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From productions and rehearsal space to Q&A and practical workshops with professional theatre-makers, students gain a deeper understanding of this renowned theatre company and the chance to peek behind-the-scenes. Opportunities include:

• Theatre Trips: Attend RSC productions and participate in Q&A sessions with cast members.

• Workshops: Join professional research and development workshops.

• Masterclasses: Learn from RSC practitioners in directing, playwriting, lighting, and design.

• Backstage tours: Explore the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

• Stratford Residential: Participate in the Department of English’s annual undergraduate trip.

• RSC teaching: Receive input on multiple MA programmes at the Shakespeare Institute.

Programmes of study

The collaboration especially benefits students on the courses below. Many of the opportunities are also open to enthusiastic students in other departments:

MA Shakespeare and Creativity
Two of the MA Shakespeare and Creativity core modules, The Shakespeare Ensemble and Shakespeare in Society, feature tuition from the RSC. There are seminars on new writing, devising and design, among other topics. Shakespeare in Society culminates in the production of a piece of civic creativity inspired by Shakespeare. Students taking The Shakespeare Ensemble module devise work specifically for public performance.

MA Shakespeare, including Shakespeare and Education pathway
The programme has two pathways – the MA Shakespeare pathway, and the MA Shakespeare and Education pathway. Students wishing to graduate with an MA in Shakespeare and Education must take the module ‘Teaching Shakespeare’. This is taught in collaboration with the RSC.

BA English
The second year of the BA English programme includes an optional residential trip to Stratford-upon-Avon. There are academic workshops at the Shakespeare Institute. Students have the opportunity to participate in a programme of creative sessions, often led by RSC artists. In previous years, English students have also benefitted from theatre trips and Q&A sessions with RSC creative practitioners.

Students have had a variety of opportunities to work with RSC practitioners, developing their creative skills through activities such as playwriting and devising workshops.

MA Digital Media and Creative Industries
As part of the 'Creative Industries: Policy and Professional Development' module students work in groups on a project from a bank of briefs provided by some of our partners in region. This includes the Royal Shakespeare Company, Birmingham Rep, the National Literacy Trust, Soul City Arts, Writing West Midlands, and Birmingham Museums Trust.