Movement Direction MFA - 2024/5
Awarding body
University of Surrey
Teaching institute
University of Surrey
Framework
FHEQ Level 7
Final award and programme/pathway title
MFA Movement Direction
Subsidiary award(s)
| Award | Title |
|---|---|
| PGDip | Movement Direction |
| PGCert | Movement Direction |
Modes of study
| Route code | Credits and ECTS Credits | |
| Full-time | PRC72004 | 240 credits and 120 ECTS credits |
JACs code
100509
QAA Subject benchmark statement (if applicable)
Dance, Drama and Performance
Other internal and / or external reference points
N/A
Faculty and Department / School
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences - Guildford School of Acting
Programme Leader
BIRCH Rachel (GSA)
Date of production/revision of spec
05/06/2023
Educational aims of the programme
- The programme provides opportunities for students to develop a range of knowledge and skills applicable to movement direction and teaching, and transferable skills and qualities to equip them for a wide range of careers in the creative industries. Students will gain a rigorous and critical applied understanding of movement direction and teaching; drawing upon an informed understanding of existing movement practice with encouragement and opportunities to develop a personalised approach to movement direction and teaching. The programme encourages collaborative approaches to learning and working, challenging students to develop professional standards of practice, to engage critically with developments in scholarship and practice, and contribute creatively and intelligently to the development of the field. Ultimately, the programme aims to produce versatile students equipped to enter the growing field of movement direction and teaching and build sustainable and rewarding careers. The MFA allows students to deepen and extend their learning over a sustained 2-year programme, offering the opportunity for further development of skills in movement direction and teaching, greater opportunity for observation and shadowing of professional practice, and the opportunity to gain a qualification (MFA) which has international recognition.
Programme learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | Awards | Ref. | |
| Knowledge and understanding of key historical and current movement practices relevant to the actor-performer | KP | PGCert | |
| Knowledge and understanding of pedagogical approaches and tools relevant to the actor-performer | KP | PGCert | |
| Engage with and apply ethical considerations relevant to the practice of inclusive movement direction and teaching | KP | PGCert | |
| Demonstrate the ability to synthesise knowledge to create appropriate creative and/or pedagogic processes for devising/developing movement work within a range of theatrical contexts | CPT | PGCert | |
| Apply high levels of organisation, time management, and the ability to synthesise information and work reactively and proactively | T | PGDip, MFA | |
| Demonstrate skills in leadership and facilitation, effectively leading inclusive, engaging, and productive activities | PT | PGDip, MFA | |
| Demonstrate effective use of movement knowledge, understanding, and approaches in the realisation of creative responses | KP | PGDip, MFA | |
| Ability to evaluate and analyse own skills, needs, and effectiveness of own practice to create appropriate responsive strategies and approaches | CPT | PGDip, MFA | |
| Undertake critically informed research and demonstrate the ability to contextualise and interrogate practice | CT | MFA | |
| Demonstrate a professional and disciplined approach, and ability to communicate and work effectively in different settings | KT | PGDip, MFA | |
| Apply knowledge of a range of professional and/or pedagogic practices | P | MFA |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Programme structure
Full-time
This Master's Degree programme is studied full-time over two academic years, consisting of 240 credits at FHEQ level 7*. All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
- Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)
*some programmes may contain up to 30 credits at FHEQ level 6.
Programme Adjustments (if applicable)
N/A
Modules
Year 1 (full-time) - FHEQ Level 7
| Module code | Module title | Status | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MOVM003 | CHOREOGRAPHY | Compulsory | 30 | Year-long |
| MOVM004 | MOVEMENT DIRECTION AND INTIMACY COORDINATION | Compulsory | 45 | Year-long |
| MOVM006 | MOVEMENT PRACTICES AND PEDAGOGIES | Compulsory | 45 | Year-long |
Year 2 (full-time) - FHEQ Level 7
| Module code | Module title | Status | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MOVM001 | ADVANCED PEDAGOGIES | Compulsory | 60 | Year-long |
| MOVM002 | ADVANCED PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE | Compulsory | 60 | Year-long |
Opportunities for placements / work related learning / collaborative activity
| Associate Tutor(s) / Guest Speakers / Visiting Academics | N | |
| Professional Training Year (PTY) | N | |
| Placement(s) (study or work that are not part of PTY) | Y | Yes |
| Clinical Placement(s) (that are not part of the PTY scheme) | N | |
| Study exchange (Level 5) | N | |
| Dual degree | N |
Other information
This programme supports students to develop skills in Employability, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Resourcefulness and Resilience, Sustainability, and Digital Capabilities in the following ways:
The focus of this vocational programme is on the development of specialist skills and knowledge, producing highly-skilled graduates to enter the movement direction and teaching workforce. Students study core aspects of the field of movement direction and teaching, including the growth area of Intimacy Coordination, and gain theoretical and practical skills as well as work placement, networking, and career planning opportunities. Students gain further transferrable skills through interdisciplinary, collaborative team working, and through managing independent work and creative processes. Throughout the programme embeds inclusive approaches, drawing upon a range of cultural perspectives and practices and inviting students to actively collaborate and engage in peer-learning. Students engage critically with socio-political contexts and questions surrounding movement direction and teaching and integrate this knowledge into research projects. Through responding to briefs, engaging in collaboration, and participating in classroom and rehearsal room practice to develop creative work, students must work resourcefully to integrate knowledge, adapt their practice, and respond to evolving situations, in turn directly increasing their professional skills and expertise. Self- and peer-reflection and evaluation is integrated throughout the programme, encouraging reflective and resilient students who draw upon their knowledge to respond creatively in a range of circumstances. Students engage with the environmental impact of creative choices and actively connect with schemes such as the Theatre Green Book, considering the impact and implications of their studio practice. Finally, students gain digital skills through engagement with online research, use of the VLE (particularly whilst working remotely on Placement), and in the employment of digital tools for the development and presentation of assessment work.
Quality assurance
The Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programmes can be found at:
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2024/5 academic year.