Postgraduate study

Why study with us?

We have one of the largest postgraduate research communities studying drama and dance in the country. Our postgraduate students make a valued contribution to the research culture of the department. You’re encouraged to attend research events organised by us and will be regularly updated about calls for papers and seminar and conference information.

We welcome you to participate in our research groups and to share practice and performance of different kinds. You’re also able to extend your creative practice in a range of unique performance spaces, which include a traditional Japanese Noh Theatre, the substantial Victorian Boilerhouse and the contemporary Caryl Churchill Theatre.

You'll also benefit from our partnerships with the cultural sector and collaborations with artists and theatre-makers. Workshops and lectures are regularly offered to postgraduates by leading playwrights, directors, choreographers and practitioners in applied theatre, including Katie Mitchell, Rebecca Prichard and Jonathan Burrows.

MA programmes

If you wish to follow postgraduate taught courses, we offer a range of specialist programmes. Graduates from the MA programmes have successful careers in a range of areas that build on their studies at Royal Holloway.

Our MA programmes offer intensive training in different aspects of theatre and performance: MA Playwriting and an MA in Theatre Directing course taught by renowned theatre director Katie Mitchell OBE. Each MA programme combines creative and critical practices.

We also offer an MA by Research in Drama, Theatre and Dance.

PhD study

The Department of Drama, Theatre and Dance is an ideal place to undertake PhD research. You’ll join one of the largest groups of PhD students in the UK and will be taught by academics with international reputations. Our doctoral students often work together organising conferences, editing Platform, the journal for Early Career researchers, and contributing to undergraduate experience through directing plays and leading other activities. Many of our successful doctoral students have been appointed to full time lecturing posts in a range of universities both in the UK and internationally and become highly respected practitioners and in the cultural sector.

Find out more about our postgraduate research opportunities

Application deadlines

The MA Theatre Directing programme starts in July. Applications for this programme should be received no later than 31 May of the year in which you intend to start, except for students requiring a visa to study who should submit their applications by the 31 March to allow time for the visa application process to be completed before the start of the programme.

Applications for the MA Playwriting should be received no later than the 30 June.

If you have any queries about your PhD application, or would like to find out more about the doctoral research community at Royal Holloway, please contact the PGR Lead in Drama, Theatre and Dance, Dr Aneta Mancewicz (Aneta.Mancewicz@rhul.ac.uk).

Applicants for the PhD programme, who are intending to apply for other sources of funding, should submit their applications to the Department at least one month before the deadline of the funding application.

Applications for the MA by Research and self-funded PhD study are accepted on a rolling basis.