Overview

The joint nature of the Theatre and Dance program at the University of California, San Diego provides an unrivalled diversity of theatre faculty and affiliated faculty between both campuses available for coursework and advising.

Within the context of the program’s twin focus on theory and history, an innovative structure permits each student to pursue a custom-designed curriculum that draws from a rich variety of seminars in faculty research areas that include: Theatre of the Americas (modernist and postmodernist theatre and performance; African American theatre and dance; Asian American performance; Latinx and Indigenous performance) and European Theatre, as well as Asian Theatre, Gender Studies, Intercultural Theatre, and Critical Theory.

PhD students take seminars at both UC San Diego and UC Irvine and write dissertations under the supervision of faculty at both campuses. In addition, UC San Diego's PhD students have historically received part of their financial support by creating publicity materials for productions staged by the department’s top-ranked MFA program.

The scholarly, theoretical nature of the doctoral program thus exists alongside the thriving artistic scene of the UC San Diego Theatre District, which includes the La Jolla Playhouse.

Students with backgrounds in theatre and interests in history and theory find the breadth of the UC San Diego Theatre & Dance department and the joint nature of the PhD program to be fruitful ground to prepare for a professional career in scholarship.

Employment Record

Our graduates have secured academic positions at institutions including: Emory University, Indiana University, Salem State University, San Diego State University, University of Arizona, University of Nevada at Las Vegas, University of California Santa Cruz, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of South Dakota, University of Southern California, University of Texas, and Washington University.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Radical Dramaturgies

Theatre of War

The Nation Enacted on Imaginary Stages

Indigenous Theory and Performance

Canadian Theatre

Performing Latinidades

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 60 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-23 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-07 00:00:00

Language

English

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Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

San Diego, United States

Disciplines

Drama Dance View 22 other PhDs in Drama in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

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PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

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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

One writing sample (15-20 pages), which deals with an aspect related to theatre and performance studies

Official transcripts or official copies of academic records from all post-secondary institutions attended.
3 Letters of recommendation.
Statement of Purpose (2-3 pages maximum).

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

36477 USD / year

≈ 36477 USD / year
Out-of-State

36477 USD / year

≈ 36477 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

21375 USD / year

≈ 21375 USD / year

Living costs

San Diego

United States

1400 - 2455 USD / month

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

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Theatre and Dance.

Available Scholarships

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

About

Overview

Employment Record

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

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

Living costs

San Diego

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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