Contemporary Pantomime Practice MA

UCAS code

Duration

13 Months

2 Years

Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Study the first ever Masters level qualification that offers research and practical study in Contemporary Pantomime Practice.

For 26/27 entry.

Developed in association with Wilkes Academy, and supported by the UK's leading pantomime producers, the emphasis of this MA is strongly vocational, allowing for formal industry ‘training’ and careers networking through placements and work experience.

Through the MA Contemporary Pantomime Practice, you will negotiate hyper-personalised learning routes, to develop your skillset in areas of pantomime practice you want to advance and explore in your practical study and training.

What's more, you will then work with established industry professionals and pantomime experts in workshops and rehearsals to explore these. These may include stock character conventions; audience participation and direct address; slapstick, comic routines and topicality; music, orchestration and sound; movement and choreography; the use of magic, transformation and illusion; scenography and design etc.

You will be taught by professionals with real-world experience in the theatre industry, using the fantastic studio spaces and workshop facilities at our award-winning institution. 

For 26/27 entry.

Developed in association with Wilkes Academy, and supported by the UK's leading pantomime producers, the emphasis of this MA is strongly vocational, allowing for formal industry ‘training’ and careers networking through placements and work experience.

Through the MA Contemporary Pantomime Practice, you will negotiate hyper-personalised learning routes, to develop your skillset in areas of pantomime practice you want to advance and explore in your practical study and training.

What's more, you will then work with established industry professionals and pantomime experts in workshops and rehearsals to explore these. These may include stock character conventions; audience participation and direct address; slapstick, comic routines and topicality; music, orchestration and sound; movement and choreography; the use of magic, transformation and illusion; scenography and design etc.

You will be taught by professionals with real-world experience in the theatre industry, using the fantastic studio spaces and workshop facilities at our award-winning institution. 

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MA Contemporary Pantomime Practice

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MA Contemporary Pantomime Practice

Course content

Entry requirements

A 2:1 degree in a relevant subject or equivalent professional industry experience.

A 2:1 degree in a relevant subject or equivalent professional industry experience.

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Check our entry and English language requirements for your country.

GO

Facilities

Performance Studio One

Studio One is our main performance space and holds up to 70 people. It also includes professional stage management equipment, lighting and sound facilities.

Watch video View virtual tour

Performance Studios 2, 3 and 4

Two of our studios provide dedicated rehearsal spaces with sprung floors. We also have workshops dedicated to costume making and set construction and painting.

Watch video View virtual tour

Careers

Successfully completing an MA of this kind can lead to many different careers within theatre and the creative industries. It provides industry practitioners with opportunities to extend and advance their existing skills and knowledge and can also lead to further academic study.

All students have access to Career Connect, our dedicated careers team.

Teaching and assessment

Assessment

The assessment for the MA is authentic and embraces practical etudes, rehearsals, performance presentations, seminar presentations, oral reflections. There are no formal exams and the format of many of the assignments can be negotiated.

The assessment for the MA is authentic and embraces practical etudes, rehearsals, performance presentations, seminar presentations, oral reflections. There are no formal exams and the format of many of the assignments can be negotiated.

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

  • Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
  • Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
  • Academic writing (including how to reference)
  • Research skills
  • Critical thinking
  • Revision, assessment and exam skills (including time management)

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Feedback

You will receive regular formative feedback during workshops and rehearsals from a variety of staff. Summative feedback after each assignment will be given by your Academic and/or Creative mentor.

You will receive regular formative feedback during workshops and rehearsals from a variety of staff. Summative feedback after each assignment will be given by your Academic and/or Creative mentor.

Independent learning

Independent learning will include readings, viewings, preparation for rehearsals, workshops, discussions and shoots. You will also independently rehearse, create work, write and explore. You will be given structured self-led independent briefs for the modules.

Independent learning will include readings, viewings, preparation for rehearsals, workshops, discussions and shoots. You will also independently rehearse, create work, write and explore. You will be given structured self-led independent briefs for the modules.

Staff

All of our teaching staff are highly qualified academics, many with practice as research, books and academic journals to their name. The staff also has practitioners of calibre, who are practising actors, directors, film-makers and writers. These will be supported by colleagues from Wilkes Academy, distinguished visiting professional practitioners and experts.

 

Richard Cheshire

Senior Lecturer

I am an experienced University lecturer in Drama and a practicing freelance professional theatre director, with a strong interest in Shakespeare, contemporary manifestations of Pantomime, Musical and Popular Theatre.

Richard's profile

Stephen Griffiths

Course Director

Stephen's teaching centres on broadcast programme histories and media performance, especially acting on television. His research interests include broadcast light entertainment and comedy, television drama, and children's programming.

Stephen's profile

Eleanor Slade

Lecturer

I am a performance designer, lecturer in scenography, and a doctoral researcher. My main areas of interest are the social aspects of scenography, and scenographic / design-based strategies in collaborative theatre & performance making.

Eleanor's profile

Dr Rebecca Woodford-Smith

Associate Professsor

I’m an educator and theatre practitioner with a research background and an HE teaching portfolio. I have extensive experience and expertise as a performance-maker, focusing on interdisciplinary collaboration, physical theatre, and somatic practices.

Rebecca's profile

Fees

For the course starting on 22 September 2025 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £9,165 per course £16,750 per course

If you would like to know more about the fees listed and what this means to you then please get in touch with our Enquiries Team.

Alumni discount

If you've previously completed a University of Staffordshire undergraduate degree (excluding HND and foundation degrees) you may be entitled to a discount of up to 25% off your course fees for any subsequent postgraduate taught course (terms apply, see the alumni discount page for details). If you have any questions about how this relates to you, please contact feesandbursaries@staffs.ac.uk.

Not included in the fees:
  • Theatre visits
  • Placement expenses
  • Theatre visits
  • Placement expenses
Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

Providing you are studying towards a full Masters qualification you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £11,570 to help with tuition fees, maintenance and other associated costs. Student loans are available for many of our postgraduate degrees and are provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The loan can cover a wide range of postgraduate study options; part-time, full-time and distance learning. 

For more information and how to apply visit masters loan.

Apply

Applications are not currently available for this course.

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations. 

Have you considered?

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021