Postgraduate Taught

Theatre Making

Two students standing on a stage under a starry night
A student wearing a headset working in the drama control room
Two students standing on the stage in front of an audience at the gulbenkian theatre
A group of performing arts students taking part in a theatre performance
Start your journey into the world of theatre here at Hull, where theory and practice come together to shape the theatre-makers of tomorrow.
You'll study a well-rounded blend of modules to build your artistic portfolio alongside developing skills as a theatre practitioner working in various performance styles and disciplines.
We're the third oldest drama department in the UK. So you'll be studying at one of the most prestigious universities in the country for this subject.
You'll build industry connections and increase your employability thanks to our connections with prestigious arts organisations such as Middle Child, Prague Quadrennial, Hull Truck Theatre and more.
Two students standing on a stage under a starry night
A student wearing a headset working in the drama control room
Two students standing on the stage in front of an audience at the gulbenkian theatre
A group of performing arts students taking part in a theatre performance

Looking to expand your artistic and academic portfolio while developing as a theatre practitioner working in various performance styles and disciplines? Our MA in Theatre Making is for you.

Benefit from our unique network of theatre companies and arts groups, and craft your creative journey. Work independently, in companies, or with external partners, under our expert guidance.

And experience hands-on theatre creation for different audiences and settings. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to learn how to launch and manage your own theatre company.

  • Third oldest drama department

    in the UK

  • Learn how to start

    your own theatre company

  • Tread the boards

    in our Grade II-listed theatre and studios

  • Strong industry links

    with global arts organisations

  • Combine theory and practice

    with this hands-on degree

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Course overview
Module options

About this course

This course blends theatre theory with hands-on experience, connecting you with prestigious arts organisations such as Middle Child, Prague Quadrennial, Hull Truck Theatre and more, as well as our graduate companies.

Our tight-knit drama community offers exceptional facilities and access to unrivalled theatre and rehearsal spaces.

Your learning goes beyond the classroom. You'll learn a well-rounded blend of theory, practice, interdisciplinary study, and industry focus, sparking fresh insights and promoting collaborative creativity in theatre-making.

Regular Continuing Professional Development (CPD) sessions and mentorship from industry partners enrich your educational journey. Each trimester follows a structured format with two modules: one emphasises practical projects, while the other delves into academic and critical theory. These modules work together to offer a holistic perspective on theatre production.

At the end of each trimester, you’ll have the choice to exit the programme or continue for a full MA.

So what are you waiting for? Start your journey into the world of theatre here at Hull, where theory and practice come together to shape the theatre-makers of tomorrow.

Choose your modules

For a full Masters degree, you'll study 180 credits over the duration of your course. Some programmes offer a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) qualification or a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) qualification. For a PGDip, you'll study 120 credits, and for a PGCert, you'll study 60 credits.

Critical Components of PaR

How can you become a researcher in theatre making? Learn what the life of an academic comprises, from such questions as the researcher’s relationship to and engagement with their peers, their institution, their society and their environment. You will also engage with methods of research carried out through practical work and will make a small-scale site-, place- or partner-specific performance.

Core•20 credits

Commissioned Project with Industry Partner

How do you approach an industry partner? What can you offer them? How can you develop your own theatre making skills and competencies while working with an industry partner? Learn how to document your individual and group practice, how to place it within the context of the creative industries, and how to develop work that will benefit you as well as your industry partner.

Core•20 credits

Creating Cultural Agenda

How do you set up a theatre company? How do you make a business plan and apply for funding? Navigate the complexities of establishing yourself as an independent theatre maker. Learn about self-presentation, self-documentation, publicity, arts funding and grant writing. And you will be able to formalise your Continuing Professional Development plan and set up a mentor for yourself. You will also submit an application for funding towards your professional career after the course.

Core•20 credits

Curated Programme for an Industry Partner

This module will get you involved with a partner instution and you will curate a programme of theatre events for them. As part of this programme, you will make a small-scale concept production to indicate how your programme fulfils your industry partner’s needs.

Core•20 credits

Research Project (MA Theatre Making)

How do you realise your own research project? Will it be a Practice Research project, a piece of theatre, a design, a script, a performance, an installation or a written thesis? In this module, you will realise an individual or collaborative project with your individual research agenda: a small scale PaR project or a portfolio with documentation and a critical commentary, or a written-only research thesis.

Core•60 credits
5 Modules

Our academics

Our specialist academic support staff are industry professionals with rich expertise in practical aspects of theatre-making, including dramaturgy, scriptwriting, scenography (light, sound, projection, digital performance, costume, prop making) and stage management.

See more academics for this subject
Amy Skinner
Featured academic

Dr Amy Skinner

Amy is an active theatre director and scenographer, specialising in interactive and immersive theatre and productions of texts in translation or in multiple languages. She also has experience as a community theatre practitioner.

Dr Christian Billing
Featured academic

Dr Christian Billing

A Reader in Drama and Theatre Practice, Christian is the Director of Research at the School of the Arts. With a decade of professional theatre experience in the UK, France, and Belgium, he transitioned to academia, earning a PhD in Theatre Studies.

Entry requirements

What do I need?

Typical offer
2:2 in relevant subject area

Tyically a 2:2 Honours degree or international equivalent in Drama, Theatre, Performance or a related subject.

If you’re an undergraduate student at Hull, you’re guaranteed a fast-track route to this postgraduate degree, as long as you meet the entry requirements.

In order to ensure our students have a rich learning and student experience, most of our programmes have a mix of domestic and international students. We reserve the right to close applications early to either group if application volumes suggest that this blend cannot be achieved.

What do I need?

Typical offer
2:2 in relevant subject area

Tyically a 2:2 Honours degree or international equivalent in Drama, Theatre, Performance or a related subject.

If you require a student visa to study or if your first language is not English you will be required to provide acceptable evidence of your English language proficiency level.

This course requires academic IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in each skill. See other English language proficiency qualifications accepted by the University of Hull.

If your English currently does not reach the University’s required standard for this programme, you may be interested in one of our English language courses.

Visit your country page to find out more about our entry requirements.

Fees & funding

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme. There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make:

  • Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
  • Optional field trips
  • Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
  • Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
  • Student visas (international students)
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PCs on campus, but you may want your own)
  • Printing and photocopying
  • Professional-body membership
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme. There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make:

  • Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
  • Optional field trips
  • Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
  • Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
  • Student visas (international students)
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PCs on campus, but you may want your own)
  • Printing and photocopying
  • Professional-body membership
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

Our scholarships

We offer a number of awards, bursaries and scholarships for eligible students. They’re awarded for a variety of reasons including academic achievement and/or to help those on lower incomes.

Scholarships and bursaries are separate to student loans. And the best bit is, you don’t pay a penny back.

Find out more about our scholarships

Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship

University of Hull undergraduates progressing to a taught masters course may receive a 25% discount on the cost of their tuition fees.

Find out if you’re eligible by visiting the University of Hull Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship page.

International Scholarships and Bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries for international students.

To find out more and see if you're eligible, please visit the International Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Take a look at our facilities

The Gulbenkian Centre

With performance spaces, workshops, design studios and a costume department, this Grade II listed building is the home of theatre making at Hull.

The Anthony Minghella Studio

Named after our alumnus, the Anthony Minghella Studio is an experimental teaching and theatre production space. Complete with a sound and light control room, many of our productions take place here.

Donald Roy Theatre

Our students take ownership of this space, becoming responsible for every element of a production. This helps you to become the performer you want to be.

Middleton Hall

The centrepiece at our world-class cultural venue is a 400-seater concert hall. A versatile space which is regularly used as a theatre and surround-sound cinema.

See more in our virtual tour

Look around

Look around

Look around

Look around

Drama Gulbenkian Centre Foyer Box Office
Drama Minghella Studio
Donald Roy Theatre
Middleton Hall Auditorium
music alumni Ross Flight

Future prospects

Our alumni boast an impressive history of accomplishments, making a significant mark on both the national and global stage. The course has been the catalyst for the creation of numerous professional arts organisations, notably award-winning theatre companies such as Concrete Youth and The Roaring Girls.

Many graduates have started out on diverse career paths, becoming independent theatre creators, performers, arts facilitators, producers, workshop leaders, and drama teachers. Others have gone on to advanced studies at the doctorate level.

University of Hull Open Day

Your next steps

Like what you’ve seen? Then it’s time to apply.

Make your application online now, and our admissions team will get back to you as soon as possible to make you an offer.

Apply now
How to apply

Not ready to apply?

We regularly deliver virtual and on-campus events to help you discover your perfect postgraduate course, whether it’s a subject you already love or something completely different. Our events are an opportunity for you to chat to tutors and current students and find out about the career options a postgraduate degree could lead to.

Discover more

All modules presented on this course page are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.

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