Applied Theatre: Community, Education, Wellbeing (Full-time) (MA)
MA Applied Theatre: Community, Education, Wellbeing is a postgraduate course designed for those passionate about using theatre and drama to make a difference in society. This course focuses on how participatory practice can be used in community, education, and wellbeing settings to create positive change. If you’re interested in exploring how theatre can be a tool for improving the lives of individuals and communities, this course could be for you.
Applied theatre is a modern concept in theatre history, referring to theatre and drama processes that are both participatory and purposeful. Unlike traditional theatre, where the audience is a passive observer, applied theatre involves active participation, aiming to bring about social, educational, and personal transformation. This type of theatre can be used in various contexts, from schools to community centres, hospitals to prisons, and theatres to homes.
Theatre for social change is a key focus, using theatre approaches to explore important issues like inequality, health, and education. Within this we address social justice, inclusivity and equity in applied theatre spaces and beyond with an exploration of critical facilitation approaches, ethical inquiry and power dynamics in creative spaces. Resulting in the development of work that has the potential to impact individual lives, communities and to influence wider social norms and cultural values.
The course is perfect for a range of students. If you’re a graduate in performing arts, education, or youth work, with a passion for social change, you’ll find this course especially relevant. It’s also ideal if you’re an emerging or experienced theatre practitioner looking to expand your skills and confidence in participatory settings and consolidate your work with deep reflective practice or a creative educator wanting to incorporate applied theatre approaches into your teaching.
You will engage with both theory and practice throughout the course, with opportunities to explore global theatre practices and inclusive theatre. You’ll gain the knowledge and skills to use theatre in ways that are socially conscious and aimed at making a positive impact on communities.
Course details
- On-campus
- Full-time
- English
- Bilingual
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
Our learning and teaching philosophy encourages autonomy and independence, allowing you to focus on your individual specialisms while also exploring new areas. With strong links to local and national organisations, the course culminates in the Major Applied Theatre Project, where you will develop a substantial project in your area of interest.
Throughout the course, you will engage in both theory and practice within applied theatre, focusing on how participatory and socially engaged theatre practices can create change in community, education, and wellbeing settings. You will experience masterclasses introducing you to a variety of applied theatre practices, take a deep dive into the role and practice of an applied theatre practitioner and have the opportunity to work with local organisations such as Hijinx Theatre, People Speak Up, and the Wales Arts Health and Wellbeing Network. The year concludes with your Major Applied Theatre Project, where you will independently develop a project that reflects your specialism and professional interests.
Compulsory
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 Credits)
(30 Credits)
(60 Credits)
Course Disclaimer
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The modules outlined above provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent academic teaching. We continuously review our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
You’ll typically complete 120 credits per year of study on a full-time course. For more information visit our Student Agreement.
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Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Further information
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Students will have had experience in the performing arts and/or participatory arts practice with an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject at 2:2 or above or will have extensive professional experience in a relevant field. In addition, all applicants are invited for an informal interview and/or workshop where they are expected to demonstrate appropriate engagement in a practical workshop.
2:2 honours degree 
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or UWTSD recognised equivalent.
Alternative entry routes 
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Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCert). This is the first part of the full Master’s degree.
Once you have successfully completed your PGCert studies, you will be eligible to progress for the remainder of the Master’s degree. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
These are ideal routes if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied this subject, or if you did not achieve the grades you need for a place on this degree. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Admissions Advice and Support 
For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
English language requirements 
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses.
Visa and funding requirements 
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For full information read our visa application and guides. â¶Ä¯â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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The aim of the assessments is to provide real and simulated applied theatre contexts to demonstrate learning. Assessment has been carefully balanced across the programme to ensure that there is a range of different ways for students to demonstrate their learning across the suite of modules. Assessments are portfolio based and these can include: presentations, project facilitation, workshop facilitation, written documentation, visual essays, live performance and reflective journals.
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Some modules in this course are available to study through the medium of Welsh either fully or partially. In all cases students will be able to submit written assessments through the medium of Welsh.
If you choose to study your course either fully or partially through the medium of Welsh, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships and bursaries to support you with your studies.
We are continuously reviewing our Welsh medium provision, the precise availability of modules will vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course offers modules available through the medium of Welsh this may vary from year to year, and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific Welsh medium modules cannot be guaranteed.
Extracurricular Welsh Opportunities
There are many ways to engage with Welsh culture and life at UWTSD, including joining clubs and societies for Welsh speakers and becoming a member of our vibrant Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol branch. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Opportunities to Learn Welsh
We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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Travel costs to projects and placement: Up to £300, mandatory
Laptop/personal computing equipment for assignments: Up to £500, necessarily incurred
Equipment for leading workshops: Up to £200, optional
All additional costs detailed in this section are indicative. It is recognised, for example, that the precise costs associated with a field trip could vary from year to year.
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You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.