MA THEATRE DIRECTING: TEXT AND PRODUCTION (PART TIME)
MA THEATRE DIRECTING: TEXT AND PRODUCTION (PART TIME)
Kick-start your directing or criticism career with one of the UK’s longest established Theatre Directing Master’s courses. You will learn from leaders in directing, actor-training, contemporary writing, adaptation and dramaturgy.
In addition to faculty expertise, you’ll benefit from visiting professionals and theatre practitioners throughout the year, creating an unparalleled balance of philosophical, technical and practical learning.
UEA boasts a truly interdisciplinary approach, with the chance to collaborate with postgraduate students and tutors from more than one School. Whether you want to pursue a career as a theatre-maker or director, or continue in academic research, this course is for you.
About
The MA Theatre Directing at UEA is one of the longest established in the UK. Each year we select only a very small number of Theatre Directing students – creating a close, collaborative environment.
The part-time course is spread over twenty-six months, instead of the usual fourteen. The work is nevertheless highly intensive, advancing your intellectual frames of reference for understanding modern theatre, and balancing that with continual, hands-on opportunities to test and develop your practical skills.
Collaboration with fellow students is key – and you’ll gain from working with undergraduate actors throughout the year.
You’ll have the chance to study and interrogate the legacy of post-war British theatre, and pass exams qualifying you to climb the studio’s tallescope to change a lantern. You’ll encounter critical studies in contemporary theatre practice whilst working alongside acting students to sharpen your directorial skills in workshops, scene classes and productions.
Your optional studies include world-class modules in scriptwriting, theatre and radical dramaturgies, television and society, adaptation and interpretation.You’ll showcase your development and learning through your final dissertation – which could take the form of a full production, a written research or creative project, or a bespoke combination of any of these.
On graduating from this MA, you’ll be equipped with both the skills and the vocabulary to direct actors with confidence, and to bring conceptual creativity to your work in the technical and plastic elements of the stage. You’ll be ready to apply for assistant director positions in major companies and to go out and make work of your own for small and medium scale venues.
You’ll also be able to critically analyse written and performed work with insight into theatre methodologies and theatre-making practices. This makes you well-placed to move into an academic or journalistic career.
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Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the courses listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the regular review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. Changes may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will inform students.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 even 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, often 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, the Careers Service runs an Arts and Humanities events programme, which includes alumni-led presentations and workshops.
Career destinations
A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.
Examples of careers you could enter include:
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Theatre director
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Film director
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Scriptwriter
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Dramaturgy
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Arts administrator
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Teacher
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Assessment for Year 1
For the practical core module, Text and Production: Scenework, in the autumn semester, you’ll be assessed through coursework and a written critical reflective essay. Each will earn 50% of the module marks. The practical directing is with second-year undergraduate actors in scenework throughout the module.
In the spring semester, your second core module, Contemporary Theatre Directing and Actor Training, will comprise two parts, each weighted at 50% of the module. The first is a portfolio project for a hypothetical production, featuring text, image and influences, critical frame, concept and dramaturgy. The second part is a critical essay on contemporary practice.
Assessment for Year 2
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.
Research and Methodology 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 middle of October of your second year. This develops your own interests in greater depth in concentrated study on a topic of your choice, as approved by the Course Director or other authorised person. Several versions of this exist, the most popular of which is the dissertation/production, which is a maximum of 90 minutes’ length 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 will produce a 3,500-word critical-reflective essay as a commentary on the aims, research and rehearsal experience of the production. The work will be attended where possible by the External Examiner, who will take part in a viva meeting following the submission.
This is the first year of your taught Masters programme.
Assessment for Year 1
For the practical core module, Text and Production: Scenework, in the autumn semester, you’ll be assessed through coursework and a written critical reflective essay. Each will earn 50% of the module marks. The practical directing is with second-year undergraduate actors in scenework throughout the module.
In the spring semester, your second core module, Contemporary Theatre Directing and Actor Training, will comprise two parts, each weighted at 50% of the module. The first is a portfolio project for a hypothetical production, featuring text, image and influences, critical frame, concept and dramaturgy. The second part is a critical essay on contemporary practice.
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. 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. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.This is the second year of your taught Masters programme.
Assessment for Year 2
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.
Research and Methodology 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 middle of October of your second year. This develops your own interests in greater depth in concentrated study on a topic of your choice, as approved by the Course Director or other authorised person. Several versions of this exist, the most popular of which is the dissertation/production, which is a maximum of 90 minutes’ length 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 will produce a 3,500-word critical-reflective essay as a commentary on the aims, research and rehearsal experience of the production. The work will be attended where possible by the External Examiner, who will take part in a viva meeting following the submission.
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. 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. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent, or demonstrable theatre experienceDegree subject
Literary or HumanitiesStudents for whom english is a foreign language
We welcome applications from students whose first language is not English. To ensure such students benefit from postgraduate study, we require evidence of proficiency in English. Our usual entry requirements are as follows:
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IELTS: 7.0 (minimum 6.0 in each section and 7.0 in writing)
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PTE (Pearson): 76 (minimum 64 in each section and 76 in writing)
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
Other tests, including Cambridge English exams and the Trinity Integrated Skills in English are also accepted by the university. The full list of accepted tests can be found here: Accepted English Language Tests
INTO UEA also run pre-sessional courses which can be taken prior to the start of your course. For further information and to see if you qualify please contact intopre-sessional@uea.ac.uk
Interviews
Promising candidates will be invited for an interview. If you are living overseas, the interview may be undertaken by telephone or preferably an online Blackboard Collaborate interview at a mutually convenient time.
Successful candidates will either be offered a place for the forthcoming academic year or a place for the following academic year (if it is felt that more time is needed to develop as a director). Once the forthcoming year is full candidates will be added to a reserve list with a guaranteed place for the following academic year if space does not become available.
Unsuccessful candidates are welcome to re-apply, though not within the same academic year.
Intakes
This course is open to UK, EU and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2023/24 are:
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UK Students: £9,500 (full time)
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International Students: £19,800 (full time)
We estimate living expenses at £1,023 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.
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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.
Please note that places are limited on this course, so please apply early to avoid any disappointment.
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.
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