Drama

MPhil/PhD Performance Practice

Location

Streatham Campus, Exeter

This programme is designed for students wishing to take their performance practice beyond an MA. The area of study is entirely dependent on you, and may be pursued in a wide range of research-based practices. There is no formal restriction on subject matter, providing there is a member of staff competent to supervise in a proposed area. See our staff research interests for details. The variety of possible subjects of research through practice is large, including playwriting, acting, directing, physical theatre, dance theatre, masks, music theatre and new media.

Your supervisor will seek to facilitate the progress of the your practice, either in-house or in collaboration with local and national organisations with which we have established connections.

What is an MPhil or PhD?

Both MPhil and PhD research degrees involve an extensive investigation of a particular topic.

MPhil research takes a maximum of three years to complete full-time, or five years part-time, and is assessed by the submission of a dissertation of up to 60,000 words. The PhD takes a maximum of four years full-time and seven years part-time and the results of your research will normally be assessed by a written thesis of up to 100,000 words and oral examination. The PhD is only awarded when the results of your investigation make an original contribution to knowledge in the field.

A PhD is the highest qualification that a university can award and offers a challenging and exciting opportunity to work at the cutting-edge of research: if you have these qualities Exeter can offer a very supportive environment in which to pursue research.

Advice for PhD applicants

Our online learning resource 'Considering a UK PhD?' provides lots of helpful advice and information from staff and students about the PhD experience at Exeter.

You may wish to read our general advice for PhD applicants webpages, which give tips on how to put together a successful research degree application.

Applicants for research programmes are also advised to visit the College's webpages to check for specific advice (see further information link). Here you will be able to find out about staff research interests and make preliminary enquiries about supervision. We advise that you do this before applying.