MA — 2025 entry Theatre
Ideal for those in full-time employment or commitments, our distance learning Theatre MA from the Guildford School of Acting (GSA) allows you to study at your own pace and provides a gateway to an exciting future without the need for regular attendance on campus.
Why choose
this course?
- You’ll have unlimited access to our virtual learning environment where you’ll be supported by highly experienced and passionate tutors.
- You will interconnect with a geographically diverse cohort of students to develop your skillsets with minimal disruption to your ability to sustain family and/or career responsibilities, simultaneously developing resourcefulness and resilience.
- We will enhance your skills by taking you deeper into the fascinating history of theatre from both a practical and critical perspective, futher providing you with a rigorous critical understanding of theatre.
- You will be taught and advised by leading West End directors, casting agents, experienced professionals and leading academics, giving you a unique and comprehensive support network and knowledge base.
- Upon graduation, you will be able to contribute more creatively and intelligently to your chosen field as a result of a developed contextual, analytical and critical awareness with an ability to apply that awareness to a variety of texts and/or contexts, thereby enhancing employment and career opportunities.
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
Our Theatre MA allows you to study at your own pace through online learning, so you can pursue your passion for theatre and develop industry connections around your existing commitments.
You’ll actively engage with fundamental principles and explore the rich heritage of theatre from a critical, historical and theoretical perspective. You’ll gain an understanding of theatrical practices and develop your ability to evaluate significant artistic, historical, social and political developments in theatre.
Our broad range of modules incorporates topics such as:
- The background to theatre
- The Greeks
- Shakespeare
- Naturalism and the actor
- Modern theatre
- Global theatres
- Music and dance in theatre.
You’ll also complete an independent research project that will allow you to specialise in an area of particular interest to you, and you’ll complete a professional development portfolio relevant to your career path.
The Guildford School of Acting (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:
Please be aware: the course content and modules listed for this course are subject to change for the 2024/25 academic year, whilst we undertake a curriculum design review. Please contact the programme leader if you have any queries about the course.
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
Compulsory
This module will engage students in the study of Ancient Greek Theatre, examining its origins, influence and impact. Topics to be studied include, but are not restricted to: Myth, Ritual, Performance Space, Politics, The Actor and The Playwright. Original performance contexts will be studied alongside diverse global historical and contemporary productions. This module seeks to empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
View full module detailsSemester 2
Compulsory
This module will engage students in the study of Shakespeare, examining his work, influence, impact and legacy upon theatre. Topics to be studied may include, but are not restricted to: The Tragedies, The Histories, The Comedies, Character, Themes, Language, and Shakespeare in Production. Original performance contexts will be studied alongside historical and modern productions, and students will have the freedom to investigate Shakespeare in non-Western theatre contexts. This module is committed to sustainable learning and research in both its content and manner of delivery. With respect to the former, it embraces and celebrates the global inclusiveness of Shakespeare’s works as a core component of an ongoing cultural conversation characterised by collaboration, tolerance and mutual respect. With regard to the latter, the methods of engagement with the module materials are interactive, supportive, dialogic and always positive, in that they are rooted in the interests and experience of an international online learning community.
View full module detailsThis module will engage students in the study of Naturalism, examining its origins, influence, impact and legacy upon theatre and actor training. Practitioners to be studied include, but are not restricted to: Ibsen, Strindberg, Chekhov, Stanislavski, Shaw, O'Neill. Original performance contexts will be studied alongside historical and contemporary development and contexts. Students will have the freedom to investigate Naturalism within the context of non-Western theatre practices if they wish.
View full module detailsSemester 1 & 2
Core
This module will engage students in the study of the history of theatre by focusing on key ideas and approaches that have formed the background to its development. Topics to be studied include, but are not restricted to, Humanism in Classical, Medieval, Renaissance, Enlightenment, Romantic and Realist theatres, Marxism, Feminism, Theatre Anthropology, Cognitive, Moral and Evolutionary Psychology, Semiotics, Phenomenology and Postmodern approaches. Exploration of how key concepts shed light upon practice will lead to examination of the aesthetic, communal, moral and political functions of theatre. While the module focuses upon Western cultural traditions to a substantial extent, students nonetheless have the freedom to research and write about themes and examples with global reach.
View full module detailsYear 2
Semester 1
Compulsory
This module will allow students to engage in study of contemporary theatre movements and traditions from the beginning of the 20th century to the present day. Practitioners and movements studied may include, but are not restricted to, Expressionism, Surrealism, Meyerhold, Agitprop, American Political Theatre of the 20th Century, Brecht and Epic Theatre, Documentary Theatre, In-Yer-Face Theatre, Kitchen Sink Theatre, Feminist Theatre, Theatre of the Absurd, Theatre of the Oppressed, Verbatim Theatre, Immersive Theatre, Site-Specific Theatre, Applied Theatre. Students will have the freedom to research into non-Western contemporary theatre practices where these align with the module content.
View full module detailsSemester 2
Compulsory
This module will engage students in the study of music and dance forms in Western theatre. Movements and practitioners studied include, but are not restricted to, Musical theatre (the Book Musical, the Concept Musical, the Revue Musical, the Juke Box Musical and the Rock/Pop Musical, the Mega Musical, the contemporary musical); opera; ballet; modern and contemporary dance; contemporary mixed dance/physical theatre companies. Students will have the freedom to investigate non-Western contexts, influences and practices where these reflect the module aims and content.
View full module detailsCore
This module will engage students in independent practice as research on a topic of their own choosing from within the full range of global theatre and performance. Students will be expected to undertake an independent research project and reflect upon work undertaken in written format.
View full module detailsSemester 1 & 2
Compulsory
This module will allow students to engage in study of non-Western theatre movements and traditions. Practitioners and movements studied may include, but are not restricted to, theatre traditions of Japan, China, India, South-East Asia, Africa, Arabic theatre, the Pacific, such as Noh, Kabuki, Bunraku, Butoh, Kyogen, Beijing Opera, Balinese Theatre, Wayang Kulit, West African griot.
View full module detailsCore
This module will afford students the opportunity to engage in reflective analysis of their personal professional development. Through discussion and task-based activities, students will critically reflect upon steps taken so far, will identify further action and detail potential professional development opportunities and methods. Students are also free to include creative work in the portfolio such as a sample of professional script or a video recording of the student's own practice. The module's reach allows for students to approach the creation of the portfolio in line with their cultural background and preferences.
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.
We conduct introductory seminars at the beginning of each module, with further seminars or individual tutorials agreed between students and staff. All modules provide students with seven hours of contact time during seminars, apart from the Independent Research Project module. This has 14 hours of seminar time (divided into 12 hours of personal or small group tutorials and two hours of full-cohort seminars).
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.
GSA offers careers advice throughout your course. We host an industry showcase, and GSA fully supports students with their first steps into the profession.
94 per cent of our Guildford School of Acting postgraduate students go on to employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2024, HESA).
Students at GSA have access to purpose-built studios and tutorial rooms within the GSA building and across the University campus. The fully-equipped studio spaces are fitted with sprung floors and ballet barres.
Students will have the opportunity to train, practise and perform within the Ivy Arts Centre and Performing Arts Technology Studios on campus, which include the following:
- 190-seat Bellairs Theatre
- 80-seat Rex Doyle Studio Theatre
- 128-seat Performing Arts Technology Studios (PATS) theatre
- Founders Studio with a 128-capacity studio space
- 15 dance and rehearsal studios (facilities include sound system, ballet barres, sprung floors, keyboard/piano)
- 10 tutorial/practice rooms
- Foyer area with café.
GSA productions are also presented in theatres and venues in and around Guildford and London. These venues include the renowned Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, The Mill Studio and The Electric Theatre in Guildford, and various venues in London’s West End including the Shaftesbury Theatre, Leicester Square Theatre and the Soho Theatre.
UK qualifications
Applicants should hold a 2:2 UK honours degree (or a recognised equivalent international qualification) in a theatre-related subject and have previous engagement with drama, theatre and performance.
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: You should have a score of 6.5 overall including 6.0 in each category.
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.
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 - Distance-learning - 2 years
- UK
- £6,450
- Overseas
- £6,450
- The annual fee for this two-year distance-learning programme, is payable in Year 1 and Year 2 of the programme
- 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
There are no required associated costs with this course.
Optional expenses
Students are invited to attend three optional seminars that are held on campus and would therefore incur costs to stay and/or travel to Guildford. It is possible to access these seminars virtually.
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 25 productions.
You may also wish to join the GSA Student Society – estimated £5 per annum.
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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.
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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.