Performance Arts

MA

The MA Performance Arts course offers opportunities to incorporate practice-based work across a range of disciplines including dance, theatre, performance art and sited screen practices to develop the individual performer/researcher.

Overview
Content
Additional information
How to apply
Fees and funding
International

Course level

Postgraduate

Modes of study

Part time, Full time

Attendance

Staff inputs to modules typically from 5.00pm- 8.00pm with media access during key days of the week

Location

Avenue Campus

Entry requirements

Applicants will normally have an honours degree with a first or upper second classification in performance or in the arts. Exceptionally, other candidates will be considered. Applicants whose first language is not English may be required to demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English.

UKPASS code

025569 - view details at UKPASS

Length of study

One year full-time or minimum two years part-time. Under the part-time route it is possible to extend the course up to a maximum of four years to suit individual situations.

Start date

September

School

School of The Arts

Course content

The course encourages and cultivates innovative creative practice in performance alongside the promotion of high quality scholarship. This course is taught by an energetic research-active team with a broad range of expertise and includes scholars, practitioners and established researchers with international reputations. Emphasis is given to practical approaches in the studio and is supported by an exciting series of lecturers and discussion-based seminars that allow the students to acquire a broader understanding of their subject area.

Special course features

Performance Studies foregrounds the exploration of contemporary arts practices across a range of fields as well as drawing upon the traditions that inform them. This course is taught by practitioners and academics which ensures that not only do students benefit from their expertise but they are fully aware of current debates within the creative industries.

All Masters level students undertake a generic module entitled Research Methods (20 credits). This underpins the three phases of the Masters study and provides the important environment of debate and engagement on cross-disciplinarity in the arts. The courses have an element of choice of modules up to a value of 20 credits.

Typical modules

Postgraduate Certificate:

ARTM002 Research Methods in The Arts (20 credits)
ARTM011 Performance Contexts (20 credits)
ARTM012 Performance Documentation and the Digital (20 credits) or
ARTM004 Arts and Enterprise (20 credits)

Postgraduate Diploma - all of the above plus:

ARTM013 Performance as Research Lab (40 credits)
ARTM027 Independent Study in The Arts (20 credits) or
ARTM006 Arts and Health: Exploring the Myth (20 credits)

Masters degree - all of the above plus:

ARTM003 Research project (60 credits)

Assessment

The course is assessed by assignment, seminar presentation, essay, report, dissertation, exhibition and performance submission.

Facilities available

The course is taught by academic staff who are highly active in research at national and international levels. Our extensive and contemporary resources are all located in the Avenue Campus and include:

High quality studios and workshop spaces including photography, digital technology and video
Research centres including the Avenue Research Centre, the Centre for Contemporary Criticism and Narrative and the Centre for Practice-Led Research in The Arts
Staff with significant employment experience in their fields
Links with regional cultural and creative industries
Specialised library and poster archive
Art Gallery (Avenue Gallery)
Choreographic Lab
Portfolio Innovation Centre - a dedicated provider of office space and support for small creative businesses

Career opportunities

The course prepares students for the professional cultural environment and higher research study. PhDs at The University of Northampton can be pursued through traditional or practice-led methodologies and this course provides a comprehensive and relevant foundation.

Application notes

For some awards, applicants will be required to attend an audition or an interview with a portfolio or documentation of a body of work or evidence of creative ability and theoretical engagement.

For general application information please see our how to apply page.

Fees quoted are for home and EU students commencing their course in the academic year 2012/13. Tuition fees are payable for each year of the course. The fees are subject to annual increases in subsequent academic years.