of Salford drops comedy course that helped kick-start careers of Peter Kay and Jason Manford

"This decision was not made lightly and we are incredibly proud of the programme's success"

The University of Salford has announced that a course attended by the likes of Peter Kay and Jason Manford has been dropped due to low numbers.

Originally started as a BA Media and Performance programme, the university introduced its BA Comedy, Writing and Performance degree in 2012. Students could learn about producing new work and refine their writing of comedy dramas and situation comedies.

As its original HND in Media and Performance programme, both Peter Kay and Jason Manford are amongst the alumni to have studied the course during the 1990s. Both performers have returned to the university over the years to deliver guest lectures and workshops.

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Peter, who will be the first act to perform at Manchester’s newest Co-op Live venue when it opens later this month, was given an honorary degree from the University in Salford back in 2016. During a ceremony at the Lowry, the comedian said he often turned down such opportunities but ‘I accepted this one because I actually came here’.

“When I graduated 20 years ago [in 1996], I was feeling like many of the graduates here today about going out into the world,” he added. “I knew I could make people laugh but I was frightened in case they wouldn’t laugh. But I knew I would regret it if I didn’t have a go. “

Jason Manford, who will also perform at Co-Op Live later this year, said he went to the university in after speaking to Peter and being encouraged to continue his studies. “He asked about university and I said ‘I think I’m just going to leave it, I maybe just need to get a job and crack on’,” Jason told the university’s From Salford alumni magazine in 2018.

“He said it might be worth looking into the HND at Salford as you could audition to get a place – so that’s how I got there really! The course was great, and we did everything from singing and dancing to feminism in performance.

“But the other thing I learned was that even when we were making projects such as a film, I wasn’t always in it as an actor – I would often do things like camera, lights and sound. So, when I come to a studio now, I do have an idea of what’s going on and you also have a bit of empathy with the people doing those jobs.”

The University of Salford said the course will now be been dropped from the its academic catalogue from September due to low attendance numbers. However, comedy will still be taught as a module as part of two existing BA courses.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the university told the M.E.N: "We can confirm that we will no longer be taking applications for new students on our BA Comedy Writing and Performance degree from September 2024.

"This decision was not made lightly and we are incredibly proud of the programme's success and its alumni who have showcased their immeasurable talent within the UK's creative sectors over the years.

"However, it's important to stress that we will be continuing to teach comedy at Salford as part of our long-standing commitment to inspire the next generation of comedians through our BA Theatre and Performance Practice and BA Media and Performance Programmes. Members of our comedy team will continue to deliver their teaching on these programmes or within any new programmes that may be developed where there is strong student demand.

"For Comedy, Writing and Performance, the number of students applying in recent years has meant the cohort levels have declined to a level that means it is not viable for these programmes to run.

"The University of Salford is committed to creative practice in all its forms and will continue to offer students the opportunity to learn, develop and showcase skills that push boundaries and help provide them with the confidence to perform in whatever role they choose to take in life."