Postgraduate Study
Master your art. Own your future.
Develop yourself academically, creatively and professionally after your undergraduate degree with an innovative postgraduate degree course. A Masters is an exciting prospect that can take your career ambitions to the next level – and give you a real edge in the job market.
What is a Masters?
An MA (Master of Arts) is an advanced academic degree designed for post-compulsory education. It builds on either your existing bachelor’s degree or professional experience. An MA can also be referred to as:
- A masters degree
- A postgraduate degree
- Or postgraduate study
These courses are often more autonomous than undergraduate degree courses. For example, you’ll generally be given the chance to do more independent research and learning, developing and engaging in specific areas to gain a more specialised understanding of your subject area or profession.
Studying for an MA enables you to carry on creating while still working. It will enable you to explore your own specialism, create a piece of work to a professional standard to showcase your talents as a performer, director, choreographer, or entrepreneur. You will learn skills which help you to take your work out into the professional world and market it to the right people. It allows you to stand apart from others in your chosen field and lead the discussion in the performing arts sector.
Key facts
Industry-led and 100% relevant.
Well-balanced classes – a mix of theory and practical study.
Provides the skills, tools and knowledge needed to develop yourself academically, creatively and professionally.
Includes the opportunity to work in a vibrant postgraduate student community.
Allows you to collaborate on a range of creative and entrepreneurial projects.
1 year full-time or 2-year part-time study options available.
Studying a postgraduate course is an exciting prospect. Having a Masters qualification demonstrates to employers that you have the commitment, determination and passion for advancing your ability in a chosen area.
And there are figures out there to show that a postgraduate course is worth it. For example:
- The UK Commission for Employment and Skills predicts that roughly 15% of jobs (1 in 7) are likely to need a postgraduate degree by 2022.
- The UK Department for Education state that graduates and postgraduates have higher employment rates than non-graduates.
- They also state that 77% of all working-age postgraduates are in high-skilled employment, compared with 65% of all working-age graduates.
If you’re considering a postgraduate degree, but you’re not quite sure whether it’s right for you, here are some of the main benefits of studying an MA:
Advance in your chosen career —professionally and financially
Having a Masters can improve your career prospects. It gives you the further knowledge you might need to apply for advanced positions in your company or industry. Also, people with Masters degrees tend to earn more on average than those with a bachelor’s degree.
Flexible learning – develop yourself in your own time
You can choose to study full-time over the course of a year or part-time over two years. This means that you don’t have to put your career on hold or give up the day job if you don’t want to.
Make important connections
When you study for a Masters degree, you connect with people professionally and have the chance to network in your chosen field. Our MA Performing Arts course allows you to work together with other students from other creative pathways in the performing arts.
Additionally, all our internal industry engagement opportunities that are available to Undergraduate students are also accessible for Postgraduate students. This means you can strengthen your network and take part in exclusive performances, Masterclasses and work-based learning to give you the best springboard into a sustainable career once your studies are complete. You’ll also remain part of the ICTheatre network.
Explore your interests in more depth
If you have a passionate academic interest, a Masters is perfect for satisfying your curiosity. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to pursue your subject from different angles – and you’re guaranteed to know your chosen subject inside-out at the end of your course.
Gain the necessary tools to make that dream career change
If you’re thinking of switching careers (or have a dream role in mind), a Masters can help get you there. After all, you’ll have the knowledge, skills and confidence under your belt to go after what you want.
Having a Masters to your name can also give you the edge in a crowded job market and make your CV stand out among those with an undergraduate degree.
Become a leader in your chosen field
On the MA Performing Arts course, you’ll be taught by the best creatives from the industry. And you’ll have the opportunity to become a contributor in your field yourself, not just a learner.
You will be able to work on your own creative and entrepreneurial projects, developing independent ideas and research in the areas of the performing arts industry that interest you: Entrepreneurship, Performance, Directing and Choreography.
Although your final award will bear one of these titles, you’ll have the opportunity to explore different areas of your practice whilst studying.
The innovative MA Performing Arts provides fantastic opportunities for you to explore your own specialism within performing arts in line with your personal career aspirations. It allows you to stand apart from others in your chosen field and lead the discussion in the performing arts sector.
Are you a performing arts practitioner – either a performer, choreographer, director, or entrepreneur – with innovative ideas and a desire to work together with students from different fields?
During your MA, we’ll help you turn your ideas into reality. We’ll introduce you to cutting-edge research and assist you with broadening your network within the industry.
This MA gives you the opportunity to work alongside and make connections with outstanding industry professionals, while developing your own style as a creative practitioner.
Take the next step
Studying the MA Performing Arts is the next step if you want to further develop yourself academically, creatively and professionally after your degree.
- Who can apply for a Masters at ICTheatre and BIMM Institute?
- How do I find out more about applying for a Postgraduate course at ICTheatre?
- What are the entry requirements for a BIMM Institute Postgraduate course?
- Do I need to provide an academic reference? What if I’ve studied a long time ago and cannot provide one?
- How long does it take to hear back about my application?
- Can I defer my place on the course?
- Who will be teaching me?
- What is the timetable like – how many hours of contact time will I have each week?
- Can I get a loan to cover tuition fees?
Who can apply for a Masters at ICTheatre and BIMM Institute?
You can apply for a Masters whether you studied your degree at ICTheatre or elsewhere/at another university. You can also apply if you’re a mature student.
How do I find out more about applying for a Postgraduate course at ICTheatre?
The application process is a little different compared to our degree-level courses. Please contact admissions@ictheatre.ac.uk for more information.
What are the entry requirements for a BIMM Institute Postgraduate course?
Like most academic qualifications, postgraduate courses have entry requirements. You can find the entry requirements for our postgraduate degrees on the individual course pages.
Do I need to provide an academic reference? What if I’ve studied a long time ago and cannot provide one?
We normally ask for two referees, one of which should be able to comment on your academic ability to succeed on the course. Please contact the Admissions Team if you are not able to provide this.
How long does it take to hear back about my application?
Our Admissions Team checks enquiries daily and would normally be able to respond to your application within 48 hours of receipt. The team will then be in touch regarding the next steps, such as booking your interview.
Can I defer my place on the course?
Yes, we will hold your place on the course for one year. Beyond that, you are welcome to reapply for a place.
Who will be teaching me?
You’ll be taught by expert practitioners who are also often active researchers.
What is the timetable like – how many hours of contact time will I have each week?
This will depend considerably on whether you take the one-year full-time, or two-year part-time version. For the former, you take two modules each semester, and the latter just one module. For a one-year full-time course it is generally around 9 hours a week.
Can I get a loan to cover tuition fees?
Subject to eligibility criteria applicants will be able to apply for a Post Graduate Loan for tuition fees. Further details are available here
Any questions?
For questions on how ICTheatre can prepare you for a career in the entertainment industry, or if you’d like more information on how to apply, please contact our Admissions Team on 01273 603333 or email admissions@ictheatre.ac.uk.
