The Arden School of Theatre

MA Directing (Theatre Directing)

MA
Leaflet Code: CR60223FT


Overview

The course offers high quality practical and intensive training to expand and develop your skills as a director and opportunities to take their first steps into the professional world.

The course aims to build on your previous experience within the arts and provide you with a toolkit of skills and experiences in order to develop your own individual voice as a practitioner. On MA Directing we believe that every director is unique so rather than focus on a particular approach, we expose you to multiple ways of working to encourage you to develop your own style and practice.

You will study vital aspects of the contemporary directors practice including working with actors, working with other members of the production team, developing new projects from scratch, alongside more traditional study into the theory and context of the discipline.

As part of the Final Project, learners will source, cast, and produce their own piece in conjunction with existing industry professionals and will have the opportunity to have their work seen in a professional setting.

Throughout the course you will be offered opportunities to gain knowledge and insight along with links to the industry within the vibrant and expanding Manchester Theatre scene.

The course is designed to be diverse, practical and industry relevant to reflect careers within the industryn. We actively encourage applications from people with experience in the industry but also from the amateur stage. Alumni of the course have come from various previous levels of knowledge and experience and have ranged in age from 21 to 60+.

  • City Campus Manchester
  • Full Time
  • 1 year
  • October 2025

Awarding Partner:

Sheffield Hallam University

Will Nelson: Course Leader

-Established DIY West End Theatre Co. in conjunction with The International Theatre Institute (UNESCO)

-Fifteen years of experience within the industry as an actor, lecturer and director

-Published work and research on the history of British Theatre and its possible future.


Due to the nature of the discipline, the majority of sessions are delivered by a variety of visiting professionals from across the industry.


• Level 6 qualification at a 2:2 or above in a relevant subject

Professional experience will be considered in the application process.

UCEN Manchester is unable to consider international applications due to UKVI regulations.


Year 1: Assistant Director (30 credits)

Year 1: Developing New Work (30 credits)

Year 1: Final Major Project (Directing for Theatre) (60 credits)

Year 1: Marketing (20 credits)

Year 1: Rehearsal Techniques (20 credits)

Year 1: Research for Creatives (20 credits)

The teaching and assessment methods will vary throughout the course.

They include the following:

• Supervisor Observation of rehearsals and feedback sessions.

• In-house placements and mentorship with senior practitioners within the team.

• Traditional lectures where the lecturer provides students with a framework for reading and independent study.

• Small group tutorials and seminars where key issues and artistic concepts can be explored and discussed in more depth. Students are expected to play a full part, and occasionally, to lead these discussions.

• Professional workshops where students will diversify their craft in their chosen field.

• Production meetings, where students will observe professional communication skills and gain an understanding of working theatre relationships.

• Independent study based on directed reading from textbooks and academic journals.

All the books required for the course are available from the library. However, you may choose to buy some of the core textbooks for the course and/or a laptop which is highly recommended. Estimated costs for a laptop/desktop are £300.

Materials are provided online and assignments are submitted electronically. However, you might also wish to print other documents.

Campus printing costs start from 5p per page.

All students are subject to UCEN Manchester’s Terms and Conditions from the date they accept an offer to study here. The UCEN Manchester Admissions Policy and Procedure can be found here.