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University of Glasgow: Playwriting and Dramaturgy
| Institution | University of Glasgow View institution profile |
|---|---|
| Department | College of Arts and Humanities |
| Web | glasgow.ac.uk |
| Study type | Taught |
MLitt
Summary
This Masters gives you a practical and theoretical engagement with the many forms of writing and production for theatre. Blending practice, theory and history, the programme is designed for those wishing to develop playwriting skills and knowledge of script development and support, opening the way to many theatre roles, including dramaturgy. You will learn about the changing roles of the playwright and dramaturge in contemporary theatre in the UK and elsewhere around the world, and be supported to define your own creative practice while developing valuable transferable skills in research, project management and critical reflection.
WHY THIS PROGRAMME
-
In addition to being taught by world-class scholars, you will work with professional writers, dramaturgs and theatre-makers ensuring you engage with a wide variety of practices and that the programme content is relevant and up to date with the latest trends in theatre.
-
The programme includes the opportunity for playwrights to develop a major script through workshops and staged readings with professional actors and theatre directors.
-
In addition to masterclasses and workshops with external specialists, the work placement option and visiting speaker series build on our long-term links and collaborations with an extensive number of theatre practitioners and arts organisations. These include the National Theatre of Scotland, the Playwrights’ Studio, The Tron Theatre, the Citizens’ Theatre, and A Play, A Pie and A Pint at Òran Mór.
-
In recent years the playwriting modules on this programme have been led by acclaimed professional playwrights including Lewis Hetherington and Lynda Radley, and the script workshop by leading director Philip Howard.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
Our programme is the only one in Scotland that combines playwriting with dramaturgy. You will undertake core practical playwriting and dramaturgy courses before choosing to specialise in one pathway involving a dramaturgy placement or the creation of a full-length script. You will also produce an independent research-based project over the summer.
Semester 1: September to December Research Methods Playwriting 1 Debating Dramaturgy
Semester 2: January to March In semester two you will take one compulsory core course.
Core course Contemporary Dramaturgical Practices
Optional courses You will choose one programme-specific option. You can choose between: Theatre Studies PGT Work Placement Playwriting 2
You will also choose another optional course from Theatre Studies or the wider College of Arts and Humanities.
For this, we recommend taking: 21st Century Theatre in Britain: New Writing in Context
However, this course may interest those wishing to develop skills in applied theatre: Applied Theatre: Contextual Practices and Critical Pedagogies
Alternatively, you may choose any suitable course from Theatre Studies or the wider College of Arts and Humanities subject to availability. You may even select a course that runs in Semester 1 rather than Semester 2.
Some potential examples are:
Contemporary Devising Practices Performing Character Practising Location: Space, Place and Landscape Making Time: performing and thinking temporalities in the creative arts Digital Art and Performance (20 Credits) Festivals Genders Queer Exceptions
Please note that the optional courses available may vary from year to year.
Summer: April to September Individual Research Project (Dramaturgy)
| Telephone | 0141 330 4515 |
|---|---|
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
| Entry requirements | 2.1 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) in Drama, Performance, Theatre, Acting, Playwriting, Dramaturgy, Shakespeare, Design, or Performance Studies. We may also accept degrees in other subjects. We may sometimes accept degrees at 2.2 Hons or non-UK equivalent. Work experience may be considered in lieu of qualifications. A question-based personal statement is required. Please download and complete the personal statement template found in this section of the course page on our webpage, and submit it with your application. Any students who wish to specialise in dramaturgy may undertake a dramaturgy work placement. |
| Location | Gilmorehill (Main) Campus University Of Glasgow University Avenue Glasgow G12 8QQ |
Summary
This Masters gives you a practical and theoretical engagement with the many forms of writing and production for theatre. Blending practice, theory and history, the programme is designed for those wishing to develop playwriting skills and knowledge of script development and support, opening the way to many theatre roles, including dramaturgy. You will learn about the changing roles of the playwright and dramaturge in contemporary theatre in the UK and elsewhere around the world, and be supported to define your own creative practice while developing valuable transferable skills in research, project management and critical reflection.
WHY THIS PROGRAMME
-
In addition to being taught by world-class scholars, you will work with professional writers, dramaturgs and theatre-makers ensuring you engage with a wide variety of practices and that the programme content is relevant and up to date with the latest trends in theatre.
-
The programme includes the opportunity for playwrights to develop a major script through workshops and staged readings with professional actors and theatre directors.
-
In addition to masterclasses and workshops with external specialists, the work placement option and visiting speaker series build on our long-term links and collaborations with an extensive number of theatre practitioners and arts organisations. These include the National Theatre of Scotland, the Playwrights’ Studio, The Tron Theatre, the Citizens’ Theatre, and A Play, A Pie and A Pint at Òran Mór.
-
In recent years the playwriting modules on this programme have been led by acclaimed professional playwrights including Lewis Hetherington and Lynda Radley, and the script workshop by leading director Philip Howard.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
Our programme is the only one in Scotland that combines playwriting with dramaturgy. You will undertake core practical playwriting and dramaturgy courses before choosing to specialise in one pathway involving a dramaturgy placement or the creation of a full-length script. You will also produce an independent research-based project over the summer.
Semester 1: September to December Research Methods Playwriting 1 Debating Dramaturgy
Semester 2: January to March In semester two you will take one compulsory core course.
Core course Contemporary Dramaturgical Practices
Optional courses You will choose one programme-specific option. You can choose between: Theatre Studies PGT Work Placement Playwriting 2
You will also choose another optional course from Theatre Studies or the wider College of Arts and Humanities.
For this, we recommend taking: 21st Century Theatre in Britain: New Writing in Context
However, this course may interest those wishing to develop skills in applied theatre: Applied Theatre: Contextual Practices and Critical Pedagogies
Alternatively, you may choose any suitable course from Theatre Studies or the wider College of Arts and Humanities subject to availability. You may even select a course that runs in Semester 1 rather than Semester 2.
Some potential examples are:
Contemporary Devising Practices Performing Character Practising Location: Space, Place and Landscape Making Time: performing and thinking temporalities in the creative arts Digital Art and Performance (20 Credits) Festivals Genders Queer Exceptions
Please note that the optional courses available may vary from year to year.
Summer: April to September Individual Research Project (Dramaturgy)
| Telephone | 0141 330 4515 |
|---|---|
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
| Entry requirements | 2.1 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) in Drama, Performance, Theatre, Acting, Playwriting, Dramaturgy, Shakespeare, Design, or Performance Studies. We may also accept degrees in other subjects. We may sometimes accept degrees at 2.2 Hons or non-UK equivalent. Work experience may be considered in lieu of qualifications. A question-based personal statement is required. Please download and complete the personal statement template found in this section of the course page on our webpage, and submit it with your application. Any students who wish to specialise in dramaturgy may undertake a dramaturgy work placement. |
| Location | Gilmorehill (Main) Campus University Of Glasgow University Avenue Glasgow G12 8QQ |
Summary
This Masters gives you a practical and theoretical engagement with the many forms of writing and production for theatre. Blending practice, theory and history, the programme is designed for those wishing to develop playwriting skills and knowledge of script development and support, opening the way to many theatre roles, including dramaturgy. You will learn about the changing roles of the playwright and dramaturge in contemporary theatre in the UK and elsewhere around the world, and be supported to define your own creative practice while developing valuable transferable skills in research, project management and critical reflection.
WHY THIS PROGRAMME
-
Theatre Studies at Glasgow is one of the longest-established theatre programmes in the UK. Our internationally renowned reputation for research, practice and teaching – and specialist knowledge of practice-as-research – ensures an ideal environment for the pursuit of Masters study.
-
You will work with a mix of professional writers, theatre-makers and world-class scholars, ensuring you engage with a wide variety of practices and that the programme content is relevant and up to date with the latest trends in theatre.
-
The programme includes the opportunity for playwrights to develop a major script, through workshops and staged readings with professional actors and directors.
-
In addition to masterclasses and workshops with external specialists, the work placement option and visiting speaker series builds on our long-term links and collaborations with an extensive number of theatre practitioners and arts organisations, including the National Theatre of Scotland, the Playwrights’ Studio, the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA), The Tron and the Citizens’ Theatre.
-
You will have access to a range of theatre and production facilities including a black-box studio theatre, rehearsal/workshop space and the large flexible-stage James Arnott theatre seating over 180 spectators, allowing you to enhance and extend your historical and theoretical inquiries through practice.
-
The University of Glasgow is home to the Scottish Theatre Archive, a unique collection of contemporary and historical production materials, photographs and ephemera encompassing internationally significant theatre companies such as Untitled Projects and Suspect Culture alongside the personal papers of major artists such as Adrian Howells as well the BBC Radio Scotland and Scottish Society of Playwrights script collections.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
Our programme is the only one in Scotland that combines playwriting with dramaturgy. You will undertake core practical playwriting and dramaturgy courses before choosing to specialise in one pathway involving a dramaturgy placement or the creation of a full-length script. You will also produce an independent research-based project over the summer.
Semester 1: September to December RESEARCH METHODS PLAYWRITING 1 DEBATING DRAMATURGY
Semester 2: January to March CONTEMPORARY DRAMATURGICAL PRACTICES
Choose one of the following tracks: DRAMATURGY PLACEMENT PLAYWRITING 2
You will also take one of the following over the course of the year: READING AND INTERPRETING PERFORMANCE OR a practice-led devising option within Theatre Studies
Summer: April to September INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH PROJECT (DRAMATURGY)
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | Entry requirements for postgraduate taught programmes are a 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification (for example, GPA 3.0 or above) in a relevant subject unless otherwise specified. |
| Location | Gilmorehill (Main) Campus University Of Glasgow University Avenue Glasgow G12 8QQ |
Summary
This Masters gives you a practical and theoretical engagement with the many forms of writing and production for theatre. Blending practice, theory and history, the programme is designed for those wishing to develop playwriting skills and knowledge of script development and support, opening the way to many theatre roles, including dramaturgy. You will learn about the changing roles of the playwright and dramaturge in contemporary theatre in the UK and elsewhere around the world, and be supported to define your own creative practice while developing valuable transferable skills in research, project management and critical reflection.
WHY THIS PROGRAMME
-
Theatre Studies at Glasgow is one of the longest-established theatre programmes in the UK. Our internationally renowned reputation for research, practice and teaching – and specialist knowledge of practice-as-research – ensures an ideal environment for the pursuit of Masters study.
-
You will work with a mix of professional writers, theatre-makers and world-class scholars, ensuring you engage with a wide variety of practices and that the programme content is relevant and up to date with the latest trends in theatre.
-
The programme includes the opportunity for playwrights to develop a major script, through workshops and staged readings with professional actors and directors.
-
In addition to masterclasses and workshops with external specialists, the work placement option and visiting speaker series builds on our long-term links and collaborations with an extensive number of theatre practitioners and arts organisations, including the National Theatre of Scotland, the Playwrights’ Studio, the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA), The Tron and the Citizens’ Theatre.
-
You will have access to a range of theatre and production facilities including a black-box studio theatre, rehearsal/workshop space and the large flexible-stage James Arnott theatre seating over 180 spectators, allowing you to enhance and extend your historical and theoretical inquiries through practice.
-
The University of Glasgow is home to the Scottish Theatre Archive, a unique collection of contemporary and historical production materials, photographs and ephemera encompassing internationally significant theatre companies such as Untitled Projects and Suspect Culture alongside the personal papers of major artists such as Adrian Howells as well the BBC Radio Scotland and Scottish Society of Playwrights script collections.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
Our programme is the only one in Scotland that combines playwriting with dramaturgy. You will undertake core practical playwriting and dramaturgy courses before choosing to specialise in one pathway involving a dramaturgy placement or the creation of a full-length script. You will also produce an independent research-based project over the summer.
Semester 1: September to December RESEARCH METHODS PLAYWRITING 1 DEBATING DRAMATURGY
Semester 2: January to March CONTEMPORARY DRAMATURGICAL PRACTICES
Choose one of the following tracks: DRAMATURGY PLACEMENT PLAYWRITING 2
You will also take one of the following over the course of the year: READING AND INTERPRETING PERFORMANCE OR a practice-led devising option within Theatre Studies
Summer: April to September INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH PROJECT (DRAMATURGY)
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | Entry requirements for postgraduate taught programmes are a 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification (for example, GPA 3.0 or above) in a relevant subject unless otherwise specified. |
| Location | Gilmorehill (Main) Campus University Of Glasgow University Avenue Glasgow G12 8QQ |
The University of Glasgow is one of the UK’s most prestigious seats of learning, and the fourth oldest university in the English speaking world. Established in 1451 and recognised for its world-changing research and teaching, our people have always been at the forefront of innovation, including eight Nobel Laureates, two UK Prime Ministers, three First Ministers of Scotland, 10 Fellows of the Royal Society and 11 Fellows of the British Academy. Our past achievements inspire our current world changers.
Rankings
The University:
- is ranked 79th in the world: QS World University Rankings 2025
- is …
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