MA Theatre Directing
Course overview
Start date
September 2020
Subject area
Music and Performance
Attendance
Full-time
Part-time
Learning
On campus, dual delivery
Course summary
It provides an opportunity to develop your directing practice through an active engagement with critical thinking so that you will have the tools to become an independent creative artist in the industry.
The diversity of our student intake is our course’s strength. It’s open to those with professional as well as academic experience.
As well as taking part in master classes by visiting professional artists, you will learn from and work with staff who are both academics and professional practitioners with industry knowledge.
You will study a broad range of approaches to performance-making from traditional text-based work to intercultural and digital performance and contemporary devising.
We teach you at our brand new performing arts building in Stratford with its industry-standard studios and theatre production spaces. Beyond the university, you will also have the opportunity to show your work in professional venues.
Return to campus: dual delivery
In a Covid-secure environment, enjoy learning on our state-of-the-art campuses and flex between online delivery
Find out moreHands-on approach
We’ll give you the opportunity to develop the technique and knowledge which will equip you for professional theatrical practice.
Industry experts
You will work with professional theatre directors in master classes and have the opportunity to hear from leading figures in acting and directing.
Flexible study
This is a flexible course. You will be able to study in the evening, allowing access for those of you who have work or family commitments.
What we're researching
An impressive 50 per cent of the research we’re undertaking in the field of Music, Drama, Dance and Performing Arts was judged to be either ‘internationally excellent’ or ‘world-leading’.
Our Centre for Performing Arts Development (CPAD) has become an international centre for research in the performing arts and supports research that is concerned with political, philosophical, cultural, ethical, socially-engaged and community applied issues.
All of our academics are teachers, practitioners and researchers. Dr Sheila Preston, our Head of Performing Arts, co-published with Tim Prentki The Applied Theatre Reader, which is the key text book on undergraduate and postgraduate courses nationally and internationally.
Dr Dominic Hingorani, Course Leader for the MA Acting and Theatre Directing degrees, is also an accomplished writer, director and producer, while Lecturer Jorge Lopes Ramos is joint artistic director of an acclaimed independent theatre company based in east London and Rio de Janeiro.
Jorge creates playful theatrical structures that allow for a participatory, immersive and interactive experience. He focuses his professional practice and research on the unspoken contract between the audience and the actor, which is underpinned by his work on the dramaturgy of participation.
Making a difference
UEL is one of the UK’s leading modern research universities. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF), 17 per cent of our overall research submission was classified as ‘world-leading’ for its quality and impact – almost double our previous REF score. A further 45 per cent of our work was considered ‘internationally excellent’.
Orsolya Nagy
MA Theatre Directing
I was attracted to the MA Theatre Directing course because it does not concentrate only on text-based theatre but also offers learning about various methodologies and different ways to create a performance.
My favourite things about UEL are the buzzy atmosphere, the libraries and the supportive and inspiring lecturers. The specialist facilities get ten out of ten.
The Black Box studio is a professional theatre production space in the new building at Stratford University Square. I love our performances there at the end of every term.
Fees and funding
£10,280 to fund your Masters Programme under the Postgraduate Loans (PGL) scheme
Postgraduate Loans (PGL)
The Postgraduate Loan (PGL) provide non means-tested loans of up to £10,906 to taught and research masters students. It will be paid to students as a contribution towards tuition fees, living costs and other course costs.
Applications are made directly through Student Finance England
Eligibility
Whether you qualify depends on:
• if you’ve studied on a postgraduate course before
• your course
• your age
• your nationality or residency status
Full eligibility can be found here
Please take a look at the Postgraduate Loans for an overview of the new funding.
The scholarship is open to full-time and part-time UK and EU students of taught postgraduate courses. *Exclusions apply.
Find out more about full eligibility criteria and how to apply.
Terms and conditions apply.How we can help you
Did you know that with a postgraduate qualification you can expect to earn more than someone who only holds an undergraduate degree?If you want to build new skills, change career paths, or further your career prospects, a postgraduate degree can help you. Our range of scholarships and bursaries will make financing your education that much easier. Below is some of the funding available to support you in your studies:
- Alumni Discount – up to 15% fee waiver *exclusions apply. Please see Alumni Discount page for information.
- Early Payment Discount – 5% fee waiver
- Asylum Seekers scholarship – 100% fee waiver
- Civic Engagement – £1,000
- Hardship Bursary – up to £2,000
- Sport Scholarships – Up to £6,000
Terms and conditions apply.
• By telephone
• In person at our Docklands or Stratford campus
• Bank transfer
- Apply for a Postgraduate Loan
- Take advantage of UEL scholarships and bursaries
- Ask your employer to sponsor your study
- Study part-time so you can work at the same time (applicable to courses that have a part-time mode)
- Look at UK Research and Innovation funding options
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate
your finances while you're a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and
university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
£10,280 to fund your Masters Programme under the Postgraduate Loans (PGL) scheme
Postgraduate Loans (PGL)
The Postgraduate Loan (PGL) provide non means-tested loans of up to £10,906 to taught and research masters students. It will be paid to students as a contribution towards tuition fees, living costs and other course costs.
Applications are made directly through Student Finance England
Eligibility
Whether you qualify depends on:
• if you’ve studied on a postgraduate course before
• your course
• your age
• your nationality or residency status
Full eligibility can be found here
Please take a look at the Postgraduate Loans for an overview of the new funding.
The scholarship is open to full-time and part-time UK and EU students of taught postgraduate courses. *Exclusions apply.
Find out more about full eligibility criteria and how to apply.
Terms and conditions apply.How we can help you
Did you know that with a postgraduate qualification you can expect to earn more than someone who only holds an undergraduate degree?If you want to build new skills, change career paths, or further your career prospects, a postgraduate degree can help you. Our range of scholarships and bursaries will make financing your education that much easier. Below is some of the funding available to support you in your studies:
- Alumni Discount – up to 15% fee waiver *exclusions apply. Please see Alumni Discount page for information.
- Early Payment Discount – 5% fee waiver
- Asylum Seekers scholarship – 100% fee waiver
- Civic Engagement – £1,000
- Hardship Bursary – up to £2,000
- Sport Scholarships – Up to £6,000
Terms and conditions apply.
• By telephone
• In person at our Docklands or Stratford campus
• Bank transfer
- Apply for a Postgraduate Loan
- Take advantage of UEL scholarships and bursaries
- Ask your employer to sponsor your study
- Study part-time so you can work at the same time (applicable to courses that have a part-time mode)
- Look at UK Research and Innovation funding options
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate
your finances while you're a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and
university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
Per 30 credit module
As part of the Tier 4 student visa requirements, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) estimate that you will need £1,265* per month to cover your living costs. It includes expenses for accommodation, food and drink, travel within London, text books, entertainment, clothing, toiletries and laundry. Most Tier 4 students are required to show they have sufficient funds to cover the first nine months of the course before they start- a total of £11,385- in addition to the tuition fees. You can find more information about the specific requirements of the Tier 4 student visa here. The amount that you will spend can vary depending on your lifestyle. The UKCISA International Student Calculator can help you plan and manage your money.
* Please note the Immigration Rules are subject to change and this figure is likely to be increased by UKVI year on year. Please therefore check our ISA page for more information at the time of preparing your visa application.International students are required to pay a deposit prior to being issued a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Your remaining balance will be paid in five monthly instalments over your first term. The first of these instalments must be paid when completing your enrolment on arrival at UEL. Please follow the payment instructions here.
After the required payment has been made, you will be asked to complete the online International Student Reply Form to confirm your acceptance of our offer and of our terms of admittance and fees policy.
Our International team at UEL are available for advice and guidance on studying in London, fees, scholarships and visa requirements.
Email: international@uel.ac.uk
Entry requirements
Admission to the programme is by interview.
Special provision is made for international students who are unable to come to the UK for an interview.
If you do not meet the academic English language requirements for your course, you may be eligible to enrol onto a pre-sessional English programme. The length of the course will depend on your current level of English and the requirements for your degree programme. We offer a 5-week and an 11-week pre-sessional course. Find out more.
Please note that some courses require applicants to meet the entry requirements outlined on the course page. Our pre-entry Information Advice and Guidance Team are able to provide further advice on entry requirements and suitability for study.
What you'll study
We consistently review and develop our courses and modules to ensure they are up-to-date with sector and industry graduate skills demands. Course structure, modules and options are subject to change.
- Director and the Text (Core)
- Devised Project (Core)
- Contemporary Performance Making (Core)
- Research Methods in Creative Practice (Core)
- Performance Platform (Core)
- Mental Wealth: Professional Life - Performance Praxis (Core)
How you'll be assessed
All modules lead to performance and the final showcase Dissertation performances take place at Stratford Circus Arts Centre, a professional venue with excellent technical and front-of-house facilities.
Depending on your course modules, your assessments may include coursework essays, collaborative and individual presentations, professional placements, seen and unseen examinations, reports, portfolios, essay plans and creative work.
How you'll learn
Dominic is a professional playwright, academic author, producer and director and co-Artistic Director of Brolly a cross arts company supported by Arts Council England. He has recently written and produced a national tour of a new play for teenagers Guantanamo Boy and a new opera Clocks 1888 the greener.
Dominic originally trained as an actor and worked on stage in the United States with Sir Ian McKellen and performed on TV and film.
Another teacher is Dr Jorge Lopes Ramos, the multi award-winning joint artistic director of the internationally acclaimed Zecora Ura, an independent and innovative theatre group based in Rio de Janeiro and east London.
As well as their support, we’ll give you the opportunity to work alongside an experienced professional director who, if you want, will act as your mentor.
Through our unique partnerships, you will have opportunities to engage with a variety of professional companies from London International Festival of Theatre to Columbia College, Chicago.
You will also benefit from a programme of talks by distinguished speakers. Recently, our students heard from British movie star Terence Stamp and the artistic director of Theatre Royal Stratford East, Kerry Michael.
Dr Hingorani says, “This course was created especially for those wishing to pursue a professional career in the theatre and develop the skills to be an independent creative artist.
“Our teaching ethos is tailored to the individual student to develop their own unique creative voice, underpinned by academic rigour and an understanding of professional art practice, delivered in industry-standard studio facilities.
“I can’t think of a more exciting place to start your career, build your networks and access world-class professional theatre than in London.”
What you'll learn
You will gain the skills needed to create innovative and exciting performance work and to be able to operate as a professional theatre director and independent creative producer.
Your modules will feature Director Training, which looks at the key building blocks of working with an actor on voice, body and offers an in-depth Stanislavskian approach for the director working with text.
The Staging Performance module develops your skills as an independent producer and builds up to your performance, for which you’ll be mentored by a professional theatre company.
You will study a range of contemporary performance practices as well as honing advanced research skills as you prepare for your dissertation piece – a final directorial showcase performance to be enacted in a professional venue.
Your future career
Your final degree show will act as your showcase to attract agents and develop your professional networks.
By having your own mentor in the last six months of your course, you will not only gain important insight and advice about the technical aspects of acting but you will receive invaluable help in developing important contacts.
Because our Staging Performance module is mentored by a theatre company, this could also open doors to performing your own work. It certainly has for previous students.
We believe our course helps nurture independent-minded, creative individuals – people like Tom Drayton, who graduated in 2014, has set up his own theatre company and is also busy with freelance work, including running workshops for children.
He produced the first ever free production of Sondheim's Sweeney Todd on the Edinburgh Fringe and, during his UEL studies, he directed and produced the acclaimed Twentysomething: a reading list, which focused on the plight of recent arts graduates following the economic recession.
Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal
