Entry Year
Academic Year 2025/26
Entry Requirements
2.1
Overview
Drama at Queen’s offers supervisory expertise in both critical and practice-based methods of research. Proposals are welcome in all areas of current staff expertise, details of which are available on the website of the School of Arts, English and Languages. Drama at Queen’s is well established as a leading centre for research and education in the fields of drama, theatre and performance studies and benefits from a purpose-built £1.6m Drama and Film Centre, which opened in October 2004 and houses the Brian Friel Centre for Theatre Research. As a research student in Drama at Queen’s you will join a vibrant student cohort and benefit from the rich research culture of the School of Arts, English and Languages. Drama at Queen's aims to establish a leading, world-class research and education environment that incorporates access to, and partnerships with, the theatre profession and industry, locally, regionally, and globally. As part of a research-intensive Russell Group University, we are committed to delivering research-led teaching, allowing our research students to benefit from knowledge exchanges and public engagement activities led by our award-winning academic staff. The Brian Friel Centre has been recognised for producing 'world-leading' and 'internationally-excellent' research, which encompasses traditional and practice-based methods. We offer students the opportunity to undertake advanced, original research in one of the department's current areas of specialisation, which include Irish theatre, Shakespeare, post-conflict drama, dance and movement practices, practice-as-research, feminist performance, Beckett studies, drama and health, and applied theatre.
Mode of study/duration - Registration is on a full-time or part-time basis, under the direction of a supervisory team appointed by the University. You will be expected to submit your thesis at the end of three years of full-time registration for PhD, or two years for MPhil (or part-time equivalent). Students can take a writing up year if required.
Subject Summary
You will study at the renowned Brian Friel Theatre and Centre for Theatre Research. You will have the opportunity to undertake advanced, original research in areas of specialism such as Irish Theatre, Shakespeare, dance and movement practices, feminist performance, practice-as-research, Beckett studies, drama and health, post-conflict drama and applied theatre. You will have access to the excellent doctoral training programmes and research development support offered by the QUB Graduate School to help you produce cutting-edge research in your chosen area of Drama, Theatre and Performance.
Drama Highlights
Student Experience
- Each student is allocated a first and second supervisor with access to a wide range of subject expertise. In addition, students participate in a series of research workshops, seminars and colloquia designed to both assist them in writing their dissertations and in acquiring the critical skills needed to develop and deliver practical projects.
Students opting for the practice-as-research route will produce a body of supervised practice-based work, accompanied by a dissertation that critically reflects on their work and contextualises it within the broader field of theatre and performance studies. Our aim is to produce international, cutting-edge research in Drama, Theatre and Performance, and to develop international teaching, research and creative arts partnerships. We welcome applications from a broad range of applicants including graduates, those currently working as teachers/lecturers, and from professionals engaged in the arts and cultural sectors, as these programmes aim to assist professional development as researchers, teachers and practitioners.
Course content
Research Information
Associated Research
Applied Theatre
Career Prospects
Introduction
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People teaching you
Professor Aoife McGrath
Professor
SAEL
Email: aoife.mcgrath@qub.ac.uk
Course structure
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Facilities
Drama Studies at Queen’s University is well established as a leading centre for research and education in the fields of drama, theatre and performance studies. Drama benefits from a purpose-built £1.6m Drama and Film Centre, which opened in October 2004. The Brian Friel Centre for Theatre Research was inaugurated in February 2009. Full time PhD students will have access to a shared office space.
Learning and Teaching
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No Opportunities Currently Available
Entrance requirements
The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information can be obtained by contacting the School of Arts, English and Languages.
International Students
For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.
English Language Requirements
Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years.
International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.
For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.
Tuition Fees
| Northern Ireland (NI) 1 | TBC |
| Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 | TBC |
| England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 | TBC |
| EU Other 3 | £20,500 |
| International | £20,500 |
1 EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled or pre-settled status, are expected to be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly Student Fees Regulations. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB are expected to be charged the GB fee, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.
2 It is expected that EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI will be eligible for NI tuition fees. The tuition fee set out above is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.
3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.
All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. All fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
More information on postgraduate tuition fees.
Drama costs
There are no specific additional course costs associated with this programme.
Additional course costs
All Students
Depending on the programme of study, there may also be other extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies . Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £100 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges. Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen. There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, and library fines. In undertaking a research project students may incur costs associated with transport and/or materials, and there will also be additional costs for printing and binding the thesis. There may also be individually tailored research project expenses and students should consult directly with the School for further information.
Bench fees
Some research programmes incur an additional annual charge on top of the tuition fees, often referred to as a bench fee. Bench fees are charged when a programme (or a specific project) incurs extra costs such as those involved with specialist laboratory or field work. If you are required to pay bench fees they will be detailed on your offer letter. If you have any questions about Bench Fees these should be raised with your School at the application stage. Please note that, if you are being funded you will need to ensure your sponsor is aware of and has agreed to fund these additional costs before accepting your place.
How do I fund my study?
1.PhD OpportunitiesFind PhD opportunities and funded studentships by subject area.
2.Funded Doctoral Training ProgrammesWe offer numerous opportunities for funded doctoral study in a world-class research environment. Our centres and partnerships, aim to seek out and nurture outstanding postgraduate research students, and provide targeted training and skills development.
3.PhD loansThe Government offers doctoral loans of up to £26,445 for PhDs and equivalent postgraduate research programmes for English- or Welsh-resident UK and EU students.
4.International ScholarshipsInformation on Postgraduate Research scholarships for international students.
Funding and Scholarships
The Funding & Scholarship Finder helps prospective and current students find funding to help cover costs towards a whole range of study related expenses.
How to Apply
Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.
Find a supervisor
If you're interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the relevant academic before you apply, to introduce yourself and ask questions.
To find a potential supervisor aligned with your area of interest, or if you are unsure of who to contact, look through the staff profiles linked here.
You might be asked to provide a short outline of your proposal to help us identify potential supervisors.