Philosophy/Theatre Studies

Philosophy and theatre studies is a combination that brings together two disciplines which, at their most serious, share a fundamental concern with the most important questions of human experience. Philosophy uses reason and argument to approach profound questions about knowledge, reality, morality, the mind, and what it means to live well. Theatre studies examines how performance works as a form of art and as a cultural practice, asking how meaning is created in the live encounter between performer and audience, how drama has been used to explore human experience across cultures and centuries, and what theatre does that no other art form can.

At the University of Glasgow this four-year programme develops your ability to argue rigorously and carefully through philosophical study alongside your understanding of theatre as both a text-based and performance-based art. You will engage with the history of philosophy, including ethics, epistemology, metaphysics, and philosophy of mind, while also studying dramatic theory, theatre history, and performance practice. The programme includes a year abroad, giving you the opportunity to study philosophy and theatre in an international context and to broaden your perspective on both disciplines.

Glasgow's strong philosophical tradition and its vibrant arts scene provide an excellent environment for this combination.

Graduates from philosophy and theatre studies programmes pursue diverse careers. Theatre direction, performance, arts administration, dramaturgy, and education are common destinations for those with a strong theatre focus. The philosophical training transfers well into law, the civil service, journalism, policy research, ethics, and education.

Many graduates also continue to postgraduate study in philosophy, performance studies, theatre, or related fields, developing their expertise for academic or specialist professional roles.