Subject overview
Drama at Sussex was ranked in the top 15 in the UK in The Complete University Guide 2014 and in the top 20 in the UK in The Times Good University Guide 2013 and The Sunday Times University Guide 2012.
In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 95 per cent of our drama research was rated as recognised internationally or higher, and over half rated as internationally excellent or higher.
Our areas of expertise include: theatre and performance analysis; devising, rehearsal and compositional methods; plays and their staging; directing (theory and practice) and dramaturgy; cultural performance; popular theatre; British playwriting; European theatre/dance; the US avant-garde (20th and 21st century); politics, ideology and representation. Most of our research focuses on the 20th century and we work with specialists in early modern theatre.
Our faculty are leading practitioners and theorists, engaged in interdisciplinary research in drama, theatre and performance including the fields of critical theory; writing for theatre; experimental, popular, and site-specific theatre; Brecht and postdramatic theatre; tanztheater; live art; feminist approaches to performance and the intersections between drama, literature and visual cultures. We work with organisations including Arts Council England, The Stage, The Basement and The Nightingale (Brighton) and the Live Art Development Agency.
We have strong links with professional practitioners and partners in the creative industries locally, nationally and internationally, and we curate a vibrant programme of visiting artists to enrich study, research and mentoring.
Programmes
- PhD in Drama, Theatre and Performance
- MPhil in Drama, Theatre and Performance
Academic activities
Our postgraduate community benefits from a wide range of seminars and events and incorporates a number of different research interests. This provides plenty of opportunity for you to interact with other researchers within the School of English. You have access to the wide range of training courses and seminars provided both within the School and by our Doctoral School.
Specialist facilities
MPhil and PhD students have access to three diverse state-of-the-art practical workshop spaces and equipment, and a drama technician.
Entry requirements
- MPhil in Drama, Theatre and Performance
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UK entrance requirements
A Masters degree in a drama-related subject or a discipline relevant to the chosen area of research and/or evidence of substantial research and/or evidence of professional performance-related experience in the field equivalent to a Masters. A first- or upper second-class undergraduate honours degree in drama, performance or theatre studies is also usually required.
Overseas entrance requirements
Please refer to Overseas qualifications.
English language requirements
IELTS 7.0, with not less than 6.5 in each section. Internet TOEFL with 95 overall, with at least 22 in Listening, 23 in Reading, 23 in Speaking and 24 in Writing.
For more information, refer to English language requirements.
- PhD in Drama, Theatre and Performance
-
UK entrance requirements
A Masters degree in a drama-related subject or a discipline relevant to the chosen area of research and/or evidence of substantial research and/or evidence of professional performance-related experience in the field equivalent to a Masters. A first- or upper second-class undergraduate honours degree in drama, performance or theatre studies is also usually required.
Overseas entrance requirements
Please refer to Overseas qualifications.
English language requirements
IELTS 7.0, with not less than 6.5 in each section. Internet TOEFL with 95 overall, with at least 22 in Listening, 23 in Reading, 23 in Speaking and 24 in Writing.
For more information, refer to English language requirements.
Visas and immigration
Find out more about Visas and immigration.
For more information about the admissions process at Sussex
For pre-application enquiries:
Student Recruitment Services
T +44 (0)1273 876787
E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk
For post-application enquiries:
Postgraduate Admissions,
University of Sussex,
Sussex House, Falmer,
Brighton BN1 9RH, UK
T +44 (0)1273 877773
F +44 (0)1273 678545
E pg.applicants@sussex.ac.uk
Related subjects
Fees and funding
Fees
- MPhil in Drama, Theatre and Performance
-
Home UK/EU students: £3,9001
Channel Island and Isle of Man students: £3,9002
Overseas students: £13,00031 The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
2 The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
3 The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
- PhD in Drama, Theatre and Performance
-
Home UK/EU students: £3,9001
Overseas students: £13,00021 The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
2 The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
To find out about your fee status, living expenses and other costs, visit further financial information.
Funding
The funding sources listed below are for the subject area you are viewing and may not apply to all degrees listed within it. Please check the description of the individual funding source to make sure it is relevant to your chosen degree.
To find out more about funding and part-time work, visit further financial information.
Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust for Postgraduate Study (2013)
Region: UK
Level: PG (taught), PG (research)
Application deadline: 1 October 2013
The Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust are offering bursaries to Postgraduate students following any postgraduate degree courses in any subject.
Faculty interests
Faculty research interests are briefly described below:
Dr Sara Jane Bailes Contemporary experimental theatre, live art and visual practices, ideology and performance.
Dr David Barnett Post-war European drama and theatre, post-Brechtian political theatre.
Dr William McEvoy British playwriting and directing; theatre, writing and ethics.
Professor Sally Jane Norman Theatre architectures and scenography.
Dr Jason Price Popular theatre histories and practices; politics and performance.
Careers and perspectives
The MPhil and PhD equip you with the skills for a career in academia; developing your own practice in the fields of theatre, performance and live art; directing; dramaturgy; arts-related journalism and criticism; cross-media practice; curating and producing; arts administration; applied drama.
For more information, visit Careers and alumni.
School and contacts
School of English
Over the last 30 years, English at Sussex has played a key role in shaping the direction of the discipline in Britain and throughout the world. The School of English offers you exciting potential for engaging with English as a world language and literature.
Sara Jane Bailes, Reader in Performance Studies, Arts B220,
University of Sussex, Falmer,
Brighton BN19QN, UK
T +44 (0)1273 876608
E s.j.bailes@sussex.ac.uk
Discover Postgraduate Study information sessions
You’re welcome to attend one of our Discover Postgraduate Study information sessions. These are held in the spring and summer terms and enable you to find out more about postgraduate study and the opportunities Sussex has to offer.
Visit Discover Postgraduate study to book your place.
Other ways to visit Sussex
We run weekly guided campus tours every Wednesday afternoon, year round. Book a place online at Visit us and Open Days.
You are also welcome to visit the University independently without any pre-arrangement.