Drama and Theatre Studies Practice-Based PhD/MA by Research

Program Overview

The Drama and Theatre Studies Practice-Based PhD/MA by Research program enables students to conduct academic research through creative practice, specializing in performance. It aims to develop skills and knowledge for leadership in the creative field. Graduates pursue careers as performance practitioners, scholars, and creative leaders in organizations such as BBC, Channel 4, and the University of Birmingham.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Drama and Theatre Studies Practice-Based PhD/MA by Research (through Performance, On-Campus or by Distance Learning) is a postgraduate research degree program that allows academic research to be conducted through practice. It provides a unique opportunity to specialize in a particular area of creative practice. The program is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge to develop and sustain a career as a creative leader.

Objectives:

• To conduct academic research through practice.
• To specialize in a particular area of creative practice.
• To develop skills and knowledge to become a creative leader.

Program Description:

The program offers a wide range of practical research opportunities, such as the investigation of the processes of theatre making or the practical application of particular performance ideas and theories. The thesis must fully contextualize the practice, substantiating the claim that the work is innovative and demonstrating how it extends the chosen field of research and practice. The practice research PhD thesis (written in conjunction with the practical output) is 40,000 words. The MA by Research is assessed by a shorter thesis of 20,000 words plus the practice element.

Assessment:

• The practice research will directly address the research questions and will be determined by the needs of the project.
• Recent PhD outputs include solo performance pieces, playwriting, immersive practice, workshops and community-based projects.
• The number and length of project outputs will be decided in consultation with supervisors and must align with the aims and scope of the individual research enquiry.
• Outputs can be live or recorded, depending on the needs of the research and the most appropriate method of delivery for the research questions.

Careers:

• The program prepares students for careers as performance practitioners, scholars, and creative leaders.
• Graduates have gone on to work for organizations such as the BBC, Channel 4, Salisbury Playhouse, Birmingham Hippodrome, Welsh National Opera, the National Film and Television School, and the University of Birmingham.

Other:

• The program is delivered on-campus or by distance learning.
• The College of Arts and Law is experienced in delivering high-quality distance learning to students all over the world.
• The distance learning program includes one fully-funded visit to campus in the first year of study.
• The University of Birmingham is ranked equal 10th in the UK amongst Russell Group universities in the Research Excellence Framework exercise 2021 (Times Higher Education).
• The Drama and Theatre Studies department is one of the top 50 performing arts departments in the world (QS 2024).
• The University of Birmingham is the top choice for the UK's major employers searching for graduate recruits, according to The Graduate Market 2024 report.
• The University's Careers Network provides expert guidance and activities especially for postgraduates, which will help students achieve their career goals.
• The College of Arts and Law also has a dedicated careers and employability team who offer tailored advice and a program of College-specific careers events.
• Students will have the opportunity to receive one-to-one careers advice, meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations, attend an annual program of careers fairs, skills workshops and conferences, and take part in a range of activities to demonstrate their knowledge and skills to potential employers and enhance their CV.
• Students will be able to access the full range of careers support for up to 2 years after graduation.