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Take part in intensive practical modules, masterclasses and workshops led by experienced practitioners from the creative industries.

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Develop your practice through residencies at one of the UK’s leading producing theatres, working in a professional creative environment.

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Combine intensive face-to-face residencies with online and blended learning, giving you flexibility while still building strong professional networks.

Overview

Create boldly. Perform professionally.

This innovative MA programme combines a range of diverse approaches to making performance, drawing on devising, physical theatre, directing, socially engaged practice, solo work and live art.

The course is delivered in partnership with the Lyric Hammersmith, where you'll take part in a low-residency intensive program of work at their impressive facilities.

The course is offered through intense residency modules that make it unique in the country, and particularly attractive if you wish to further your studies and enhance your career opportunities but cannot commit to a traditional full-time offering.

The course entails:

  • theoretical and critical learning modules that run throughout the year
  • intensive practical modules, masterclasses and workshops led by industry professionals and delivered during residency weeks, when all the cohort comes together as a community.
Lyric Hammersmith Lyric Hammersmith LSBU student performance 
LSBU student performance LSBU student performance LSBU student performance

Creative Performance Practice MA

Course Content

What will I learn?

Methods of assessment are both practical and written. They reflect professional working methods (e.g. professional performance outcomes) as well as critical responses to the course content (e.g. through essays, reflective journals and research).

Structure of the full-time course

Semester 1 (Jan - June)
Summer (Jul - Aug)
Semester 2 (Sept - Jan)

Survival Toolkit for the Creative Industries 1 (10 credits)

(2 hours weekly contact time)

CPD

Low Residency: Working with Communities (40 credits)

(3-week intensive block with preparation before /reflection after)

CPD

Survival Toolkit for the Creative Industries 2 (10 credits)

(2 hours weekly contact time)

CPD

Low Residency: Theatre Making (40 credits)

(3-week intensive block with preparation before /reflection after)

CPD

 

Low Residency: Directing (20 credits)

(2-week intensive block with preparation before /reflection after)

CPD

Creative Practical Project (60 credits)

(student-led practical project supervised through weekly or bi-weekly tutorials, rehearsals and business support as required; offered as collaborative or solo option)

This module supports and expands students’ learning from the low residency and practical project modules by introducing them to current concepts, debates and practices in the field of arts management. It builds students’ professional practice capabilities and explores core literature from the field of arts management, combining theoretical and critical approaches. 

This residency will examine the theatre making process by inviting students to develop and refine their own creative practice through working with a guest theatre company. Students will develop their devising skills and their understanding of the theatre making process, and will be encouraged to create and deliver a theatre piece at a professional level. 

This module runs the whole year.

This module enables students to engage in an extended creative project specialising in their individual areas of practice, creative interest and research concerns. Students will be given the option of working to a series of live performance briefs through the collaborative ‘South Bank Theatre Company’ pathway or of producing a coherent and critically informed practical project through the ‘Solo Creative Practice’ pathway.

This residency will examine the process of working with communities in creative theatre projects. It will invite students to support the development and delivery of a range of community projects within the context of ‘real life’ scenarios, working with The Education team at Lyric Hammersmith. Students will develop knowledge and understanding of the process of working with communities, and the challenges, issues, complexities and ethical considerations involved. They will be encouraged to research relevant practice and support the delivery of a community project. 

This module continues and expands on the learning delivered in Survival Toolkit 1. It further supports and expands students’ learning from the low residency and practical project modules by introducing them to current concepts, debates and practices in the field of creative entrepreneurship. It explores current ideas, theories and practices in creative entrepreneurship, combining theoretical and critical approaches. The module will explore case studies of creative entrepreneurship both at institutional and grass-roots levels, combining corporate, governmental (policy) and creative approaches to the subject. 

This residency will examine the directing process by inviting students to develop applied directing practice within an intensive studio / laboratory context. Students will develop situated knowledge and understanding of the directing process, and will be encouraged to research, conceive of, design, direct and deliver a short piece, individually or in small groups. 

* Modules are subject to review and change throughout the year.

Teaching and Assessment

How will I learn?

The low residency MA in Contemporary Performance Making is following the model based on the Visitors and Residents theory by David White (2015), which describes a continuum of modes of online engagement and learning. This has proven to be a useful way towards understanding individuals’ motivations when they use the web in differing contexts. We are proposing that no mode of engagement is better than another, so we offer a blended approach that includes intensive face to face residencies, alongside online meetings and content delivery. We want to acknowledge that in today’s fast-changing world it is important to employ different modes of learning that allow for flexibility and can support individual learners’ context, circumstances and preferences.

The innovative low residency model, which is currently unlike any other offerings in the UK within the field of Drama and Performance,  entails short intensive practical modules, masterclasses and workshops led by industry professionals during the residency weeks, alongside theoretical and critical e-learning and blended learning modules that run throughout the year.

The collaborative aspect of this programme makes it unique in the market and particularly attractive to those who wish to expand their professional networks and diversify their techniques.

Between the intensive residencies you'll maintain contact with the University through monthly supervisory meetings with your personal adviser (either face to face or online), and through completing the online and blended learning modules.

Careers

What’s in it for me?

Employability Service

At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:

  • An online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
  • Our Careers Gym offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and finding work experience, as well as regular presentations from employers across a range of sectors.

Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.

You'll have the opportunity to develop your practice in a rich environment of practices and discourses, in an environment that exposes you to diverse feedback sources, and a genuine immersion in professional practice of an international standing.

You'll be presented with opportunities to develop skills not only in the areas of directing, socially engaged arts and so on, but also in your professional practice, including current areas such as creative methodologies, copyright, use of multi-platform content, and resilience in the creative industries market.

This MA focuses on cultivating your skills as a practitioner, helping you to learn and develop both as an artist and from a business perspective. The professional partnerships on this course are unrivalled; the contacts I'm already making, along with the knowledge of professional practice, as well as developing my artistic process, leaves me with an excellent grounding to take in to industry after graduation.

Faye Morrison, MA Creative Performance Practice (below)

Faye Morrison

You'll be able to develop your learning on this course through making work alongside industry professionals at the Lyric Hammersmith, one of the UK’s leading producing theatres.

You'll take part in a low-residency intensive program of work at Lyric Hammersmith’s impressive facilities (the Lyric recently completed a £20 million capital project which is the most significant cultural development to take place in West London for decades). You'll also have the opportunity to engage with Lyric's diverse communities.

Over its hundred and twenty one year history the Lyric has been responsible for creating some of the UK’s most adventurous and acclaimed theatrical work. It has also gained a national reputation for its work with and for children and young people. Recent productions include the smash hit Bugsy Malone, Ghost Stories which transferred to the West End and has toured the world and the Olivier award-winning production of Sarah Kane’s Blasted.

The Lyric’s dual commitment to producing the highest quality contemporary theatre, whilst nurturing the creativity of young people is what makes it unique within the cultural ecology of the UK. It is a local theatre rooted in its community with a national and international reputation for the quality and innovation of its artistic work.

LSBU CareerSmart is your ultimate gateway to career success. Our innovative programme is designed to ensure you graduate with more than just a degree, providing the support you need to stand out in a competitive job market. We've got all the tools you need, including:

  • AI Powered Career Sets - Get instant personalised feedback on your CV and cover letter by submitting it via our AI powered career tool.
  • Gamification Interviews - Get ready to pass those interviews with unlimited training access to our gamification interviews and psychometric tests!
  • Personalised Career Development Dashboard - Keep up with your skills progression with free access to practical assessments, LinkedIn learning, mentoring, and industry-standard facilities.

We understand that you’re in the driver’s seat of your career, which is why we’re committed to matching your passion and energy every step of the way.

Find out more

Entry Level Requirements

The entry requirements below are for 2027 entry. Want to start your course this September? Call 0800 923 8888 for entry requirements.
    • 2:2 BA (Hons) in relevant subject, or
    • equivalent qualification, or
    • professional practice equivalence

Choose your country

  • Afghanistan
  • Albania
  • Algeria
  • Angola
  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bahrain
  • Bangladesh
  • Barbados
  • Belgium
  • Botswana
  • Brazil
  • British Council Women in STEM Scholarships
  • Bulgaria
  • Cambodia
  • Cameroon
  • Canada
  • Chile
  • China
  • Colombia
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Dominican Republic
  • Egypt
  • Estonia
  • Ethiopia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Gambia
  • Georgia
  • Germany
  • Ghana
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Jamaica
  • Japan
  • Jordan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kenya
  • Kuwait
  • Latvia
  • Lebanon
  • Libya
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malaysia
  • Malta
  • Mauritius
  • Mexico
  • Mongolia
  • Morocco
  • Myanmar
  • Nepal
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Nigeria
  • Norway
  • Oman
  • Pakistan
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Qatar
  • Romania
  • Russian Federation
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Senegal
  • Serbia
  • Sierra Leone
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Somalia
  • South Africa
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Sri Lanka
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Thailand
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Tunisia
  • Turkiye
  • Uganda
  • Ukraine
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United States of America
  • Uzbekistan
  • Venezuela
  • Vietnam
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

Need further information?

Call us on 0800 923 8888 to discuss entry requirements.

More contact info

Apply

Course delivery modes and application methods

Mode Duration Start date Application code Application method
Full-time 1 year January 4930 Direct to LSBU

Postgraduate students and research students should apply through our dedicated application system. Full details of how to do this are supplied on our How to apply section for postgraduate students and our How to apply section for research students.

See our admissions policy (PDF File 1,520 KB) and complaints policy (PDF File 516 KB).

How to apply

International students

International applicants can apply directly to LSBU and should consult our international how to apply guide for further information on the application process and key dates.

Accommodation

Prepare to start

Applicant events
After you’ve received your offer we’ll send you emails about events we run to help you prepare for your course. You’ll also be invited to our Applicant Taster Day so keep your eyes peeled!
Enrolment
Before you start your course, we’ll send you information on what you’ll need to do before you arrive and during your first few days on campus. You can read about the process on our enrolment pages.

Fees

For more information, including how and when to pay, see our fees and funding section for postgraduate students.

See our Tuition Fees Regulations (PDF File 391 KB) and Refund Policy (PDF File 775 KB).

Possible fee changes

The University reserves the right to increase its fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions.

The fees for international students are reviewed annually and the University reserves the right to increase the tuition fees to reflect increased costs of delivery and to maintain an a high-quality student experience. This increase would be no more than Consumer Prices Index (CPI) increases plus 5%.

Postgraduate loan (PGL) for Masters study

If you are starting a Masters course, studying either full- or part-time, you may be entitled to apply for a postgraduate study loan. Find out more at our postgraduate fees and funding section.

Scholarships

We offer several types of fee reduction through our scholarships and bursaries. Find the full list and other useful information on funding your studies on the scholarships and fee discounts page.

Fee status

Please check your fee status and whether you are considered a Home, EU or International student for fee-paying purposes and for our regulatory returns, by reading the UKCISA regulations.

A student can change to writing up status for the purpose of a lower fee when the examination arrangements have been submitted and approved. Examination arrangements are submitted 3 months prior to submission of the thesis for examination. A student only has one year of writing up at the reduced fee that covers submission, viva, and minor corrections. The writing up fee 25/26 is £1,246

Contact information

International team enquiry