COURSE CURRICULUM

The MA in Drama and Theatre Studies at the University of Galway offers a comprehensive and practice-focused curriculum designed to develop both critical and creative expertise in theatre and performance. The program is structured over one year full-time or two years part-time, with a total of 90 credits in the first year. Core modules include Critical Methods in Drama, Theatre and Performance, which provides students with advanced analytical tools to engage with performance theory and textual analysis, and Creative Practices in Drama, Theatre and Performance, which emphasizes practical theatre-making skills. The dissertation module allows students to undertake an extended research project, integrating theoretical study with independent inquiry, and fostering scholarly rigour and methodological sophistication. Optional modules allow students to tailor their learning to specific interests, such as Playwriting and Dramaturgy, Devised Theatre and Performance Methods with artistic and socially engaged approaches, Creative Producing, or Designated Emphases in Theatre Practice, Production, or Playwriting. The Performance Lab offers hands-on experience with acting, staging, and experimental performance, while the Drama and Theatre Studies Work Placement provides professional exposure and networking opportunities in the theatre industry. By combining academic study with immersive practical experiences, the program equips students with the knowledge, skills, and creative confidence required for careers in theatre, performance, dramaturgy, arts administration, education, and research. The curriculum encourages reflective practice, innovation, and engagement with contemporary debates in theatre, allowing students to explore both traditional and experimental approaches to performance. Through a balance of seminars, workshops, projects, and placements, students gain critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and professional readiness, positioning them to contribute meaningfully to the cultural, artistic, and academic sectors of drama and theatre.