Applied Theatre Professional Doctorate (PT)

Professional doctorates take explicit account of the professional practice-base of the candidate and integrate this as a central knowledge base for an advanced research project. Professional doctorates reflect the need for structured forms of professional development and reflective practice across the arts sector. The programme aims to develop dynamic and interactive knowledge practices and outcomes that will have an impact across academic and non-academic contexts. It will support the development of reflective practice that can respond to and influence the complex, unpredictable and shifting social and cultural contexts within which practitioners operate.

The programme introduces practitioners to a range of dynamic and challenging concepts and methods with which to reflect critically and constructively on their professional practice. The programme will be taught within a learning environment and methodology informed by the principles of reflective practice, action or practice-based research and enquiry based learning. This pedagogical approach enables students' professional context to become a primary research resource.

Students will receive individual supervision from an academic supervisor with a specialism related to their field of research as well as opportunities to develop reflective enquiry into practice via group-based learning exercises with other practitioners at two long residential weekends per year. All teaching and supervision will be led by applied theatre staff. This approach to teaching and learning supports interdisciplinary research and high levels of engagement and interaction between academic knowledge, policy imperatives and practical applications.

Academic entry qualification overview:

Successful completion of a Masters course with an overall classification of Merit or higher, or its overseas equivalent, with an element of research training, is a prerequisite for entry to a PhD. A research proposal must be included with the formal application materials. 

English language:

Students whose first language is not English require:

an overall IELTS score of 7.0 with 7.0 in the writing component

or

a TOEFL score of 600 paper-based test, 250 computer-based test, or 100 internet-based test

or

a Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 70 overall with 70 in the writing component

Some English language test results are only valid for two years. Your English language test report must be valid on the start date of your programme

Professional entry qualification:

Evidence of a competent level of professional expertise in one or more contexts relevant to applied theatre (arts, education, criminal justice, health, museums and heritage sites, children/youth/community work, international development). Professional experience must be equivalent to at least 36 months continuous employment. Candidates without a Masters degree must demonstrate evidence of a competent level of professional experience equivalent to at least 48 months continuous employment.

We recommend all research applicants to attempt to find a suitable supervisor here at Manchester by searching the subject area of interest to you and looking at their staff list. 

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE DO NOT TEACH EVENING CLASSES OR OFFER DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES.

After considering your writing sample, applicants will be invited to attend an interview with two applied theatre staff. Interviews will be structured around questions exploring professional experience, motivations for study and openness to critical consideration of professional practice. Interviews will help to confirm applicants' sense of critical inquiry and readiness to undertake the programme.

Students will receive six individual supervisions a year. Taught units will be facilitated via two long residential weekends annually (Thursday 9am - Sunday midday, to take place each September and April). Each residential will be planned and delivered by at least two applied theatre staff, with invited guest input when and where appropriate.

After completion of the first 12 months of study each student will be assigned a `professional mentor'. The professional mentor will be a reputable, competent and experienced professional in a field related to the candidate's practice-based research. The professional mentor will be selected by programme staff in liaison with the student.

Progress will be monitored primarily via individual supervisions. The key milestones are represented by the assessment for each stage of the process. These are:

Year 1: literature review and research essay (12,000 words in total)

Year 2: conference paper and publishable article (6-8000 words)

Year 3: research proposal and portfolio of reflective practice (12,000 words in total)

Year 4-6: individual targets appropriate to the completion of the thesis research

Year 6: thesis of 40-45,000 words or practical outcome accompanied by 20-45,000 word dissertation.  

The programme is structured on the basis that the most suitable pathway is the part-time route. However, there is a negotiable full-time route in special cases (which may be more desirable, for example, for students who have accessed funding to support an extended break from the profession, or for retired professionals). Full-time students will have 12 individual supervisions per year, twice-yearly `research panels¿ and access to additional support at residential long weekends to ensure that they can meet key milestones.

School of Arts, Languages and Cultures

See: About us

Telephone: +44 (0) 161 275 3559

Facsimile: +44 (0) 161 275 3031

Email: PhDSALC@manchester.ac.uk

Website: www.alc.manchester.ac.uk/subjects/drama/postgraduateresearch/research/