Theatre PhD

Why choose this course

Our PhD in Theatre will provide you with a supportive and collegiate research experience within our conservatoire, the Guildford School of Acting (GSA).

Our research, which encompasses traditional and practice-based forms, addresses performance in history and contemporary culture. It ranges from Shakespeare to performance philosophy and includes: work in theatre history; contemporary dance; performance and the nonhuman; actor training; musical theatre; performance and cognitive science; mental health and disability arts.

You will benefit from first-class conservatoire facilities including a 200-seat theatre, 15 rehearsal studios, six performance studios, an art gallery, a design studio, digital media labs, and high-quality recording facilities. The University Library also hosts the long-standing and internationally renowned National Resource Centre for Dance.

GSA’s research activity at Surrey includes access to our two research centres hosted within the school: the Centre for Performance Philosophy and the Surrey Shakespeare Centre.

PhD researchers on all programmes at GSA can expect three levels of research training and support: University-level training provided by the Researcher Development Programme and the University Library, including a PhD induction, workshops on writing skills and preparation for your confirmation and viva. There is also an annual student-led university postgraduate conference; School-level training is offered in the form of interdisciplinary seminars, visiting speaker events and conferences. This includes events supporting the Centre for Performance Philosophy and the Surrey Shakespeare Centre; PhD researchers also receive subject-specific feedback at our biannual GSA postgraduate symposium that allows you to share and develop ideas in a supportive environment.