Programme overview
The Drama Department at Exeter offers a supportive and stimulating environment for postgraduate research, welcoming students from all parts of the world. The Department is situated in new, attractive buildings on a modern campus, in quiet surroundings which nevertheless are close to the major facilities of a beautiful and friendly city. Whatever your area of study in the wide field of theatre - performance, theory, writing for performance, criticism, analysis, historiography - you will have access to expert specialist supervision and excellent practical resources, and be able to rely upon support and stimulus from fellow students and members of staff. The Department has a lively tradition of research and creative activity, and by choosing to come to Exeter you will contribute to that impressive reputation.
The cultural region of the South West embraces Bristol and Plymouth as well as Exeter; all three cities have professional theatres, arts centres, and music performance venues. Local facilities include the Exeter Northcott Theatre, Phoenix Arts Centre, Corn Exchange and the University itself. The Old Vic Theatre and the Arnolfini in Bristol are nationally famous centres for the arts. Your studies will benefit from the wide range of exciting performances available in the city and in the surrounding region.
The Department has always insisted on the importance of practice, and interest in research through practice is strongly welcomed. This might include a major interest in theatrical direction, performance, or playwriting associated with written study in the dissertation for drama.
The Department of Drama at the University of Exeter is a welcoming and friendly place to study – it feels like home now – and in spite of that ease, I still am in awe of some of the writing and research which emerges from my colleagues. There are some truly exceptional thinkers and writers here; it’s a nice balance between feeling challenged and at home at the same time.
Through my involvement as a tutor in the Drama department and my own PhD research, I’ve had a chance to work with some outstanding undergraduate students, other inspirational researchers, and to develop outreach projects. The ongoing work with Devon Youth Theatre and Devon County Council’s arts programme – DAISI – has been a very special outcome. The young people who have taken part in this and other PhD pilot projects remind me why this kind of work matters.
In addition, participation in the Applied Drama Conference in 2008 was an outstanding experience – it brought us in contact with other practitioners from around the world and really made us feel proud to be a part of this university.
I decided on this department because of the outstanding practice and research support within the Drama department and the opportunity to engage with enthusiastic undergraduates as a tutor. The Drama department’s commitment to outreach and widening participation practice, particularly with the Applied fields, is an inspiration and I wanted to be a part of that.
I think the size and shape of the department means that you can make a mark – that your work matters, but also that you will come in contact with other researchers and practitioners who influence and challenge you.
Erin Walcon, PhD Drama 2010
