Applied Theatre and Intervention MA

Course overview

Explore the application of theatre practice as an interventionist tool, and discover how to use theatre to effect social change.

This Masters course allows you to investigate current issues, debates and theories around applied theatre in the diverse contexts of education, health and mental health, community work, and the criminal justice system.

You’ll gain a critical understanding of issues relating to applied theatre, such as ethics, boundaries, and evaluation, alongside structures of good practice. You’ll also develop your own creative practice, honing your facilitation skills with expert guidance from established practitioners.

Throughout, you’ll have opportunities to apply your learning through workshops and practice-led research. You can also deliver a project in collaboration with an external partner, allowing you to focus on a particular issue such as intergenerational arts or asylum seeker integration.

Leeds has a thriving cultural scene, and we have partnerships with many organisations that are engaged in applied theatre practice including Leeds Playhouse, Red Ladder Theatre Company, and theatre in education company Blah Blah Blah. We also work closely with local institutions like schools, hospitals, and Leeds City Council, as well as a range of third sector organisations.

Course details

You’ll study compulsory modules designed to give you a solid base of theoretical knowledge and high level research skills.

You’ll also choose from a range of optional modules, giving you the ability to tailor your studies to suit your interests and career ambitions.

Depending on your optional module choices, you’ll also have the chance to apply your learning in context by constructing your own project in collaboration. Outcomes could be creative workshops, toolkits of best practice, or performance processes with participants. This can be with an organisation engaged in applied theatre, or in a setting where applied theatre is practiced.

As you progress through your studies, you’ll apply what you’ve learned in an independent research project on a topic of your choice. This can be a written dissertation or a piece of practice-led research with a written commentary.

If you choose to study part time, you’ll study over a longer period and take fewer modules in each year.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Applied Theatre and Intervention MA Full Time in the course catalogue

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Applied Theatre and Intervention MA Part Time in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Learning and teaching

On this course you'll benefit from a variety of teaching methods, including practical workshops, group learning, lectures, seminars, tutorials and fieldwork. You'll also undertake significant independent study, which will help you to develop your research skills and build up what you learn in the taught components.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

You’ll be assessed using a range of methods including written work, presentations (alone and in groups) and portfolios reflecting on practice. Depending on options chosen, you may also be assessed via practice. This diversity allows you to begin to integrate theory and practice, in order to develop a range of skills and become a reflective practitioner.

Applying

Entry requirements

A bachelor undergraduate degree with a 2:1 (hons) or higher.

You may have a first degree in theatre and performance, media, education, social work, sociology, liberal arts or languages. Applicants would benefit from an existing interest in, or experience of, socially engaged pedagogies or arts, in community or educational contexts.

Applicants must demonstrate understanding of the course by responding to the five questions in the personal statement section of their online application. Please ensure you respond to the questions asked in the supporting statement section of the application

Applicants without a degree may also be considered, if they can demonstrate significant relevant industry experience.

International

Our admissions team are experienced in considering a wide range of international qualifications. If you wish to discuss whether your qualifications will meet the necessary entry criteria, contact the School’s admissions team.

You can also check the accepted qualifications for your country or region.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Arts and Humanities (6 weeks) and Language for Social Science and Arts: Arts and Humanities (10 weeks).

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional.

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

The ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.

If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Documents and information you'll need

• A copy of your degree certificate and transcripts, or partial transcripts if you're still studying (please submit an official English translation if necessary)

• Evidence of your English language qualifications, if English is not your first language

• A personal statement in response to the questions asked in the supporting statement section of the application form.

• A full up-to-date CV.

Please note that, although there are no limitations on registration for those with criminal records, candidates for the MA Applied Theatre and Intervention in the School of Performance and Cultural Industries should understand that Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) checks will be needed for some practical contexts in some modules. If you have specific questions please contact the School.

Next steps

We usually invite candidates for interview whenever possible – if you’re an international student, this can be done by phone.

The Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures receives very large numbers of high-quality applications and regrets that it cannot make offers to all of its applicants. Some particularly popular schools may have to reject many that hold the necessary academic qualifications.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2024

This course is taught by

School of Performance and Cultural Industries

Contact us

Postgraduate Admissions

Email: pcipg@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Fees

UK: £10,750 (total)

International: £22,250 (total)

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Part-time fees
Fees for part-time courses are normally calculated based on the number of credits you study in a year compared to the equivalent full-time course. For example, if you study half the course credits in a year, you will pay half the full-time course fees for that year.

Additional cost information

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

You may also be eligible to apply for a scholarship to help support your studies.

Career opportunities

There is a wide variety of careers and employability support available across the University to help you with your career.

Applied theatre is a wide field that is constantly developing in response to social and economic changes, and there is a growing jobs market in learning and participation in cultural organisations worldwide for freelance practitioners and for full time employees.

This course will equip you with a range of skills within the area of applied theatre. You’ll have an understanding of applied theatre and its use as an intervention as well as advanced skills in communication, collaboration, presentation, analysis and research.

You’ll be able to set up, lead and facilitate workshops as an applied theatre practitioner with diverse groups of people in a variety of health, social and community contexts.

You may decide to apply your learning in the context of arts administration or arts policy work. You may wish to further your understanding by undertaking specialist professional training in areas like the arts therapies. Graduates from this degree would be well suited to teaching, or to pursue research interests at PhD level.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.

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