MA Contemporary Performance Practices

Are you a maker? An artist? An activist? Do you feel you need to do something in reaction to a deep crisis in the future of humanity, to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty? Are you longing for a space of discussion which brings together artists, scholars, and activists to create new types of cultural productions that transcend, rather than merely criticise, the status quo? Then MA Contemporary Performance Practices may be where your ideas belong.

Contemporary Performance Practices breaks traditional disciplinary borders to explore how performance can help us respond to social, environmental, and ecological changes and challenges. The Programme provides a unique and tailored education to prepare graduates for new opportunities within the performing arts industry. The curriculum centres on a dynamic blend of critical, practice-based engagement with performance across artistic genres and disciplines; from experimental theatre, music, dance and community-based practices, to live art, interactive and participatory performance, sound art, and installation.

You will be immersed in a variety of ideas, approaches and forms, and, at the same time have ample opportunities to focus on your own area of interest. Throughout the programme you will explore cutting edge and interdisciplinary approaches to performance making and develop original work leading to your final dissertational project which will be a unique performance on a specific area of enquiry.

Our course responds to the creative industry demands of today by developing multi-skilled artists that are simultaneously practitioners, scholars and creative producers.

This course will enable students to articulate and 'own' the value of the practice within and outside the arts industries. 

You will work individually with course leaders to find appropriate links with existing organisations for professional placements.  You will have the opportunity to present your final work in a professional venue which hosts internationally acclaimed artists. 

• Bachelor's degree: GPA of 2.5 / 4 or overall classification of "Good" or higher
• UK Bachelor's degree with Honours: Second Class, Second Division or higher
• US Bachelor's degree: GPA 2.5 / 4

Extended Diploma or Diploma

FROM

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE

Diploma with 24 points including a minimum of 15 points at Higher Level

Graduates from MA Contemporary Performance Practices have gone on to secure funding for their projects, create new artist networks, produce international projects, create new festivals, curate interdisciplinary events and have their projects programmed in a variety of festivals, venues and conferences since 2016. UEL  offers an MFA route to this programme, as well as options to progress to PhD.

Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal.