Applying to Postgraduate Courses at The Lir Academy
The MFA Application portal is now open!
We are now accepting applications for our postgraduate programmes on a rolling basis throughout the year, giving you even more opportunities to apply.
We encourage anyone wishing to start in the next academic year, starting October 2024, to apply as soon as possible.
We are now taking applications for the following postgraduate courses:
- MFA Stage Design (lighting design, set design and costume design)
- MFA Playwriting
- MFA Theatre Directing
About our MFA programmes
This masters degree is purposely designed to allow students to either specialise in one area of stage design (set, costume or lighting design) or to combine two disciplines as desired (set and costume design for example, or set and lighting design).
In addition to the core classes and workshops, individual and group tuition from The Lir Academy’s resident designers will be a key feature of the training. Master classes by visiting practitioners will supplement the student experience. Professional placements are a key feature of the programme and all students will showcase their work in public productions at the end of the course.
Modules include - contemporary theatre practice, production design, set design, costume design, lighting design and dramaturgy for stage design.
Entry requirements
In addition to the information required on the online form, students are also required to submit the following:
- A letter that outlines your theatre education highlighting your stage design experience to date
- A statement of purpose that refers to your ambitions in terms of stage design
- A CV (résumé)
- A portfolio of recent work
- Two references/testimonials from those familiar with your work
Find out more and apply for our MFA Stage Design
Through a series of skills-based writing workshops and tutorials with professional playwrights, directors and dramaturges, the student will become equipped with professional practices and creative approaches to writing for performance.
Modules include - contemporary theatre practice, dramaturgy, writing workshop and individual supervision for the writing of a full-length play.
Entry requirements
In addition to the information required on the online form, students are also required to submit the following:
- A letter that outlines your theatre education and writing experience to date
- A statement of purpose that refers to your ambitions in terms of writing style, form and medium
- A CV (résumé)
- A sample of writing in the form of a play (minimum 45 minutes reading time)
- Two references/testimonials from those familiar with your writing
Find out more and apply for our MFA Playwriting
The Master in Fine Art in Theatre Directing is the first entirely practice-based Masters programme of its kind in Ireland.
It was introduced following extensive consultation with the Irish theatre community and is a direct response to the stated needs of the industry and of talented emerging artists. The MFA programme aims to equip students of exceptional talent with the skills necessary to pursue a career in the professional theatre and related industries through the development of skills, professional practices and creative approaches to theatre directing.
Modules include - contemporary theatre practice, directing workshop, theatre production, dramaturgy for theatre directing.
Entry requirements
In addition to the information required on the online form, students are also required to submit the following:
- A letter that outlines your theatre education and highlights your theatre directing experience to date
- A statement of purpose that refers to your ambitions in terms of theatre directing
- A CV (résumé)
- A portfolio of your work including a critical assessment of recently directed work
- Two references/testimonials from those familiar with your work
Find out more and apply for our MFA in Theatre Directing
How to apply
You can apply for our postgraduate programmes using the form on our website. If you have any questions about making an application contact us at admissions@thelir.ie
Scholarships, bursaries and financial support for students
We have put together a guide on some of the scholarships and financial supports available for postgraduate students who want to study at The Lir Academy.