Ranking
Top 30
QS World Rankings 2024
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Course overview
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.
Course structure
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.
Course highlights
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.
- Take part in exclusive workshops from the RSC while learning from our academics specialising in Shakespeare studies.
- Access all the resources you need at our Shakespeare Institute including a library and study spaces.
- Go beyond the classroom and explore using Shakespeare for public engagement by producing your own creative response to his work.
- The University of Birmingham is ranked in the Top 30 for English Literature and Linguistics (QS World University Rankings 2024).
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.
One of a kind
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.
Course delivery
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.
- Taught modules - each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework and assignment preparation.
- Seminars – modules are mainly taught by small group teaching.
- Dissertation – you'll undertake a 12,000-word dissertation or a practice-based dissertation.
Facilities
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.
Module information
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 for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
2025/26 Session
The following must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| LM Research Skills and Methods | 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.
Entry requirements
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.
- 2:1 Honours Degree
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 5,000 character personal statement to indicate your creative potential and reflect on your existing creative work. Your statement should address the following research questions:
- What were/are the objectives of the piece of work, and why did you choose these objectives?
- What obstacles did you encounter in producing this creative work? How might these have been avoided?
- What tradition does this piece of creative work belong to?
- What critical conversations does your creative work contribute to and what are your contributions?
- What are the implications of this creative work for your future works?
- How does your work impact the field of Shakespeare studies?
All prospective students must also submit a 2,000-word writing sample about Shakespeare, his contemporaries, or work adapted from/based on Shakespeare.
If you don’t have an existing piece of writing to submit, you can use a short passage of up to 60 lines from any Shakespeare play and write an essay of around 2,000 words which discusses the performance possibilities of your chosen extract and how it contributes to the play as a whole.
You'll need to provide this to us when you make your application or within two weeks of submitting your application to us. If this is not provided in the stated timeframe then your application may be declined.
Your application must also be supported by two letters of recommendation, either from academics or equivalent authorities from creative industries as appropriate.
English language requirements
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.
For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:
- TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
- Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
- LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill
English Presessional Programmes
Improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham with our pre-sessional English courses. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications.
Fees and scholarships
- £10,900
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.
Paying your tuition fees
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.
Postgraduate Masters Loan
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.
Scholarships
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.
Birmingham Masters Scholarships
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.
Application process
To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.
- 29 August 2025
Application deadline for UK and non visa requiring applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.
We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
Career opportunities
By studying a postgraduate degree in Shakespeare Studies at Birmingham, you’ll develop transferable skills suited to a range of career paths. These skills include creative thinking, the ability to work independently and analyse information, plus strong written and verbal communication skills.
Our Shakespeare graduates enter many roles, including:
- Secondary School Teacher
- Music and Drama Lead
- School Librarian
Employers our Shakespeare graduates have worked for include:
- The Royal Shakespeare Company
- Local schools
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.
Careers Network
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.