General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

2:2 undergraduate degree (or equivalent).

English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:

• Band B
• IELTS score to 7 overall, no more than two components at 6.0/6.5 & rest 7.0+

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.

Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Core modules

Drama, Theatre and Performance in Education 

Drama, Theatre and Performance in Education is a foundational module focussing on the different definitions of these fields of study. We investigate the distinctions between these fields in order to gain insight into how they have been studied in schools and other education systems. This module examines drama and theatre as artistic subjects with histories, conventions and codes, asking: how does drama/theatre communicate its meanings? How do we read and decode a wide range of performance genres? What are the alternative historical and avant-garde connections between theatre and in drama education? The second part of the module focusses on the development of drama and theatre as pedagogical tools to activate learning and social development. The module also offers students insight into the broader field of educational theory by engaging with relevant literature on ‘play’, ‘participatory pedagogy’ and ‘creative learning’.  

Storytelling Drama for Education  

The storytelling drama for education module offers an opportunity to explore the potential for learning through practical drama exploration. The module explores a range of theoretical lenses through which narrative and culture can be critically examined making links between practical drama exploration and theoretical positioning. Due to its emphasis on practical drama exploration, it encourages students to consider how storytelling exploration can offer learning opportunities, and to consider how meanings are made, communicated and / or constructed through stories arising from the oral tradition. It is a module that offers opportunities to develop systematic understanding whilst applying practical techniques for real-world situations.  

Drama and Literacy  

The Drama and Literacy module is responsive to the stress placed internationally on the development of literacy in education establishments in recent years. The module looks specifically at theories of literacy that emphasise the importance of cultural semiotics and social context. It considers the close historical relationship between drama and English in schools and explores the specific contribution drama can make to children’s language development in general and the development of reading, writing and speaking and listening in particular whilst also embracing new notions of multi-literacies.  

Research Methods in Education (alternative online module available for part-time students if required) 

This module encourages students in understanding, designing and implementing research in the field of education. It will introduce you to a range of established research strategies and techniques, including data collection and analysis. These skills will enable you to design and carry out a dissertation research project, as well as to disseminate its findings. As part of this module, you will present your research design and have the opportunity to receive feedback ahead of completing your dissertation. 

Dissertation 

The dissertation is an opportunity to explore, in depth, an area of academic and/or professional interest related to your degree. Building on the knowledge and skills developed during the Research Methods module, and your other modules, you will conduct an independent research project, developing a deeper understanding of your chosen topic. From your research project you will produce a dissertation, with guidance from a supervisor who will be allocated to you. Through the dissertation you will demonstrate the ability to analyse and synthesise relevant literature, produce coherent arguments supported by relevant evidence and logical discussion, and acknowledge sources of ideas and information. 

Youth, Performance and Creative Learning (optional module)

This interdisciplinary module offers postgraduate students an opportunity to critically examine the ways young people/youth – aged 11-25 – have been/are represented in differing contemporary societies/cultures. Students will investigate the ways young people’s lived experiences and identities are expressed and performed in a range of different cultural contexts (educational, political, sub-cultural, media and so on). The module will also invite critical questions about young people’s access to cultural and creative education, highlighting issues of social justice and equality, asking, 'where do young people feel welcome?' The module examines different expressions of youth identity in public life, focussing primarily on theatre-making/performance as potential creative sites for learning, engagement and activism. 

Students will explore the values, practices, methods and impacts of theatre-making and performance. Working with real-world case studies drawn from regional, national and international sites, students will investigate the social, geographical, cultural and economic contexts that inspired and impacted on the development of many creative projects as well as cultural and educational policy. Students will review and evaluate the ways theatre-makers, practitioners and young people have responded to a range of complex and contentious issues relating to social class, ethnicity, religion, gender, disability and sexual identity.  

Optional modules

This programme has a number of optional modules to choose from. Our optional module lists are subject to change each year to keep the student learning experience current and up-to-date. 

Find the most up-to-date optional module list on the Education Studies website. 

Teaching

For full-time students, all of our modules are delivered in-person at our well-equipped university campus. Please note that if you wish to study on a part time basis you should be aware that most modules are taught during the normal working day and there is no out of hours provision. If this is a consideration for you please contact us prior to applying so that we can advise you further. Part-time students are able to complete some of their modules as asynchronous distance-learning modules.

Most modules include weekly teaching sessions, giving you the opportunity to join with your colleagues to discuss and debate the topics being explored. These sessions are delivered in a range of formats that suit the module (these may include lectures, seminars, group work and practical workshops, for example). In particular, this provides practical experience of a wide range of drama and theatre practices. These workshops give you hands-on experience of drama as well as methods and ideas for using drama and theatre in your workplace. In addition, you will be given various pre- and post- session tasks and readings to support your learning. 

Typical contact hours

You will have core teaching contact time in each term, plus rehearsal time and regular trips to local schools and theatres and guest lectures and performances throughout the year.  

Assessment

Assessment types vary depending on modules selected but may be a mixture of assignments and presentations. You will also complete a dissertation based on an individual research project, with support from a research supervisor. 

Additional course costs

You may wish to undertake some research with children or young people that may require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check or a Certificate of Good Conduct for students from outside of the UK. A Certificate of Good Conduct can vary in price.

Please contact your academic department for information about department specific costs, which should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below, such as:

• Core text books
• Printer credits
• Dissertation binding
• Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Find out more about our additional course costs.

Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us. 

Your career

Many of our alumni have gone go on to:

• Study teacher training courses to become teachers of drama/theatre
• Enhance their profile as classroom drama/theatre and English teachers, many securing promotion
• Successfully complete Doctoral study, becoming academics in the field of drama and theatre education
• Work as theatre education and outreach officers for leading arts organisations
• Develop their portfolio as freelance practitioners/facilitators in the field of drama and theatre in education

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

• Careers in Education
• Careers with Children and Young People
• Warwick careers fairs throughout the year

Education Studies at Warwick

Education has the power to change lives

Education changes lives through teaching, coaching, training, and through work in local and global communities. What do you understand about that power? Bring your fascination for the way we communicate and learn to Warwick.

Find out more about us on our websiteLink opens in a new window

Our Postgraduate Taught courses

• Childhood in Society (MA)
• Drama and Theatre Education (MA)
• Drama Education and English Language Teaching (MA)
• Education (MA)
• Educational Innovation (MA)
• Educational Leadership and Management (MA)
• Global Education and International Development (MA)
• Islamic Education (PGA)
• Islamic Education: Theory and Practice (MA)
• Leading Educational Change and Improvement (PGA)
• Psychology and Education (MA)
• Research Methods in Education (PGA)

Our Postgraduate Research courses

• Doctorate in Education (Ed.D)
• Education (MPhil/PhD)

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Find your taught course fees  

Fee Status Guidance

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

Find out more about how universities assess fee status

Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2022/23 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

• Core text books
• Printer credits
• Dissertation binding
• Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and bursaries

How to apply

The application process for courses that start in September and October 2024 will open on 2 October 2023.

Applications will close on 2 August 2024 for students who require a visa to study in the UK, to allow time to receive a CAS and complete the visa application process.

How to apply for a postgraduate taught course