Program start date | Application deadline |
2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
MFA Directing
Overview
This two-year MFA gives you the opportunity to launch your career as a director with a full run in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Working in the heart of the festival city, you'll have time to work with actors on all years of the BA Acting & English and the BA Acting for Stage & Screen courses. You'll be working on contemporary and classic texts and alongside trainee playwrights to create new work. You'll have dedicated industry-recognised mentors providing support throughout your training time and you’ll be studying in one of the most culturally-vibrant cities in the world.
Mode of Study:
- Full-time
Duration:
- 2 years
Start date:
- September
Course details
We believe that there is no standard approach to the training of theatre directors. The art is a combination of visual, textual, and communicative acuity and every director is unique. For that reason the course is designed to be individually responsive to each student’s interests and experience. Most modules are heavily mentor-based, which means that you always have advice, expertise, and guidance on hand as you explore your artistic potential.
Modules:
- Dramatic Story and Structure
- Script Analysis
- Design and Metaphor
- Applied Directing
- Professional Preparation
- Festival Production
How you’ll be taught
The course is structured over 5 trimesters and, along with many opportunities to direct various projects and to assistant direct public shows, you’ll learn by a variety of teaching methods including lectures, tutorials and independent study.
Assessments
The majority of your assessments are based on a variety of practical performances and are the culmination of workshops and focused rehearsals, supported by tutorials.
Modules
- Applied Directing 1 (CLP11124)
- Applied Directing 2 (CLP11126)
- Design for Directors (CLP11149)
- Dramatic Story and Structure (CLP11129)
- Festival Production Directing (CLP11135)
- Festival Workshop (CLP11130)
- Professional Practice (CLP11131)
- Script Analysis (CLP11132)
Entry requirements
What are the entry requirements for Directing?
The entry requirement for this course is a Bachelor (Honours) Degree at 2:2 or above, with a background in Drama or Humanities.
Can I get admission into Directing based on my working experience in this sector?
This course has academic entry requirements which are assessed alongside relevant work experience. Full details of any relevant work experience, including references should be submitted with your application and may be considered for entry where the minimum academic entry requirements are below those required.
English language
If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test. The English Language requirements for this programme are IELTS (Academic) with 7.0 with no individual component score less than 6.5.
International students
We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Fees & funding
Tuition fees for 2024/25
- Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland: £5,600
- Overseas and EU: £18,800
Careers
What can you do with a MFA Directing course?
This course aims to train such graduates, who can see unlimited potential and a variety of opportunities for themselves in the entertainment industry. Through a comprehensive curriculum encompassing theory, practice, and collaboration, you'll develop the skills and expertise needed to lead productions with confidence and flair. You will have the opportunity to get into various roles such as:
- Theatre Director
- Theatre Producer
- Commercial Director
- Dramaturg
- Creative Learning Director
- Casting Director
Our graduates have gone on to do some great work. In the seven years of the programme our graduates have worked as directors, associate and assistant directors at the National Theatre of Scotland, Royal Lyceum Theatre, Teatru Manoel (National Theatre of Malta) Strange Town and several have made their professional directing debuts at Òran Mór’s celebrated Play, Pie & Pint as well as creating their own companies and developing them.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
This two-year MFA program is designed to launch the careers of aspiring directors.
Objectives:
The program aims to:
- Develop the skills and creativity of aspiring directors.
- Provide opportunities to network and build relationships with actors and writers.
- Offer dedicated mentorship from industry professionals.
- Equip graduates with the skills to adapt their work to a variety of platforms.
Description:
The program provides hands-on experience working with actors on various BA Acting & English and BA Acting for Stage & Screen courses. Students will work on contemporary and classic texts, as well as collaborate with trainee playwrights to create new work. The program emphasizes individual responsiveness to each student's interests and experience, with most modules being heavily mentor-based.
Outline:
Structure:
The program is structured over five trimesters and includes opportunities to direct various projects, assistant direct public shows, and participate in lectures, tutorials, and independent study.
Course Schedule:
- Trimester 1: Introduction to the program, foundational modules, and initial project work.
- Trimester 2: Continued development of directing skills, more complex project work, and potential placement opportunities.
- Trimester 3: Focus on festival production, including preparation for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
- Trimester 4: Festival production and presentation of work at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
- Trimester 5: Finalization of thesis, professional portfolio, and career/business plan.
Modules:
- Applied Directing 1 (CLP11124): Develops theoretical understanding and practical experience of theatre directing through the production of extended scenes. Includes master classes in rehearsal techniques, staging, and communicating with actors.
- Applied Directing 2 (CLP11126): Focuses on practical applications of directing knowledge in live theatre production. Includes a placement or case study examining professional practice and culminates in a preview performance of a festival production.
- Design for Directors (CLP11149): Explores theatre design, visual and sound elements, and how directors use these elements to express conceptual ideas in play production.
- Dramatic Story and Structure (CLP11129): Develops a critical understanding of dramatic storytelling elements, language, and tropes. Includes project-based challenges, regular tutorials, and a final project culminating in a workshop presentation.
- Festival Production Directing (CLP11135): Focuses on launching a professional career and presenting work at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Includes development plans, rehearsal schedules, marketing/media campaigns, and a thesis combining critical reflection and a professional portfolio.
- Festival Workshop (CLP11130): Develops new material and creative responses to existing work. Includes intensive classes, rehearsal time with actors, and preparation for Edinburgh Festival "backer's auditions."
- Professional Practice (CLP11131): Introduces business and self-management skills, including business planning, production finance, marketing, and networking.
- Script Analysis (CLP11132): Focuses on literary analysis of plays, ranging from Greek drama to the present day. Includes contextual research, practical production challenges, and presentations.
Assessment:
- Practical Performances: The majority of assessments are based on practical performances, culminating from workshops and focused rehearsals, supported by tutorials.
- Written Work: Includes analytical essays, project reports, and a final thesis.
- Professional Portfolio: A collection of work showcasing the student's skills and experience.
- Career/Business Plan: A detailed plan outlining the student's career goals and strategies.
Teaching:
- Teaching Methods: The program utilizes a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, tutorials, independent study, workshops, and rehearsals.
- Faculty: The program is taught by a team of industry professionals, including Mark Thomson (Directing) and May Sumbwanyambe (Playwriting).
- Unique Approaches: The program emphasizes individual responsiveness to each student's interests and experience, with a strong focus on mentorship and practical application.
Careers:
- Potential Career Paths: Graduates are prepared for a variety of careers in the entertainment industry, including:
- Theatre Director
- Film Director
- Television Director
- Artistic Director
- Producer
- Playwright
- Opportunities: The program provides opportunities to network with industry professionals and gain experience working on professional productions.
- Mentorship: Students receive dedicated mentorship from industry professionals throughout the program.
- Collaboration: The program encourages collaboration between students, faculty, and industry professionals.
- Festival Experience: Students have the opportunity to present their work at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
- Professional Development: The program includes modules focused on professional practice, business skills, and career development.
Tuition fees for 2024/25 Students from 2024/25 2025/26 Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £5,600 £tba Overseas and EU £18,800 £tba Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.