Program Overview

Overview

A Master of Arts (MA) by Research allows you to undertake a one-year (full-time) or two-year (part-time) research degree. It contains little or no formal taught component. This type of study gives you the chance to explore a research topic over a shorter time than a more in-depth doctoral programme.

Key Information

Entry requirements

The normal entry requirements for enrolment on a MA by Research is an Honours degree (2:2 or above) or equivalent, in a discipline appropriate to the proposed programme to be followed.

• If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification.
• The minimum for IELTS is 6.5 overall with no element lower than 6.0, or equivalent.

Start dates

• 1 October 2025
• 12 January 2026
• 20 April 2026

Application deadlines

• For September 2025:
  • 13 June 2025 for International and Scholarship Students
  • 04 July 2025 for Home Students
• For October 2025:
  • 13 June 2025 for International and Scholarship Students
  • 04 July 2025 for Home Students
• For January 2026:
  • 17 October 2025 for International and Scholarship Students
  • 14 November 2025 for Home Students
• For April 2026:
  • 23 January 2026 for International and Scholarship Students
  • 20 February 2026 for Home Students

Duration

The maximum duration for an MA by Research is 1 year (12 months) full-time or 2 years (24 months) part-time with an optional submission pending (writing-up) period of 4 months.

What can I research?

Research in Drama, Dance and Performance incorporates historical research, theoretical inquiry, and emerging forms of practice research. Many of our Masters students develop innovative approaches to performer training, teaching, and devising as part of their practice research.

• Some key areas of expertise in our department include:
  • Psychophysical actor training and performance
  • Age, (dis)ability, gender and race in performance
  • Immersive and game-based performance
  • Laboratory methods for practice research
• Current staff and students are researching a wide range of topics including mindfulness and contemplative practices, performance magic and conjuring, horror and the gothic in performance, extended voice techniques, the aging body in performance, audio-visual laboratory methods, clowning, improvisation, criminology, and choreographic reconstruction.

Teaching and Assessment

• As a minimum you can expect to meet with your supervisors at least once a month (once every two months for part-time students).
• Self-directed study is to be agreed in liaison with you and your supervisor.
• Feedback, normally written, is provided on all assessments following submission.

Fees and Finance

• In 2025/26 the full-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate researchers will be £5,050.
• In 2025/26 the part-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate researchers will be £2,525.
• Tuition fees will cover the cost of your study at the University.
• Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years of study may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X).

Facilities

Our excellent facilities include three fully equipped performance studios together with workshops, costume stores, digital media suites and changing rooms.