Study PhD Performing Arts at University of Plymouth in the UK, School of Art, Design and Architecture

PhD Performing Arts

UK

27

What will I learn?

We welcome proposals for both practice-led and more traditional forms of doctoral research in performer training, live art, site-specific performance, experimental theatre, interdisciplinary creative practices, intercultural performance, somatic practice, performance and religion, and popular performance (including stand-up comedy and burlesque). We also have expertise in supervising co-authored and collaborative research projects. This full time or part time doctoral programme is suitable for people who have a particular research question or topic in mind, and wish to explore this through independent study in order to produce an original contribution to the subject. If you aspire to a research career this is the most appropriate research degree to undertake. You will be guided by a small supervisory team of academic experts under the direction of a Director of Studies and will be expected to fully engage with skills development and training and to present your research in a range of scholarly contexts.Your PhD will be assessed via submission of either a written thesis (approximately 80,000 words), or one that combines critical writing with artistic, creative and/or professional practice, and a viva voce (an oral examination).If you do not already have a masters degree, you may be interested in one of our masters level research degrees – for instance, our ResM in Theatre and Performance (which enables a transfer directly into the PhD programme if you are making excellent progress), or else an MPhil degree. Duration:- Full time: 2-4 years, Part time: 4-8 years

Which department am I in?

School of Art, Design and Architecture

Study options

Full Time (2 Years)

Tuition fees
£19,315.00 (US$ 24,944) per year
This is a provisional fee yet to be approved

*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution

Start date

October 2027

Venue

Plymouth Campus

Drake Circus,

Plymouth,

Devon,

PL4 8AA, Southern England, United Kingdom

Full Time (2 Years)

Tuition fees
£19,315.00 (US$ 24,944) per year
This is a fixed fee

*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution

Start date

October 2026

Venue

Plymouth Campus

Drake Circus,

Plymouth,

Devon,

PL4 8AA, Southern England, United Kingdom

Entry requirements

For international students

Applicants are expected to have completed a masters level qualification to a high standard (e.g. at 'merit' or 'distinction' level) as well as either a good 2:1 or first class honours undergraduate degree in an area of study appropriate to your project proposal (e.g. theatre and performance, drama, dance, live or fine art, performance writing, etc.). We are happy to consider equivalent qualifications (for instance, you may have studied different subjects at undergraduate and masters level but have established an artistic practice since then). You will also need to provide evidence that you are ready to pursue the project you propose in your application. This will take the form of a sample of critical writing, and if relevant, documentation of relevant creative or professional practice.

*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.

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About University of Plymouth

The University of Plymouth has been ranked 5th best modern UK university for teaching (THE, Young University Rankings 2024).

  • Top 2 modern UK uni (THE Young Universities 2024)
  • 195,000 alumni across 158 countries
  • Triple Gold in 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework
  • 16th in UK for work experience (Rate My Placement)

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