5Nov
PostgraduateCourse summary
The course The MA by Research (Drama, Theatre and Dance) is a flexible programme that allows you to undertake in-depth study (both full and part-time), under the supervision of international experts, on a broad range of subjects, including cultural studies, drama, theatre studies, dance studies, performance studies or comparative topics. The core of the MA by Research is a 25,000-word dissertation on a subject of your choosing, intended to give you the scope to explore your area of interest in real depth and to develop sophisticated critical and analytical research and writing skills. You will also complete a research-focused, taught module which will equip you with a range of theoretical and historical approaches to the study of the arts, enabling you to articulate, refine and persistently test your approach to your chosen topic within this broader theoretical and methodological framework.
Modules
This core course is taught during the Autumn term. It provides you with knowledge of a range of historical and modern theoretical approaches to the study of the arts. It refines your theoretical understanding and provides you with the methodological tools to proceed to PhD research if you so wish.
Assessment method
You will take one taught course and complete a dissertation. The taught course is assessed by essay and presentation. The dissertation is examined by a Visiting Examiner and includes a Viva Voce examination.
How to apply
International applicants
With almost a third of our students joining us from outside the UK, Royal Holloway is a diverse community with a strong international spirit. Ranked highly in the UK and the world for international outlook in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, Royal Holloway’s position recognises our global research impact and partnerships as well as student and staff diversity. Our alumni are found in 160 countries, working in industry, the arts, public sector and other areas, Royal Holloway is truly international both in ethos and impact. Within the 9,850 students enrolled at Royal Holloway, over 130 nationalities are represented, making our campus truly cosmopolitan. In addition, of the 104 societies and associations which enrich the post-study social life of our students, a quarter have an international flavour. We know a diverse community makes for a more creative and harder-working environment which benefits all our students, wherever they are from. Students from overseas can apply for all of our undergraduate degrees. We offer a range of additional support specifically for international students, including through our Centre for the Development of Academic Skills. For example, ‘Academic English’ for international students is provided for non-native speakers of English. The courses are designed to help you meet the challenges of academic work, including writing essays, following lectures, taking part in academic discussion and giving presentations. We also offer additional degree preparation courses for international students. See our website for full details. We have a number of scholarships that are dedicated to international students to help with tuition fees for undergraduate degrees. You can find a list of our current scholarship opportunities on our website.
Entry requirements
2:1 in a relevant subject or overseas equivalent, or relevant professional qualifications and relevant experience in an associated area. Normally we require a UK 2:1 (Honours) or equivalent in relevant subjects but we will consider high 2:2 or relevant work experience. Candidates with professional qualifications in an associated area may be considered. Where a ‘good 2:2’ is considered, we would normally define this as reflecting a profile of 57% or above.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Channel Islands | £5006* | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £5006* | Year 1 |
| EU | £22300 | Year 1 |
| International | £22300 | Year 1 |
| England | £5006* | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £5006* | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £5006* | Year 1 |
| Wales | £5006* | Year 1 |
*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
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
Home (UK) students tuition fee per year*: £5,006
EU and International students tuition fee per year**: £22,300
* This figure is the fee for the academic year 2025/26 and is shown as a guide.Please note that for research courses, we adopt the minimum fee level recommended by the UK Research Councils for the Home tuition fee. Each year, the fee level is adjusted in line with inflation (currently, the measure used is the Treasury GDP deflator). Fees displayed here are therefore subject to change and are usually confirmed in the spring of the year of entry. For more information on the Research Council Indicative Fee please see the UKRI website.
** This figure is the fee for EU and international students enrolled on a full-time basis in the academic year 2026/27.
Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase fees for all students annually. For further information see fees and funding.
Provider information
Royal Holloway, University of London
Egham
TW20 0EX