| UCAS code | 1234 |
|---|---|
| Duration | Full time (24 months) Part time (36 months) |
| Entry year | September 2025 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Discipline | Drama |
| Contact |
| Typical offer | We are looking for graduates with a 2:2 Honours degree with 53% or above in their first degree in drama. |
|---|---|
Overview
- Develop the advanced critical and creative skills, cross-sector knowledge and training needed for success in the performing arts and creative sectors.
- Learn from world-leading academics and benefit from their research and professional sector expertise.
- Shape the programme to suit your personal ambitions and gain professional experience through independent projects.
- Join a diverse, international community of artists, researchers and students who are passionate about theatre’s role in society and are leaders in their field.
2nd in the UK for Drama, Dance and Cinematics
2nd in the Complete University Guide 2025
Industry placement options
Professional standard performance spaces and state-of-the-art production facilities for video, sound and scenic design
Top 5 in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
For Drama, Dance and Cinematics
2nd in the UK for Drama, Dance and Cinematics
2nd in the Complete University Guide 2025
Industry placement options
Professional standard performance spaces and state-of-the-art production facilities for video, sound and scenic design
Entry requirements
We are looking for graduates with a 2:2 Honours degree with 53% or above in their first degree in drama. While we normally only accept applicants who meet this criterion, if you are coming from a different academic background which is equivalent to degree level, or have relevant work experience, we would welcome your application. Practical and/or professional experience may be taken as constituting the equivalent of a degree qualification. Practical and/or professional experience may be taken as constituting the equivalent of a degree qualification.
All applicants must submit a CV which is up-to-date, including full educational history and all other work/relevant experience. With the CV all applicants must submit an on-camera audition. This should be no more than two minutes and demonstrate your current acting skills and knowledge of screen technique. This must be uploaded to the web in a capacity that is easy to view with the link added to your CV.
Applicants must also submit additional creative material, such as an acting reel or a portfolio of other acting and/or screen work. Any additional material should be similarly uploaded to the web in a capacity that is easy to view with the link added to your CV.
It is recommended that your film reel or portfolio be no longer than 5 minutes or a comparable length in reading.
Entry requirements for international students
Please visit our entry requirements section for equivalencies from your country and further information on English language requirements.
Entry requirements for international students
English language requirements
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
Course content
The MFA in Theatre Practice equips the theatre scholar-practitioners of the future, for the future. The degree has been thoughtfully designed to strengthen and illuminate your understanding of the immense possibility of your professional practice and where it can take you next in changing, complex times.
Tailored to your individual ambitions, this programme will connect you to a rich community of international peers, artists, researchers and teaching staff who are leaders in their field. You will build your confidence and become a technically skilled, versatile creative who can work in a variety of contexts.
Benefit from cutting-edge pedagogical approaches and access to world-leading research facilities and professional performance spaces. You will also have the opportunity to work closely with regional arts organisations and sector-leading national organisations, such as the world-renowned Globe Theatre.
The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
Fees
2025/26 entry
UK fees per year:
£12,500 full-time; £6,250 part-time
International fees per year:
£25,300 full-time; £12,650 part-time
Scholarships
We invest heavily in scholarships for talented prospective Masters students. This includes over £5 million in scholarships for international students, such as our Global Excellence Scholarships*.
For more information on scholarships, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
*Selected programmes only. Please see the Terms and Conditions for each scheme for further details.
Teaching and research
Course structure
In the first year, the programme focuses on studio-based creative teaching covering performance making, directing, acting and performance composition. It also enhances critical research skills and understanding of global creative practice.
The second year allows students to drive three independent projects – one as an autonomous creative developmental maker (‘Independent Creative Practice’); one as a facilitator honing pedagogic and reflexive skills (‘The Reflexive Cultural Practitioner’); and a final ‘Independent Special Project’ aligning with their professional aspirations.
Teaching
Our teaching draws from the department's world-leading research and professional sector expertise. Our staff run professional companies and frequently collaborate with renowned theatre organisations and cultural centres. Throughout the year, esteemed visiting speakers and practitioners will help enrich your learning.
Research
Our research is international and interdisciplinary and engages with the ethical, political and social challenges of our time, through the lens of performance.
We have particular interest in understanding the marginalisations and exclusions of British theatre cultures and industries; Asian performance cultures and diasporic practices; and the cultural aspects of contemporary concerns such as climate crisis, healthcare and urbanisation, space and rurality.
We research a wide range of performance practices and have a well-established reputation for excellence in theatre history, contemporary performance practice and applied/community theatre.
Facilities
As one of the country's largest and best-equipped Drama departments, we offer excellent teaching and performance spaces. The Alexander Building houses studios, seminar rooms, sound studios, meeting rooms, computer suites, workshops, and a costume store.
Roborough Studios provides three fully equipped adaptable studio spaces, a seminar room, and technical facilities for performances, rehearsals, and practical sessions. Additionally, the White House offers three large rehearsal spaces.
To find out more about our facilities, visit the Drama website.
Careers
Our MFA programme opens doors to diverse career opportunities. Across the two years you will be equipped with advanced critical and creative skills, cross-sector knowledge, rigorous training and professional experience.
Graduate destinations
Upon graduation, you'll be well-prepared for roles as advanced educators, cultural leaders, academics, or you could use your professional transferable skills in other leadership positions. The programme also nurtures research expertise, enabling graduates to pursue future roles as global researchers with profound knowledge in practice-research and creative analysis, positioning them for high-level roles.
Alumni from our department have achieved remarkable careers, from running theatre companies to becoming academics in international universities, arts curators, and cultural leaders.
Top 5 in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
For Drama, Dance and Cinematics
