Postgraduate Performance Courses Brochure 2021

POSTG RAD UATE COU R S E S

PERFORMANCE

Postgraduate study at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) is your opportunity to go further in your knowledge and your career. You can become a specialist, explore the frontier of your subject area with leading researchers, gain accreditation or change trajectory.

DMU’s Faculty of Arts, Design and Humanities brings together leading research, award-winning work, and innovation in many of the university’s creative disciplines. Our courses are designed with employability in mind, ensuring you gain the skills and experience relevant for today’s competitive job market.

DMU is proud to be recognised as a university ranked Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework. This achievement recognises the outstanding teaching from our passionate and enthusiastic academics who are acclaimed experts in their fields.

Simon Bradbury Pro Vice-Chancellor International Dean Faculty of Arts, Design and Humanities

Performance Practices MA

The School of Humanities and Performing Arts is home to innovative and sector-leading courses that are focused around the practical application of knowledge and informed by partnerships with the creative and cultural industries.

You will be taught by academics with unique specialisms who are active researchers in their field, and our postgraduate community will nurture your curiosity and creativity as you develop your skills and passions. Our course will equip you with a range of transferable skills that prepare you for your future. You will have access to state of the art performance facilities as you explore your ideas, discover research pathways and develop your artform.

Postgraduate study in performance is an ideal stepping stone for research at PhD level or a career in teaching, directing, choreography and event curation.

Visit our website to find out more about studying a postgraduate course at DMU including our range of courses, scholarships, events and much more: dmu.ac.uk/gofurther

POSTG RAD UATE COU R S E S

Teaching Excellence Framework

Performance Practices MA Investigate the creative and critical contexts of performance, while developing the theoretical knowledge and research skills relevant to contemporary performance practices. You will be taught by our internationally recognised artists and scholars, who will support you in achieving your goals. Whether you aim to become a teacher or performer, start your own company, or pursue further study, our MA will allow you to gain reallife experience through a range of opportunities within the sector, thanks to our links with local and national organisations.

MODULES

TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT

Core modules

In your first two terms you will normally attend around three to eight hours of timetabled taught sessions hours, depending on your choice of optional modules in term two, including lectures, tutorials and studio sessions each week. You will be expected to undertake at least 27-32 hours of independent study each week. Your third term will be predominantly self-directed, including meetings with your supervisor, during which you can expect to undertake 35 hours of independent study each week. Part-time study is normally undertaken on a half-time basis.

• Performance Company • Research into Performance • Perspectives • Performance Making Optional modules • Negotiated Study • Digital Media in Festivals and Events • Cultural Policy and Planning • Major Project or Work Based Project

The course ensures you have an advanced understanding of current research across a range of theoretical and practical fields and is delivered from both scholarly and practical perspectives.

You will be taught through a range of teaching, learning and assessment modes by an energetic, research-active team with international profiles in their specialist field. Specialist research areas include performance practices and theory, writing for performance, psychodynamic performance,

improvisation, interactive technologies, pedagogy, and solo/collaborative performance making, all of which shape the content and delivery of the programme. The diversity of assessment includes practice-based work, written assignments, oral presentations and viva voces. There is an increasing emphasis on autonomous learning throughout the modules.

EMPLOYABILITY Our MA will develop your knowledge in the performance arts, as well as in communication, research and presentation. On completion of the programme you will be equipped to pursue a range of careers in the field of performance practices and the creative industries, as well as further academic study. Many of our graduates build careers as independent artists and freelance choreographers, or land roles with creative companies and arts organisations, such as marketing and communications manager for UK Young Artists, associate director at the Lichfield Garrick Theatre, choreographer at MoveOn Dance Fusion and drama coach at Berzerk Productions.

Modules and course details are subject to change. For the most up-to-date course information, a full list of modules, course duration and entry requirements visit: dmu.ac.uk/performancepractices

KEY INFORMATION Duration: One year full-time, two years part-time.

Start Date: September English language requirements: IELTS 6.0 including 5.5 in each band or equivalent.

Entry requirements: You should have the equivalent or above of a 2:2 UK bachelor’s honours degree in a related subject, such as Dance, Drama or Performing Arts.

If you have other professional qualifications and industry experience we will consider your application on an individual basis.

CASE STUDY

Aundre's performance called Vinigger Strokes; a practical exploration of Joy Degruy’s theory of Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome.

Aundre Goddard Drama BA (Hons) and Performance Practices MA graduate “Choosing DMU was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life. The Drama community was amazing and the modules provided me with the building blocks for what I’m doing in my career now.

The lecturers draw out the latent curiosity that you have to explore, experiment and try new things – it’s been amazing. Since leaving university, I’ve started working as a drama coach at Berzerk Productions.

We create and run our own classes for students and everything I learnt at university I have been able to apply to my career. I’ve also joined a dance class to see how movement can be applied to my practice, and from that I contacted a local café about hiring a space where like-minded creatives can come together and share their ideas regarding dance, movement, chorus movement and physical theatre. I wouldn’t be able to do any of this if I hadn’t studied at De Montfort University.”

Vinigger Strokes As part of his MA, Aundre created a performance called Vinigger Strokes, which was a practical exploration of Joy Degruy’s theory of Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome.

“Blackface performance has left a legacy of ownership over Black culture that is rooted in slavery.

The residual effects of distorting Black identity has found its way into popular culture and the Black body has inherited these unwanted stereotypes- a caricature that is a fool, inferior or unintelligent. As a result, racist encounters under the guise of comical banter can leave an individual traumatised when considering why such events took place. This is what happened in my case and this piece is in response to that.

Vinigger Strokes contends these representations while acknowledging its influential tether. This is in a bid to reclaim ownership over one’s self. It explores the effects minstrelsy has had on Black identity by presenting the ‘Black savage’. This performance works through that awkward past in the hope of connecting in a way conventional dialogue cannot.”

Facilities Recognised nationally as a centre for excellence in performance arts, DMU boasts outstanding courses, teaching and facilities. Our PACE building provides sector-leading studios, rehearsal rooms and fully equipped performance spaces.

All of our spaces can be transformed to turn your ideas into a reality. Your creative work is supported by expert technicians and you can book rehearsal space and equipment such as digital video cameras, sound recording equipment and editing suites. Our studio theatres are multi-disciplinary performance spaces fully equipped to support livedigital work. Located on the top floor of the PACE building, our dance studios feature sprung floors, mirrors and barres.

Take a look at our stunning showcase of the PACE building and facilities at: dmu.ac.uk/perform

DMU Global DMU Global is our innovative international experience programme which aims to enrich your studies and expand your cultural horizons, helping you to become a global graduate, equipped to meet the needs of employers across the world.

Through DMU Global, we offer a wide range of opportunities for you to study, work and volunteer overseas as part of your degree. These opportunities can be directly linked to your programme of study.

We also offer a range of international experiences right here on campus and in the UK where students can participate in a variety of opportunities.

DMU is also currently offering online opportunities offered in partnership with global organisations.

Previous opportunities include, international online networking events, public speaking workshops, cultural discussions and e-language learning sessions.

Check out some of our student experience stories here: dmuglobal.com/student-stories

Postgraduate support

Fees and funding

Studying a postgraduate course at DMU will help you to go further in your knowledge and career as you develop your specialisms and express your passion for your subject area. As part of the DMU family, you will be supported at every stage in ensuring you achieve your dreams and make the most of your postgraduate journey.

Funding your studies is an important part of the decision-making process when considering postgraduate study. Our tuition fees are available on our course pages and you can find out the most up up-to-date information on fees and funding options on dmu.ac.uk/pgfunding

library.dmu.ac.uk/class/pg

DMU Works We want to help you develop skills that are based on real-world experience. Our dedicated careers and employability team, DMU Works, are on hand to support you with finding placements, volunteering opportunities, CV writing skills, research opportunities and much more. dmu.ac.uk/dmuworks

Healthy DMU Our Healthy DMU initiative supports your university experience to ensure you have a healthy, happy and productive time here. Healthy DMU masterclasses will support you in mindfulness, managing pressure and building confidence. These skills are especially helpful to our mature student body of more than 2,600 people, who may be returning to education after some time away. dmu.ac.uk/healthy

POSTGRADUATE MASTER’S LOANS Postgraduate Master’s loans are available from the UK government for new postgraduate taught and research Master’s students to help fund your course and living costs. Loans are available to full-time, part-time and distance learning students.

To find out if you are eligible for a loan, please visit gov.uk/masters-loan

DMU SCHOLARSHIPS Course-specific scholarships, Sports scholarships and alumni scholarships may be available, so check on our website to see what is currently on offer and the eligibility criteria. We also offer a number of tuition fee discounts and country specific scholarships for international students who wish to study a postgraduate course at DMU, please visit dmu.ac.uk/pgfees

How to Apply UK STUDENTS

EU/INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH

To apply to study a postgraduate course (full-time or part-time) you should complete an online postgraduate application form and email it to admissions@dmu.ac.uk or apply via the DMU Online Portal.

If you’re an EU or overseas student, you can apply through one of two options:

To apply for a research degree (PhD, MPhil, MSc/ MA by Research, DBA) you are required to apply via our online admissions portal. As part of your application you must submit the below documents:

If possible, you should submit the following documents with your application form:

• Alternatively, you can download and fill out our free application form and return it to our Admissions team by emailing admissions@dmu.ac.uk

• Two current references on official headed paper or from a professional email address (these can be work or academic references and must be signed and recently dated) • Copies of academic transcripts • Copies of degree/diploma certificates • Personal statement To download the application form or access the DMU Online Portal, visit dmu.ac.uk/pgapply

• Apply to study a postgraduate course (full-time or part-time) online via the DMU Online Portal

You’ll need to prepare the following documents to submit along with your application form: • Two current references on official headed paper or from a professional email address (this can be a work or academic reference and must be signed and recently dated) • Copies of academic transcripts • Copies of degree/diploma certificates • A copy of your passport • A copy of your English language certificate To access the DMU Online Portal or download the application form visit: dmu.ac.uk/international/apply

• Your written research proposal so that we can fully assess whether our expertise, facilities and supervisory capacity can support your research needs • Scanned copies of your most relevant academic certificates and transcripts • Two academic references that are dated within the last two years • Applicants who require evidence of their English language qualifications will need to provide an IELTS certificate (no older than two years) or a copy of a degree from a majority English speaking country (dated within the last five years).

If using an IELTS certificate, you must have a minimum overall score of 6.5 with no less than 5.5 in each component • A scanned copy of your passport For further information about writing a research proposal or applying for a research degree, please contact the Doctoral College at pgradmissions@dmu.ac.uk For further information about writing a research proposal and access to our online admissions portal visit dmu.ac.uk/doctoral

To chat to academics and students and learn more about studying a postgraduate course at DMU, visit our website and see if we have any upcoming events: dmu.ac.uk/gofurther dmu.ac.uk/pgevents dmu.ac.uk/chatwithastudent dmu.ac.uk/discover-dmu

De Montfort University The Gateway Leicester LE1 9BH, UK T: +44 (0)116 2 50 60 70

0797 0655 800 E: enquiry@dmu.ac.uk W: dmu.ac.uk

The content of this document is correct at the time of going to press. You are advised to check our website before making an application in case there are any changes to the course you are interested in, as the contents of the website will always take precedence.

In light of Covid-19 we may need to make some changes to the way we deliver your teaching.

Alternative formats Where possible, DMU publications or specific sections can be supplied in alternative media.

For further information, please contact the Enquiry team on +44 (0)116 2 50 60 70 or email enquiry@dmu.ac.uk