Postgraduate Research in Drama and Theatre Arts

The Department of Drama and Theatre Arts at the University of Birmingham is a leading centre of internationally renowned scholars, theatre-makers and creative postgraduate researchers. Our research strengths focus on modern and contemporary theatre and performance, with an emphasis on historiography, political and critical theory, and the relationship between theory and practice. We also specialise in research-led practice, in particular actor-training, writing for performance and directing.

Our areas of expertise:

• Contemporary theatre and performance
• Research-led professional practice
• Theatre history and historiography

Our programmes

We offer two postgraduate research programmes in Drama and Theatre Arts. Our flagship Drama and Theatre Studies PhD/MA by Research and our innovative Practice-Based PhD/MA by Research which offers you the unique opportunity to conduct academic research through practical experimentation.

Both programmes can be studied at Masters or PhD level, and can be taken full- or part-time. You can also study our Drama and Theatre Studies programme via distance learning, allowing you to carry out your research with our expert academics from anywhere in the world.

Research resources

On our programmes, you can take advantage of our extensive resources and established links with world-class theatres in Birmingham, Stratford-upon-Avon, London and beyond. The Department is based on our Selly Oak campus, which offers specialist facilities for our drama students. These include George Cadbury Hall, which is home to a high definition cinema and a purpose-built theatre, and the Orchard Learning Resource Centre with extensive study space and a well-stocked library.

Students are also encouraged to make the most of the drama collections in the main University Library and the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, both on our Edgbaston campus, as well as opportunities offered by the Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-upon-Avon and the University’s collaboration with the Royal Shakespeare Company at The Other Place.

Supporting your studies

The Department of Drama and Theatre Arts is part of the College of Arts and Law, which offers dedicated support for postgraduate students from libraries and research spaces, to extra-curricular activities and funding opportunities. This includes access to our postgraduate hub, Westmere, which regularly hosts workshops, conferences and social events, as well as being a space to meet and study with fellow researchers.

As a College of Arts and Law research student, you also have the opportunity to study a variety of languages free of charge, enabling you to learn the language skills you may need to pursue your research.

To find out more about our Drama programmes, please watch the videos below or take a look at the work of our current doctoral researchers.

We have created our six-step process, which includes detailed advice on writing a research proposal, to help you with your application to the College of Arts and Law.