Do you want to explore what Shakespeare means in today's world? Immerse yourself in Shakespeare's works and learn from expert academics at our Shakespeare Institute. You'll also get to work with theatre practitioners at the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) as part of our unique collaboration.
Pursue your creativity and your passion for Shakespeare and experience the thrill of producing your own creative response to his poetry and plays. This course is ideal for any aspiring academic, actor, writer, or director looking to explore Shakespeare from perspectives like academic research, theatre performances and public engagement.
Open to UK and international students for our full-time MA Shakespeare programmes. The scholarship offers a £5,000 tuition-fee reduction along with a tailored support package for professional and personal development. Applications close on 30 May 2025.
The course runs over 12 months full-time.
September - December (11 weeks)
Students take three modules per term in the first two terms.
There are two hours of seminar time per module per week, and an emphasis on guided independent learning.
One-third of your degree is your dissertation. You begin planning and submit a proposal for your dissertation during term one.
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Where better to study Shakespeare than in the heart of his hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon? You'll have our Shakespeare Institute, RSC theatres and other local Shakespeare organisations all on your doorstep. Teaching on the MA includes content from the RSC, Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, and the Library of Birmingham's Shakespeare collection.
Course blends academic study and creativity in exciting new ways to foster innovative methods of theatre and learning.
Be inspired by theatre practitioners and work with RSC artists on multiple projects and modules.
Join a welcoming community at the Shakespeare Institute where you can take part in seminars, postgraduate conferences and social activities.
On this unique course, you'll study everything from the history of Shakespeare in society to literary criticism and theatre practices. You'll be encouraged and challenged to consider new approaches to Shakespeare in the present day.
Re-imagine Shakespeare's texts for the modern world with exclusive opportunities to work with RSC artists on the Shakespeare Ensemble and Shakespeare in Society modules.
Showcase your own creative response to Shakespeare's work and deliver public engagement activities at the RSC.
Hear more about studying at Birmingham. Chat to one of our friendly postgraduate students to get their thoughts on our courses, stunning campus and life in a vibrant and cultural city.
At Birmingham, research and teaching go hand-in-hand. Lecturers and professors continue to research in their field, offering valuable expertise in Shakespeare studies.
You'll produce academic essays and creative work.
You'll also attend weekly Thursday Seminars at The Shakespeare Institute during term-time. The seminars feature papers presented by a range of established visiting scholars as well as University of Birmingham academics.
If you study the MA Shakespeare on campus, you'll study and live in Stratford-upon-Avon with easy access to our Shakespeare Institute. There are a range of facilities available for you at the Institute, from the dedicated Shakespeare library and study spaces, to a tranquil garden. Find out more about our facilities and life at The Shakespeare Institute and access a virtual tour.
Our collaboration with the RSC means you may also get to use their facilities for your creative responses, such as The Other Place studio theatre.
The programme comprises 120 credits of taught modules and a 60-credit dissertation. Modules run for one term, and each module involves a two-hour weekly seminar which you’ll need to attend.
The modules listed below are an indication only and may be subject to change. Occasionally, it may be necessary to make changes to modules, for example, to ensure they remain current and relevant.
As a research-intensive University, our teaching is informed by the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff. For more information on the circumstances in which the University may need to make changes to modules, please refer to the Terms and Conditions for applicants.
The following must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| LM Research Skills in Shakespeare | 20 |
| LM Shakespeare in Society | 20 |
| LM The Shakespeare Ensemble | 20 |
Students should choose one of the following research project modules:
| Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| LM Dissertation (Shakespeare) | 60 |
| LM Practice-based Dissertation | 60 |
Students should choose three option modules from those available.
An indicative list of modules is provided below.
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
in English or a related subject
You should have, or expect to get, a 2:1 Honours degree in English or a related subject, or you’ll need relevant professional experience instead.
If you don't have the required academic background, you can study our Fall in with Shakespeare or Spring into Shakespeare short course before applying for the MA. Completing one of the short courses can be used instead of a 2:1 Honours degree as entry onto the MA Shakespeare with Creativity.
If you're applying based on your professional experience, you'll need to document your experience in a portfolio. This needs to catalogue and contextualise your work (e.g. catalogue of a recent art installation, actor’s CV, transcript giving indication of professional training, web-based archive of recent work, folio of published poems, etc.). In your application, you should use the 5000 character personal statement to indicate your creative potential and reflect on your existing creative work. Your statement should address the following research questions:
We may also require you to submit a writing sample of approximately 2000 words about Shakespeare, his contemporaries, or work adapted from/based on Shakespeare, but this will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
Your application must also be supported by two letters of recommendation, either from academics or equivalent authorities from creative industries as appropriate.
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.
For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:
If you have a conditional offer for Birmingham where English is a requirement, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. We offer on-campus courses all year round starting from September including additional online courses in the summer term. Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.
The University tuition fee covers the cost of your tuition, supervision, assessment and includes membership to the Guild of Students.
Full-time
We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.
The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.
Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.
Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.
International students undertaking a postgraduate taught degree are required to pay a tuition fee deposit before an electronic Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) can be issued.
To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
We’re offering a number of £5,000 scholarships to full-time students commencing their studies on our MA Shakespeare or MA Shakespeare and Creativity programme in September 2025.
We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.
To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
Application deadline for UK and non visa requiring applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.
Find out how to apply to our postgraduate taught programmes. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
By studying a postgraduate degree in Shakespeare and Creativity at Birmingham, you’ll develop transferable skills suited to a range of career paths.
These skills include creative thinking, creative practice, the ability to work independently and as part of a group, and analyse information, plus strong written and verbal communication skills.
Our Shakespeare graduates enter many roles, including:
Employers our Shakespeare graduates have worked for include:
The University is the top choice for the UK's major employers searching for graduate recruits.
The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers report.
Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique.
Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations.
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.
Find out why we are the most targeted UK university by top graduate employers (High Fliers report, The Graduate Market 2024) by meeting some of our successful alumni.
Where better to study the life and works of Shakespeare than his hometown, Stratford-upon-Avon?
You’ll study at the Shakespeare Institute in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon. Its historic rooms and gardens buzz with play readings, theatrical experiments and all sorts of other Shakespeare-inspired activity. Only a few minutes’ walk from the Royal Shakespeare Company, one of the best-known theatre companies in the world, you’ll have the opportunity to live and breathe Shakespeare.
Most of our students choose to live in Stratford-upon-Avon rather than Birmingham to fully immerse themselves in the Shakespeare experience. There are several types of accommodation available to rent in Stratford including flats, houses, bedsits and shared houses.
An attractive market town with over 800 years history, Stratford-upon-Avon blends heritage, culture, theatre, arts and gardens along with a thriving community offering a wide variety of leisure and shopping experiences. You’ll be 50 minutes from Birmingham and 1 hour 40 minutes from London via train.
Our collaboration with the Royal Shakespeare Company brings together world leading scholars, artists and students. From productions and use of rehearsal space to Q&A and practical workshop sessions with professional theatre-makers, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of a world renowned theatre company and take a peek in to the behind-the-scenes operation.
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to all of our students, both before you start and throughout your time on campus, so that you can get the most out of your university experience.
Explore the Shakespeare Institute from wherever you are. Navigate through the library, gardens, music hall, seminar rooms and main hall.
