Theatre PhD

Brunel University of London, London, United Kingdom

Official Website

Shortlist

36 monthsProgramme duration

22,320 GBPTuition Fee/year

17 Jul, 2026Application Deadline

Performing ArtsMain Subject Area

Shortlist

Programme overview

Main Subject

Performing Arts

Degree

PhD

Study Level

PHD

Study Mode

On Campus

Theatre research programme at Brunel University London benefits from a dedicated performance centre, sitting at the heart of our creative community and housing a fully equipped main theatre and studio theatre as well as rehearsal and recording studios. Our proximity to central London allows you to engage with an exciting range of performance practices and venues as well.

Theatre embraces an expanding research environment which advances a transdisciplinary vision connecting artistic performance, dance, spoken, physical and musical theatre, playwriting, digital art, and performance design, along with critical cultural performance and postcolonial studies.

The Theatre team's research activities are organised around several key areas of contemporary performance and involve staff participation in a number of high profile research projects:

Physical theatre/dance, embodiment and performative relations with experimental poetry and writing practice
Performances of the body and experimental performance, interconnecting theatre and performance studies, anthropology, sociology, and gender studies
Intersections of bodies, cultures and identities in intercultural performance (including dance, critical race theory and contemporary South Asian dance)
The use of the voice in writing and experimental writing by women
Street theatre, British alternative theatre history, musical theatre, and intersections of gender and sexuality
Commemorative practices, spectatorship and public performance of collective identity in times of social change
Digital performance and digital cultures, and the intersections of interactive media technologies with immersive performance, wearable design, and digital scenographies
Neuroaesthetics and the aesthetic potential of digitized technology for performance (artificial intelligence, motion capture, 3D modelling and animation, biotechnology)

Find out about the exciting research we do in this area. Browse profiles of our experts, discover the research groups and their inspirational research activities you too could be part of. We’ve also made available extensive reading materials published by our academics and PhD students.

Programme overview

Main Subject

Performing Arts

Degree

PhD

Study Level

PHD

Study Mode

On Campus

The Theatre team's research activities are organised around several key areas of contemporary performance and involve staff participation in a number of high profile research projects:

Physical theatre/dance, embodiment and performative relations with experimental poetry and writing practice
Performances of the body and experimental performance, interconnecting theatre and performance studies, anthropology, sociology, and gender studies
Intersections of bodies, cultures and identities in intercultural performance (including dance, critical race theory and contemporary South Asian dance)
The use of the voice in writing and experimental writing by women
Street theatre, British alternative theatre history, musical theatre, and intersections of gender and sexuality
Commemorative practices, spectatorship and public performance of collective identity in times of social change
Digital performance and digital cultures, and the intersections of interactive media technologies with immersive performance, wearable design, and digital scenographies
Neuroaesthetics and the aesthetic potential of digitized technology for performance (artificial intelligence, motion capture, 3D modelling and animation, biotechnology)

Admission Requirements

TOEFL

90+

PTE Academic

59+

IELTS

6.5+

The general University entrance requirement for registration for a research degree is normally a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree (1st or 2:1). An interview will be required as part of the admissions process and will be conducted by at least two academic staff members remotely via MS Teams, Zoom, or face to face. Applicants will be required to submit a personal statement and a research statement.

Application Deadline

17 Jul 2026

Program Duration

3 Years

Starting Month(s)

Jan

Starting Month(s)

Apr

Candidates are required to submit references or letter(s) of recommendation for acceptance

Candidates are required to submit an essay(s) for acceptance

Domestic

Starts from

5,006 GBP

International

Starts from

22,320 GBP

Scholarships

Selecting the right scholarship can be a daunting process. With countless options available, students often find themselves overwhelmed and confused. The decision can be especially stressful for those facing financial constraints or pursuing specific academic or career goals.

To help students navigate this challenging process, we recommend the following articles:

Brunel University of London, London, United Kingdom

36 monthsProgramme duration

22,320 GBPTuition Fee/year

17 Jul, 2026Application Deadline

Performing ArtsMain Subject Area

Programme overview

Main Subject

Degree

Study Level

Study Mode

Programme overview

Main Subject

Degree

Study Level

Study Mode

Admission Requirements

Exam Scores

Important Dates

Application

Tuition Fee

Domestic

International

Scholarships

Scholarships

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