For new and returning students in September, our focus is on making our university environments safe and accessible to everyone. We’ve prepared a 'blended model' of teaching which means combining face-to-face sessions on our campuses with online lectures. All face-to-face sessions are in line with distancing rules. If students are ill or shielding, we’ll provide all lectures and course materials online.
Postgraduate - taught prospectus
Contemporary Performance, MA
Explore new performance media and develop your portfolio of practical work with our new Master’s in Contemporary Performance.
This MA Contemporary Performance degree focuses on emerging practices in the fields of performance, live art, interactive theatre, contemporary dance and game design, from the immersive to the digital and participatory. The course prepares graduates to work as independent artists, curators, producers, across artistic disciplines and cultural contexts.
Delivered in collaboration with the internationally acclaimed performance company ZU-UK, the course enables you to assemble a substantial body of practical work. You will develop learning tools for cross-disciplinary collaboration, organising, managing, promoting and documenting your practice to tour and exhibit at venues, festivals, galleries and specific sites as well as other cultural platforms.
The course is based on our Greenwich Campus, but you will use additional performance facilities, including GAS station in West Ham and the Bathway Theatre in Woolwich.
Department
Campus
Duration
- 1 years full-time
- 2 years part-time
Start month
September
What you should know about this course
What you will study
About the course team
Welcome to our Master's in Contemporary Performance, which is taught from within the School of Humanities & Social Sciences in collaboration with award-winning ZU-UK. Your teaching comes from an experienced team of lecturers, including Dr. Jorge Lopes Ramos, Executive Director of ZU-UK. The team includes both academics and practitioners with experience in contemporary performance, live art, theatre, interactive, digital and participatory art. Every member of the course leadership team holds a teaching qualification and a significant research profile. The course also invites key industry experts who are leaders in their field to work with students at every stage.
Come and meet us
Given the current situation with Covid-19, we are offering virtual events so that you can still experience how Greenwich could be the right university for you.
Next Open Days
Got a question?
To find out more about our Open Days and Campus Tours or if you need any assistance, please email opendays@gre.ac.uk.
Entry requirements
If you are
You should have a UK undergraduate degree at 2.1 or above (or an equivalent qualification - both level and grade - from a recognised non-UK university) in a relevant humanities or social sciences subject. Other areas and professional experience may also be considered.
For more information, contact courseinfo@greenwich.ac.uk or 020 8331 9000.
The University of Greenwich accepts a broad range of international qualifications for admission to our courses.
For detailed information on the academic and English language requirements, please find your country in our directory.
Alternatively, please contact us:
- By telephone: +44 (0)20 8331 8136.
- By email: international@gre.ac.uk.
Further information about entry
As part of the application process, applicants will be required to submit a one-page proposal on their intended Performance Project along with their application. Applicants whose application and proposal is considered of interest will then be invited to interview in order to further assess their suitability for this course.
Available to overseas students?
Yes
Can I use prior learning?
For entry: applicants with professional qualifications and/or four years of full-time work experience will be considered on an individual basis.
How you will learn
Teaching
In a typical week, learning takes place through a combination of lectures and seminars. You'll be abe to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller group session, Scheduled contact activities may fall between 9am and 9pm, depending on your elective courses and tutorials.
Class sizes
In a typical week, learning takes place through a combination of workshops, guest talks, rehearsals and seminars. In workshops you will develop and refine new performance work through structured exercises, devising tasks, scratch performance and iterative design processes. In seminars you will discuss and develop your understanding of the field of professional practice and develop research skills to reflect your chosen cultural contexts.
Contact hours may fall between 9am and 9pm, depending on your elective courses and tutorials.
Where you will learn
You will need to attend a variety of different locations for this course - the University's Greenwich Campus, GAS Station in West Ham and the Bathway Theatre in Woolwich.
You will be responsible for arranging your own travel to these locations and your own travel costs.
Independent learning
Outside of timetabled sessions, you'll need to dedicate time to self-study to prepare for coursework, presentations and exams. Our library and online resources with support your further reading and research.
Overall workload
Your overall workload consists of scheduled learning activities which will include online lectures, online and on campus discussions, workshops and practical sessions.
For full-time students, the workload should be roughly equivalent to a full-time job. For part-time students, this will reduce in proportion with the number of modules you are studying.
Assessment
On this course, students are assessed by take-home exams, coursework and practice assessments on campus where required.
Each course has formal assessments which count towards your grade. Some courses may also include 'practice' assessments, which help you monitor progress and do not count towards your final grade.
Feedback summary
Dates and timetables
The academic year runs from September to June.
Full teaching timetables are not usually available until term has started. For any queries, please call 020 8331 9000.
Fees and funding
Your time at university should be enjoyable, rewarding, and free of unnecessary stress. Planning your finances before you come to university can help to reduce financial concerns. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.
2019/2020 fees
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2020/2021 fees
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* For full fees information please visit our fees information pages.
Accommodation costs
Whether you choose to live in halls of residence or rent privately, we can help you find what you're looking for. We have dedicated accommodation for postgraduate students (Devonport House) available from just £160 per person per week, with bills included. If you require more space or facilities, these options are available at a slightly higher cost. Students based at the Medway Campus can also reside in student halls in Chatham or rent privately in the local area.
There is a range of financial support available to support your studies. This includes postgraduate loans, international scholarships, and options for current students and alumni to continue studying at the university.
We also provide advice and support on budgeting, money management and financial hardship.
Other costs
Further costs may include (but are not limited to):
- Resources: you may need to purchase books for your studies, as well as specific computer software (estimate £150 per year)
- Memberships: applying for membership of a professional body may incur further costs (estimate £150 per year)
- Field trips: you may need to contribute towards any trips required for your course (estimate £200).
Careers and placements
What sort of careers do graduates pursue?
Contemporary Performance graduates will work as independent artists, curators, producers, facilitators, directors, performers, dramaturges, designers, workshop leaders and may work in a wide variety of creative roles across the cultural and education sector. Graduates will also be equipped with research skills to pursue doctoral-level study.
Do you provide employability services?
On our course you will learn to work as an independent artist and producer, developing a wide range of skill sets, many of which transfer to workplaces in the cultural sector and beyond.
Our services are designed to help you achieve your potential and support your transition towards a rewarding graduate career.
The Employability and Careers Service provides support when you are preparing to apply for placements and graduate roles. It includes CV clinics, mock interviews and employability skills workshops.
Support and advice
Academic skills and study support
We want you to make the most of your time with us. You can access study skills support through your tutor, our subject librarians, and our online academic skills centre. As a School of Humanities & Social Sciences student, you will be eligible for writing tutorials with our Royal Literary Fellows.
Where appropriate, we provide support in academic English and mathematics. If you need to use particular IT packages for a specific module, we provide training for this.
Not quite what you were looking for?
We've got plenty of other courses for you to choose from. Browse our postgraduate taught prospectus or check our related courses below.
Drama at the University of Greenwich
Drama at Greenwich offers innovative and practice-led courses. Students learn and work out of the Bathway Theatre, a specialist drama facility with six studios and a flexible theatre space, or at Bird College.
Visit our drama subject page.
Creative Futures
Engaging students, staff and the local community, in conversation about the arts and about careers in the creative arts sector.
Mode of study
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Need more help?
020 8331 9000• Live chat• courseinfo@gre.ac.uk• More information