My supervisors are enthusiastic. They care about my development as a scholar and are ambitious for the field of research. They excite my critical thinking, and have always offered professional guidance when needed
Dance at Surrey provides postgraduate researchers with a supportive and collegiate research experience within our conservatoire, the Guildford School of Acting (GSA).
Our research programme in Dance prepares you for success at each stage of your PhD project development. The structure is designed to provide intensive graduate preparation for a future career and is suitable for either part-time or full-time candidates. Completion of the programme entails submission of a thesis, the submission of practice if undertaking a practice-based PhD, and an oral viva with external examiners.
The research activity in GSA at Surrey is supported through our new Institute of Performance. The institute acts as the conservatoire’s research hub providing the base for all our postgraduate research and training. This includes regular research seminars with visiting speakers as well as bespoke training sessions on academic skills. The institute also hosts our Centre for Performance Philosophy that fosters innovative and creative research.
PhD researchers on all programmes in GSA can expect three levels of research training and support:
As a research conservatoire, we are fully equipped to offer dedicated time and support to practice research experiments and practical modes of knowledge enquiry. We welcome proposals that will result in an c.80,000 word thesis or a practice research curated portfolio.
Selected areas of current staff research are outlined below, but supervision of other subjects may be accommodated – please enquire with the Director of Postgraduate Research:
Our conservatoire facilities include a 200-seat theatre, 15 rehearsal-studios, 6 performance-studios, an art gallery, design studio, digital media labs, and high-quality recording facilities. The university library also hosts the longstanding and internationally renowned National Resource Centre for Dance.
As a member of the TECHNE Doctoral Training Partnership, our highest quality students may be eligible to apply for Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) studentships (stipend and fee waiver).
Faculty studentships are also available for top-quality students, covering tuition fees and maintenance at current research-council rates for full-time or part-time study. Please see the Faculty studentships webpage for further information.
Before you submit your formal application form, please contact a potential supervisor or our Director of Postgraduate Research.
Once you have found an appropriate supervisor, please make contact with them to discuss your proposal. You should then proceed to completing and submitting your formal application form.
Before completing your application, please get in touch with the relevant department to discuss your proposed area of research – see below for contact details.
PhD
October, January, April, July
For all our research degrees in performing arts, entry is on the basis of 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. Students are initially registered for a PhD with probationary status and, subject to satisfactory progress, are subsequently confirmed as having PhD status.
View entry requirements by country
Non-native speakers of English will normally be required to have IELTS 6.5 or above (or equivalent) with 6.0 in each individual category.
We offer intensive English language pre-sessional courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
| Study mode | UK/EU fees | Overseas fees |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £4195 | £16,000 |
| Part-time | £2100 | £8,000 |
Please note these fees are for the academic year 2017/18 only. All fees are subject to annual review.
Overseas students applying for 2017 entry should please note that annual fees will rise by four per cent (rounded up to the nearest £100) for each year of study.
Our Doctoral College supports researcher excellence and employability across the doctoral and early career stages of the researcher journey.
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.
Download the code of practice for research degrees (PDF).
Research Bidding Leader, Director of Digital World Research Centre, Professor of Interaction Design
Professor of Sociology
Reader
Senior Lecturer in Film Studies
Professor of Cinema Studies
Reader in Digital Media Arts, Subject Leader, DMA Admissions Tutor
Head of GSA, Acting Head of Department of Theatre & Dance
Senior Lecturer in Dance and Theatre
Professor of Theatre and Performance
Senior Lecturer in Theatre Studies
Programme Leader for MA Musical Theatre
The Department of Music and Media runs a variety of musical ensembles including an orchestra, choir and chamber choir. You could also join one of the Students' Union arts societies such as the musical theatre society, big band or gospel choir.
"For me, the core of Surrey is the amazing people it has attracted into my two areas, the Digital World Research Centre and the School of Arts, where I study theatre and performance."
"My supervisor understands what it is to be a composer and researcher. He offers good advice."
