University of Warwick

What you'll study

This programme brings together close reading of dramatic texts, historical contextualisation and engagement with performance practice. Teaching combines seminars, workshops and one-to-one supervision. You will normally take a mix of taught modules and a substantial dissertation or practice-led project.

• Core approaches and theory: critical methods in literary and performance studies, research skills for drama, and historiography of theatre.
• Period and genre modules: options typically include early modern drama and Shakespeare, nineteenth-century theatre, twentieth-century and contemporary British drama, and global/colonial and postcolonial theatre.
• Performance and practice: modules that examine performance theory, dramaturgy, adaptation, stagecraft and the relationship between text and performance.
• Specialist options: topics may cover feminist and queer theatre, politics and performance, digital theatre, archival research, and practitioner-led case studies.
• Dissertation or practice-led project: a substantial piece of supervised research (typically 12,000–18,000 words) or an equivalent practice-based submission with critical contextualisation.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a good undergraduate degree (usually a UK upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent) in English, drama, theatre studies or a closely related discipline. Relevant professional experience in theatre or the arts may be considered in place of, or in addition to, academic qualifications for mature applicants.

Admissions typically require a personal statement outlining your academic interests and proposed areas of research, one or two academic references, and a sample of written work. Applicants whose first language is not English must meet the university's English language proficiency requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates move into a wide range of careers across academia, the arts and the cultural and creative industries. Typical pathways include:

• PhD study and academic research in literature, theatre and performance studies.
• Roles in theatre companies as dramaturgs, literary managers or producers, and other creative-practice roles.
• Arts administration, cultural policy, festival programming and audience development.
• Journalism and criticism, including theatre reviewing and cultural commentary.
• Publishing, education and heritage sector roles that value advanced research and communication skills.

Why study at University of Warwick

Warwick’s Department of English and Comparative Literary Studies is research-active and interdisciplinary, offering close collaboration with the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies and access to the university’s cultural resources. The programme benefits from research-led teaching, small-group seminars and opportunities for practice-led work. Students can engage with public-facing activity at the Warwick Arts Centre and with a lively campus community of scholars and practitioners. Strong supervisory support and training in research methods make the MA a solid foundation for further scholarly work or professional roles in the cultural sector.