MA — 2025 entry Stage and Production Management
GSA has been providing highly regarded professional training in stage and production management for over 40 years. Our graduates have gone on to work in all areas of the industry, both in the UK and around the world.
Why choose
this course?
- If you would like to steer your career path backstage, then our hands-on, practical Stage and Production Management MA course is designed for you.
- You'll be trained by highly knowledgeable academics and leading industry professionals, providing you with the latest abilities and skills in the offstage field.
- We prepare students to assume managerial roles in the global creative industries, or to pursue further academic study, by developing knowledge and skills, agility, resourcefulness and resilience, enabling you to successfully launch your career.
- You’ll have the chance to enhance your employability by completing an industry placement, as well as a digital showcase for employers.
- Upon graduation, you will be empowered to become multiskilled, confident and proactive professionals who are employable globally in the creative industries and beyond with the requisite skills, knowledge, and techniques to understand and shape their professions.
- GSA facilities rank amongst some of the best professional training facilities in the UK conservatoire sector. As part of the University of Surrey, our students also have full access to the university's facilities, offering you world-class conservatoire training in a top university environment. Truly the best of both worlds!
Statistics
Fantastic graduate prospects
94% of our GSA postgraduate students go on to employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2024, HESA)
Top 10 in UK
Surrey is ranked 9th in the UK for overall satisfaction (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2023)
Top 20 in UK
Surrey is ranked in the top 20 for the quality of our research outputs (Research Excellence Framework 2021)
What you will study
On our practice-based Stage and Production Management MA course, you’ll work closely with fellow GSA students to deliver stellar productions.
Through intensive seminars and workshops, you’ll be introduced to stage management and technical disciplines and begin your professional development planning.
You’ll then work on a wide variety of production projects across performance spaces within the University and at external venues. There will also be opportunities to take on senior production-critical roles as deputy stage manager, stage manager or production manager on our public productions, under the guidance of our experienced and industry-connected staff.
You’ll also have the chance to complete an industry placement and your professional development planning will culminate in presenting your work through a graduate digital showcase.
GSA delivers its provision across three teaching blocks, within the University of Surrey’s existing semester structure.
The structure of our programmes follows clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes:
Modules
Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Modules are subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.
The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff, meaning all modules are comprised of multiples of 15 credits, up to a maximum of 120 credits.
Course options
Year 1
Semester 1 & 2
Compulsory
This module allows students to demonstrate their skills practically in roles within GSA productions and/or on professional placement(s). This will develop the skills and theories they have learned in other modules and give them the opportunity to apply them in real world contexts.
View full module detailsThis module is designed to introduce students to the practice and process of production management in the entertainment industry, underpinned by relevant theory of management. This builds on the foundational skills acquired in Teaching Block 1 and complements practical production work throughout the programme. Students are encouraged to develop proactive and self-motivated working practices which are central to the work of a production manager in the creative industries.
View full module detailsThis module allows students to gain an understanding of, and empathy for, the administration, practice and artistry of technical theatre disciplines other than stage and production management. These disciplines include lighting, video, sound, construction and stagecraft. This module will work closely with Introduction to Stage and Production Management to form the foundation of students' future practical development.
View full module detailsThis module allows students to gain an understanding of, and practice in, the administration, practice and artistry of the technical theatre disciplines of stage and production management, with particular emphasis on the roles of ASM and DSM. This module will work closely with Technical Skills and Stagecraft to form the foundation of students¿ future practical development.
View full module detailsThis module allows students to gain an understanding of practices and processes leading to employability within the wider global creative sectors.
View full module detailsThis module allows students to acquire and demonstrate appropriate research skills to engage critically with current debates within and/or generate new insights about the global creative industries. This will prepare them to become progressive leaders in the industry professionally and/or equip them with research skills to pursue further study. It is expected that the genesis for their research projects will result from a desire to deepen and broaden the knowledge, professional experience and reflective practice skills developed throughout the other modules.
View full module detailsGeneral course information
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Timetable
Course timetables are normally available one month before the start of the semester.
Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday – Friday) between 8am and 7pm – additionally, public production modules may require evening and weekend attendance depending on the production schedules.
View our code of practice for the scheduling of teaching and assessment (PDF).
Location
Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.
94 per cent of our Guildford School of Acting postgraduate students go on to employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2024, HESA).
Most graduates move on to freelance careers in the theatre and entertainment industry, as stage or production managers.
Recent employers include:
- National Theatre
- New Adventures
- Watermill Theatre
- Royal Caribbean Cruises
- Balich Worldwide Events
- Shanghai Opera
- Guildford Shakespeare Company.
Production facilities at GSA include:
- Three studio theatres (Bellairs Theatre, PATS Studio Theatre and Rex Doyle Studio Theatre)
- A technical workshop and stage management production office
- Extensive costume stores and workrooms
- A dedicated MacLab consisting of 20 workstations with current industry software.
- A fully automated flying system in the Bellairs Theatre and GDS prompt desk with both wired and wireless communications.
Production students work alongside performance students to facilitate rehearsals in our excellent rehearsal studios with dance floors and integrated sound systems. Professional lighting, sound, video, set and costume designers regularly design our shows alongside student teams.
In lighting, sound and video, GSA emulates professional production values. Our sound stock includes a wide variety of industry-standard equipment including Yamaha and Digico sound desks, Sennheiser and Shure radio equipment and a range of high-end PA systems. In addition, we hire up-to-date kit for our productions. Lighting equipment includes ETC and MA consoles on site, as well as close links to other console brands to explore and learn. We have a range of in-house stock and also hire a wide variety of intelligent lighting fixtures on a show-by-show basis. Video equipment includes cutting-edge robotic cameras and professional-grade video production equipment for live streaming, as well as several production-quality projectors.
In the dedicated GSA Scenic Studios, we have facilities for students to learn construction and scenic art techniques with both woodworking and metalworking (including welding), CNC machine, 3D printing, painting and prop making as well as a PC suite with current software.
UK qualifications
A minimum of a 2:2 UK honours degree, or a recognised equivalent international qualification.
Applicants also require evidence of previous engagement with theatre and performance or the wider entertainment industry. To be assessed via application documents (CV, personal statement) and interview.
Applicants who can demonstrate an extensive amount of previous experience in theatre and performance or the wider entertainment industry and can satisfy the interview panel of their ability to complete the course may also be considered.
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each element.
These are the English language qualifications and levels that we can accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Selection process
Offers are made following a successful interview.
Recognition of prior learning
We recognise that many students enter their course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of ways.
If this applies to you, the recognition of prior learning process may mean you can join a course without the formal entry requirements, or at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience.
There are restrictions for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims. Please contact the Admissions team with any queries.
Scholarships and bursaries
Discover what scholarships and bursaries are available to support your studies.
Fees per year
Explore UKCISA’s website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the list of fees for all postgraduate courses.
September 2025 - Full-time - 1 year
- UK
- £12,900
- Overseas
- £22,400
- These fees apply to students commencing study in the academic year 2025-26 only. Fees for new starters are reviewed annually.
Payment schedule
- Students with Tuition Fee Loan: the Student Loans Company pay fees in line with their schedule (students on an unstructured self-paced part-time course are not eligible for a Tuition Fee Loan).
- Students without a Tuition Fee Loan: pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
- 50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be October/November of each academic year)
- 50% in January of the same academic year.
- Students on part-time programmes where fees are paid on a modular basis: cannot pay fees by instalment.
- Sponsored students: must provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of study.
The exact date(s) will be on invoices.
Additional costs
- Production expenses: tools – approx. £300
- Safety equipment and/or uniform: black clothing for performances/PPE – approx. £200.
Grand total: £500 approximately.
Optional activities
During their time on the programme, students may have the opportunity to go on an optional work placement, which may be paid or unpaid and therefore there may be associated costs depending on the nature of the placement.
By way of a general guide, for the current optional work placement opportunities depending on the placement there could be an additional associated cost to students of between £0 and £800.
Students may also have the opportunity to attend field trips (for example to London theatres or museums) for which travel expenses may be required.
You will be offered a week’s training in Stage Combat leading to Actors Combat Theatrical Training (ACTT) Standard-level exam. Opportunities for advanced training may also be available to students. These are extra-curricular courses so additional charges apply.
Additional Dance classes: classes are normally scheduled in the evenings and are open to all GSA students. These are extra-curricular, so additional charges apply.
All GSA students are encouraged to attend productions of their fellow students’ work to enrich their learning experience and give opportunities for critical analysis. These are public events for which students will be charged a reduced ticket price of £5. Some productions will be free to attend. Within an academic year a student might expect to attend around 15 productions.
You may also wish to join the GSA Student Society – estimated £5 per annum.
Funding
You may be able to borrow money to help pay your tuition fees and support you with your living costs. Find out more about postgraduate student finance.
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Once you apply, you can expect to hear back from us within 14 days. This might be with a decision on your application or with a request for further information.
Our code of practice for postgraduate admissions policy explains how the Admissions team considers applications and admits students. Read our postgraduate applicant guidance for more information on applying.
About the University of Surrey
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Contact our Admissions team or talk to a current University of Surrey student online.
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to follow our policies and procedures, student regulations, and terms and conditions.
We provide these terms and conditions in two stages:
- First when we make an offer.
- Second when students accept their offer and register to study with us (registration terms and conditions will vary depending on your course and academic year).
View our generic registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2023/24 academic year, as a guide on what to expect.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.
Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate, some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.
It is important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer.