Course summary
Our MA Dramaturgy combines artistic development with academic study to offer you a unique opportunity to explore the theory and practice of dramaturgy. It will help build your career prospects in theatre, performance and the creative industries, develop your creative and critical skills, deepen your contextual and cultural understanding, sharpen your professional goals and make valuable connections within the industry. Why choose this course?
- This course benefits from both the wide-ranging expertise of our academic staff and our broader network of professional performers, writers, directors, producers and dramaturgs, including via a partnership with the UK’s Dramaturgs’ Network.
- It includes a full programme of workshops from guest artists, dramaturgs and writers, such as Tim Crouch, Lou Cope, Zoe Svensden, and the team at Battersea Arts Centre and the Dramaturgs’ Network.
- It is ideal if you are a theatre or performance maker or producer seeking to develop your creative skills and deepen your understanding of contemporary theatre, performance and participatory art practice.
- You will have the chance to engage with the Birkbeck Centre for Contemporary Theatre, including through a year-round programme of events, opportunities to meet our Artist Fellows, and invitations to our Graduate Research in Theatre seminar series.
- We collaborate with Dramaturgs’ Network (D'N) which provides each of our students with networking and professional development opportunities and exchange events, plus a year’s free D’N membership, as well as other exclusive opportunities.
- You can benefit from our ongoing relationships with Camden People’s Theatre and Battersea Arts Centre.
- You will be able to experience the wider research culture of the School of Creative Arts, Culture and Communication, including the annual Arts Week.
- Birkbeck was ranked 2nd in the UK for its English Language and Literature research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.
- We offer a number of bursaries for postgraduate students.
- familiarity with professional practices and modes of employment within the sector
- a critical grounding in key contemporary social, cultural and political questions
- skills in the design, production and presentation of high-quality research
- effective communication across different formats, from long-form text to short presentations.
- dramaturgy in theatre, performance and other cultural forms and settings
- play, theatre, performance and cultural programming, commissioning and development
- arts policy and research
- doctoral study.
Modules
For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.
Assessment method
Assessment methods include research essays, visual demonstrations, reflections, creative projects and a dissertation.
How to apply
International applicants
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses and foundation programmes to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.
Entry requirements
A second-class honours degree (2:2) or above, and/or relevant practical experience in the creative industries. All suitable applicants will be interviewed either personally or by telephone. Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
England | £5400 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £5400 | Year 1 |
Scotland | £5400 | Year 1 |
Wales | £5400 | Year 1 |
International | £9915 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Provider information
Birkbeck, University of London
Malet Street
Bloomsbury
London
WC1E 7HX
Course contact details
Visit our course pageBirkbeck Student Advice Service
0203 907 0700