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.
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
2:1 undergraduate degree and a Master’s (or equivalent) in a related subject.
IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.
Please adjust your country as required:
We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications. For more information, please visit the international entry requirements page.
We typically ask for 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.
There are no additional entry requirements for this course.
Research themes
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
There are several routes to finding a PhD supervisor at University of Warwick. Searching for a supervisor and submitting a research proposal will look different depending on the opportunity you are applying for. Below you’ll find guidance from the department about what is required for this course.
For more general advice, including top tips for finding and contacting a potential supervisor, and what to include in your research proposal visit the university’s guidance webpages.
Find your supervisor using the link below and discuss with them the area you'd like to research.
Then please fill in a research degree inquiry form for theatre and performance studies available on theatre and performance studies postgraduate webpage.
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 assessment and some student amenities.
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.
As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of research trips in the UK and overseas. In addition, you should consider the more general costs below:
Access to research material that is not available via university resources
Printing and binding a personal copy of your dissertation
Robe hire for your degree ceremony
Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.
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.
Based in our state-of-the-art Faculty of Arts Building opposite Warwick Arts
Centre, Theatre and Performance Studies offers professional-standard creative
spaces that our students see as a second home.
You’ll develop your theoretical and research skills in spaces tailor-made for
independent work, as well those allowing for easy and open group discussion.
For the practical elements of your course, our well-equipped black-box studios
and adaptable rehearsal rooms give you freedom to bring ideas to life.
Life at Warwick
This is where your journey begins. Our campus is the heart of it all. It’s more than just a campus - it's the places you visit, the people you meet, the fun that you have; the experiences you have here will be transformative.
Within a close-knit community of staff and students from all over the world, discover a campus alive with possibilities.
Our campus is where all the elements of your student experience come together in one place. You won't be short of ways to spend your time on campus - whether it's visiting Warwick Arts Centre, using our incredible sports facilities, socialising in our bars, nightclub and cafés, or enjoying an open-air event. Or if you need some peace and quiet, you can explore lakes, woodland and green spaces just a few minutes’ walk from central campus.
Follow our students around campus on our social channels to see their experiences first-hand.
Teaching facilities
Our campus is designed to cater for all of your learning needs. You will benefit from a variety of flexible, well-equipped study spaces and teaching facilities across the University.
Oculus, our outstanding learning hub, houses state-of-the-art lecture theatres and innovative social learning and network areas
Different study spaces offering you flexible individual and group study spaces, computers, printing and scanning facilities, multimedia resources and more
Supporting you
Our continuous support network is here to help you adjust to student life and to ensure you can easily access advice on many different issues. These may include managing your finances and workload, and settling into shared accommodation. We also have specialist disability and mental health support teams.
Whether you live on campus or off campus, in private accommodation in the well-serviced local area, you’ll be part of a community to get the most from your experience at Warwick.
Societies and sports play a huge part in community life at Warwick. With over 300 to choose from, getting involved is one of the easiest ways to make friends and share in experiences. Whether you’re into films, martial arts, astronomy, gaming or musical theatre, you can instantly connect with people with similar interests.
Your university experience is defined by far more than your course or the career path you follow. At Warwick, it’s where you discover who you could become.
68th
Warwick is ranked 68th in the world and top 10 in all major UK league tables
Our alumni community still call Warwick home. From a few hundred in 1965 to more than 310,000 alumni, and it's ever-growing.
As Warwick graduates, our students have access to employability support for two years after graduation, including access to careers appointments, job vacancies and professional networks.
Applications for courses starting in academic year 2026/27 are now open.
For research courses that start in September and October 2027, the application deadline for students who require a visa to study in the UK is 2 August 2027.
For courses starting at other times of year we recommend that you submit your application a minimum of 3 months prior to your intended start date.
This should allow sufficient time to complete the admissions process and to obtain a visa to study in the UK if required. We will still accept late applications, however cannot guarantee that the application will be processed in time to complete the admissions process if received late or there are a number of conditions to meet.
If applying late please include your degree certificates and transcripts, English proficiency evidence (if needed) and ensure referees can submit references promptly to allow time for CAS and visa processing (if applicable).
This information is applicable for 2027 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 web page 'Important information to consider before making an application' in advance of applying to Warwick.
Next steps
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