English and Drama (MA)
Explore our English and Drama taught Master's degree at 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.
Course overview
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 specialist supervisor.
General entry requirements
Minimum requirements
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.
English language requirements
You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:
- 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.
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.
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.
Core modules
You may choose one of the following modules instead of a Dissertation:
Optional modules
Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:
Teaching
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 to 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).
Class sizes
Seminars consist of 5 to 18 students.
Typical contact hours
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.
Assessment
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.
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 once 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
Our degrees equip you with the skills and experiences needed to excel in your career. With access to exceptional career services, industry connections, and global opportunities, we’ll inspire and help you to aim high and achieve your goals. Our guidance ensures you graduate as a well-rounded professional ready for lifelong success.
The median salary for University of Warwick 2021/22 postgraduates whose main employment was full-time work in the UK was £38,000 (based on 971 respondents - 17% of the total postgraduate population)*.
Previous graduates from the Department of English and Comparative Literary Studies have pursued occupations such as the following*:
- Higher education teaching professionals
- Marketing associate professionals
- Vocational and industrial trainers
- Social and humanities scientists
- Teaching professionals
*Derived from the Graduate Outcomes survey, 2021/22, carried out approximately 15 months after completion of studies.
Conducted annually, Graduate Outcomes Link opens in a new window collects information on the activities and perspectives of graduates. Contains HESA data: Copyright Jisc 2024. Jisc cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data.
Helping you find the right career
Your career path is unique to you. Our university careers team offer personalised support to help you develop your skills, plan your career path, and get experience at any point during your time at Warwick, and after graduation.
Our department also has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant. They offer impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:
- Understanding Assessment Centres
- Careers following your English and Comparative Literary Studies Degree
- Discovering Careers in the Creative Industries
- Careers in Publishing and Journalism
- Freelancing
- Careers in the Public Sector
- Warwick careers fairs throughout the year
Discover more about postgraduate careers support at WarwickLink opens in a new window.
English and Comparative Literary Studies at Warwick
Explore your environment.
As an internationally recognised centre of learning and culture, the University of Warwick hosts opportunities for education and enrichment that go far beyond your formal course offerings. Every week during term time there are countless public lectures, workshops, skills sessions, symposia, conferences and other events that are available for you to attend. You’re also free to explore the award-winning Warwick Arts Centre on campus, housing the Mead Gallery, theatres, studios and cinema screens, and you can travel further afield to visit the home of Shakespeare in Stratford or immerse yourself in the cultural scenes of Coventry, Leamington Spa and Birmingham.
In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, the Department ranked among the top 10 in the country for research environment: a great place for graduate study.
Find out more about us on our website.Link opens in a new window
Our Postgraduate 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.
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 2025/26 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 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.
Find out how to apply to us, ask your questions, and find out more.
How to apply checklist
Our how to apply checklist helps you prepare for your application.
I'm ready to apply
Learn more about the Applicant Portal.
Application deadlines
The application process for courses that start in September and October 2026 opens in Autumn 2025.
Applications close on 2 August 2026 for students who require a visa to study in the UK, to allow time to receive a CAS and complete the visa application process.
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