Program Overview

Introduction to the Shakespeare MA Program

The University of Birmingham offers a Master of Arts in Shakespeare, providing students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of Shakespeare in his beautiful hometown, Stratford-upon-Avon. By studying at the dedicated Shakespeare Institute research centre, students will learn from academic experts and join a community who share their love of Shakespeare.

Course Overview

The MA Shakespeare includes the optional pathway MA Shakespeare with Education. This pathway is suitable for those who work in education or are interested in working in education. Students will study Shakespeare through different lenses based on the latest research of Shakespeare academics. The University has a unique collaboration with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), offering opportunities outside the MA to enhance studies and see Shakespeare’s works brought to life on-stage.

Course Structure

The full-time programme runs from September to September on-site at The Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-Upon-Avon. If students prefer to study part-time, they can study the online MA Shakespeare by distance learning.

Course Highlights

• Benefit from wide-ranging expertise in the study of Shakespeare, exploring critical, historical, and theatrical approaches to Shakespeare.
• Deepen understanding of Shakespeare's impact on literature and theatre.
• Choose to specialise further with the Shakespeare and Education pathway, blending academic expertise with practical insights from the RSC.
• Study in Shakespeare's hometown, Stratford-upon-Avon, with access to RSC theatres and Shakespeare’s birthplace.
• Join a welcoming postgraduate community at the Shakespeare Institute, participating in student theatre, seminars, and conferences.

Course Delivery

• Taught modules, each representing a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework, and assignment preparation.
• Seminars, mainly taught by small group teaching.
• Dissertation, undertaking a 12,000-word dissertation in an area of interest or a practice-based dissertation.

Facilities

Students studying the MA Shakespeare on campus will have access to the dedicated Shakespeare library, study spaces, and a tranquil garden at the Shakespeare Institute.

Module Information

The programme comprises 120 credits of taught modules and a 60-credit dissertation. Modules include:

• Research Skills in Shakespeare
• Dissertation (MA Shakespeare and Education)
• Dissertation (Shakespeare)
• Practice-based Dissertation
• Optional modules such as Plays and Poems of Shakespeare, Shakespeare and Theatre Practice, and Teaching Shakespeare.

Entry Requirements

• A 2:1 Honours Degree (or international equivalent) in English or a related subject.
• English language requirements: IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band.

Fees and Scholarships

• Tuition fee: £11,250 for full-time study.
• Scholarships available, including the Birmingham Masters Scholarships, which award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.

Application Process

• Application deadline: 28 August 2026 for UK and non-visa requiring applicants.
• Apply online, submitting supporting documents and meeting standard requirements.

Career Opportunities

By studying a postgraduate degree in Shakespeare Studies at Birmingham, students will develop specialist knowledge in Shakespeare and Early Modern Drama, as well as transferable skills suited to a range of career paths, including theatre education, marketing, heritage management, academia, and librarianship.

Related Courses

• Shakespeare (Online) MA
• Fall in with Shakespeare (Online)
• Spring into Shakespeare (Online)

Student Experience

• Study at the Shakespeare Institute in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon.
• Opportunities to live and breathe Shakespeare, with the Royal Shakespeare Company nearby.
• Accommodation options in Stratford-upon-Avon, including flats, houses, bedsits, and shared houses.
• Collaboration with the RSC, bringing together world-leading scholars, artists, and students.
• Student support services, including one-to-one careers advice and guidance on job applications, CV writing, and interview techniques.