We will consider applicants with a 2:2 Honours degree or above in their first degree in Drama, Theatre Practice, Screen Writing, Performance Studies, English Literature or Creative Writing.
For theatre-makers, educators, and performance scholars, this MA offers rigorous training in physical and vocal performance, ensemble collaboration, directing and dramaturgy - equipping students to innovate and lead within contemporary theatre and performance contexts.
Specialised training for performers, theatre-makers, facilitators, educators and scholars on an acclaimed, long-standing programme that has generated famous practitioners and theatre companies
Learn about world-renowned theatre practices from specialists
Develop advanced skills for creating independent work and building creative communities
Extend your artistic practice, sharpen your critical skills and learn to contextualise your work culturally and historically
Join a diverse, international community of artists, researchers and students who are passionate about theatre’s role in society and are leaders in their field
6th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026
For Drama, Dance and Cinematics
Entry requirements
We will consider applicants with a 2:2 Honours degree or above in their first degree in Drama, Theatre Practice, Screen Writing, Performance Studies, English Literature or Creative Writing. While we normally only consider applicants who meet this criterion, if you are coming from a different academic background which is equivalent to degree level, or have relevant work experience, we would welcome your application. Practical and/or professional experience may be taken as constituting the equivalent of a degree qualification.
Applicants are invited to submit a portfolio, including videos excerpts from previous performances or links to others types of material.
The course has enabled me to explore new creative possibilities which I have never had access to before. The lecturers are incredibly supportive and highly knowledgeable practitioners who are passionate about the arts and its future possibilities for you as a student.
“Dance like nobody's watching” - Completely let go of anything you “think” you know and be prepared to open yourself up to every possibility and more. Don’t be afraid to try something out because everyone else will be feeling that same hesitancy too.
I waited until the moment was right for me to jump into the unknown and do what I truly love. Having a “hidden disability” made me feel worried about “fitting in” or being “good enough” but it’s the best choice I have ever made and I have felt truly supported in my creative journey as an artist.
Our MA Theatre Practice nurtures the theatre scholar-practitioners of the future. You will be taught advanced skills in movement, voice, text, adaptation and devising and will be invited to work collaboratively and imaginatively across various types of performance.
This programme is ideal for anyone wishing to further their practical training, integrate this with the study of cutting-edge performance practices, and the cultivation of advanced research skills.
We regularly train students in Grotowski-based movement and voice work, Phillip Zarrilli’s psychophysical training, Asian body-mind practices (including yoga, t’ai chi and butoh), Meyerhold’s biomechanics, polyphonic singing, integration of movement and text, and Viewpoints. You will be introduced to contemporary performances practices, including site-specific theatre, intermedial performance, autobiographical work, physical theatre, and devised performance. Each year, students on this pathway can undertake a training residency outside the department, arranged by the university. In previous years, students have trained at Shakespeare’s Globe in London.
Programme staff are experts in actor training, directing and devising. They lead professional companies (e.g. RedCape Theatre) and regularly collaborate with world-leading theatre organisations (e.g. the Grotowski Institute in Poland, the National Theatre of Greece, ArtsCross International, LADA-Live Art Development Agency, the National Theatre Wales).
We offer a rich programme of esteemed visiting speakers and practitioners throughout the year. This frequently features workshops in clowning, puppetry, sound and dance. You will have access to the Exeter Digital Archives, one of the largest collections of recorded training and performance sessions in the world.
The modules below provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
You must take 180 credits of compulsory modules
Compulsory Choice 1 - Choose either CDFM001 Dissertation - Written or CDFM002 Dissertation - Practice (you cannot choose more than one module from this group)
Compulsory modules
Code
Module
Credits
Compulsory 1
Cultural Adaptation
30
Contemporary Performance Practices: Training
45
Performance Practice Project
45
Compulsory Choice
Dissertation - Written
60
Dissertation - Practice
60
DRAM103: Cultural Adaptation
Human beings are characterised by their ability to adapt, and cultures themselves also adapt to a variety of influences, while humans adapt to cultures. In this module you'll look at the processes affecting performance in the contemporary world, taking into account factors such as globalisation, interculturalism, diaspora and migration. As well as being able to locate yourself within your own cultural histories and values, you'll also understand the role of performance and arts in different cultural contexts, and the complexities of communicating and adapting texts, events, and performances between cultures.
This module aims to:
Introduce you to the concept of cultural adaptation, with reference to a wide range of potential cultures, and to such related concepts as globalisation, diaspora, postcolonialism, interculturalism and identity
You will discuss examples of cultural adaptation within their own cultures, and study how these may be best analysed using the theories to which they have been introduced
Introduce research skills including critical writing and performance analysis.
DRAM167: Contemporary Performance Practices: Training
The module introduces you to contemporary performance practices and skills. Its primary focus is on performer training, but principles and techniques taught are foundational to a range of theatre practices (devising, composition, dramaturgy, applied theatre). It is divided into several blocks, each one exploring an aspect of technique (body, voice, space, ensemble). You will develop and apply skills mainly through practical workshops. Through seminars, screenings, individual tasks and projects, you will also develop these practices further and understand them in their historical and social contexts. You will also be introduced to the foundations of practice-research, self-reflexive writing and training documentation.
This module provides you with the opportunity to develop your research-based practice over the term, building on the performance practice foundations introduced to you in Term 1. Through staff-led workshops, seminars and tutorials you will develop your performance and devising skills. You will encounter a range of ensemble and individual exercises from global and intercultural contexts. You will be expected to work individually and collaboratively throughout the term which will culminate in the creation and sharing of your own performance project. Additionally, you will be supported in developing your own abilities to critically reflect on your individual and collaborative processes.
This module aims to:
Provide a focused, structured atmosphere for the first phase in the development of quality performance practice in the designated area of theatrical/performance practice
Provide the opportunity to apply principles and processes of psychophysical performance practice to one's own creative work
Facilitate the development of individual and collaborative creative work and reflection upon that work
The dissertation project is the culmination of your postgraduate course and represents an opportunity to explore a research question in detail over an extended period of time. Across the module you will conceive, plan, research and write a study of 15,000 words. Initially you will be supported by a supervisor, but during the writing period you will be expected to work independently.
The dissertation will enable you to consolidate and develop your subject knowledge and methodological skills in your discipline by exploring in detail a topic of your own devising.
You will be supported through the early stages of planning your dissertation in the second term of your studies through a series of workshops. This will enable you to develop and submit a dissertation proposal by the end of term 2 (for part time students the proposal will be submitted by the second term of the second year of study).
You will then be assigned a supervisor who will support you during term 3 as you conduct initial research, prepare draft work and establish your project sufficiently to enable you to work independently after the end of term 3. Your supervisor will support you as your research, planning and writing progress through one-to-one supervision sessions. These combined activities will offer you the necessary guidance and support to refine your initial plans and bring your research project to completion.
The dissertation project is the culmination of your postgraduate course and represents an opportunity to explore an idea, theme or issue in detail over an extended period through your chosen form of practice. In negotiation with a dissertation supervisor, you will devise a research-led practical output relevant to your field and then conceive, plan and deliver this work. It will be equivalent to 7,500 words of written work (your supervisor will advise you on equivalency in your chosen form of practice) and you will also submit a 7,500-word piece of writing to provide critical context to your practice. Your supervisor will support you during the preparation of your practical output, which will normally be delivered towards the end of term 3, and through the initial phase of planning your written work, though beyond the end of term 3 you will be expected to work independently.
The module aims to:
provide an opportunity for you to pursue a single research topic in depth, partly through a form of practice appropriate to your discipline
demonstrate evidence of research achievement at master's level
The University of Exeter offers a wide range of scholarships to support your education, with £7 million available for international students applying to study with us in the 2026/27 academic year, including our prestigious Exeter Excellence Scholarships. We also provide awards for sport, music and other achievements, as well as regional and partner scholarships with organisations such as Chevening, The Beacon Trust and the British Council. For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship
We are pleased to offer the University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship, a scholarship for University of Exeter alumni beginning a standalone postgraduate programme in 2026/27 with us a scholarship worth 20% of the cost of your first year tuition fees.
Our MA Theatre Practice introduces you to significant international practices and the core aspects of the theatre-maker’s craft: physical and vocal training, ensemble-making and collaboration, dramaturgy, directing and devising, space, props and technology.
Structure of teaching
In Term 1 you will explore the variety, richness and range of training practices, with chances for you to focus on the particular elements that most interest you.
In Term 2 and in your dissertation, you will be able to specialise, deepen and hone your understanding of one or more key areas of performance practice.
Toolkit development
You will regularly take part in ‘Toolkit’ sessions with visiting specialists, masterclasses and training.
You can gain further skills through a training residency with a professional theatre organisation, allowing you to experience different approaches to performance taught by professionals in the field.
In the second part of the year, you will create and perform a full-length project (solo or ensemble), with support by our expert staff and tech team. If you choose, you can perform your pieces to festivals of theatre work hosted by the University of Exeter, including the T3 Festival.
Praxis and reflective practitioner training
You will encounter key theory readings and engage in critical dialogue about them. As the practical elements increase via project-based learning, you will reflect upon your own practice using these readings, theories and resources.
This opportunity to self-reflect is as valuable for students who come into the MA with a substantive body of practice as it is for students with more limited experience. We value that each learning journey is unique.
Seminar modules and your research
In your theoretical modules, you will examine key topics in contemporary performance and skills for researching a topic of your choosing. In ‘Cultural Adaptation’ you will discuss how performance is made across cultures, and discover theatre-makers, applied-theatre practitioners and theorists influencing international performance. You will be introduced to a range of skills to help you design, prepare and conduct your own research.
For your ‘Dissertation’, you will conduct in-depth research in your chosen area of interest, guided by a supervisor. This can be fully written, or you can select a practice-based dissertation: for example, performance and writing, workshops and writing, or work placement and writing.
Assessment
You will benefit from a balanced range of assessments, including presentations, essays, project proposals, annotated bibliographies, and performances. Your learning process throughout the term is an important part of practice-based assessments and is taken into consideration in the marking.
Associate Professor in Drama, Theatre & Performance
Professor Rebecca Loukes
Associate Professor of Performance Practice
Emily Kreider
MFA Theatre Practice Programme Director
Dr Erin Walcon
Lecturer in Applied & Educational Theatre
Erin is Co-Director ofDoorstep Arts, a non-profit arts education organisation based in Torbay, providing sustainable long-term participatory arts engagement opportunities for children and young people in an area of statistically low socio-economic status. For Doorstep Arts, Erin administers and produces 14 ongoing drama groups across youth clubs and schools. Erin is a regional producer for Battersea Arts Centre's Collaborative Touring Network and was former Artistic Director of Devon Youth Theatre. Erin serves as the Chair of the Torbay Arts in Schools Network (the regional Cultural Education Partnership) and also serves on the board of Theatre Alibi.
Erin researches participatory arts, social justice, community engagement and theatre in education, and is a regular contributor to blogs and other open-access, public-friendly platforms.
Associate Professor in Drama, Theatre & Performance
Konstantinos performs internationally. Credits include: Hamlet inOphelia, Interrupted(The Grotowski Institute, Poland / UK tour), Raskolnikov inWhat Happened to the Tyrant?(Camden People’s Theatre, UK), Perlimplin in Lorca’sDon PerlimplinandBelisa(Ora Theatre, Greece),Chi Chi Bunichi(National Theatre of Iasi, Romania, UK and Poland tour). Directing credits include:Semeleby Handel (London and Berlin),A Voice Has. A Voices Does. A Voice Is.andPortable Soundscapes(New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth). Recently, he was Voice Consultant to Sophocles’Trackers(Epidaurus) and Music Director for David Greig’sThe Events(National Opera of Greece).
He has taught actor training, movement and voice at the Estonian Academy of Theatre and Music, the GEOKS Center in Bali, the Norwegian Theatre Academy and the Drama School of the National Theatre of Greece. He co-edits theJournal of Interdisciplinary Voice Studiesand Routledge Voice Studies.
Rebecca is a professional director, leading industry- and public-facing work. She is joint Artistic Director of award-winning companyRedCape Theatre. She co-created and performed inThe Idiot Colony Project, which was performed 96 times across 30 UK venues (including the Institute for Contemporary Arts, London, Warwick Arts Centre, Birmingham Rep and Plymouth Theatre Royal). The piece won a Scotsman Fringe First and Total Theatre Award for Visual Theatre in 2008. Other projects include1 Beach RoadandBe BraveandLeave for the Unknown; both received funding by the Arts Council England, toured extensively and were favourably reviewed.
She is a regular collaborator of ArtsCross, a long-term initiative bringing together academics, artists and producers across cultural, national and artistic borders (partners include: Beijing Dance Academy, Taipei National University of the Arts, Shanghai Theatre Academy and Hong Kong Academy of the Performing Arts). She researches histories of performer training, with a particular focus on women’s legacies, and co-edits Routledge’s Perspectives in Performer Training.
Emily is a US/UK-based award-winning teacher, creative practitioner, and leader in practice and experiential learning, who joined the University of Exeter's Drama department in 2014. She currently serves as the Director of the MFA Theatre Practice programme, where her teaching approach is characterised as responsive, experiential, inclusive, and student-led. Her research interests include practice-as-research, applied theatre, and the development of innovative pedagogical methods within drama education.
As one of the largest and best-equipped Drama programmes in the country, we have excellent teaching and performance spaces. Our course is part is part of the Communications, Drama and Film Department, including facilities for film and TV film, media suites for post-production, a screening space, a podcast recording studio, and state-of-the-art studio spaces for training and performance.
The Drama Department is based on the Streatham campus. All of the practical spaces are for use only by Communications, Drama and Film students, giving us a high degree of flexibility.
Alexander Building
The Alexander Building was custom-designed for Drama and was opened in 2007 to great acclaim. It houses the main reception for students, staff offices, 2 brand new sprung-floored studios, 3 additional studios (including filming studio and screening space), 2 seminar rooms, 2 sound studios, meeting rooms, computer suites, workshops and a large costume store. The postgraduate computer suite is accessible 24 hours.
White House
The White House is a mansion building containing many original architectural features, and now contains 3 large airy rehearsal spaces and staff offices.
Roborough
The Roborough Studios provides three large fully-equipped adaptable studio spaces along with a seminar room and technical facilities (including a podcast recording studio), and is used for large-scale performances and events as well as regular rehearsals and practical sessions.
Careers
An MA Theatre Practice from Exeter enables you to develop a wide range of skills, such as those involved in creativity and public performance; research; analysis and source assessment; writing and verbal communication; managing and interpreting information; and developing ideas and arguments.
There are many career options open to students including acting, directing, performing, teaching and technical roles. Graduates also find work in other areas outside of theatre and performance: e.g., website design, press relations, magazine editing, copywriting, account managing, national health practice, law, and journalism.
Selected Alumni
Previous graduates lead performance companies around the world, including:
Oregon Shakespeare Festival (USA)
London Demidov Studio (UK)
Brite Theatre (UK)
Jammy Voo (UK)
Zero Point Theater (Greece)
Guild of the Goat Theatre (India)
Theatre P’yut (South Korea)
Doorstep Arts (UK)
Anthos Arts (UK)
Others work for arts organisations, including:
China Radio International, (China)
State Administration of Radio, Television and Film (China)
National Theatre of Northern Greece
Attis Theatre (Greece)
Grassroots Shakespeare (USA)
Marebito Theatre (Japan)
Exeter Northcott (UK)
Plough Youth Theatre (UK)
MED Theatre (UK)
Several graduates have become university lecturers in institutions including:
Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (UK)
De Montford University (UK)
University of Sussex (UK)
University of Chester (UK),
Roger Williams University (USA)
Clark University (USA)
Korean National University of the Arts (Korea)
the Drama School in Mumbai (India)
the Real Escuela Superior de Arte Dramático de Madrid (Spain)
My course is the perfect progression, having studied at Exeter as an Undergraduate. The course has offered me the opportunity to develop as a practitioner and researcher, and has an excellent balance between practice and theory work.
The postgraduate community here at Exeter is hugely supportive, and I feel very lucky to be part of such a wide-ranging and fascinating community of researchers.
I have undertaken two extra-curricular internships within the Drama department – one working with Professor Jerri Daboo on her work for the British Asian Theatre Project; and second with Professor Rebecca Loukes for her theatre company RedCape Theatre.
I feel my course and overall experience at Exeter has contributed significantly towards my development professionally, and there are multiple pathways which I am considering – including professional work, or a PhD.
The majority of students are based at our Streatham Campus in Exeter. The campus is one of the most beautiful in the country and offers a unique environment in which to study, with lakes, parkland, woodland and gardens as well as modern and historical buildings.
Located on the eastern edge of the city centre, St Luke's is home to Sport and Health Sciences, the Medical School, the Academy of Nursing, the Department of Allied Health Professions, and PGCE students.
Our Penryn Campus is located near Falmouth in Cornwall. It is consistently ranked highly for satisfaction: students report having a highly personal experience that is intellectually stretching but great fun, providing plenty of opportunities to quickly get to know everyone.
