Drama - Postgraduate Research Opportunities

We offer two PhD/MA by Research programmes: Drama and Theatre Studies PhD/MA by Research and our Practice-Based PhD/MA by Research. 

The Department of Drama and Theatre Arts offers the highest quality of research in all aspects of the study and making of theatre; from historical research and contemporary performance analysis, to the technique of the actor and imagination of the playwright; to the creative and technical skills of the lighting designer and stage manager.

Our programmes take advantage of Birmingham's exceptional resources for theatre research as well as the University and Department links with world-class theatre in Birmingham, Stratford-upon-Avon, London and beyond.

In addition, our Practice-Based PhD/MA by Research provides a unique opportunity for you to specialise in a particular area of practice (dramaturgy, playwriting or performance, which includes directing) and prepares you for your chosen profession.

The MA by Research programme requires you to prepare a dissertation of up to 40,000 words on a topic of your choice, for which an academic staff member will provide expert supervision. For the Practice-Based MA by Research, the thesis is 20,000 words in length and accompanies a practice-based component. 

The PhD – the most advanced research degree – leads to a dissertation of up to 80,000 words on a subject of your choice and under the expert supervision of an academic member of staff. For the Practice-Based PhD, the thesis is 40,000 words in length plus a practice-based component.

Our Drama and Theatre Studies PhD/MA by Research programme can be studied on campus or by distance learning. Please note that if you are studying with us by distance learning, there is a compulsory annual visit to campus (every two years for part-time PhD students).

Research interests of staff include:

Contemporary theatre and new writing
Immersive performances
Playwriting, directing and performer training
Russian theatre
Shakespearean performance and adaptation
Victorian and Edwardian theatre
The history of film
Popular theatre
Theatre history – Renaissance
to 21st Century
Theatre and medicine

For full research interests of staff, please read our staff profiles or visit the research interest tab on each programmes webpage.

Please visit the College of Arts and Law funding page for information on possible funding opportunities.