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Theatre Practice

MA (NFQ Level 9)

This course is available through the following application route(s)

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The MA in Theatre Practice is offered by UCD in partnership with the Gaiety School of Acting and aims to create future leaders in the theatre industry who have an all-round skills base in theatre practice. The programme brings together UCD’s rigorous academic scholarship and the Gaiety School of Acting’s expertise in theatre practice and production to provide an inspiring and challenging environment. On graduation students will have learned skills to create and produce original works of theatre; to think conceptually about theatre practices and research in drama and performance; and be equipped to work knowledgeably in multidisciplinary contexts in practice-based creative processes. 

  • Hybrid approach to teaching and learning through academic modules at UCD and practice-based modules in the Gaiety School of Acting.
  • Equips students to develop original conceptual ideas in theatre practice.
  • Clear career pathways through access to national and international theatre networks, and theatre producers and presenters.

About This Course

Our graduates develop broad skill-sets and progress to a wide range of interesting careers. 
Many of our alumni work in senior positions across a diverse range of industries including education, the media, NGOs and the Arts whilst some continue on to PhD research.

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
DRAM40010 About Performance: Thinking, Speaking, Writing Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
DRAM40430 Theatre Practice 1 (GSA) Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
DRAM40560 Artistic Research Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
DRAM40030 Issues and Perspectives in Drama and Performance Spring  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
DRAM40450 Theatre Practice 2 (GSA) Spring  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
DRAM40500 Scripting Performance (GSA) Spring  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
DRAM40470 Thesis Research Project Summer  30

Adele Crilly 
MA 2018

Following my BA in English with Drama in UCD, I was looking for an MA programme that combined intensive practical learning with focused academic study of practitioners and their work. The MA in Theatre Practice was the perfect solution. Combining GSA and UCD’s expertise has led to a fully rounded and unique programme, which gave me a practical and academic base from which to continue my career into the future. 

MA Theatre Practice (Z243) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 9100
nonEU    fee per year - € 22600

MA Theatre Practice (Z244) Part Time
EU          fee per year - € 4550
nonEU    fee per year - € 11300

***Fees are subject to change

Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see International Scholarships.

  1. (1) Academic/Professional Entry requirements: GPA 3.08, or Recognition of Prior Learning* as approved by the Graduate School Board of the UCD College of Arts and Humanities equivalent to final GPA 3.08 (as per UCD Academic Secretariat 6.3 (p.29) re. UCD M.A. Taught Awards: Honours Classification Table.  *In exceptional circumstances applications may be considered in lieu of academic qualification as appropriate, where evidence of training, knowledge and substantial experience of the professional theatre industry is demonstrated.  An offer will normally only be made after interview.

  2. IELS, or equivalent, with an average score of 7:00 over all components and with a minimum of 6.5 in each band of the Academic Version.

  3. Interview; Audition; CV/Portfolio; Writing sample (essay/critical review); Two References (one of which to be academic); Personal Statement

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. No


This course is open to students who have an undergraduate degree in Drama or Theatre Studies or in a cognate subject area, and/or, to students who have demonstrable evidence of substantial experience and/or practice and/or training in theatre.



 


General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Theatre Practice:

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt Z243
Theatre Practice
Master of Arts
Full-Time
Commencing 2024/2025 September
Graduate Taught Apply
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt Z244
Theatre Practice
Master of Arts
Part-Time
Commencing 2024/2025 September
Graduate Taught Apply
* you can change options at the top of the page