Master of Arts in Dance Studies

You will be required to indicate your choice of area and mode of study at the time of application. Two options are possible: to study for a traditional M.A., which is mostly based on original research, OR for a Practice as Research M.A. (PaR), where you will be assisted by a dedicated supervisor or two co-supervisors: Option (a): A dissertation of up to a 50,000 words on the subject of his/her research, in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Board, or Option (b): A presentation of artistic practice supported by a dissertation of a maximum of 30,000 words, in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Board. Specialist areas for inclusion include Choreography and Choreographic Processes; Practice as Research in Dance Performance, Dance Pedagogy, Dance and Cultural Studies, Creative Dance Practice, Dance in Education and/or the Community, Dance and Health, Somatic Practices, Anatomy for Dancers, Dance and Wellbeing. This programme of study will offer you an opportunity to undertake an independent research project. The taught component (10 ECTS) at the beginning of the course will help you acquire the necessary tools to undertake and complete such a project through a discussion of the academic, ethical, political and practical implications of undertaking research in Performing Arts. Much of the research will be considered as independent study, and you will be assigned one or more academics who will tutor the research process, from selecting an area to writing a research proposal, and researching and writing a dissertation. The specific research will depend on your interests as well as staff specialization and strategic research areas earmarked by the department. You will be expected to demonstrate critical skills in the analysis of a broad range of texts; discuss complex critical issues in a coherent and convincing manner; present the research results in appropriate academic written style; and apply his or her refined expressive potential to related fields.