MA/MFA CHOREOGRAPHY

Programme Details

• The MA Choreography is a one-year (full-time) or two-year (part-time) taught programme, culminating in an independent research project.
• The MFA Choreography is a two-year full-time programme. It shares the first year taught programme with the MA. An extended independent project forms the second year, providing time for in-depth research.

For more information see the programme specifications or contact Programme Leader Gary Lambert g.lambert@trinitylaban.ac.uk

• MA Choreography programme specification
• MFA Choreography programme specification

Teaching and Learning

Hours

In year 1 the overall number of learning and teaching hours is 1,800, totalling an average of 220 contact hours. Other types of learning and number of learning hours required of students (e.g. for self-directed study/group study etc) is 1,580.

How will I learn?

The taught programme of the MA (first year of the MFA) encourages you to explore your current practice and develop as develop as an innovative, independent choreographer.

• You will encounter interdisciplinary perspectives and collaborative practices, creating work across a range of settings and media.
• You will be challenged to experiment, take risks and continuously create: developing your individual artistic voice.
• You will engage in critical dialogue with your work from a variety of perspectives.
• Two of the modules offered in the taught component provide opportunities for collaborative exchanges with other artistic practices.
• An independent project, will allow you build on the ideas encountered in the programme and undertake self-directed research, experimentation and reflection.

The MFA Extended Project is a self-directed module during which you consolidate your independent choreographic perspectives and practice.

• You will create and present a substantial body of work that evidences your capacity to research and realise your ideas as a coherent choreographic project.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment is through a variety of modes which evaluate theory and practice, related to the realisation of choreographic ideas and practice as research.

Assessment modes include:

• showings of work in progress with chaired question and answer forums
• Presentation with an open Q and A and supplementary document
• the realisation of speculative research practice as a performed event

Each test the ability of the student to develop as an independent, self-critical, investigative artist, with the ability to critically reflect, synthesise and apply knowledge and understanding across both theory and practice and cater for different modes of learning.

Entry Requirements

• a significant level of choreographic experience
• and/or an appropriate first degree (or an equivalent qualification)

The choice between an MA or an MFA programme of study will depend upon your prior experience and future aspirations.

We encourage applications from:

• professional choreographers wishing to re-invigorate, broaden or consolidate their practice;
• emerging choreographers intending to interrogate their practice and develop independent choreographic perspectives; and
• recently graduated dance artists showing a commitment to develop their choreographic practice.

MFA Applicants

MFA applicants should demonstrate their capacity to undertake self-directed research by submitting an initial project proposal, outlining the following:

• The reasons they wish to carry out an independent project over one academic year
• Their suitability for extended independent research in the context of an MFA Choreography
• The nature of their intended research and a draft projected timeline with indicated outputs of research (which is understandably subject to change)

An interview (phone/Skype interview is acceptable) will also be required.

English Language Requirements

Applicants for whom English is not their first language should demonstrate  proficiency in English equivalent to IELTS  6.5 overall with 5.5 in all four areas. In addition, meeting external requirements of UK Visas and Immigration is essential. 

Fees and Finance

Fees for September 2024 entrants

Home student tuition fees are aligned with the maximum tuition fee cap set by the UK Government.  International tuition fees are subject to annual inflationary increases based on RPI-X.

Fees for September 2023 entrants

Home student tuition fees are aligned with the maximum tuition fee cap set by the UK Government.  International tuition fees are subject to annual inflationary increases based on RPI-X.

Accommodation and living costs

This information can be found on our Costs of Living page.

Financial Support

Read about financial awards and external funding opportunities in the Fees and Finance section.

Alumni Destinations

Recent graduates have worked on and choreographed productions all over Europe, including research at KOLT, productions at FLOTA Slovenia, Pro Progressione in Europe and other companies in the UK and internationally.

Alumni of the programme include:

• freelance performers and choreographers
• founders and co-founders of independent dance projects
• theatre and opera directors
• assistant choreographers with major dance companies
• PhD students and lecturers in colleges and universities

For information on the successes of Trinity Laban MA/MFA Choreography graduates and what they have to say about the course, visit Alumni Profiles.