English and Drama MA

Explore our English and Drama taught Master's degree at Warwick

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P-Q3PE

MA

1 year full-time;
2 years part-time

29 September 2025

English and Comparative Literary Studies

University of Warwick

Combine your interests for dramatic texts, theatre history and literary studies at University of Warwick. This English and Drama MA offers an exciting opportunity, with cutting-edge modules and easy access to the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford.

The MA in English and Drama offers an exciting opportunity to specialise in the study of dramatic texts and theatre history while maintaining a range of interests within the field of literary studies more broadly. You will work with leading experts in Shakespeare and early modern drama, theatre history, and modern performance theory and practice.

This MA combines a focus on dramatic texts and theatrical performance and includes the option of a professional placement or an extended practical project. In addition to the core module in Drama and Performance theory, you will study three modules of your choice and write a dissertation on an (approved) topic with a specialised supervisor.

Course structure

The MA in English and Drama comprises a Research Methods module, the core module, Drama and Performance Theory, three further optional modules, and either a Dissertation of 16,000 words or a professional placement or an extended practical project. You can take one of your three optional modules from outside of the department, including from the Institute for Advanced Teaching and Learning.

Professional Practice or Practice-as-Research

You may choose one of these options instead of a Dissertation.

The Professional Practice dissertation allows you to undertake a six-week placement with a professional theatre company or similar organisation, developing your knowledge of professional practice in the fields of literature, theatre or performance. You will need to approach the organisation you plan to work with, and the department will support you in this.

You will use your placement to explore clearly-articulated research questions, and reflect critically upon these questions in a written submission.

The Practice-as-Research dissertation, meanwhile, offers the opportunity to undertake a research process that leads to the creation of an artistic output (such as a script or a performance).

For more information, please visit the English and Drama web page on the English website.Link opens in a new window

Seminars consist of 5 to 18 students.

Contact hours comprise 4 hours of seminars a week, 2 office hours per member of staff, weekly reading groups and research seminars, and one-to-one Dissertation supervision in terms 2 and 3.

All essays are marked by two members of staff. The standard length for essays for modules on this course is 6,000 words; the Dissertation is 16,000 words. Marks are given out of 100.

For more information, please visit the English and Drama web page on the English website.Link opens in a new window

Reading lists 

If you would like to view reading lists for current or previous cohorts of students, most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library on the Talis Aspire platformLink opens in a new window. 

You can search for reading lists by module title, code or convenor. Please see the modules tab of this page or the module catalogueLink opens in a new window.  

Please note that some reading lists may have restricted access or be unavailable at certain times of year due to not yet being published. If you cannot access the reading list for a particular module, please check again later or contact the module’s host department.  

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.

65% in an undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a related subject.

Applicants are asked to provide a writing sample to demonstrate suitability for the course.

• Band C
• IELTS overall score of 7.5, minimum component scores of two at 6.5/7.0 and the rest at 7.5 or above.

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

For more information, please visit the English and Drama web page on the English websiteLink opens in a new window.

We have revised the information on this page since publication. See the edits we have made and content history.

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