Directing, bachelor and master
With us, you will learn to find your own thematic interests, working methods and dramatic language in the continuously changing field of theatre.
Why study here?
The field of directing focuses on the range of aspects that make up a theatre performance as well as the ultimate meaning of a performance. Consequently, the studies help students learn about the process of creating a performance from various different angles.
In the Degree Programme in Directing, you will verbalise your own observations, develop your critical thinking and learn to create meaningful works for the stage. Directing artistic group works is a recurrent theme in the studies. You will also learn to master various artistic production models and become familiar with the diverse theatre and arts sector both in Finland and abroad.
Applicants can apply to the five-year Degree Programme in Directing without prior experience in directing.
Content and objective of the programme
The five-year Degree Programme in Directing consists of three-year bachelor’s studies (180 cr) and two-year master’s studies (120 cr). The bachelor’s studies will give you the basic competence to work in the profession of a director. During your master’s studies, you will deepen your competence and be given the chance to explore your areas of interests from a more comprehensive perspective. The programme aims at an open, inquisitive and dialogue-based atmosphere, and students are expected to have the desire to examine issues related to their own field of art and to culture and society in general.
The primary language of instruction is Finnish. The applicant’s language skills are sufficient if they have completed the S2 syllabus. However, students have the right to use Swedish both orally and in writing when participating in teaching and completing studies, unless otherwise specified in the curriculum or prevented by the nature of teaching. Because it is possible to complete the two-year master’s degree also in English, some of the master-level courses are organised in English. In practice, our study community is multilingual, and we actively refine our practices related to multilingualism.
As the starting point of the studies, you get to know the theoretical and practical premises of the artistic field. You then apply the traditional and contemporary theories and practices of directing in your study assignments. You will observe the concepts that are meaningful for your personal art-making and verbalise your way of thinking to others. You will create your own unique directing style and learn to reflect on your work from a conceptual and theoretical viewpoint. As your studies progress, you will learn to view your own work as part of a larger context in the world of theatre and society at large. Our aim is to give students a profound understanding of the nature of theatre arts as well as the field’s history and present-day status.
The Degree programme in directing gives students the necessary tools to continuously develop their own distinctive artistic qualities and the readiness to pursue doctoral studies. The essential aims of the degree programme include the continuous development of the student’s artistic expression and vision, an unprejudiced flow of ideas and analytical and critical thinking.
In addition to the student’s personal artistic growth, the programme emphasises the collaborative nature of theatre. Most of the studies are based on co-learning, shared stage studies, demos and performance productions organised in cooperation with students of other degree programmes. We encourage future artists in the field of theatre to seek and establish joint themes, artistic expressions, work methods and a joint language for the stage and to forge future partnerships by networking with fellow students. During your studies, you will work together with students of dramaturgy, acting, sound and lighting design, scenography and costume design, for example. Other central partners include theatres and other operators in the theatre sector, universities and the international Alexandria Nova network of directing programmes.
Master’s studies in directing
The two-year master’s studies are more individualised than bachelor’s studies, providing opportunities to engage in independent artistic work. You will actively participate in the planning and implementation of your own studies, as well as in developing the field of art that the degree programme represents.
The defining theme prevalent in the planning of your master’s studies is your personal artistic question or area of interest that you have articulated by the end of your bachelor’s studies or by the time of applying to the master’s programme. The student’s personal artistic practice is a central part of directing studies, and the academy’s professional production team and close relations with the professional field reinforce the student’s creative process. You will strengthen your own artistic and production-related expertise and leadership skills in different contexts and learn to work within various frameworks of artistic production.
The master’s studies culminate in a thesis project consisting of a written and an artistic component, in which the student’s personal vision is demonstrated through presenting artistic questions and analysing them using the competence they have gained.
Starting from autumn 2020, it has been possible to complete master’s studies in directing also in English.
Teachers
Our teachers are experienced experts in their field. In addition to the permanent teaching staff, the programme welcomes top professionals from both Finland and abroad as guests on a regular basis.
Doctoral studies
You can complete a licentiate and a doctoral degree at the University as a third-cycle degree. After graduating with a master’s degree, you can apply for doctoral studies in theatre and drama and specialise in research-oriented, artistic or applied doctoral studies.
Target degree and length of study
Master of Arts (Theatre and Drama)
5 years
Application period
Next possible time to apply is in January 2025. Studies begin in August 2025.
Application languages
Finnish
Read more about the language skill requirements
Tuition fee
There is no tuition fee for this degree programme, as the language of instruction is not English.
Supervising teacher
-
Saana Lavaste
Professor, Degree Programme in Directing, Theatre Academy+358505273873saana.lavaste@uniarts.fi
Unit
Theatre Academy
Ask about applying
Why study here?
The field of directing focuses on the range of aspects that make up a theatre performance as well as the ultimate meaning of a performance. Consequently, the studies help students learn about the process of creating a performance from various different angles.
In the Degree Programme in Directing, you will verbalise your own observations, develop your critical thinking and learn to create meaningful works for the stage. Directing artistic group works is a recurrent theme in the studies. You will also learn to master various artistic production models and become familiar with the diverse theatre and arts sector both in Finland and abroad.
Applicants can apply to the five-year Degree Programme in Directing without prior experience in directing.
Content and objective of the programme
The five-year Degree Programme in Directing consists of three-year bachelor’s studies (180 cr) and two-year master’s studies (120 cr). The bachelor’s studies will give you the basic competence to work in the profession of a director. During your master’s studies, you will deepen your competence and be given the chance to explore your areas of interests from a more comprehensive perspective. The programme aims at an open, inquisitive and dialogue-based atmosphere, and students are expected to have the desire to examine issues related to their own field of art and to culture and society in general.
The primary language of instruction is Finnish. The applicant’s language skills are sufficient if they have completed the S2 syllabus. However, students have the right to use Swedish both orally and in writing when participating in teaching and completing studies, unless otherwise specified in the curriculum or prevented by the nature of teaching. Because it is possible to complete the two-year master’s degree also in English, some of the master-level courses are organised in English. In practice, our study community is multilingual, and we actively refine our practices related to multilingualism.
As the starting point of the studies, you get to know the theoretical and practical premises of the artistic field. You then apply the traditional and contemporary theories and practices of directing in your study assignments. You will observe the concepts that are meaningful for your personal art-making and verbalise your way of thinking to others. You will create your own unique directing style and learn to reflect on your work from a conceptual and theoretical viewpoint. As your studies progress, you will learn to view your own work as part of a larger context in the world of theatre and society at large. Our aim is to give students a profound understanding of the nature of theatre arts as well as the field’s history and present-day status.
The Degree programme in directing gives students the necessary tools to continuously develop their own distinctive artistic qualities and the readiness to pursue doctoral studies. The essential aims of the degree programme include the continuous development of the student’s artistic expression and vision, an unprejudiced flow of ideas and analytical and critical thinking.
In addition to the student’s personal artistic growth, the programme emphasises the collaborative nature of theatre. Most of the studies are based on co-learning, shared stage studies, demos and performance productions organised in cooperation with students of other degree programmes. We encourage future artists in the field of theatre to seek and establish joint themes, artistic expressions, work methods and a joint language for the stage and to forge future partnerships by networking with fellow students. During your studies, you will work together with students of dramaturgy, acting, sound and lighting design, scenography and costume design, for example. Other central partners include theatres and other operators in the theatre sector, universities and the international Alexandria Nova network of directing programmes.
Master’s studies in directing
The two-year master’s studies are more individualised than bachelor’s studies, providing opportunities to engage in independent artistic work. You will actively participate in the planning and implementation of your own studies, as well as in developing the field of art that the degree programme represents.
The defining theme prevalent in the planning of your master’s studies is your personal artistic question or area of interest that you have articulated by the end of your bachelor’s studies or by the time of applying to the master’s programme. The student’s personal artistic practice is a central part of directing studies, and the academy’s professional production team and close relations with the professional field reinforce the student’s creative process. You will strengthen your own artistic and production-related expertise and leadership skills in different contexts and learn to work within various frameworks of artistic production.
The master’s studies culminate in a thesis project consisting of a written and an artistic component, in which the student’s personal vision is demonstrated through presenting artistic questions and analysing them using the competence they have gained.
Starting from autumn 2020, it has been possible to complete master’s studies in directing also in English.
Teachers
Our teachers are experienced experts in their field. In addition to the permanent teaching staff, the programme welcomes top professionals from both Finland and abroad as guests on a regular basis.
Doctoral studies
You can complete a licentiate and a doctoral degree at the University as a third-cycle degree. After graduating with a master’s degree, you can apply for doctoral studies in theatre and drama and specialise in research-oriented, artistic or applied doctoral studies.