PhD Theatre at University of West London

Our PhD in Theatre is supported by staff who are engaged in a range of performing arts specialisms that combine practice-led research and advanced professional practice with theoretical and technical analysis. Theatre and performance is a rapidly expanding area of research in the London College of Music, which has 140 years of teaching within the performing arts industries. Performing arts research covers a range of thematic interests in contemporary performance practices, global performance cultures and histories and collaborative research projects with the London College of Music team.

Duration: 4 years full-time; 4 years full-time distance learning; 6 years part-time; 6 years part-time distance learning  |  Study mode: full-time (part-time available; online/distance option)  |  Intake: September 2027, February 2027  |  Location: London, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

During your PhD in Theatre, you will have a supervisory team made up of a Director of Studies with expertise in your chosen field, a further supervisor and, where appropriate, an additional adviser. Your research will be judged through the presentation of a thesis or artefact and a viva voce for academic assessment. We provide a stimulating and supportive environment where you will benefit from: support by a supervisor and second supervisor suited to your project.

Career pathways

A PhD in Theatre – the highest academic degree qualification, based on the advanced study and independent research – opens up an array of career opportunities both in academia and within the performing arts industries. Many students go on to pursue an academic career, following the PhD with postdoctoral study, then a fellowship or lectureship. Job roles include: university lecturer; postdoctoral researcher; other higher and further education lecturer; freelance soloist; session performer; touring theatre artist.

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