Faculty of Humanities

Degree Programs

Master's in Theatre Studies/Dance Studies

The Master program (both for major and minor) is designed to offer students the opportunity to develop their own scholarly skills. Students in the Master program in Theater and Dance Studies focus their studies on either Theater or Dance.

In the master’s degree programme in Theatre or Dance Studies, you will deepen the content-related foundations on European theatre and dance history acquired in the Bachelor's degree and learn to critically discuss the methodological approaches. Along the three focal points of science, practices and criticism, the programme offers insights into potential professional fields and promotes an application-oriented approach to theories and discourses of theatre and dance studies. In the Science module, you will deepen scientific methods and procedures within the framework of discussion and research seminars. In doing so, you will not only acquire competences for your own academic work within the framework of the master’s degree, but also strategies for future professional practice in the academic world and in administration. In the Practices module, you will deepen your basic dramaturgical knowledge in discussion seminars and exercises (including excursions) and apply it practically in the context of an internship in a cultural institution and your own project work. In the process, you will learn to analyse and document artistic processes and works and reflect them critically. In the Criticism module, you will expand your knowledge of theatre, dance and cultural studies theories and methods of analysis and transfer these to possible fields of work such as journalism or at a publishing institution.

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Basic information
Degrees:

Master of Arts in Theatre and Dance Studies,  Universität Bern, with special qualification in:

  • Theatre
  • Dance, Universität Bern
Number of credits: 120 ECTS credits
Degree programs:
  • Major 90 ECTS credits with special qualification in:
    • Theatre
    • Dance

 

Offer for other degree programs:

  • Minor 30 ECTS credits with no special qualification
Combination possibilities: several
Duration: 4 semesters
Language: German
Beginning studies: Fall or spring semester

Details of program

Students in the Master program in Theater and Dance Studies focus their studies on either Theater or Dance. The study of theater and dance requires the flexible application of historical, theoretical, dramaturgical and performance-analysis knowledge and associated expertise, as well as practical experience. The subject fields for the two areas of focus in the Master program are arranged as follows:

Focus on Theater
Subject fields
1. History of theater
2. Theater theory
3. Dramaturgy and theater-performance analysis
4. Seminars and internships for developing fundamental skills

Focus on Dance
Subject fields
1. History of dance
2. Dance theory
3. Dance dramaturgy and dance-performance analysis
4. Seminars and internships for developing fundamental skills

The courses in the Master program cover subjects that also require students to address several different sub-topics.

Scheme of program

The Master program in Theater and Dance Studies is divided into the Master course of study (7th-9th semester) and the final phase (10th semester).
Students focus their studies on either Theater or Dance.

Combination possibilities

The Master's degree program in Theater and Dance Studies consists of a major with 90 ECTS credits and a minor with 30 ECTS credits.

Any Master's minor study program offered by the University of Bern can be chosen for the major study program in Theatre Studies/Dance Studies in accordance with Article 52 RSL Phil.-hist. 21.

The major study program in Theatre Studies/Dance Studies can be combined with the minor study program in Theatre Studies/Dance Studies. In this case, the major and the minor study program must be chosen in the respective other specialization or special area.

Structure
Major ECTS  Minor ECTS 
90  30 

Deadlines

Requirements

Individual academic requirements

The following academic qualifications are required for admission to the master’s degree program in Theater and Dance Studies (major):

a) Bachelor's degree from the University of Bern, or an equivalent degree, with a major in Theater Studies
b) Bachelor's degree with a minor of 60 ECTS credits in Theater Studies
c) Bachelor's degree with a minor of 30 ECTS credits in Theater Studies – with additional requirements (30 ECTS credits)
d) Bachelor's degree in one of the following programs from a Swiss university of applied sciences (with additional requirements):
 

Bern University of the Arts: 

  • Bachelor of Arts in Theater/Acting
 

Zurich University of the Arts: 

  • Bachelor of Arts in Theatre: Acting
  • Bachelor of Arts in Theatre: Dramaturgy
  • Bachelor of Arts in Theatre: Directing
  • Bachelor of Arts in Theatre: Theatre Education
  • Bachelor of Arts in Contemporary Dance
 

Haute Ecole de Théâtre de Suisse Romande (HETSR): 

  • Bachelor of Arts in Theatre
  • Bachelor of Arts in Contemporary Dance
 

Academy for Physical Theatre – Scuola Teatro Dimitri: 

  • Bachelor of Arts in Theatre

Students records will be examined individually and assessed in accordance with the plan of studies for Theater and Dance Studies. Additional attainments of 30 to 60 ECTS credits will be required which must be fulfilled in order to complete the master's degree program. The ECTS credits will be listed separately in the diploma supplement as extracurricular attainments.

Please consult the admission requirements for the minor as presented in the plan of studies.

Language requirements

Excellent knowledge of German is required. Courses are exclusively conducted in German and examinations are taken in German.

 
For questions regarding application and admission, please contact the Admissions Office.

Application and admission

Current UniBE students

Apply for a change to the M A in Theatre and Dance Studies with special qualification in Theatre or Dance, Universität Bern by self-service as part of the re-registration for the next semester.
Renewal of semester registration → Self-service
Recognition of academic achievements
Procedure and timing of the renewal of semester registration
   

Application with a Swiss degree

Online application
Assessment
Steps from application to registration
 

Application with an international degree

Online application
CHECKLIST - Documents for your application / Important information
Steps from application to registration

 
For questions regarding application and admission, please contact the Admissions Office.