Key information
Duration: 1 year full time or 2 years part time
Institution code: R72
Campus: Egham
UK fees*: £5,006
International/EU fees**: £32,700†
The course
Drama, Theatre and Dance MA by Research (MA by Research)
The MA by Research (Drama, Theatre and Dance) is a flexible programme that allows you to undertake in-depth study (both full and part-time), under the supervision of international experts, on a broad range of subjects, including cultural studies, drama, theatre studies, dance studies, performance studies or comparative topics.
The core of the MA by Research is a 25,000-word dissertation on a subject of your choosing, intended to give you the scope to explore your area of interest in real depth and to develop sophisticated critical and analytical research and writing skills.
You will also complete a research-focused, taught course, ‘Ways of Working’ which will equip you with a range of methodological and skills-based approaches to the study of the arts, enabling you to articulate, refine and persistently test your approach to your chosen topic within this broader critical framework, and to enhance your profile and employability as a researcher.
We sometimes make changes to our courses to improve your experience. If this happens, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.
Teaching & assessment
You will take one taught component and complete a dissertation.
Ways of Working
This is a programme of research training open to all postgraduate researchers in the School of Performing and Digital Arts. It provides you with knowledge of a range of methodological and skills-based approaches to the study of the arts. It refines your theoretical understanding and provides you with the methodological tools to proceed to PhD research if you so wish.
Dissertation
A 25,000 word dissertation on a subject of your choice. You will receive one-to-one support from your supervisor. The dissertation is examined by a Visiting Examiner and includes a Viva Voce examination.
Entry requirements
2:1
- a short research proposal
- a sample of written work in English, which should take the form of a short academic essay or review of a theatre production (2,000 words in total)
- a copy of the degree certificate/transcript from your undergraduate degree (this can be a transcript of your progress so far if you have not yet completed it)
- a copy of your English language qualification (if English is not your first language) - if you have not completed an IELTS or recognised test yet, you can submit your application without it and then provide your results once they are available
- a personal statement explaining your motivation for studying your chosen programme
- one academic reference
Please note that we will not be able to consider applications until we have received the writing samples.
International & EU requirements
Bachelor degree from the American University of Armenia or a Specialist diploma with 85% overall.
Bachelor degree (Honours) with a 2:1 or a Bachelor degree (Ordinary) with a Credit.
Bachelor degree or Fachhochschuldiplom/Diplom (FH) with a Grade 2.9 overall.
Bachelor degree (Bakalavr) or Specialist Diploma with 4.2 out of 5 or 80% overall.
4 year Bachelor degree from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) with a First Class Division or a Masters Degree following a 3 or 4 year degree.
Bachelor degree with grade 14 overall or the Licentiaat or Licence and other two cycle diplomas with grade 14 overall.
Diploma Visokog Obrazovanja Diploma Visokog Obrazovanja / Diplomirani with Grade 9.
Bakalavar or Diploma of Completed Higher Education with a Grade 4.5 out 6 overall.
4 year Bachelor degree with 73%, a GPA 3.1 out of 4, Grade 8 out of 12 or grade B overall OR 3 year Bachelor degree with 80%, a GPA of 3.5 out of 4, Grade 10 out of 12 or grade B+ overall, depending on the grading scheme.
4 year Bachelors degree with an overall 75% to 80% or GPA of 3.0 to 3.2 out of 4.0 depending on the institution.
4 out of 5 overall in the Baccalaureus Prvostupnik or Visoko Obrazovanja/Level VII/1 (second level degree obtained on completion of 4-6 year course).
Overall 8 out of 10 or a GPA of 3.5 out of 4 in a Bachelor degree from a public university, Ptychion (from University of Cyprus) or Bachelor degree awarded by a private institution (the programme must be accredited by the Ministry of Education and Culture).
Bakalar with Velmi dobre (excellent) or Grade B overall.
8 to 10 from 13 points grading system or 7 to 10 from 7 points grading system in a Bachelor degree, Candidatus Philosophiae or Professionbachelor.
University bachelors degree with a GPA of 3.0 overall or 75% overall
85%, 3.5 or B overall in a Bakalaurusekraad/Diploma, Magister or Magistrikraad
GPA of 2 where marks are in 1 - 3 system or GPA of 3.25 where marks are in 1 - 5 system in a Kandidaattii/Kandidat or Maisteri/Magister.
Licence awarded from 2009 with grade 13 or Maitrise (pre-Bologna) with grade 13.
Grade 2.3 overall in a Bachelor, Fachhochschuldiplom or Magister Artium.
Bachelor degree with a Second Class Upper Division overall.
7 out of 10 overall in a Diploma from the Faculties of Engineering and Agriculture or a Ptychion (Bachelor degree) awarded by an AEI.
Bachelors degree degree with a Second Class Honours, Upper Division.
Egyetemi Oklevel /Foiskola Oklevel/ Alapfokozat with 4 out of 5 overall.
Baccalaurreatus with grade 7.5 out of 10 overall or Kandidatsprof / Cadidatus Mag with 7 out of 10 overall.
Bachelor degree with 60% to 65% overall or a CGPA of 6.0 to 6.5 out of 10 overall depending on the institution.
Bachelor degree or Diploma IV with overall GPA of 3.0.
Bachelor Degree/Professional Doctorate with 15 out of 20 overall.
Bachelor’s degree (four years) with 75% overall.
Bachelors degree with at least 85% overall depending on the mark scheme.
Diploma di Laurea or Licenza di Accademia di Belle Arti with 94 out of 110 overall.
Bachelor degree (Gakushi) with a B+ overall, dependent on the mark scheme.
Bakalavr or Specialist Diploma with 4 out of 5, 80% or 3.33 out of 4.33 overall.
Bachelor degree with a Second Class Honours (upper division) overall.
Bachelor degree with B+ or a GPA of 3.33 overall.
Bakalaura Diploms or Professional Bakalaura Diploms with Grade 7.5 overal
Bachelor’s degree (4 years) with 80% or a score of 15 out of 20
Dipl Ing (FH) or Dipl Arch (FH) from Liechtenstein Technical College with a Grade 5.5 overall.
8 out of 10 overall in a Bakalauras or Specialist Diploma.
Bachelor degree, Diplome d?Ingenieur Industriel or Dipl?me d'?tudes Sup?rieures Sp?cialis?es with 45 out of 60 or 16 out of 20 (Tres Bien) overall.
Bachelor degree with Class 2 Division i, B+ or 3.0 out of 4.0 overall.
Honours degree with a Second Class (Upper Division) overall.
Bachelor degree or Doctoraal with Grade 7.0 out of 10 overall.
Bachelor degree Honours or Ordinary with an overall Grade B or Grade 5 out of 9 points grading system.
Bachelor degree with a Second Class Honours, First Division or overall GPA of 3.5 out of 5.
Visoko Obrazovanja with 8.5 out of 10 overall
Overall 8 out of 10 or a GPA of 3.5 out of 4 in a Bachelor degree from a public university, Ptychion (from University of Cyprus) or Bachelor degree awarded by a private institution (the programme must be accredited by the Ministry of Education and Culture).
Bachelor degree, Candidatus Magisterii, Sivilingeni?r (siv. ing.) (Engineering degree ) or Sivil?konom (siv. ?k.) (Economics degree) Grade B or 1.6 to 2.5.
Bachelor degree with an overall GPA of 3.3.
4 year Bachelor degree or combined bachelors degree and Master degree for the duration of 4 years with 60% - 68% or a CGPA of 3.0 ? 3.5 overall depending on your institution.
Licencjat, Inzynier or Bachelor with grade 4.21 overall.
Diploma de Estudos Superiores Especializadoswith grade 16 overall or Licenciado with grade 16 overall.
Bachelor degree with an overall GPA of 3.3 overall.
Diploma de Licenta, Diploma Inginer or Diploma de Arhitect with 8.0 out of 10 overall.
Bakalavr Bachelor degree or Specialist Diploma with 4 out of 5 or 80% overall.
Bachelor degree with 75%, 3.5 out of 5.0 or 3.0 out of 4.0 overall.
Diplom Visokog Obrazovanja (second-level degree obtained on completion of a four to six-year course) with 8.5 out of 10 overall.
Bachelor degree (from a public university) with a Class II (upper) overall.
Bakalar or Magister / Inzinier with v?born? (excellent) or Grade 1.5 overall.
Diplomirani / Diplomirani Inzenir from Visoko izobrazevanje, University Diploma or Visoko Obrazovanja (until 1999) with 7.5 out of 10 (9 for Visoko Obrazovanja) overall.
Bachelor (Honours), Bachelor or Professional Bachelor degree with 70% or Second Class Upper Division.
Bachelor (Haksa) degree with 3.25 out of 4.5, 3.1 out of 4.3 or 3.0 out of 4.0.
Licenciado, Titulo de Ingeniero or Titulo de Arquitecto 7 out of 10.
Bachelor degree from National University or Private University with 73% to 78% or GPA 3.0 to 3.2 depending on your institution.
Bachelor degree with a 2nd Class Honours (Upper) overall.
Bachelor degree GPA 2.8 to 3.0 depending on your institution.
Bachelor degree GPA 2.8 to 3.0 depending on your institution.
Bachelor degree (post 2007) or Specialist Diploma (after 1991) with a Grade 2, Excellent, 11 out of 12 or 4.5 out of 5 overall.
Bachelor degree with 85%, a GPA of 3.0 out of 4, B or Very Good overall.
Bachelor degree with a GPA of 3.2 overall.
Kandidatexamen with at least a Pass with distinction (val godkand) overall.
Bachelor degree or Bang tot nghiep dai hoc with 7.0 out of 10.
English language requirements
All Postgraduate Research degrees (i.e. PhD and Masters by Research) require:
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. Writing 7.0. No other subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 69. No other subscore lower than 51.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
- TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17 Speaking 20 Writing 26.
- Duolingo: 120 overall, 135 in Literacy, 135 in Production and no sub-score below 100.
Your future career
Our graduates are highly employable and recent years they have entered many different fields, including international management, consultancy, sales and marketing, media and publishing, banking, the arts, politics, the Civil Service, teaching, and travel and tourism.
This course also equips you with a solid foundation for continued PhD studies.
Fees, funding & scholarships
Home (UK) students tuition fee per year*: £5,006
EU and international students tuition fee per year**: £32,700†
Other essential costs***: There are no single associated costs greater than £50 per item on this course
How do I pay for it? Find out more about funding options, including loans, grants, scholarships and bursaries.
* and ** These tuition fees apply to students starting their course on a full-time basis in the academic year 2026/27. Students studying on the standard part-time course structure over two years are charged 50% of the full-time applicable fee for each study year.
Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase all postgraduate tuition fees annually. For further information, see fees and funding.
** These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2026/27 academic year, and are included as a guide. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing, have not been included.
We adopt the minimum fee level recommended by the UK Research Councils for the Home tuition fee. Each year, the fee level is adjusted in line with inflation (currently, the measure used is the Treasury GDP deflator). Fees displayed here are therefore subject to change and are usually confirmed in the spring of the year of entry. For more information on the Research Council Indicative Fee please see the UKRI website.
