Theatre PhD

Our PhD in Theatre will provide you with a supportive and collegiate research experience within our conservatoire, the Guildford School of Acting (GSA). Our staff have expertise in a wide range of theatre and performance subject disciplines, with particular strengths in applied and socially engaged performance, musical theatre, actor training and Shakespeare in performance.

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Key course information

Entry requirements
See full entry requirements
Start date
April 2027
Attendance
Full-time
Duration
48/48 months
UK fees
£5,238*
Overseas fees
£21,800
Subject area
Theatre and performing arts
Funding
Funding information

Why choose this programme?

  • Our research, which encompasses traditional and practice-based forms, addresses performance in history and contemporary culture. It includes:
    • Theatre history
    • Applied theatre
    • Actor training
    • Musical theatre
    • Performance and cognitive science
    • Mental health and disability arts
    • Scenography.
  • GSA hosts a thriving and diverse international community of postgraduate researchers, engaged in both traditional and practice-based research.
  • GSA offers world-class studio and technical facilities to support practice-based projects.
  • Researchers have the opportunity to work across disciplines, in collaboration with literature and languages, creative writing, and music and media.
  • Our distance-learning route allows you to pursue doctoral research with full academic support, remote supervision, and access to online resources, without needing to relocate or interrupt your professional and/or caring commitments.
Find out more information

Statistics

Top 20 in the UK

Surrey is ranked 19th in the UK for the quality of our research outputs (Research Excellence Framework 2021)

33rd for research quality

The University's overall research quality ranking has risen by 12 places to 33rd in the UK (Research Excellence Framework 2021)

Course details

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What you will study

PhD researchers on all programmes at GSA can expect three levels of research training and support:

  • University-level training provided by the Researcher Development Programme and the University Library, including a PhD induction, workshops on writing skills
  • Preparation for your confirmation and viva. There is also an annual student-led University postgraduate conference
  • School-level training is offered in the form of interdisciplinary seminars, visiting speaker events and conferences
  • PhD researchers also receive subject-specific feedback at our biannual GSA postgraduate symposium that allows you to share and develop ideas in a supportive environment.

As a research conservatoire, we can offer dedicated time and support to practice-led research experiments and practical modes of knowledge enquiry. GSA’s research activity at Surrey includes access to the Surrey Shakespeare Centre which is hosted within the School.

We welcome proposals that will result in an 80,000-word thesis or a practice research-curated portfolio (c.40,000).

Assessment

Your final assessment will be based on the presentation of your research in a written thesis, which will be discussed in a viva examination with at least two examiners.

You have the option of preparing your thesis as a monograph (one large volume in chapter form) or in publication format (including chapters written for publication), subject to the approval of your supervisors.

Location

You can study for your PhD in person here in Surrey on our Stag Hill campus or by distance learning online.

Research areas

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Research themes

Selected areas of current staff research are outlined below:

  • Actor training
  • Applied theatre
  • Disability and performance
  • Equality, diversity and inclusion in the arts
  • Musical theatre
  • Performance and cognitive science
  • Sceneography
  • Shakespeare.

Supervision of other subjects may be accommodated – please enquire with the Director of Postgraduate Research, Professor Robert Shaughnessy.

Research centres

Students dancing in studio

National Resource Centre for Dance

Image showing four people performing in a Shakespeare play

Surrey Shakespeare Centre

Theatrical Voice Research Centre

Academic staff

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See a full list of all our academic staff within the Guildford School of Acting (GSA).

Support and facilities

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Research support

The professional development of postgraduate researchers is supported by the Doctoral College, which provides training in essential skills through its Researcher Development Programme of workshops, mentoring and coaching. A dedicated postgraduate careers and employability team will help you prepare for a successful career after the completion of your PhD.

Facilities

You will benefit from first-class conservatoire facilities including a 200-seat theatre, 15 rehearsal studios, six performance studios, an art gallery, a design studio, digital media labs, and high-quality recording facilities.

The University Library also hosts the long-standing and internationally renowned National Resource Centre for Dance.

Entry requirements

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UK qualifications

For all our research degrees in performing arts, entry is based on a good honours degree and usually an MA in a relevant arts subject or appropriate professional experience.

Candidates submitting proposals that include practice-based research will be required to evidence appropriate experience and expertise in the relevant area of practice.

Country-specific qualifications

International students in the United Kingdom

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English language requirements

IELTS Academic: 6.5 or above (or equivalent) with 6.0 in each individual category.

These are the English language qualifications and levels that we can accept.

If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.

Selection process

Selection is based on applicants:

  • Meeting the expected entry requirements and providing all relevant documents including a satisfactory research proposal
  • Being shortlisted through the application screening process
  • Completing a successful interview
  • Providing suitable references.

Fees and funding

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Fees per year

Explore UKCISA's website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the list of fees for all postgraduate research courses.

* Please note: any start date other than September will attract a pro-rata fee for that year of entry (75 per cent for January, 50 per cent for April and 25 per cent for July).

Fee options

UK
£5,238
Overseas
£21,800
UK
£5,238
Overseas
£21,800
UK
£2,619
Overseas
£10,500
UK
£2,619
Overseas
£10,500
UK
£5,238
Overseas
£21,800
UK
£5,238
Overseas
£21,800
UK
£2,619
Overseas
£10,500
UK
£2,619
Overseas
£10,500
UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
£22,700
UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
£22,700
UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
£11,400
UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
£11,400
UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
£22,700
UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
£22,700
UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
£11,400
UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
£11,400
  • Annual fees will increase by 4% for each year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100 (subject to legal requirements).

Additional costs

There are additional costs that you can expect to incur when studying at Surrey.

Funding

A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate doctoral course.

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Application process

Applicants should contact potential supervisors before submitting an application via the website. Please refer to section two of our application guidance.

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Theatre PhD

Full-time, April 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 17 January 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Apply

Theatre PhD

Full-time with Distance Learning, April 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 17 January 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Apply

Theatre PhD

Part-time, April 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 17 January 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Apply

Theatre PhD

Part-time with Distance Learning, April 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 17 January 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Apply

Theatre PhD

Full-time, July 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Friday 16 April 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Apply

Theatre PhD

Full-time with Distance Learning, July 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Friday 16 April 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Apply

Theatre PhD

Part-time, July 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Friday 16 April 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Apply

Theatre PhD

Part-time with Distance Learning, July 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Friday 16 April 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Apply

Theatre PhD

Full-time, October 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 11 July 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Apply

Theatre PhD

Full-time with Distance Learning, October 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 11 July 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Apply

Theatre PhD

Part-time, October 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 11 July 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Apply

Theatre PhD

Part-time with Distance Learning, October 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 11 July 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Apply

Theatre PhD

Full-time, January 2028

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 10 October 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Apply

Theatre PhD

Full-time with Distance Learning, January 2028

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 10 October 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Apply

Theatre PhD

Part-time, January 2028

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 10 October 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Apply

Theatre PhD

Part-time with Distance Learning, January 2028

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 10 October 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Apply

After registration

Students are initially registered for a PhD with probationary status and, subject to satisfactory progress, subsequently confirmed as having PhD status.

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Code of practice for research degrees

Surrey’s postgraduate research code of practice sets out the University's policy and procedural framework relating to research degrees. The code defines a set of standard procedures and specific responsibilities covering the academic supervision, administration and assessment of research degrees for all faculties within the University.

Terms and conditions

When you accept an offer to study at the University of Surrey, you will be agreeing to follow our policies and procedures, student regulations, and terms and conditions.

We provide these terms and conditions at the offer stage. You will be asked to accept these when you accept the offer made to you. You will be provided with these terms and conditions again at registration by way of reminder.

Disclaimer

This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.

Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate; some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.