Drama and Performance Studies at UCD is grounded in approaching theatre as a medium. With this in mind, students will see cutting-edge work at the Dublin Fringe Festival, the Dublin Theatre Festival and other venues around the city, organized by the School. They will learn in academic and practical environments, acquiring the tools of performance analysis, investigating theatre history, and have the opportunity to take the practice-based module Introduction to Physical Theatre. 

Students will enrol in two Core modules:

Autumn: DRAM10030 The Theatrical Event: Case Studies in Making Theatre

Spring: DRAM10010 Theatre Context & Conventions

And have two option modules available to them:

Autumn & Spring: DRAM10060 Introduction Physical Theatre

Spring: DRAM10070 Early Irish Theatre Movement 

Stage Two expands on knowledge and skills acquired in Stage One. Students will have the opportunity to take practice-based modules in acting and playwriting, and will continue to learn about contemporary performance through organized theatre visits in a number of their modules. 

Students enrol in two core modules:

Autumn: DRAM20180 20^th Century Avant Garde Theatre

Spring: DRAM20110 Contemporary Ireland On Stage

And choose three option modules:                   

Autumn: DRAM20170 Introduction to Acting          

Autumn: DRAM20190 Playwriting

Spring:  DRAM20090 Contemporary British Theatre                    

Stage Three synthesises the skills and knowledge acquired in previous years, progressing practical engagement through the creation and production of an original work in Performance Project, and developing their academic writing and research skills in the Independent Study module. Student engagement with live performance continues through theatre visits and practice-based assessments in both core and option modules. Students will take the tools of performance analysis beyond the theatre and into the world through greater engagement with performance studies.

Students enrol in two core modules:

Autumn: DRAM30100 Contemporary Theatre & Performance

Autumn: DRAM30220 Performance in Everyday Life 

Students choose a minimum of 15 credits from the following options. Students may take up to 10 additional credits in Drama Studies in place of elective modules/credits (module capacity permitting):

Spring: DRAM30120 Beckett in Performance (5 credit)        

Spring: DRAM30250 Theatre of Martin McDonagh (5 credit)

Autumn & Spring: DRAM30130 Independent Study (10 credit)                    

Autumn & Spring: DRAM30240 Performance Project (15 credit) - by audition only