MA Theatre and Performance
01 Sep 2026 - 31 Aug 2027
| Course Leader | Jodie Allinson |
|---|---|
| Course Team | Thania Acaron, Michael Carklin, Wyn Mason, Marta Minier, Ian Staples |
| Awarding Body | University of South Wales |
| Teaching Institutions | University of South Wales |
| Modes of Study | Full Time, Part Time |
Document Version
| Version | 2 |
|---|---|
| Valid From | 01 Sep 2026 |
| Valid To | 31 Aug 2027 |
QAA Benchmarks
Educational Aim
In line with external and internal benchmarks and guidance, the MA Drama aims to:
• Produce highly informed, flexible, reflective and skilled practitioners who can, with confidence and autonomy, make a significant contribution to their chosen specialisms, their local economies and body of knowledge in their discipline.
• Offer students the experience of a range of advanced contemporary practices in Drama and Performance which they can use to pursue advanced work of their own.
• Engage with a wide range of professional practice through which students can understand the diverse contexts in which professional work in Drama and Performance is produced.
• Facilitate the acquisition of creativity and innovative practice and the critical skills with which to interrogate and evaluate it.
• Develop students’ ability to apply appropriate and effective research methods to situations both theoretical and practical.
• Develop students’ interpersonal skills and personal attributes enabling them to act in a professional capacity and in the expectation of best practice within their chosen specialisms.
• Increase critical awareness and analysis of current practice, issues, developments, scholarship and research within the broad area of Drama and Performance.
• Produce adaptable and creative graduates who are responsive to changing social contexts.
Learning Outcomes
| A1 | Demonstrate a developed awareness and understanding of the contemporary professional contexts in which drama is produced. |
| A2 | Critically understand the ways that drama producing organisations, funding bodies and other key contributors to the production of drama in the UK function and operate. |
| A3 | Critically understand and apply key processes and languages by which meaning is produced in relation to audiences in at least two significant areas of contemporary drama production. |
| A4 | Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of a range of performance practices and research methodologies relevant to the student’s own field. |
| A5 | Understand and apply knowledge of how to construct a research proposal, including an integration of theory and practice-as-research. |
| B1 | Engage critically with major theoretical frameworks and debates within the field of drama and performance and apply them in specific contexts. |
| B2 | Engage in a variety of forms of critical research leading to both creative productions and extended writing that reflects sustained independent enquiry. |
| B3 | Be adaptable, creative and self-reflexive in producing output for a variety of audiences and in a variety of forms. |
| B4 | Reflect at an advanced level on their own creative practice and demonstrate an understanding of its relationship to professional work in the chosen area. |
| B5 | Evaluate and synthesize current research in a specialised area. |
| C1 | Produce work through appropriate processes including devising, directing, writing, performing or designing which is informed by, and contextualized within, relevant theoretical issues and debates, and that satisfied specified professional requirements. |
| C2 | Experiment, as appropriate, with conventions, languages, techniques and industry practices. |
| C3 | Analyse how public policy related to the arts and media is devised and implemented, and the ways in which companies, individual artists and audiences play a role in shaping such policies |
| C4 | Plan programmes of work that realistically reflect the professional context in which the work is being produced. |
| C5 | Demonstrate time management, self-motivation, personal initiative, organisational skills, planning, strategising and prioritising. |
Course Structure
Level 7 Modules
| Module Code | Module Id | Module Title | Module Status | Credit Value | Module Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RA4D06 | MOD012157 | Reflective Practice 1: Theatre and Performance Practices | Running | 40 | specified |
| RA4D07 | MOD012158 | Reflective Practice 2: Themes, Contexts and Applications | Running | 40 | specified |
| RA4S06 | MOD012159 | Professional Practices in Drama & Performance | Running | 20 | specified |
| RA4T06 | MOD012161 | Major Production in Drama | Running | 60 | optional |
| RA4T07 | MOD012162 | Dissertation in Drama | Running | 60 | optional |
| RA4S08 | MOD013670 | Contemporary Themes and Ideas in Theatre and Performance Research | Running | 20 | specified |
Teaching and Assessment
Learning and Teaching Methods
Employer Engagement
Visiting Speakers
Visiting speakers are frequently used as part of modules in order for students to locate themselves and their work within a wider professional context and make industry contacts.
Volunteering
Sometimes volunteering opportunities can arise for students as a result of making industry contacts, and are carried out in an extra-curricular way.
Fieldwork
Students engage in practical projects and research through several modules, which often require carrying out fieldwork.
Fieldtrips
Field trips are regularly arranged as part of modules in order for students to gather knowledge about the industry.
Work Placements
Some modules have the capacity for work placements to be carried out – these are arranged on a student-by-student basis.
Work-based Learning
As above
Employer Forums
These are arranged on an ad hoc and responsive basis as part of modules focused on professional practice.
Means of Assessment
Portfolio
Practical assessment
Essay
Dissertation
Presentation
Performance
Learning Support
Induction
Induction week is utilised fully to give students the opportunity to engage in a range of practical activities that introduce them to the course, the staff team, their fellow students, and modes of teaching and learning.
Personal Academic Coach
Each student is allocated a Personal Academic Coach who meets with them three times over the course of the year.
Office hours
When based in the building core staff offer office hours each week. When working remotely students have at least one point of contact available throughout the course and can email to arrange to meet and discuss any issues.
Tutorials
Individual tutorials are utilised as teaching method in all modules.
Seminars
Small group tutorials or seminars are utilised as appropriate particularly when students are working in small groups on tasks.
Formative Assessment
Formative assessment is integrated into modules and utilised at appropriate points in order to feedback or feed-forward on students work.
Progress meetings
Students regularly meet to discuss progress, both informally during classes and formally within modules.
Research Supervision
This is particularly employed as part of the modules Major Production in Drama and Dissertation in Drama and is the main teaching method used for these modules.
Online Resources
Online resources are frequently utilised during all modules. This can range from the online library resources, virtual classroom spaces, Blackboard, research and performance databases etc.
Advice Centres
All students are made aware of the Advice Zone during induction, and then responsively across the year.
DDS Service
Students are made aware of this service during induction and then responsively across the year.
IT/Library
Students are made aware of these services at induction and shown how to use them. Activities involving the use of these services are integrated into teaching.
Course Exit Points
| Award | Criteria | Final |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts | 180 credits of which at least 150 must be at Level 7 and no more than 30 at Level 6 | Final |
| Postgraduate Certificate | 60 credits with at least 40 at Level 7 and no more than 20 at Level 6 | Exit |
| Postgraduate Diploma | 120 credits of which at least 90 must be at Level 7 and no more than 30 at Level 6 | Exit |
Progression Route
The option of MPhil/PhD through the Faculty is available upon successful application. Based on previous graduates our students also progress to careers such as freelance theatre practitioners, workshop facilitators, educators, actors, directors, scriptwriters and media practitioners
Entry Requirements
Admission to the course is typically through the following qualifications:
An Honours degree of 2.1 or above in a related discipline.
Sometimes students will be offered a place on the course if they demonstrate significant professional experience in the place of this, but this is under exceptional circumstances.
If students apply with a 2.2 Honours degree they will be interviewed and must demonstrate that they are ready to study at this level.
Inclusive Curriculum Statement
The University of South Wales operates a policy of inclusive learning, teaching and assessment to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to fulfil their educational potential. Course teams will have considered ways of designing out any potentially disadvantageous element of courses during the course design process. However some specific needs may remain, details about how to apply to have your needs assessed can be found at: http://unilife.southwales.ac.uk/pages/3040-disability-and-dyslexia-service/
Addendum for Delivery at a Partner Institution
N/A
Methods Of Quality Standards
N/A
Quality Of Standards Indicators
N/A