Theatre and Performance Studies

The course offers students the opportunity to study theatre and performance studies in a dynamic research environment in the heart of London. From avant-garde drama to political action, queer performance, live art, dance, cultural tourism, and the spectacles of the West End, you will be introduced to a range of theatre and performance theories and practices.

Ideal for students who have recently completed an undergraduate degree in Theatre, English or related fields, or spent time engaging in performance practice or work in related industries. 

Key benefits

• Unrivalled location at the heart of London allows regular access to a wide range of theatre and performance events, including performances, seminars, and research centres.
• Dynamic intellectual community offered by King’s College London and surrounding institutions, supplemented by regular invited artist and academic speakers or artist residents.
• Core modules providing a strong foundation in theatre and performance studies, plus the opportunity to create an individualised course of study through selected options.

Required Modules

• Theatre and Performance Theory (30 credits)
• Theatre and Performance Research Methods (20 credits)

Please note: if you are a part-time student, you will take only the above modules in your first year.

• Dissertation (90 credits)

15,000-word supervised dissertation and 4,000 word Critical Survey on a related subject. If you are a part-time student, you will write this in your second year.

• Theatre And Performance Research Methods
• Theatre and Performance Studies Dissertation
• Theatre And Performance Theory

Optional Modules

You take 40 credits from a range of optional modules. If you are a part-time student, you take these modules in your second year. The list of options may include:

• Performance Lab (20 credits)
• Guided Study: Performance in London/London in Performance (20 credits)
• Performance and Live Art (20 credits)
• Special Topics in Theatre & Performance Studies: Dramaturgies (20 credits)

We regularly review the modules that we offer in order to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. The optional modules that we offer may therefore change, and we suggest that you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates. There are a limited number of spaces available on each optional module, and you will have the opportunity to discuss your choices with your personal tutor.

• Guided Study: Performance in London/London in Performance
• Performance And Live Art
• Performance Lab
• Special Topics In Theatre And Performance Studies

• The Diplom Bakalavr or post-1991 Diploma Specialista, with an overall score of 4 out of 5, will be considered for programmes requiring a UK Bachelor (Honours) degree at 2:1.
• A score of 4.5 out of 5 will be considered for more competitive programmes requiring a UK Bachelor (Honours) degree at high 2:1.
• IELTS (Academic)
• TOEFL iBT
• An official transcript;
• Two letters of reference, at least one of which must come from an academic source;
• A personal statement describing the applicant's trajectory and reasons for applying to the course;
• And one writing sample of approximately 4,000 words.

The writing sample should consist of:

• Preferred: one academic essay (approximately 4,000 words) that shows engagement with both primary and critical sources;
• Alternatively, we will consider a collection of shorter writing, totalling approximately 4,000 words. This should include a 1,000-word commentary on a key critical text (e.g. article, book chapter, book) that is relevant to your research interests.

Within the online application portal, the writing sample should be added as an attachment to your personal statement.