The Masters by Research (MRes) is a one-year, stand-alone graduate degree based on coursework and generic training, and a major research project. The degree provides the opportunity for students to develop a deeper understanding of Theatre by engaging in a sustained research project, while acquiring skills that will serve them in their career development or in continuing with their fourth-level studies.

The MRes offers training in project management, research skills, digital and editing skills, or qualitative data analysis, and at the same time provides greater flexibility precisely because the taught components are reduced (with respect to a taught Masters) and because the student will work, under supervision, on an extended project based on his or her individual research interest. For these reasons, this degree will appeal to a wide range of students, including those who might already be employed or who are engaged in life-long learning.

The core modules provide a common base of research, generic and technical skills that will aid students in their research projects, while the other two modules (Dissertation; Research Journal and Dissertation Presentation) constitute a strong subject-based pathway that will ensure a grounding in the student’s discipline. The research project will be intensive and the topic and structure will be determined early in the academic year (i.e. in the first half of Teaching Period 1). MRes students will graduate with a portfolio of skills designed to increase their employability, skills that would not normally be available to them in other one-year taught Masters programmes, or in two-year MPhil programmes which are based primarily on a research dissertation and involve little or no coursework.

The MRes is an approved calendared programme of study of 12 months duration (full-time) or 24 months (part-time) from registration for the programme in October and involves (a) a research dissertation and (b) taught modules on generic and transferable skills. Details of available research areas are available from the Departments/Schools concerned.

Entry Requirements 

To be considered for registration as an MRes candidate, an applicant will normally have a primary degree at Second Honours level, Grade I or the equivalent.

Programme Requirements 

Students take taught modules to the value of 20 credits and complete a research dissertation of approximately 25,000 words to the value of 70 credits.

Further details are listed in the Calender Entry here: https://reg.ucc.ie/curriculum/calendar/live/postgraduate/Masters/arts/page96.html

Course codes: CKV01 (MRes full-time), CKV02 (MRes part-time)

For more information please contact Theatre Administrator on 353 (0)21 490 4229; email theatre@ucc.ie

Please Note : A 1,000-word project description is required with the application to the MRes and this should be developed in consultation with the potential dissertation supervisor.