UCD and The Gaiety School of Acting M.A. in Theatre Practice
UCD and The Gaiety School of Acting - The National Theatre School of Ireland at Smock Alley Theatre 1662 are delighted to offer an M.A. in Theatre Practice.
The MA in Theatre Practice offers a hybrid approach to teaching and learning, providing academic modules taught by UCD staff and practice-based modules led the by professional artists and specialists teaching at the Gaiety School of Acting. This hybrid theory-and-practice programme is designed for highly motivated and creative people whose goal is to gain the skills needed to lead tomorrow’s theatre industry.
The M.A. in Theatre Practice’s dynamic combination of conservatory and academic study is unique in Ireland and provides an inspiring and challenging environment in which students will engage in research and experiment in practices of innovative theatre and performance making.
Students in the M.A. in Theatre Practice will have access to UCD’s full range of facilities and the GSA’s suite of centre-city studios and the Smock Alley Theatre, where practical workshops and presentations of student performances will be developed, rehearsed and showcased.
Scholarships and Funding
Non-EU applicants
There are two possible scholarship streams:
UCD Global Excellence scholarships
Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships
To apply to these scholarships, applicants need to already hold an offer of a place. Please apply to the MA a minimum of 2 months (ideally 3 months) in advance of scholarship application deadlines to ensure your MA application has been processed and reviewed in time.
EU applicants and Irish immigration status/leave to remain
You may be eligible for financial support from the Irish government:
- you are an Irish, EU, EEA, UK or Swiss national or have a specific immigration status or leave to remain permission from the Department of Justice.
- have been resident in the Irish State, the EU, EEA, UK or Swiss Federation for three of the last five years.
- our total reckonable household income falls below specific income thresholds.
See SUSI GRANT and SUSI eligibility checker.
In programme award: MA Theatre Practice Bursary
During the MA programme, students are are invited to apply to MA Theatre Practice bursary, funded by a generous private donor. The bursary is a €3000 award to one student each year. (part-time students may only receive the award once during their degree).
Applying
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and we advise submitting your application by end of June 2024 for September 2024 start. As part of the application you will be asked to submit your CV and/or a sample of writing e.g. essay/critical review, and two reference letters. They should be on headed paper and signed. Reference letters can be uploaded by the applicant with their application files, or emailed by referees directly to joanne.dalton@ucd.ie
Please be aware that interviews are part of the selection process. Applicants will be contacted to arrange an interview following their application submission and successful initial review by the panel. Interviews are usually held remotely.
For further details please see our programme UCD webpages
Apply online to M.A in Theatre Practice (Code: Z243)
For more information about the programme, contact Dr. Paul Halferty:paul.halferty@ucd.ie