Overview

The Performance Design programme offered by University of Leeds allows you to extend your own creative practice through developing an understanding of the theories and concepts of scenography and designing for live performance.

You’ll use our specialist facilities to explore the performance experiences that can be created with space, light, objects, costume, sound, projection and other digital technologies like virtual and mixed reality, creating original performance work that is design-led.

You’ll work collaboratively to create dynamic cutting-edge work and you’ll develop skills in documentation and reflection so that you can develop your individual creative practice. 

Key Facts

Leeds has a thriving cultural scene, and is home to contemporary performance events like Light Night, Compass Festival and Transform Festival. Their industry connections allow you to work closely with local organisations such as Leeds Playhouse, Opera North, IOU and innovative artists in the field of performance design. Recently, students have worked with: Imitating the Dog, ZU-UK, Quarantine, Louise Ann Wilson, David Shearing, Julie Rose Bower, Freddie Wulf, Lucy Thornett, Rosie Elnile, Max Johns and Naomi Kuyck-Cohen.  

You’ll devise and carry out an independent research project into an aspect of performance design that interests you. You’ll also examine contemporary performance practices, from immersive and participatory experiences to site-specific work staged outside of traditional theatre spaces and locate these within their wider social and cultural contexts. 

Programme Structure

Courses Include

Performance and Collaborative Enterprise
Digital and Intermedial Storytelling
The Costumed Body: Performance, Performativity and Politics
Independent Research Project
Critical Concepts in Performance Design
Performance Design Praxis

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months
Part-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-28 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-09-11 00:00:00 , National
Starting 2027-09-28 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-07-31 00:00:00 , International

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

4.5

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PTE Academic

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

180 alternative credits

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Leeds, United Kingdom

Disciplines

Design Music Performance View 62 other Masters in Music Performance in United Kingdom

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Academic requirements

GPA

Upper Second Class

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

4.5

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

You’ll need a bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) or equivalent qualification, preferably in a Performance Design related degree specialising in one of the following subjects indicated under 'Performance Design related subjects'.
They will also consider applicants with relevant experience, an interest in performance design or coming from an area of expertise to which performance design is complementary.
They welcome applicants from a diverse range of subject disciplines, so please do not hesitate to apply if your subject is not listed.
All applicants will be required to respond to the questions in the supporting statement section of the online application form to explain why you wish to study this particular course and your career plans. Relevant professional experience may also be considered. We may request additional documentation to inform our decision.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

26500 GBP / year

≈ 26500 GBP / year
Domestic Applies to you

Applies to you

Citizens or residents

12000 GBP / year

≈ 12000 GBP / year

Living costs

Leeds

United Kingdom

637 - 1103 GBP / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

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Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Performance Design.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

Performance Design

About

On this page

About

Overview

Key Facts

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic Applies to you

Living costs

Leeds

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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