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Directing Classical and Contemporary Text (Taught)
MFA (PG) · 16 Months · Full-time · 21/09/2026 · PostgraduateMain Site
- Scheme:
- UCAS Conservatoires
Course summary
The application deadline for this course is 31 MARCH 2026.
MFA Directing Classical and Contemporary Text (CCT) is a course for directors who find themselves looking beyond traditional and contemporary artistic approaches as they seek to broaden and deepen their individual practice. Individuality is at the core of this postgraduate programme. We work with artists who use their social, moral, and ethical values to animate their practice. This is a course where you will have agency over your own work and be responsible for driving your learning and creativity forward.
It is this agency which makes the programme different from undergraduate study. With support from the staff team, you will write your own learning outcomes, determine your trajectory and ultimately, we hope, you will flourish as both a learner and a creative practitioner.
It’s an intense programme where actors and directors work together, creating a dynamic community rooted in creative collaboration. Highlights include developing original digital work for the On the Verge festival, performing or directing contemporary performance working in proto-professional ensembles and completing a month’s residency at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, London.
At the end of this residency, after undertaking classes with the educational team at the Globe, you will perform or direct sharings on the mainstage of Shakespeare’s Globe, a unique and iconic playing space.
If this narrative excites or inspires you, please get in touch with us to discuss how you can begin your artistic journey with us.
Curriculum Review
We are currently in the review cycle for our postgraduate programmes starting in 2026, these courses are currently designated 'subject to validation'. This is standard practice during curriculum review periods. The outcome of this process, may mean there are some changes to how your programme is delivered.
Important Audition Information
If you choose online as your audition location - a video submission needs to be uploaded via our Acceptd account, you will be called for an online interview at a later date.
If you choose RCS or London as your audition location - all elements of the audition (including the interview) will be completed in person and no recording submission uploads to Acceptd are required. Please note, you will still need to create a profile and supply your head shot as part of the initial application.
Course details
Principal study options
During the application and audition process, you must select which instrument(s) you wish to specialise in for the duration of your course. On this course, you can choose from the following options:
Main specialism
Only one specialism is studied. It may be possible to study a further instrument, but this will not contribute towards the qualification.
Instrument/specialisms
For all courses, you must select at least one specialism from the 'primary' list. For those studying primary/secondary pathways, two instruments may be selected – one from the 'primary' list and one from the 'secondary' list. Joint pathway students may select any two instruments from either list.
Primary instrument/specialism
- Drama Performance
Modules
Please see our departmental webpage for more information about what this course entails.
Assessment method
Please see our departmental webpage for more information about what this course entails.
How to apply
If you are an international applicant, or you are applying for a postgraduate course, or are choosing certain assessment locations, the 'on time' deadline may be later in the year - please contact the conservatoire directly.
Apply by
14 January
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- 711F
- Institution code:
- R58
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
Currently around 20% of our students come from outside the UK. Between them, they represent over 55 different nationalities and add a rich diversity to the Conservatoire. To find out more please visit: https://www.rcs.ac.uk/study/international-students/
Entry requirements
There are no formal qualification requirement for admission. Each candidate’s ability to fulfil the above brief holistically will be considered with due regard for training, qualifications, experience and other factors.
Additional entry requirements
- Other
- The audition for directing applicants is a three-part process consisting of an observed workshop, a presentation, and an interview with the panel. For further information on the audition process, please refer to our webpage under the 'how to apply' section: https://www.rcs.ac.uk/courses/ma-mfa-acting-directing-classical-and-contemporary-text/
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 7.5 | 7.5 with a minimum score of 7.5 in speaking and no component below 5.5 |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 102 | Overall score of 102, with minimum scores of: Reading -18, Listening -17, Speaking -27, Writing -17 |
| PTE Academic | 76 | Overall score of 76 with a minimum of 76 in speaking and 59 in all other components (reading, listening, writing) |
| Cambridge English Advanced | Overall score of 191 with a minimum of 191 in speaking and no component below 162 | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | Overall score of 191 with a minimum of 191 in speaking and no component below 162 |
More information about our language requirements can be found at the weblink. https://www.rcs.ac.uk/study/international-students/english-requirements/
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Channel Islands | £24385* | Whole course |
| England | £24385* | Whole course |
| Northern Ireland | £24385* | Whole course |
| Scotland | £24385* | Whole course |
| Wales | £24385* | Whole course |
| Republic of Ireland | £24385* | Whole course |
| EU | £38658* | Whole course |
| International | £38658* | Whole course |
* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
All new students are required to pay associated programme cost related fees at the start of their studies.
For more information on fees, funding and Scholarship, please see our website: https://www.rcs.ac.uk/study/fees-funding/
Please note all tuition fees per year are subject to an annual review.
Sponsorship information
The School of Stage and Screen scholarships are awarded for a mixture of financial need and merit. Scholarships are applied for and awarded on an annual basis. If you are offered a place at the Conservatoire, you will be forwarded the link to apply for a Scholarship. - https://www.rcs.ac.uk/study/fees-funding/scholarships/.
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