This 2-year, part-time MA is a creative and challenging exploration into the power of socially engaged theatre. We aim to develop the next generation of interdisciplinary theatre practitioners. Graduates will lead the way in providing meaningful arts experiences that address social, political and educational issues in a broad range of settings.
The course offers a holistic programme, that invites creative reflection into the power of storytelling for social transformation. Students address complex issues in critical and creative ways, considering the role of arts in education, migration and exile, health and building communities. You’ll engage with course learning through practical exploration, collaboration, group discussion, independent study and reflective practice.
Delivered part-time, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including professionals working in youth, community and/or education settings and performers looking to develop and diversify their career.
There is one day of in-person teaching each week, with one additional Friday and Saturday each term.
Throughout the course students develop skills in critical thinking, facilitating, devising, leading, producing, discussing and teaching creatively and imaginatively. Study involves workshops, lectures and seminars as well as independent collaborative and solo practice/research. Students are assigned weekly reading materials to digest course themes and engage in learning through independent study.
Reciprocal and collaborative learning is embedded into course practice. Students are provided with opportunities to design and lead practical workshops for one another, to bring topics for facilitated discussion with their Course Leader and to choose areas of focus for specific assessments, based on their interests and experiences.
Students engage in a wide range of texts such as Theatre of the Oppressed by Augusto Boal, Teaching to Transgress: Education as the Practice of Freedom by bell hooks and Theatre for Living: The Art and Science of Community-Based Dialogue by David Diamond.
Assessments are varied and include essays, talks, education packs, presentations, and workshop samples.
The final dissertation project is defined by the individuals’ specific area of interest and can be practice-based or written. Previous projects have involved collaboration with a range of communities and organisations. Past students have opted to participate in placements within a variety of world-class arts organisations such as Royal Court Theatre, London Bubble Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, Harris Academy Peckham, The Migration Museum, Springboard Youth Academy, Wales Millenium Centre and Theatre Peckham.
Research has been presented through a variety of mediums including workshop facilitation, performance, dance, educational toolkit and video content.
Previous project titles include:
Practical areas of study include collaborative and ensemble techniques, forum theatre, arts for wellbeing, devised theatre, inclusive and trauma informed practices, arts and money, decolonial feminist approaches, facilitating in multilingual and multifaith spaces, and ethics in artistic practice.
Students gain practical experience running workshops in schools, both locally in the Peckham area and further afield – previous locations include Spain and Nigeria.
2025/26 Term Dates for Year 1 students
Autumn term 10 September – 10 December 2025
Spring term 14 January – 25 March 2026
Summer term 15 April – 24 June 2026
Teaching takes place one week day per week, plus one additional Friday and Saturday per term.
Students enrolling in September 2025 will be taught on a Wednesday.
The course equips graduates for versatile and impactful careers both in the UK and internationally, and alumni have gone on to work in a range of areas including:
Graduate destination organisations include: BBC, British Film Institute, British Youth Music Theatre, Bush Theatre, Clod Ensemble, Complicité, Creative Futures, Kindred Collective, Lambeth Council, Magpie Dance, Mountview, The Northwall Arts Centre, Theatre Peckham, The Multistory Orchestra, Turtle Key Arts, Wales Millenium Centre, West End in Schools and Westway School of Performing Arts.
THE MA WAS EVERYTHING I HOPED IT WOULD BE AND MUCH MORE. IT PROVIDED SUCH A BEAUTIFUL BALANCE OF PRACTICE AND THEORY AND SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPLORE AND DISCUSS.... THIS MASTERS PROGRAMME IS A PERFECT PLACE FOR ARTS PRACTITIONERS AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF THEIR CAREER TO DEEPEN THIS VITAL, COMMUNITY FOCUSSED AND LEARNING CENTRED PART OF THEIR PRACTICE.”
Admission onto the course is by interview. Applicants must be aged 21 years or over at the start of the course. Students who do not hold an undergraduate degree will need to undertake an access assignment to establish suitability for undertaking the MA.
If an applicant requires a student visa and their first language is not English, they will need to prove their knowledge of the English language before applying for their student visa. This must be demonstrated by passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider or having a GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English, gained through study at a UK school that they began when they were under 18.
Mountview welcomes applications from people with disabilities and is keen to support all applicants to achieve their best. If applicants have any special requirements or access needs, these should be discussed with the course leader/administrator.
Mountview is committed to a comprehensive policy of equal opportunities for students in which individuals are selected and treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities. No applicant will receive less or more favourable treatment on grounds of sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnic origin, disability, religion and marital/parental status or any comparable grounds.
| Interview fee | Free |
| UK/ROI students | £5,255 p/a |
| International students | £9,955 p/a |
All fees listed are for 2025/26 entry. Fees are subject to annual review. One term’s notice will be given of any increases.
Funding and ScholarshipsYou will take part in a first round interview with the course leader at which you will discuss your interests, influences and previous experience. This may take place online or in-person.
Please be aware that due to the limited amount of places available, this course may become full before July and in this event applications will close early. Please apply earlier to avoid disappointment.
Auditions and Interviews
Maria Askew, Head of MA Theatre for Community and Education
The course is led by Maria Askew, an award-winning theatre director, facilitator and performing artist, alongside a range of highly experienced practitioners and visiting tutors. Lecturers hold expertise in a variety of areas such as applied theatre, co-creation, youth led work, dramatherapy, critical consciousness, marketing and communications, international politics, funding community projects, and theatre in the criminal justice system.
Teaching is also delivered by representatives from a range of world class organisations such as Clean Break, Brixton House, Unicorn Theatre, Turtle Key Arts, Access all Areas, Clod Ensemble and Candoco Dance Company.
You can read an interview with Maria Askew and other course tutors here.
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