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Dramaturgy at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS

Course options

2024 - 2025
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

MA Dramaturgy is a highly unique degree delivered by one of the most impactful and innovative departments in the UK. This course offers you a comprehensive exploration of the theory and practice of dramaturgy. Taught by world-leading academic researchers, artists and industry professionals, you will explore diverse aspects of dramaturgy through a combination of:

  • academic study
  • dramaturgical practice
  • writing for and about theatre and performance
  • theatre composition
  • performance-making.
You will work practically with a host of leading artists, who share their diverse approaches to creating and dramaturging performance, from collaborative theatre-making and live art to queer performance and ecological theatre. You will engage in scholarly examination of practices, histories and theories regarding the research and development of drama, theatre and performance works inside and outside the rehearsal room. Further enhancing your practice-based and scholarly skills and knowledge, you will produce a dramaturgical exhibition for a production, originate a playwriting project, and engage in an industry-led examination of audience development, arts education and producing. This MA Dramaturgy is unique in approaching dramaturgy from multiple standpoints: practical, theoretical and institutional. It is offered in association with guest artists, recently including Zoe Svendsen, Tim Crouch, Karen Christopher, Sarah Sigal, Dickie Beau and Lou Cope. Another exciting feature of this course is the opportunity to present practice-based dissertation projects in Camden People's Theatre as part of a graduation festival. This MA Dramaturgy is supported by the creative and critical interests of Birkbeck staff and the expertise of associate artists that include Birkbeck Centre for Contemporary Theatre Fellows. This course will prepare you to enter the world of creative industries with specialist theoretical and practical knowledge, and an informed overview of the creative process and its components. Throughout your degree, you will develop research skills, enriched by the Graduate Research in Theatre (GRiT) seminar series. MA Dramaturgy’s well-balanced academic and industry focus also offers you access to invaluable resources, including professional development workshops and career opportunities. Highlights
  • This MA draws on the research interests, professional practice and expertise of our academics and visiting artists and scholars. Internationally renowned artists and practitioners teach on the course.
  • MA Dramaturgy students can also benefit from informal academic and creative enhancement opportunities. You will be invited to Graduate Research in Theatre seminars run each term by Birkbeck’s Centre for Contemporary Theatre, which also hosts regular talks, workshops, performances and masterclasses. You can also share your work in progress as part of Scratch Night, during our summer Arts Week festival.
  • 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 will have the chance to attend a special seminar on programming, audience outreach and other dramaturgical practices at Battersea Arts Centre.
  • 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.
Careers and employability Our graduates can be found pursuing a broad range of career paths, including in:
  • literary departments
  • dramaturging and producing
  • theatre and performance practice
  • academia and education
  • opera and dance
  • playwriting
  • stage combat and fight choreography
  • arts administration and outreach.

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

Additional fee information

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases.
Dramaturgy at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS