Postgraduate taught  

Playwriting & Dramaturgy MLitt

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This Masters gives you a practical and theoretical engagement with the many forms of writing and production for theatre. Blending practice, theory and history, the programme is designed for those wishing to develop playwriting skills and knowledge of script development and support, opening the way to many theatre roles, including dramaturgy. You will learn about the changing roles of the playwright and dramaturge in contemporary theatre in the UK and elsewhere around the world, and be supported to define your own creative practice while developing valuable transferable skills in research, project management and critical reflection.

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Why this programme

Presentation video for Theatre Studies, Theatre & Performance Practices and Playwriting & Dramaturgy degrees.Theatre, Playwriting and Dramaturgy Presentation

Find out more about this degree and other related degrees in our Theatre Presentation.

  • In addition to being taught by world-class scholars, you will work with professional writers, dramaturgs and theatre-makers ensuring you engage with a wide variety of practices and that the programme content is relevant and up to date with the latest trends in theatre.
  • The programme includes the opportunity for playwrights to develop a major script through workshops and staged readings with professional actors and theatre directors.
  • In addition to masterclasses and workshops with external specialists, the work placement option and visiting speaker series build on our long-term links and collaborations with an extensive number of theatre practitioners and arts organisations. These include the National Theatre of Scotland, the Playwrights’ Studio, The Tron Theatre, the Citizens’ Theatre, and A Play, A Pie and A Pint at Òran Mór.
  • In recent years the playwriting modules on this programme have been led by acclaimed professional playwrights including Lewis Hetherington and Lynda Radley, and the script workshop by leading director Philip Howard.

What our students say

I chose the MLitt in Playwriting and Dramaturgy because I had seen no other program like it – and I highly recommend it for anyone considering a career in performance research, theatre-making, or both. The courses equally emphasize critical research and practical applications in the fields of both playwriting and dramaturgy, providing me with a vast foundation of theatrical techniques, styles, and methods for further exploration. Glasgow is an incredibly buzzing theatre city, and being able to experience its cultural hub throughout the program made studying at UofG even more rewarding! Anna: Playwriting and Dramaturgy Student

Short Course: An Introduction to Playwriting. Try our free online course and over 4 weeks you'll generate ideas for a play and become familiar with genre, structure, exposition, dialogue and drafting.

Programme structure

Our programme is the only one in Scotland that combines playwriting with dramaturgy. You will undertake core practical playwriting and dramaturgy courses before choosing to specialise in one pathway involving a dramaturgy placement or the creation of a full-length script. You will also produce an independent research-based project over the summer.

Semester 1: September to December

In semester one you will take three compulsory core courses.

Core courses

Semester 2: January to March

In semester two you will take one compulsory core course.

Core course

Optional courses

You will choose one programme-specific option. You can choose between:

You will also choose another optional course from Theatre Studies or the wider College of Arts and Humanities.

For this, we recommend taking:

However, this course may interest those wishing to develop skills in applied theatre:

Alternatively, you may choose any suitable course from Theatre Studies or the wider College of Arts and Humanities subject to availability. You may even select a course that runs in Semester 1 rather than Semester 2.

Some potential examples are:

Please note that the optional courses available may vary from year to year.

Summer: April to September

Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.

Career prospects

The role of the dramaturg is becoming increasingly recognised within the theatre industries, as is the capacity of playwrights to apply their skills and knowledge to other tasks (including, for example, providing script development support for emerging writers). This programme aims to equip playwrights and potential dramaturges with knowledge of other writing roles in theatre. 

The critical components of this programme also provide a good foundation for students wishing to progress to doctoral study.

Graduates of this programme have gone on to become commissioned playwrights, production dramaturges, theatre critics, literary advisors, doctoral students, theatre makers and academics.

Fees & funding

Tuition fees for 2025-26

MLitt

UK

  • Full-time fee: £11250
  • Part-time fee: £1250 per 20 credits

International & EU

  • Full-time fee: £25320

Deposits

International and EU applicants are required to pay a deposit of £2000 when an offer is made.

Deposits: terms & conditions

Additional fees

  • Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £370
  • Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £350
  • Registration/exam only fee: £170

Funding opportunities

College of Arts and Humanities Widening Participation Postgraduate Taught Scholarships

Beatrix Whistler and James McNeill Whistler Scholarship

GREAT Scholarships 2025

The Snowdon Trust Master’s Scholarship

Banco de Mexico

Erasmus+ Master Degree Loans

DAAD-University of Glasgow 1-year Master’s grant

Colfuturo Fundacion para el Futuro de Colombia

Commonwealth Scholarship Schemes

Chevening Scholarship

CONICyT (La Comsion Nacional de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica de Chile)

CONACyT (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia) / FUNED Agreement

University of Glasgow African Excellence Award

University of Glasgow Caribbean Excellence Award

World Changers Glasgow Scholarship

Postgraduate Student Loan (Scotland and EU)

Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loans England only (PTFL)

Postgraduate Loans for Welsh Students

Alumni Discount

Postgraduate Access Scholarship

Global Leadership Scholarship

Glasgow Excellence Award (UK)

HESPAL Scholarship

Postgraduate Student Loan (NI)

World Changers Glasgow Scholarship PGT (EU)

The Clan Gregor Society Prize

The Dima Alhaj Scholarship

Sanctuary Scholarships

Travel Bursary for Forced Migrants

Glasgow Highland Society Scholarship

The scholarships above are relevant to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database

Entry requirements

2.1 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) in Drama, Performance, Theatre, Acting, Playwriting, Dramaturgy, Shakespeare, Design, or Performance Studies.

We may also accept degrees in other subjects.

We may sometimes accept degrees at 2.2 Hons or non-UK equivalent.

Work experience may be considered in lieu of qualifications.

A question-based personal statement is required. Please download and complete the personal statement template, and submit it with your application.

Any students who wish to specialise in dramaturgy may undertake a dramaturgy work placement.

English language requirements

International students

We are proud of our diverse University community that includes students and staff from more than 140 different countries.

How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate taught degree you must apply online. We cannot accept applications any other way.

Please check you meet the Entry requirements for this programme before you begin your application.

Documents

As part of your online application, you also need to submit the following supporting documents:

  • A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s) (if you have already completed your degree)
  • A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained
  • Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)
  • One reference letter on headed paper
  • Evidence of your English language ability (if your first language is not English)
  • Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)
  • A copy of the photo page of your passport

You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process.

You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload supporting documents such as your final transcript or your language test.

For more information about submitting documents or other topics related to applying to a postgraduate taught programme, see how to apply for a postgraduate taught degree

Guidance notes for using the online application

These notes are intended to help you complete the online application form accurately; they are also available within the help section of the online application form. 

If you experience any difficulties accessing the online application, see Application System Help.

  • Name and Date of birth: must appear exactly as they do on your passport. Please take time to check the spelling and lay-out.
  • Contact Details: Correspondence address. All contact relevant to your application will be sent to this address including the offer letter(s). If your address changes, please contact us as soon as possible.
  • Choice of course: Please select carefully the course you want to study. As your application will be sent to the admissions committee for each course you select it is important to consider at this stage why you are interested in the course and that it is reflected in your application.
  • Proposed date of entry: Please state your preferred start date including the month and the year. Taught masters degrees tend to begin in September. Research degrees may start in any month.
  • Education and Qualifications: Please complete this section as fully as possible indicating any relevant Higher Education qualifications starting with the most recent. Complete the name of the Institution (s) as it appears on the degree certificate or transcript.
  • English Language Proficiency: Please state the date of any English language test taken (or to be taken) and the award date (or expected award date if known).
  • Employment and Experience: Please complete this section as fully as possible with all employments relevant to your course. Additional details may be attached in your personal statement/proposal where appropriate.

Reference: Please provide one reference. This should typically be an academic reference but in cases where this is not possible then a reference from a current employer may be accepted instead. Certain programmes, such as the MBA programme, may also accept an employer reference. If you already have a copy of a reference on letter headed paper then please upload this to your application. If you do not already have a reference to upload then please enter your referee’s name and contact details on the online application and we will contact your referee directly.

You are required to submit an admissions statement of around 500 words explaining why you want to undertake this programme at Glasgow. Please use the template provided:

Application deadlines

September 2025

International & EU applicants

Due to demand for degree places on this programme, the University has an application process with application rounds which recognises that different geographical areas complete and submit their applications at different times of the year. This process aims to ensure fairness and equity to applicants from all geographic regions.

Round 1 application dates: 1 October 2024 to 4 November 2024

All international applications submitted within these dates will be reviewed with no priority given to any geographic region. You will receive our decision on your application by 15 January 2025.

Round 2 application dates:5 November 2024 to 16 December 2024

All international applications submitted within these dates will be reviewed with no priority given to any geographic region. You will receive our decision on your application by 10 March 2025.

Round 3 application dates: 17 December 2024 to 3 February 2025

Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 14 April 2025.

Round 4 application dates: 4 February 2025 to 24 March 2025

Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 5 May 2025.

Round 5 application dates: 25 March 2025 to 12 May 2025

Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 16 June 2025.

Round 6 application dates: 13 May 2025 to 7 July 2025

Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 28 July 2025.

All international applications submitted by 16 December 2024 will be reviewed and processed normally with no priority given to any geographic region. From 17 December 2024, priority will be given to applications from geographic areas which have been unable to submit applications before that point.

As we receive a great number of applications, prospective students are only allowed to apply once per year.

UK applicants

  • 22 August 2025
Apply now

More information about this programme