MPhil/PhD in Theatre and Performance Studies (2025 Entry)

Theatre and Performance Studies students at the University of Warwick in rehearsal

Course code

P-W4P0

Start date

6 October 2025

Duration

3-4 years full-time;
Up to 7 years part-time

Qualification

MPhil/PhD

Led by

Theatre and Performance Studies

Location

University of Warwick

Course code

P-W4P0

Start date

6 October 2025

Duration

3-4 years full-time;
Up to 7 years part-time

Qualification

MPhil/PhD

Led by

Theatre and Performance Studies

Location

University of Warwick

Meet us

Download our prospectus Link opens in a new window

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Explore our Theatre and Performance Studies MPhil/PhD degree at Warwick

The PhD in Theatre and Performance Studies offers a unique opportunity to undertake original and independent research at a leading department in its field, known for its internationalism and innovation. This degree offers the flexibility to undertake a written thesis or a combination of practice as research and written component.

Course overview

The Theatre and Performance Studies department is internationally recognised as one of the leading departments in the discipline.

Our extensive research portfolio and high-profile staff presence through editorial positions and participation in organisations such as IFTR, Psi and TaPRA, has meant that we have fostered and maintained links with national and international organisations as well as extensive academic networks.

This degree provides wide-ranging opportunities for doctoral candidates to engage in the high-quality research of the department including research seminars and conferences, students working groups and an annual postgraduate symposium.

Subject to the approval of the department, candidates may submit research that has two components: a written thesis and a body of creative practice. The practice as research (PaR) component may involve performance, curation, writing for performance, translation, applied theatre projects or digital outcome.

Supervision for doctoral students will be provided by academic researchers with significant experience of undertaking research across a range of topics in theatre and performance research. We supervise a wide range of students from a variety of different countries and backgrounds and welcome this diversity among our student body.

Teaching and learning

Supervision for doctoral students will be provided by academic researchers with significant experience of undertaking research across a range of topics in theatre and performance research. You will also be allocated a mentor in the department to whom you may address matters related to your study.

Throughout your research you will be integrated into the theatre and performance postgraduate community, have opportunities to undertake professional skills training and be encouraged to attend events and workshops both in the department and the wider university.

Entry requirements

General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

2:1 undergraduate degree and a Master’s (or equivalent) in a related subject.

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 overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.

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.

Academic References

We typically ask for one academic reference for taught courses, and two academic references for research courses.

You will be asked to include an email address for your referee(s) when submitting your application and we will contact them for you.

View our guide to academic references.Link opens in a new window

Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Research themes

Our research

Research in the department is transnational, collaborative and interdisciplinary and is focused on the following main - but overlapping - research themes:

Ethics, Politics, Praxis
Cities, Places, Environments (Identities)
Memories, Histories, Futures
Theory, Aesthetics and the Popular
Creative Industries and the Value of Culture

Supervisors and proposals

Find a supervisor

Find your supervisor using the link below and discuss with them the area you'd like to research.

You should start by checking whether your proposal fits in with our areas of expertise on our researchLink opens in a new window and peopleLink opens in a new window pages.

Then please fill in a research degree inquiry form for theatre and performance studies available on theatre and performance studies postgraduate webpage.

You can also see our general University guidance about finding a supervisor.Link opens in a new window

Research proposals

Please contact the Department directly before applying.

For some guidance, please see the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies webpagesLink opens in a new window.

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 research 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 2024/25 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 funding

Scholarships and bursaries

Scholarships and financial support

Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.

Living costs

Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.

Department

Theatre and Performance Studies

Explore the world through the lens of Theatre and Performance Studies with one of the top departments in the UK.

Offering academic rigour, practical skills and connections with the industry, this degree has career prospects both within the arts sector and far beyond. You’ll be taught by world-leading academics and cutting-edge theatre practitioners.

Get to know us better by exploring our departmental website.Link opens in a new window

Apply now

How to apply checklist

Our how to apply checklist helps you prepare for your application

Read the checklist

I'm ready to apply

Learn more about the Applicant Portal.

Apply now

Application deadlines

The application process for course that start in September and October 2026 opens on 2 October 2025.

For research courses that start in September and October 2026 the application deadline for students who require a visa to study in the UK is 2 August 2026. This should allow sufficient time to complete the admissions process and to obtain a visa to study in the UK.

Useful links

Applicant portal
After your applied
Admissions statement
Join a Live Chat

2024 entry

Department content block about careers

Explore ways to connect with us

We understand how important it is to visit and explore your future university before you apply. That's why we have put together a range of online and in-person options to help you discover more about your course, visit campus, and get a sense of postgraduate life at Warwick. Our events offer includes:

Warwick hosted events
Postgraduate Fairs
Live chats
Talk and Tours
Department events

See 2025 entry »

Why Warwick

Discover why Warwick is one of the best universities in the UK and renowned globally.

Why Warwick

Discover why Warwick is one of the best universities in the UK and renowned globally.

8th in the UK

in the Guardian University Guide 2025

6th Most Targeted University

by the UK's top 100 graduate employers (The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers Research Ltd)

69th in the World

out of 1,500 institutions across 104 locations (QS World University Rankings 2025)

Page updates

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

About the information on this page

This information is applicable for 2026 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our terms and conditions to find out more.

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MPhil/PhD in Theatre and Performance Studies (2025 Entry)

Explore our Theatre and Performance Studies MPhil/PhD degree at Warwick

Scholarships and financial support

Living costs

How to apply checklist

I'm ready to apply

Explore ways to connect with us

Why Warwick

Why Warwick

Why Warwick

Why Warwick

8th in the UK

6th Most Targeted University

69th in the World

5th best student city in the UK

Gold standard teaching

92% of our research

Page updates

About the information on this page

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