Integrated Master in Literature: Drama and Scriptwriting

Studying theatre and drama at Essex enables you to examine some of the most influential play-texts ever written, and to be ready to take part in shaping the essential performances of tomorrow. This degree is a chance to unlock and explore your creativity. You will develop as a scriptwriter too, by learning with professional and award-winning dramatists. You will produce a varied portfolio of dramatic works, culminating in a full-length original play, which will enable you to hone and develop your own unique voice.

On our four-year MLitSt Drama and Scriptwriting, you will be part of an interdisciplinary department where literary critics work alongside practising poets, dramatist, film-makers, novelists and journalists.

You have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of optional modules across different topics and areas of specialism, including;

• Dramatic literature from Ancient Greek tragedy and Shakespeare, to modern plays from around the world
• Contemporary playwriting and devising techniques
• Staging political ideas, human rights and social justice issues
• Gender, identity, orientation and sexual politics on stage
• Creating Applied Theatre in educational and community contexts
• Emergent trends in interactive performance-making and audience participation

In your fourth year, as a post-graduate student, you will be able to choose from the following masters level modules in drama and scriptwriting;

• The principles of dramatic structure and scene construction
• Techniques for working as a playwright with youth and community groups
• The origins and possibilities of poetic theatre and verse drama
• Options for poetic practice or novel-writing
• Radio drama

We are ranked third in the UK for drama in the Guardian University Guide 2021 and top 20 for drama and film studies in the UK (Dance, drama and cinematics, Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021).

• Produce a full-length original play which will be given a public performance in our 200-seat Lakeside Theatre in the heart of campus
• Join our Student Company and get involved in both front-of-house and behind the scenes
• Attend playwriting master classes led by professional playwrights and theatre practitioners

The majority of our Postgraduate Taught Masters will consider applicants with 2.5/4 or C or 79% from Bachelor Degree.
 

Be an actor, a writer, a director, a stage-manager, a producer - or something even more exciting! A drama degree opens many doors. Creativity, communication and versatility are highly valued skills in our rapidly changing world.

Our students have gone on to become actors, directors and playwrights, as well as producers, live artists, dramaturgs, stage-managers, and arts managers. Essex students have built rewarding careers as youth workers, community practitioners, drama therapists, and as teachers and academics.

The skillsets developed at Essex have also seen our students find success in a range of related creative industries including journalism, television production, broadcasting, radio presenting, gaming, magazine editing, copywriting, press relations and marketing, as well as in business, commerce and law.

Our graduates have gone on to work in a wide range of creative roles including:

• Writer in Residence for the National Theatre
• Artistic Director of Jermyn Street Theatre, London
• Artistic Director of a successful touring company
• Director for the Almedia Theatre, London
• Manager at a renowned regional theatre
• Live-Artist for Art Angel
• BBC Journalist
• Youth Theatre Leader & Workshop Facilitator
• Outreach and Education Officer
• Front of House Theatre Manager
• Stage-manager
• Secondary School Teacher

We also work with the university's Student Development Team to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.