Drama Studies

BA (Hons) (NFQ Level 8)

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Curricular information is subject to change.

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Why is this course for me?

Drama Studies is for students who are interested in learning about theatre and performance in theory and practice. Drama Studies has a range of modules that bring together scholarly, creative, and practical “on-your-feet” tasks and assignments. Drama Studies educates students in the history and practices of theatre and performance, in current theoretical methods and approaches to research and analysis of theatre and performance, and in a wide range of generic, historical, national and international traditions.

Course Pathways
What Will I Study

You will study a range of performance genres from classical Greek plays to contemporary Irish and international theatre and performance, from a theoretical and practical perspective.

Drama Studies Modules include:

First Year

  • The Theatrical Event: Case Studies in Making Theatre
  • Early Irish Theatre Movement
  • Theatre Context & Conventions
  • Introduction to Physical Theatre

Second Year

  • Documentary Theatre
  • Playwriting
  • Contemporary Ireland on Stage
  • Introduction to Acting
  • 20th Century Avant Garde Drama
  • Staging Performance

Third Year

  • Contemporary Theatre and Performance
  • Beckett in Performance
  • Theatre of Martin McDonagh
  • Independent Study
  • Performance Project
  • Performance in Everyday Life
  • Queer Theatre and Performance
  • Solo Performance

Students attend lectures, tutorials and workshops, participate in group work, and undertake independent study. Years one and two introduce students to fundamental theoretical and practical skills for research and analysis in Drama Studies. In year three, students build on this knowledge and are invited to pursue more specialised interests.

Current offerings during third year enable intensive study. Options include a Performance Project, which involves auditions and creates an ensemble production working with a professional director and a Research Project, which invites students to write on a research topic of their choice with individual staff supervision.

For detailed information on subject content click here.

You may be interested in the following Blog posts: A Stage 1 English with Film student discusses his involvement with UCD Drama Society.

How Will I Study
International Study Opportunities

Opportunities may include:

  • Albert-Ludwigs-Universität, Freiburg, Germany
  • Université Sorbonne (Paris IV), France
  • University of Turin, Italy
  • University of Verona, Italy
  • University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands
  • University of Coimbra, Portugal
  • University of Barcelona, Spain
  • University of British Columbia, Canada
  • University of Miami, USA
  • University of Otago, New Zealand
Career & Graduate Study Opportunities

A degree in Drama Studies will develop your presentation, teamwork, performance, and analytical skills, allowing you to pursue careers in the following areas:

  • Theatre Industry (writer, director, actor, dramaturge, producer, theatre and cultural management)
  • Tourism
  • Advertising & Public Relations
  • Education (teaching, research, and educational drama)
  • Journalism and broadcasting

Drama Studies will develop your knowledge of theatre and performance, and hone and enhance your research and writing skills through academic and practical study. Masters programmes are offered in specialised areas of Drama and Performance, including a collaborative MA in Theatre Practice, jointly offered by UCD and The Gaiety School of Acting, and an MA in Writing for Stage & Screen (www.ucd.ie/englishdramafilm/study/postgraduate). PhD options are also available.

Other Entry Routes
Testimonial

“Drama Studies at UCD challenged me to grow as an individual. The opportunity to live and study abroad in Dublin enhanced my experience through theatre visits, guest lecturers, interesting modules and a research project that gave me the chance to develop my own ideas. This course expanded my knowledge and I got to know many people from different backgrounds and lecturers who strongly encouraged me. Thanks to the skills I acquired in UCD, I have been able to secure roles in short films, assist in castings and interact with other industry professionals. I am currently doing a two-year diploma in Acting for Screen in Madrid, which is helping me to broaden my skill set and move closer to my ultimate goal to become a great actress.”

Esperanca Soler Planas, Student

Contact Information

UCD School of English, Drama & Film
Newman,
Belfield,
Dublin 4

Phone: +353 1 716 8323
Email: englishdramafilm@ucd.ie

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