The MA in Drama and Theatre Studies is a full-time programme running for 12 months or a part-time programme running for 24 months from the date of first registration for the programme.

In order to be admitted to the MA degree in Drama and Theatre Studies, a candidate must have a Second Class Honours BA (Hons) Degree, or equivalent, along with evidence of an established commitment to the field of Drama and Theatre Studies. Applicants with significant professional-level drama and theatre experience will also be considered. Applicants may be required to attend a workshop and/or interview with representatives of the Board of Drama and Theatre Studies and may be required to pass a qualifying test.

Students take modules to the value of 90 credits comprising taught modules to the value of 60 credits and a Dissertation or Research Project to the value of 30 credits.

The appropriate choice of specialisation will be discussed between applicants and the Programme Director. Applicants may be required to take a specific selection of modules, based on their qualifications, experience, available modules and proposed research topics.

Students take 90 credits as follows:

Part I
DR6028 Research Skills 1 (5 credits)
DR6029 Research Skills 2 (5 credits)
DR6037 Contemporary Performance Theory & Practice 1 (15 credits)
DR6038 Contemporary Performance Theory & Practice 2 (15 credits)

Plus students take 20 credits from the following:
DR6023 Special Studies in Theatre II (5 credits)
DR6024 Directed Study in Theatre and Performance (5 credits)
DR6025 Special Studies in Applied Theatre (10 credits)
DR6026 Advanced Theatre Practice (10 credits)
DR6027 Playwrights and writing in Contemporary Theatre (10 credits)
DR6036 Special Studies in Theatre Production 1 (5 credits)
DR6039 Professional Context (Internship) (10 credits)

Note: All options may not be available in any given year.

Part II
DR6030 Research Dissertation 1 (30 credits)
or
DR6031 Practice Based Research Project 1: Applied Theatre (30 credits)
or
DR6032 Practice As Research 1 (30 credits)

Attendance Students are required to attend all classes unless unavoidably prevented from doing so. Please see the university policy for further information here.

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2016 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules 2015/2016. .

Postgraduate Diploma in Drama and Theatre Studies (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
Students who pass taught modules in Part I (60 credits) may opt to exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Diploma in Drama and Theatre Studies.

A student who has successfully completed 50 credits of taught modules in Part I, may, in consultation with programme staff, opt to complete the 10 credit Directed Study module (DR6020). Upon successful completion of 60 credits the student will be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Drama and Theatre Studies.

Learning Outcomes for MA in Drama and Theatre Studies (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Articulate in discussion, in writing and/or in practice some key features of contemporary theatre practice and theory;
• Analyse and evaluate specific examples of research practice in drama, theatre, applied theatre and/or performance;
• Express in discussion, writing and/or practice an awareness of a range of approaches to issues in one or more of the following specialisations: dramaturgy, playwriting, devising practices, performance or applications of theatre and drama in social fields;
• Carry out specific assignments in bibliographic research and literature review in a specialist area of theatre and drama;
• Identify and develop a substantial individual research project within the field, articulate the relevant methodological issues, project-plan it and bring it to completion.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Diploma in Drama and Theatre Studies (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Identify key concepts and implement important practical methodologies in their specialist area/s of the field;
• Demonstrate a capacity for self-directed learning and basic research appropriate to the chosen area of study;
• Plan and carry through substantial projects;
• Offer detailed analysis of the work of a number of key practitioners and theorists in their chosen specialisation;
• Articulate in discussion, writing and/or practice informed responses to the texts, movements, and methodologies studied and/or of a range of major issues in drama and theatre practice;
• Utilise the skills and experience developed in course work to enhance their own capacities and skills in theatre and cultural work;
• Articulate relevant methodological issues in practical and/or theoretical terms;
• Demonstrate their skills enhancement (and potential skills transfer) in specialized areas of interest.