Drama & Performance Studies

The MA in Drama and Performance Studies gives students the opportunity to analyse, explore, and reflect critically on contemporary theatre and performance. The programme engages with current theoretical and practical philosophies of performance, taught by a mix of academic staff and special guest contributors from professional fields. 

This programme is designed for students who like going to the theatre and are interested in learning skills to critically review and analyse such performances. The UCD School of English, Drama and Film offers unique insights to students. through its deep involvement in the progress of Irish literary affairs. Many of Ireland's leading writers were educated at UCD including: James Joyce, Edna O'Brien and Roddy Doyle. 

• Reflects on theatre writing and performance
• Engages with current theoretical and practical philosophies of performance
• Academic and Professional Theatre staff of international standing

• Advance critical, artistic, reflective, evaluative and conceptual research paradigms in this subject area and beyond
• Advocate on behalf of the cultural sectors
• Apply detailed and advanced theoretical knowledge and research methods in drama and performance studies
• Be confident, assured and responsible for career goals and progression
• Demonstrate innovative, independent thinking and creativity in approaches and responses to complex issues
• Develop original conceptual ideas in theatre production
• Engage critically as spectators and as citizens of culture and performance more broadly
• Enhance employability by extending transferable and adaptable skills
• Foster and appreciate self-evaluative and reflective learning
• Grasp the historic, cultural, political, social and economic contexts from which theatre work emerges and to interrogate, reflect and evaluate plays and performances in the light of current critical practices
• Impact on and advance individual discipline-specific and transferable skills
• Initiate projects in self-motivated, self-directed, autonomous and group learning settings
• Manage the appropriate resources, (including online resources, databases, digital tools), and possess the faculty to critique and synthesise information
• Nurture and advance the well-established relationships of UCD Drama Studies with the Irish and international academic and artistic theatre and performance communities
• Organise, present, articulate and disseminate advanced ideas appropriately and effectively
• Utilise the opportunity of being based in a city like Dublin and benefit from the experience of its thriving theatre activities
• Work knowledgeably and collegially in multidisciplinary contexts and in practice-based creative processes

Many of our alumni work in a varitey of different sectors, including the theatre, media and cultural institutes, where a background in the humanities is particularly valued. Others graduates work in senior positions across a diverse range of industries including education, NGOs and the Arts, whilst some continue on to PhD research.

If you are not a UCD student and have not applied previously, you must register before using the system for the first time. You'll find step-by-step instructions on how to apply in our instructions for applicants [pdf] and video tutorial.

If you have already registered you can return to the secure system using the login details you registered with. If you are a current or previous UCD student, please use your UCD student number (the system will pre-populate your personal details and you will not be requested to send transcripts).

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