10 reasons to study our MA in Shakespeare Studies
Here’s why our postgraduate Masters degree with King’s College London, taught in the heart of Shakespeare’s theatre district, is like no other
Looking to study Shakespeare, his life and times, and his extraordinary works at postgraduate level? Our unique MA Shakespeare Studies course, delivered in partnership with King’s College London, offers you the opportunity to study the theatrical world of Shakespeare and his contemporaries. Here are 10 reasons why our MA in Shakespeare is the best of the best.
Our MA in Shakespeare Studies offers an unparalleled insight into early modern playhouses, audiences and performance practices.
1. Unparalleled insight into early modern theatre practice
Our MA in Shakespeare Studies has a key focus on theatrical context and offers an unparalleled insight into early modern playhouses, audiences and performance practices through two core modules led at the Globe: Early Modern Playhouse Practice and Staging Shakespeare in Early Modern Playhouses.
2. Unique spaces
As part of these modules, you’ll have unrivaled access to London’s famous reconstructed early modern theatres, the Globe Theatre and the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. By using both theatres as primary learning tools or ‘laboratories’, you’ll have the opportunity to investigate the material fabric and social meaning of early modern theatres in the unique spaces themselves.
With two core modules taught at Shakespeare’s Globe, you’ll be at the heart of Shakespeare’s London.
3. Shakespeare’s London
You’ll also be at the heart of Shakespeare’s theatre district. Located only a stone’s throw away from the original sites of the Globe Theatre and Rose Playhouse, Shakespeare’s Globe proudly stands at the River’s edge on Bankside, with Rose Alley, Bear Gardens and the Ferryman’s Seat just around the corner.
4. Pioneering in-house Research team
We have our very own world-class Research team, headed by Professor Farah Karim-Cooper and Dr Will Tosh. Pioneers in their field, interests include early modern drama performance practice (both outdoors and indoors), Shakespearean theatre history, critical race studies, and the nature of friendship in Shakespeare’s England. Professor Karim-Cooper also curated our first and subsequent Shakespeare and Race festivals (the first was featured in The Vogue Edit, we’ll have you know…) and created the Scholars of Colour network in the UK.
5. …which you can join
Want to join our in-house Research team? Each year we offer part-time paid positions for Research Interns, who need to be enrolled on (or have) a masters-level degree. You’d conduct research and dramaturgical support for theatre productions; support the running of Research & Education events; conduct interviews with actors, directors and creative staff; support research projects; plus have a byline on our website through contributing articles and stories to our blog.
6. A treasure trove of archive materials
Explore the treasures of our Library & Archive and our collection of rare books, archive material and special collections. Our Library specialises in Shakespeare, theatre, performance and early modern studies and includes the The Canadian Library and The John Gielgud Collection. Our Archive documents the history of Shakespeare’s Globe through three distinct collections: the Performance Archive containing programmes, prompt books, wardrobe notes, photographs, musical scores, show reports and posters, plus film recordings from previous productions, the Institutional Archive chronicling the reconstruction of our theatres and history, and the Collected Archives comprising architectural plans, project files and correspondence between individuals and organisations associated with the Globe.
Our Library & Archive houses a collection of rare books, archive material and special collections.
7. A world-leading university
King’s College London is ranked in the top 10 UK universities in the world, enjoys a high reputation and has cutting edge facilities, and is internationally renowned for its research and teaching faculty.
8. …with its own Centre for excellence
King’s is also home to the London Shakespeare Centre, headed by Professor Gordon McMullan. As well as devoting itself to the research, learning and teaching of Shakespeare and early modern drama, the Centre also hosts a series of events, workshops and international conferences throughout the year, both onsite and with key cultural and creative organisations.
King’s College London is a world-leading university, located in the heart of the UK’s capital.
9. Location location location
London was voted the world’s best student city in 2019, and is home to world-class galleries, the best libraries, academic resources, museums, theatres, restaurants and nightlife. You’ll never find yourself with nothing to do in our vibrant capital.
10. Climb the career ladder
What about life after the MA? The world is your oyster. Our recent graduates have gone on to study PhDs at King’s and other renowned universities both in the UK and worldwide, and subsequently to jobs in academia. Others are using the skills they developed with us in careers in the arts – at our very own Globe, the National Theatre, the Barbican, English National Opera, the British Library, and for publishers in the UK and US.
FINIS.
Our MA in Shakespeare Studies is a unique collaboration with King’s College London, and offers a truly unparalleled experience for students of Shakespeare. Discover more and how to apply.
Have a question or would like to discuss our MA further? Email our Higher Education team and we’ll be happy to help.
