MA Theatre Design

College

WIMBLEDON

Start date

October 2020

Course length

1 year (full time)

Apply Open days

Apply to start in October 2020

This course has places available for UK and EU applicants only. We are no longer accepting applications from international students for 2020/21 entry to this course.

Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, we are unable to say at this point if places will become available before the autumn intake. Please check this page regularly as places may become available later in the cycle and if they do, we will reopen applications.

Coronavirus updates

All our courses starting in 2020/21 will be running as a mix of on-campus and online activities and will follow UK government safety advice. It may be necessary to make some adjustments to course delivery as a result of this. We will notify applicants and students of any changes directly.

For more information, read our guidance for prospective students during the Coronavirus outbreak.

MA Theatre Design at Wimbledon College of Arts supports and furthers theatre design practice-based research.

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Course overview

MA Theatre Design will actively nurture the emergence of a ‘personal vision’ that is central to designing for theatre, whilst also immersing you in the collaborative nature of theatre practice so that you are able to build ideas, proposals and events with other theatre and performance makers.

What to expect

To develop essential communication skills such as discussion, drawing and the construction of physical and virtual scale models
To look at the rapid developments in lighting, sound and digital technologies and how they are used in theatre design
To consider how the creation of an environment can connect an audience to the content of a performance and can contribute towards the continuing development of the performance space as a place for social interaction and debate
Through practice-based projects and critical independent research you will explore established stage design methodologies and protocols, while learning how to make the professional judgments required by the industry. You will work within the conventional boundaries of theatre design and challenge accepted performance practice
To examine how relationship between audience, space and action operate in the context of theatre and the performing arts. You will research the ways in which theatre designers have realised ideas in the past and the present while speculating on the expansion of future practice. This will help you form a distinctive view of your own position as a theatre designer
To have visiting tutors and professional theatre makers help you look at your own practices
To collaborate with at least one other postgraduate student or theatre practitioner to practice and test your abilities to negotiate and communicate throughout the production process
Throughout the course you will be required to maintain notebooks, sketchbooks and any digital evidence illustrating your research and design processes
To have access to Wimbledon's shared workshops. View the Wimbledon facilities

Mode of study

MA Theatre Design is offered in full-time mode and runs for 45 weeks over 12 months. You will be expected to commit an average of 40 hours per week to your course, including teaching hours and independent study.

Course units

A short description of each unit and what you can expect.

Unit 1 - Design methods

This unit is an introduction to your course, the college and the university.

Inductions to learning resources and workshops at Wimbledon
To explore the diverse range of models and practices that exist within the broad discipline of theatre design
To work on a speculative design proposal for a London theatre in response to an existing script
To give a presentation on your design proposal to your peers and staff
To work in groups with your peers to devise, design, build and perform a collaborative performance of at least 5 minutes in length
To produce a reflective piece of writing on the process leading to your collaborative performance of 500 - 1000 words
To critique 2 theatre performances, concerts, conferences or exhibitions you have attended during the unit
To produce a theoretical and critical research essay of 1500 words
To complete a study plan with guidance from tutors
Lectures, seminars, crits and tutorials

Unit 2 - Design practice

In this unit you will enhance your knowledge in the development of practical research methods that can progress your design proposal ideas.

To work with a postgraduate or professional director/theatre practitioner to produce a collaborative speculative design proposal
To plan and deliver a set and costume design for an existing script and venue
To present your designs to peers and staff
To produce a theoretical and critical research essay of 3000 words
To produce a critical analysis of your collaborative speculative design proposal of 500 - 1000 words
To critique 2 theatre performances, concerts, conferences or exhibitions you have attended during the unit
To revisit your study plan in preparation for your final design project in unit 4

Unit 3 - Design scale

In this unit you will be asked to extend the scale of your practical design abilities.

To produce a large-scale speculative design proposal for a stadium or festival event based on an existing piece of music in a genre of your own choice
To look at lighting, sound and digital technologies and how they are used to explore linear and non-linear narratives
Subject specific seminars on video design, content creation, post-production, programming and projection

Unit 4 - Design exhibition

In this final unit you will work independently to complete and present a final design project.

To contact with an appropriate professional theatre practitioner or practitioners, who can advise, help and support you during your final design project. You will be responsible for negotiating the length and nature of that contact
To present work in the college postgraduate show
To produce a dissertation of 5000 words

Learning and teaching methods

Collaborative work
Group and individual tutorials and crits
Independent study
Practical and technical workshops
Lectures and visiting speaker talks
Project based learning
Staff and student led seminars and discussions
Studio, external venue and other visits

Assessment methods

A record of the process of your collaborative performance
Analysis of your design process
Collaborative speculative design proposal
Crits
Design project
Dissertation
Essays
Online research folio
Speculative design proposal

Staff

Michael Vale - Course Leader

Visiting staff have included:

Jon Bausor - Theatre Designer
Professor Jane Collins - Theatre Director
William Dudley - Theatre Designer
Mauricio Elorriga - Theatre Designer
Sophie Jump - Theatre Designer
Aideen Malone - Lighting Designer
Anastasios Maragiannis - Digital Designer
David Neat - Model maker
Dick Straker - Digital Designer

How to apply

Opportunities for all

We are committed to making university education an achievable option for a wider range of people and to supporting all of our students in achieving their potential both during and after their courses.

We welcome applications from people with disabilities. If you have a disability (e.g. mobility difficulties, sensory impairments, medical or mental health conditions or Asperger’s syndrome) we strongly encourage you to contact us on disability@arts.ac.uk or +44 (0)20 7514 6156 so that we can plan the right support for you. All enquiries are treated confidentially. To find out more, visit our Disability & Dyslexia webpages.

Entry requirements

The standard minimum entry requirements for this course are:

BA (Hons) degree in either art and design or drawing-related disciplines, including social and other sciences or engineering
Alternative qualifications and experience will also be taken into consideration
Personal statement
Portfolio of work

Entry to this course will also be determined by the quality of your application, looking primarily at your portfolio of work, personal statement and reference.

APEL - Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning

Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:

Related academic or work experience
The quality of the personal statement
A strong academic or other professional reference
A combination of these factors

Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.

English language requirements

All classes are taught in English. If English isn't your first language you must provide evidence at enrolment of the following:

IELTS level 6.5 or above, with at least 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking (please check our English language requirements)

Selection criteria

We look for:

Commitment and motivation for studying theatre design
Understanding of contemporary theatre design and its context
Evidence a visual interest in theatre through design practice or other, directly related activities
Be able to articulate though writing and if appropriate, illustration, a potential, considered, theatrical project idea that is feasible and achievable
An ability to work imaginatively and creatively in 2D and 3D visual media, materials and processes
A desire to learn and an ability to investigate ideas critically and independently
Evidence of critical awareness and self-direction, openness and the ability to learn
Potential for creative problem solving appropriate to theatre design

Making your application

Personal statement

This should be about 500 words long and include:

Your reasons for choosing the course
Your current creative practice and how this will help with your future plans
If you do not have any formal academic qualifications please describe your relevant education and experience

This course has places available for UK and EU applicants only for 2020/21 entry. Applications for 2021/22 entry will open in Autumn 2020.

Apply

You should apply by making a direct application.

Application deadline

Home/EU applicant period may stay open until midday Thursday 30 July 2020.

Although we advise you to apply sooner than this. Some courses are very popular and may close to applicants early.

External Student Transfer Policy:

If you are currently studying at another institution and if you have successfully completed 60 credits in the equivalent units and modules on your current postgraduate course and wish to continue your studies at Wimbledon College of Arts, you can apply to transfer. The Admissions Tutor will consider applications on a case by case basis, subject to places being available. You must apply directly to the course via the course webpage as early as possible. Further information can be found in our UAL External Student Transfer Policy.

Deferring your place

This course allows offer holders to defer. If you have an offer of a place, but you would like to defer starting for a year, please contact our Admissions Service as soon as possible via your UAL Portal. Make sure you check our Admissions Policy before requesting a deferral.

If you are an EU offer holder, it is important to consider that, from 2021-22, you may be charged International fees, which are higher. Read our Coronavirus guidance for prospective students for details.

What happens next

Communicating with you

After you’ve submitted your application, you’ll receive a confirmation email providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We’ll use this portal to contact you to request any additional information, including inviting you to upload documents or book an interview, so please check it regularly.

Initial application check

We check your application to see if you meet the standard entry requirements for the course. If you do, you’ll be invited to submit a mini portfolio through UAL’s online portfolio review system.

Mini portfolio

A portfolio of performance writing and documentation to include:

Evidence of at least one on-going creative practice (e.g. acting, directing, dramaturgy, solo or collaborative performance making, creative writing, socially/politically engaged practice, live art, etc)
Evidence of at least one on-going critical practice (e.g. essays, reviews, blog or journal entries)
The portfolio may include texts, photographs, short videos, sound files, etc.

Please be selective and put only your best work forward for consideration.

Following the review of the mini portfolio we select applicants to move on to the next stage of the process. These applicants will be invited to an interview.

Interview

You will be expected to bring this portfolio, which will be reviewed by the academics conducting the interview. Please be prepared to talk about your work, what inspires you and your influences. We may not discuss all of these topics at the event.

More details about your interview will be emailed to you once you have chosen or been allocated your date.

Selection for Home/EU applicants happens in a variety of different ways:

In person at Wimbledon College of Arts
By phone or Skype

If you choose phone or Skype your mini portfolio that you uploaded via UAL’s online portfolio review system will be used during the interview.

How we notify you of the outcome of your application

You will receive the final outcome of your application through the UAL portal.

Please note that applications made to this course may be given an alternative offer. This decision will be based on our assessment of your creative and potential interests.

We are no longer accepting applications from international students for 2020/21 entry to this course.

Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, we are unable to say at this point if places will become available before the autumn intake. Please check this page regularly as places may become available later in the cycle and if they do, we will reopen applications.

Applications for 2021/22 entry will open in Autumn 2020.

There are 2 ways international students can apply to a postgraduate course at Wimbledon College of Arts:

Through one of our official representatives in your country
By direct application

Read our immigration and visa information to find out if you need a visa to study at UAL.

Application deadline

International applicant period may stay open until midday Thursday 30 July 2020.

Although we advise you to apply sooner than this. Some courses are very popular and may close to applicants early.

External Student Transfer Policy:

Deferring your place

What happens next

Communicating with you

Initial application check

We check your application to see if you meet the standard entry requirements for the course. If you do, you’ll be invited to submit a mini portfolio through UAL’s online portfolio review system.

Mini portfolio

A portfolio of performance writing and documentation to include:

Evidence of at least one on-going creative practice (e.g. acting, directing, dramaturgy, solo or collaborative performance making, creative writing, socially/politically engaged practice, live art, etc)
Evidence of at least one on-going critical practice (e.g. essays, reviews, blog or journal entries)
The portfolio may include texts, photographs, short videos, sound files, etc.

Please be selective and put only your best work forward for consideration.

Following the review of the mini portfolio we select applicants to move on to the next stage of the process. These applicants will be invited to an interview.

Interview

You will be expected to bring this portfolio, which will be reviewed by the academic conducting the interview. Please be prepared to talk about your work, what inspires you and your influences. We may not discuss all of these topics at the event.

More details about your interview selection event will be emailed to you once you have chosen or been allocated your date.

Selection for international applications are available in a variety of different ways:

By phone or Skype
In your country, if your application was made through one of our official representatives
In person at Wimbledon College of Arts

If you choose phone or Skype your mini portfolio that you uploaded via UAL’s online portfolio review system will be used during the interview.

How we notify you of the outcome of your application

You will receive the final outcome of your application through the UAL portal.

Please note that applications made to this course may be given an alternative offer. This decision will be based on our assessment of your creative and potential interests.

Fees & Funding

Home / EU fee

£11,220 (2020/21).

International fee

£22,920 (2020/21).

Course fees may be paid in instalments.

Additional costs

In addition to tuition fees you are very likely to incur additional costs such as travel expenses and the cost of materials. Please read the information on our additional costs page.

Accommodation

Find out about the accommodation options available and how much they will cost.

Progression discount

UAL alumni can receive a 20% tuition fee discount on a taught Masters course at UAL. Visit the progression discount page to find out more.

Scholarships and awards

Use our search tool to find out more about the scholarships and awards available to students.

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Careers and alumni

Our graduates develop and define their individual practices to progress within theatre design. This often leads them in different directions within the industry.

Recent graduates have continued as professionals or become leading creative innovators within theatre. Others have continued their studies with research degrees.

MA Theatre Design alumni are equipped to enter various industry competitions and schemes. For example the Linbury Prize for Stage Design or the Royal Shakespeare Company’s (RSC) trainee scheme. Their involvement with national theatre collections and archives gives them the chance to identify museum curation or other forms of exhibition production as a career.

Find out how careers and employability helps our students and graduates start their careers.

MA Theatre Design

Apply to start in October 2020

Coronavirus updates