Taught course

Theatre Directing

Institution
Birkbeck, University of London · English, Theatre and Creative Writing
Qualifications
MFA
Visit website
Apply
Add to favourites

Entry requirements

Either a second-class honours degree (2:2) or above from a UK university (or a directly comparable qualification from a non-UK university), together with some significant experience of professional or professional-level theatre; or an undergraduate- or postgraduate-level diploma from a recognised UK drama school (or a directly comparable qualification from a non-UK drama school), together with some significant experience of professional or professional-level theatre (normally three years); or extensive professional experience.

Considerable importance will be attached to your ability to demonstrate commitment to professional theatre directing. If you are considered to be initially qualified, you will then be interviewed.

Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.

Months of entry

September

Course content

This MFA Theatre Directing offers professionally recognised training for theatre directors. The result of a collaboration between Birkbeck and the Arts Council England, Equity and UK Theatre, the course provides a unique opportunity to work with theatre actors, writers and designers, while being introduced to the structural and financial realities of working as a director in the industry.

You will spend time at a leading drama school, learning how actors are trained for today’s theatre. Intensive units with expert professionals, including noted practitioners such as Mike Leigh, Mike Alfreds, Vicki Mortimer, Natalie Abrahami and Lyndsey Turner, will concentrate on the director’s relationship with the designer and the writer, and offer a practical understanding of how theatre companies and pieces of work are funded and managed.

You will then further develop your skills as a director through secondment to a theatre company where you will have the opportunity to assist on at least three productions; collaborators include the Royal Exchange Manchester, Citizens Theatre Glasgow, Leicester Curve, Liverpool Theatres, Octagon Theatre Bolton, Mercury Colchester, the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith and the Unicorn.

Highlights

  • We offer an Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Scholarship of £20,750 over two years to support a director from an under-represented or disadvantaged socio-economic background to undertake this MFA. The deadline for applications is Tuesday 2 May 2023.
  • The course includes a six- to nine-month secondment with a theatre company, providing the opportunity to direct and work with professional actors; a three-month secondment to a leading drama school; extended mentoring relationships between students and professional directors; and regular observation of the course by a highly experienced group of professional directors.
  • Our Centre for Contemporary Theatre runs a postgraduate reading group and offers opportunities to show work in progress as part of the summer festival, Arts Week.
  • Birkbeck was ranked 2nd in the UK for its English Language and Literature research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.
Careers and employability

Possible professions include:

  • theatre director
  • artistic director
  • associate director
  • opera director
  • theatre producer
  • literary manager
  • dramaturg.

Recent graduates have directed productions at prestigious West End and regional theatres including:

  • The National Theatre
  • The RSC
  • The Globe
  • The Royal Court
  • English National Opera
  • The Almeida
  • The Young Vic
  • The Old Vic
  • The Lyric Hammersmith
  • The Gate
  • Sheffield Theatres
  • The Royal Exchange Manchester
  • Leeds Playhouse
  • Nottingham Playhouse.

Others have established their own companies, such as Coney, Curious Directive, Upstart and YESYESNONO.

Many of our graduates have won awards such as: the 2014 Olivier Award for Best Director; the James Menzies-Kitchin Award (the JMK) in 2021, 2015 and 2012; the Regional Theatre Young Directors Scheme (RTYDS) Award; the Stage Debut Award in 2019; and the Stage Award for Best Fringe Theatre.

Our graduates include: Lyndsey Turner, Associate Director, National Theatre; Sam Pritchard, Associate Director, Royal Court; Justin Audibert, Artistic Director, Unicorn Theatre; Suba Das, Artistic Director, HighTide; Liz Stevenson, Artistic Director, Theatre by the Lake, Keswick; Sam Brown, award-winning opera director; and Diane Page, 2021 JMK winner.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Information for international students

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.

If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses and foundation programmes to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

  • MFA
    full time
    24 months
    • Campus-based learningis available for this qualification

Course contact details

Name
Student Advice Service
Email
studentadvice@bbk.ac.uk
Phone
+44 (0)20 3907 0700
Visit website
Apply