Performance - MRes, MPhil, PhD

Qualification(s): Master of Research (MRes) / Master of Philosophy (MPhil) / Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD) in Performance
School: School of Business & Creative Industries
Campus(es): Ayr
Start date: October, February, April, or June
Admissions Deadline: September, January, March, or May
Duration(s):
MRes: Minimum of 12 months full-time or 24 months part-time
MPhil: Minimum of 24 months full-time or 48 months part-time
PhD: Minimum of 36 months full-time or 72 months part-time
Fees: Tuition Fees for Research Degrees

PERFORMANCE RESEARCH

Performance is a broad subject area covering multiple strands of scholarship and practice. Research degrees in performance at UWS welcome and support challenging and wide-ranging projects that further current understanding of and approaches to performance and applied performance.

Performance at UWS offers a rigorous, supportive, and challenging environment for research study. Our staff team are all research active and publish across a wide variety of subject areas, from decentred Shakespeare practice to modern slavery, performance philosophy, climate studies, applied performance and beyond.

As a research student, you will be able to draw on established links across the Scottish and UK theatre landscapes and international networks. We are well placed to support interdisciplinary approaches to performance research and the application of performance methodologies to global challenges.

Our Performance team have expertise in a broad base of areas and are keen to explore research ideas in line with their expertise which includes:

  • Performance Ethnographies and Decentred Practice
  • Applied Performance Philosophy
  • Socially Engaged Practice and Pedagogy
  • Contemporary Performance and Innovation

We welcome applications from anyone whose research ambitions links, however broadly, with these areas, and members of the team are happy to discuss the possibility of developing studentship and funding applications.

We can confidently state that our activities directly map to 10 UN SDGs:

SDG 3 - Good Health & Wellbeing; SDG 4 - Quality Education; SDG 5 - Gender Equality; SDG 8 - Decent Work & Economic Growth; SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities; SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities; SDG12 - Responsible Consumption and Production; SDG 13 - Climate Action; SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions; SDG 17 Partnership for the Goal.

UWS aims to be among the global leaders of excellent, relevant and purposeful research aligned with the United Nations SDGs by placing them at the heart of our Strategy 2025.

In the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024, UWS was officially recognised in the top 400 universities worldwide as assessed against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UWS was recognised as the 2nd most impactful university in Scotland, and 16th globally, for 'reducing inequalities' (UN SDG 10).

Find out More about UWS AND SDGS

Entry Requirements

The minimum requirements for an applicant for registration for the degree of MRes or MPhil or for the degree of MRes/MPhil with the intention of transfer to PhD shall be a first or second class honours degree of a university in the United Kingdom, or of an equivalent qualification.

Applicants holding qualifications other than those specified in (above) shall be considered on their merits and in relation to the nature and scope of the programme of work proposed.

Direct registration for the degree of PhD may also be approved, at the discretion of the University if the applicant holds an MRes/MPhil degree of a United Kingdom University, or an MRes/MPhil degree of equivalent standard of a non-UK University, provided that the MRes/MPhil degree is in a subject area which is appropriate to the proposed programme of work.

Exceptionally, direct registration for the degree of PhD may also be approved, at the discretion of the University, even if the applicant is not the holder of an MRes/MPhil degree, but does hold an exceptionally high-quality honours degree or taught master’s degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline, AND has appropriate research experience at postgraduate level which has resulted in significant peer-reviewed publications, and where verifiable evidence of accomplishment is supplied.

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. The qualifications below must have been gained within two years of the start of your course.

General English language requirements at UWS: International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)

For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

  • Overall score of 6.5
  • No sub-test less than 6.0

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

HOW TO APPLY

Applying for postgraduate research study at UWS has never been simpler. Click the link below to find more information about:

Postgraduate Research step-by-step guide – everything you need to know to submit a successful application
Link to our online application system

applying for research degrees

Last updated: 14/10/2024

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