Course summary

This postgraduate degree explores the key disciplines of performance and cultural and creative industries in a global context. You’ll examine live and digital performing arts that are produced with international audiences in mind. Throughout this Masters course you’ll develop a critical understanding of what performance is, and how it is produced and consumed locally and globally within a variety of social, political and economic settings. You’ll apply your learning through lectures and seminars. This course will equip you with the skills to build your global career networks, you’ll have the opportunity to visit a variety of cultural organisations, and gain valuable insight into the cultural and creative industries from guest lecturers and industry experts. This Masters course is taught by the School of Performance and Cultural Industries which is based in stage@leeds, a publicly licensed theatre at the heart of the University campus. As a student you’ll also have access to stage@leedsDigital, a virtual creative space for students, researchers, professional artists and international theatre companies. You’ll also have the opportunity to observe the process of performance making, as well as to gain practical experience through optional modules and work experience. Leeds has a thriving cultural scene and is home to large-scale events like Leeds International Film Festival, Light Night, Transform Festival and Leeds Digital Festival. Our industry connections allow you to engage with local cultural organisations such as Leeds Playhouse, Opera North, Phoenix Dance Theatre, the BBC, the National Science and Media Museum, and East Street Arts. Specialist facilities Our School is based in stage@leeds, a purpose-built landmark building that sits at the heart of campus. As our student, you’ll have access to its two professional standard, publicly licensed theatres: the main space seats 180 and is equipped with the latest technologies, and the theatre studio provides a technically advanced performance research facility. stage@leeds hosts a range of work by students and visiting theatre companies all year round. Within the building you’ll also find rehearsal rooms, two black-box studios, costume construction and wardrobe stores, a design studio, a scenic workshop, computer aided design facilities and video-editing and sound recording. Extensive resources Our greatest resource is our links with the local community. Partnership working is fundamental to applied theatre, and the unique requests and needs of our community partners inspire and shape our work with them. Leeds University Library is one of the UK’s major academic research libraries, and has extensive holdings to support your studies including Special Collections offering a huge range of rare books, manuscripts and art. You’ll have access to materials relating to Leeds Playhouse, Phoenix Dance Theatre, and more. Many of the Library’s materials are available online, allowing you to access them from a distance. You’ll also have access to study services like one-to-one support and skills development workshops, which will help you to get the most out of your time with us.