Program Overview

Drama MA

Overview

The Drama MA course is designed for students seeking to focus on the stage or screen as an actor, director, creator, or script writer. It offers expert tuition, exploration of practices, research methods, and critical frameworks to support students in realizing their creative ambitions.

Course Details

• Level: Postgraduate
• UCAS Code: N/A
• Start date: October 2025, October 2026
• Duration: 1 year
• Location: Creative Campus, Kingsway, Chester
• UK fees: £9,630 for the full course (2025/26)
• International fees: £15,000 for the full course (2025/26)

Course Structure

• Year 1:
  • Modules cover drama theories and practices, performance and creative practices, areas of research strategy, analysis, documentation, and essay writing.
  • Students will undertake either a written research dissertation or a practical project.

Modules

• Research Methods and Critical Thinking (20 Credits) Core
  • Covers research methodologies, fieldwork methods, ethnography, practice-based research, retrieval skills, referencing, and academic writing.
• Research Project (60 Credits) Core
  • Students will develop a substantial research-led project, which can take various forms, such as practical work, performances, live shows, exhibitions, workshops, lectures, or presentations.
• Creative Practitioner 1 (20 credits) Core
  • Students will investigate and develop their own personal and creative practice, with work created being specific and appropriate for the individual subject discipline.
• Creative Practitioner 2 (20 credits) Core
  • Students will expand upon and develop greater knowledge and depth of inquiry within their own personal and creative practice.
• Creative Practitioner 3 (40 credits) Core
  • Students will continue to develop their personal creative practice, with an emphasis on developing a more distinctive and original synthesis.
• Drama Frameworks and Practices (20 Credits) Core
  • Examines methodological approaches to explore and analyze drama practices and frameworks in various contexts.

Entry Requirements

• Home Students:
  • 2:2 honours degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline.
  • Admission is by written application and interview.
• International/EU Students:
  • 2:2 honours degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline.
  • Admission is by written application and interview.
• English Language Requirements:
  • For more information, please visit International Entry Requirements.

Fees and Funding

• Home Students: £9,630 for the full course (2025/26)
• International Students: £15,000 for the full course (2025/26)
• Additional Costs: Books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery, and related materials.
• Bursaries: The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships for postgraduate study.

Your Future Career

• Job Prospects:
  • Graduates have become actors, directors, producers, formed their own companies, initiated portfolio careers, undertaken PGCEs, taught in schools and higher education, entered management or training posts, and gone onto further study at PhD level.
• Careers Service:
  • The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service that provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences.