Course Summary
The MA in Drama and Theatre Studies at the University of Galway is a dynamic and practice-rich programme based at the O’Donoghue Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance. It blends critical study with hands-on theatre-making, allowing students to shape their learning across areas such as Irish drama, playwriting, directing, applied theatre, and performance theory. With strong industry links, including the Druid Academy and access to world-class archives and performance spaces, this course is ideal for those pursuing careers in theatre, education, criticism, or research. Full-time and part-time options are available.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
A university arts degree (minimum standard 2.2, or US GPA 3.0). Students will be accepted on the basis of the degree result, a writing sample (5–6 pages)—which can be an academic essay, creative writing piece or theatre reviews—a personal statement outlining suitability for and interest in the programme, and names and contact details of two references.
Applicants who do not meet the minimum entry requirements may be admitted via a qualifying exam if they have relevant professional experience, please include a professional CV (in theatre, creative arts, and/or other field) or may be admitted to the PDip.
Students who do not meet the honours degree requirement but have a Level 7 degree (Merit 2) may be admitted to the PDip course with the possibility of progressing to the MA if they receive a minimum of 60% in their course work during the year.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Applicants who do not meet the minimum entry requirements may be admitted via a qualifying exam if they have relevant professional experience or be admitted to the PDip.
Application Details
Applications must be completed online at: https://nuigalway.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Account/Login.
An application requires a registration fee of €35. You will be asked to upload proof of identification, academic transcripts, a personal statement, an academic reference and documentation to fulfil the English requirement (where English is not your first language).
Next start date: September 2026
Fees
Fees: EU
€7,640 p.a. full-time; €3,855 p.a. part-time (including levy) 2024/25
Fees: Tuition
€7,500 p.a. full-time; €3,750 p.a. part-time 2024/25
Fees: Student levy
€140 p.a. full-time; €105 p.a. part-time 2024/25
Fees: Non EU
€19,000 p.a. (€19,140 p.a. including levy) 2024/25
Postgraduate Diploma (PGD-DTS): €7,000 (€7,140 including levy) EU; €15,750 (€15,890 including levy) Non-EU 2024/25
Student levy €140 - payable by all students and is not covered by SUSI. Further detail here.
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Creative
Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.
Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.
Career Progression
Duration
2 year, part-time