This programme of study will offer students an opportunity to undertake an independent research project. The taught component (10 ECTS) at the beginning of the course will help students acquire the necessary tools to undertake and complete such a project through a discussion of the academic, ethical, political and practical implications of undertaking research in Performing Arts. Much of the research will be considered as independent study, but each student will be assigned one or more academics who will tutor the research process, from selecting an area to writing a research proposal, and researching and writing a dissertation. The specific research will depend on the students' interests as well as staff specialization and strategic research areas earmarked by the department. Students will be expected to demonstrate critical skills in the analysis of a broad range of texts; discuss complex critical issues in a coherent and convincing manner; present the research results in appropriate academic written style; and apply his or her refined expressive potential to related fields.

The Course shall be open to applicants in possession of one of the following qualifications: (a) a Bachelor’s degree obtained with Second Class Honours or better in the same area or in a closely related area of study as the area of study applied for or (b) a Bachelor’s degree in the same area or in a closely related area of study as that applied for, with an average mark of not less than 65% in that area of study or (c) a degree from this or another university, which the Board considers as comparable to any of the degrees indicated in paragraphs (a) and (b) or (d) a professional qualification/qualifications and/or experience deemed by the Board, to satisfy in part, the admission requirements for a taught postgraduate course, provided that applicants may be required to complete a preparatory programme as specified below. Please see the full list of requirements on the website.