Drama and Theatre Education (MA) (2023 Entry)
Explore our Drama and Theatre Education taught Master's degree.
Do you want to deepen your theoretical understanding and practical skills in drama, theatre and performance for a range of different educational and community settings? Do you want to consider what it means to be a practitioner of drama, theatre education or applied performance whilst connecting with a vibrant international community of teachers, practitioners and actor-teachers? This course connects you to an international network of teachers, practitioners and actor-teachers in the field of drama and theatre education and applied performance.
Course overview
This MA programme offers students an in-depth insight into the ways drama and theatre education can enhance teaching and learning in primary, secondary and tertiary education as well as in applied and community settings. We introduce you to a range of hybrid pedagogic strategies that are underpinned by rigour and that aspire to make learning accessible, playful, creative and engaging.
We celebrate drama and theatre as subjects in their own right whilst also recognising the substantive body of evidence-based research into the ways drama and theatre can be used as pedagogical tools across the curriculum and for community purposes. This MA is aimed at practitioners, or aspiring practitioners, working in schools and colleges, and community and educational theatre settings.
The course of study provides a planned and structured programme, which is sufficiently flexible to respond to the needs of a wide range of pedagogic and cultural contexts. Practical activities are at the heart of our course structure, so there will be a number of opportunities to work with your peers, collaborating, debating, and researching practical solutions. Your interdisciplinary skill set will be developed throughout the MA, enabling you to pursue a diverse array of career pathways.
Skills from this degree
- Pedagogic, management and artistic skills you need to be an effective teacher and practitioner in drama
- Complete a small scale research project into an aspect of professional work
- Understand the place of drama in education within a variety of formal and informal settings. Be able to devise policies and strategies for the implementation of drama
- Be able to draw on contemporary theory, practice and criticism in the field of theatre and evaluate its relevance to drama education
- Understand the theoretical and practical relationships between drama in education and other genres of theatre; particularly community theatre and Theatre in Education
Important information
We are planning to make changes to our Drama and Theatre Education (MA) degree for 2023 entry. Our core and optional modules will undergo approval through the University's rigorous academic processes. As changes are confirmed, we will update the course information on this webpage. It is therefore very important that you check this webpage for the latest information before you apply and prior to accepting an offer.
General entry requirements
Minimum requirements
2:ii 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
Important information
We are planning to make changes to our Drama and Theatre Education (MA) degree for 2023 entry. Our core and optional modules will undergo approval through the University's rigorous academic processes. As changes are confirmed, we will update the course information on this webpage. It is therefore very important that you check this webpage for the latest information before you apply and prior to accepting an offer.
Drama and Theatre Studies in Theory and Practice
The MA in Drama and Theatre Education offers participants a rigorous and relevant course of training and academic study in the theory and practice of drama and theatre education. The course is flexibly designed to respond to and develop the professional needs of both home and overseas students. The course is built upon the research and teaching strengths of the course team who have a national and international reputation for their publications and teaching in the field of drama and theatre education.
Drama and Theatre Studies in Theory and Practice is an introductory module which focuses on drama and theatre as means of artistic communication. How does drama/theatre communicate its meanings? How do we read a wide range of performance genres? What are the alternative historical and avant-garde connections between communicating in theatre and in drama education? The module explores, through study and practice, the use of signs and symbols in theatre and drama and semiotic and anthropological approaches to drama as a cultural system.
Drama and Literacy
The Drama and Literacy module is responsive to the stress placed internationally on the development of literacy in educational settings in recent years. Following on from Drama and Theatre Studies in Theory and Practice, it 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 and writing in particular.
The Role of Story in Drama and Theatre 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 story.
Through this module, students will explore the role of story and narrative in contemporary and historical traditions relevant to performance and education. They will develop understanding of the didactic and pedagogic claims of storytelling with particular reference to the notion of traditional 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.
Foundation 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 Foundation 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.
Teaching
For full-time students, all of our modules are delivered in-person at our well-equipped university campus. Part-time students are able to complete a percentage 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 addition, you will be given various pre- and post- session tasks and readings to support your learning.
Typical contact hours
You will have teaching core contact time in Autumn and Spring 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 oral presentations. You will also complete a dissertation based on an individual research project, with support from a member of academic staff.
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 DBS check costs around £70 and a Certificate of Good Conduct can vary in price. There may be some theatre trips or visits to schools that will incur a small cost but these are not compulsory.
Find out more about our additional course costs.
Reading lists
Our module reading lists are available through Warwick Library. If you would like to view reading lists for the current cohort of students you can visit our Warwick Library web pageLink opens in a new window.
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 and/or English language
- 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 Senior 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 website
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)
- Foundation Research Methods in Education (PGA)
- 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)
Our Postgraduate Research courses
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.
Taught course fees Research course fees
Fee Status Guidance
The University carries out an initial fee status assessment based on information provided in the application and according to the guidance published by UKCISA. Students are classified as either Home or Overseas Fee status and this can determine the tuition fee and eligibility of certain scholarships and financial support.
If you receive an offer, your fee status will be stated with the tuition fee information, however we are awaiting guidance from the UK government regarding fee status for EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals and their family members living in the UK for academic year 2021/22 onwards. We are not able to confirm the fee status for these students until the relevant eligibility criteria have been confirmed. Once we have received further information from the UK government, we will provide you with an update on your fee status and let you know if any additional information is required. If you believe your fee status has been incorrectly classified you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire (follow the instructions in your offer) and provide the required documentation for this to be reassessed.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides guidance to UK universities on fees status criteria, you can find the latest guidance on the impact of Brexit on fees and student support on the UKCISA website.
Additional course costs
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
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.
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