MA Theatre Directing: Text and Production (Part time)
Key Details
- Attendance
- Part Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Arts
- Course Length
- 2 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2026
Other Course Options
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Why you should choose us
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UEA is ranked top 20 in the UK for Research QualityCourse Overview
Kick-start your passion for directing and dramaturgy at UEA, with one of the UK’s longest-standing Master’s courses in Theatre Directing.
Based in the School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing, our MA Theatre Directing: Text and Production boasts a truly interdisciplinary approach. Whether you want to pursue a career as a theatre-maker, writer or director, or continue in academic research, this part-time course is for you.
Your tutors include acclaimed contemporary playwrights, working directors and acting specialists. You’ll learn lighting, sound and stage management fundamentals with our studio technical staff. You’ll be supported throughout the two years through one-to-one mentorship with the course director.
During your time at UEA, you’ll benefit from visiting professionals and theatre practitioners, creating an unparalleled balance of philosophical, technical and practical learning. You’ll also have opportunities for work-shadowing with regional and national companies and venues, which helps you gain a knowledge of production, management and funding processes. Your final dissertation could be a full production, a written research or creative project, or a combination of them, all supported by academic and technical staff.
In the close, collaborative and non-hierarchical environment at UEA, you’ll also gain from working with undergraduate actors and postgraduate scriptwriters throughout the year. Graduates from the course are resident directors with national theatre companies, or are touring shows that they’ve written, directed, and produced themselves. Many have obtained funding for their projects, in partnership with UEA Enterprise or from Arts Council England. Recent alumni include Sky Carver, producer, writer and director; Rob Ellis, Artistic Director of the Relish Theatre Company; Peter Beck, Artistic Director of Norwich Puppet Theatre; and Julia Sowerbutts, Artistic Director of INK Festival of New Writing.
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Study and Modules
Structure
In your second year, you’ll choose optional modules from a range of options, such as contemporary and world theatre, scriptwriting and dramaturgy.
Throughout this second year, you’ll also choose your own practical research project. You’ll discuss your development path and choices in tutorials, and your project will take the form of a written dissertation, a public production, or potentially a portfolio combination of the two.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Throughout your second year, you’ll continue to benefit from all our rich teaching resources as you embark on your choice of a range of optional modules. You’ll also be supported by our staff throughout the whole process of developing your dissertation, from the initial approval of your idea to the development of your project and the writing of your reflective report on it.
Assessment
In the second year, you’ll undertake your optional modules, whose assessments will feature a similar balance of practical and written work, depending on the module that you choose.
Your research and methodology training requires attendance and participation in visiting workshops and seminars, but only one submission: a proposal for your dissertation project, which forms the basis for an ongoing discussion throughout the year.
The dissertation is usually completed by the end of your second year. This develops your own interests in greater depth in a concentrated study on a topic of your choice, as agreed with your lecturers. Several versions of this exist, the most popular of which is the dissertation/production, which is a public performance, with responsibility for all elements of stagecraft, technical, and artistic direction taken by the student director and supervised by the module leader. Following the production and viva, you’ll produce a critical-reflective essay as a commentary on the aims, research and rehearsal experience of the production. The work will be attended where possible by an External Examiner, who’ll take part in a viva meeting following the submission.
Employability
After the Course
Follow in the footsteps of past graduates and go into the theatre or film industries as a director or writer – or you could start your own theatre company. Through our collaboration with the MA scriptwriters, you’ll have a ready-made network of relationships and professional contacts in East Anglia and London. UEA Drama’s Alumnus Ensemble LAB meets regularly to read new work, engage in continued training and develop its own projects, in collaboration with local partners. UEA Drama has a close relationship with HighTide Theatre, Norwich Theatre, The Garage, Sewell Barn Theatre, Maddermarket Theatre and Norwich Puppet Theatre, with work from both BA and MA students frequently appearing in these various venues.
There have also been opportunities in arts administration for local and national government, venue management, and the heritage and tourism sector. Or you could continue your studies with a PhD.
For inspiration and advice, our award-winning Careers Service runs an Arts and Humanities events programme, which includes alumni-led presentations and workshops, and which remains available to all alumni after graduation.
Careers
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- Theatre director
- Film director
- Scriptwriter
- Dramaturgy
- Arts administrator
- Teacher
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Literary or Humanities
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent
Degree Subject
Literary or Humanities
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
IELTS: 7 overall (minimum 7 in Writing, 6 in Speaking, Reading and Listening)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not meet the English language requirements for this course, our UEA International Study Centre offers a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2026/27 are:
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UK Students: £11,200
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International Students: £23,850
If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home students).
We estimate living expenses at £1,136 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.