Directing, master
Study directing in English in a highly esteemed, professional and international study environment. Your studies are built around your individual research question.
Why choose us?
The two-year master’s programme in directing offers you a unique setting to develop your distinct characteristics and artistic practice as a director. The master’s studies are built around your individual research question. The studies both support and challenge you, as you develop your own artistic thinking and skills. We offer you a learning environment that is both multidisciplinary and multi-faceted where peer learning plays a key role.
Content and objective of the programme
The student’s personal artistic work is a central part of directing studies, and the school’s professional production team and close relations with the professional field reinforce the student’s creative process. Students have the chance to collaborate with other degree programmes at the Uniarts Helsinki Theatre Academy, including programmes in design for the performing arts, lighting design, sound design and acting. The master-level courses combine theory and practice, giving rise to versatile and even surprising points of view that challenge and deepen the student’s artistic and critical thinking.
We offer students opportunities to build connections with other European students of directing. We engage in close cooperation with other European degree programmes in directing, including programmes hosted by the following universities: Hochschule für Schauspielkunst Ernst Busch, Den Danske Scenekunstskole, Listaháskóli Íslands, Stockholms Konstnärliga Högskola, Kunsthøgskolen i Oslo, and Lietuvos Muzikos ir Teatro Akademija. In addition, the Degree Programme in Directing has long-spanning partnerships in Brazil (SP Escola de Teatro, São Paulo) and Mozambique (Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo).
The main language of instruction for master’s studies in directing is English, but in certain contexts students can also use Finnish or Swedish.
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 Uniarts Helsinki 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.
Learn more about studies
Target degree and length of study
Master of Arts (Theatre and Drama)
2 years
Application period
Next possible time to apply is in January 2025. Studies begin in August 2025.
Application languages
English
Read more about the language skill requirements
Tuition fee
From August 2025, the annual tuition fee is € 12,000 for students who are studying in English and come from outside the EU and EEA countries.
Supervising teacher
-
Saana Lavaste
Professor, Degree Programme in Directing, Theatre Academy+358505273873saana.lavaste@uniarts.fi
Unit
Theatre Academy
Ask about applying
Max Catalogue: Students and alumni
Why choose us?
The two-year master’s programme in directing offers you a unique setting to develop your distinct characteristics and artistic practice as a director. The master’s studies are built around your individual research question. The studies both support and challenge you, as you develop your own artistic thinking and skills. We offer you a learning environment that is both multidisciplinary and multi-faceted where peer learning plays a key role.
Content and objective of the programme
The student’s personal artistic work is a central part of directing studies, and the school’s professional production team and close relations with the professional field reinforce the student’s creative process. Students have the chance to collaborate with other degree programmes at the Uniarts Helsinki Theatre Academy, including programmes in design for the performing arts, lighting design, sound design and acting. The master-level courses combine theory and practice, giving rise to versatile and even surprising points of view that challenge and deepen the student’s artistic and critical thinking.
We offer students opportunities to build connections with other European students of directing. We engage in close cooperation with other European degree programmes in directing, including programmes hosted by the following universities: Hochschule für Schauspielkunst Ernst Busch, Den Danske Scenekunstskole, Listaháskóli Íslands, Stockholms Konstnärliga Högskola, Kunsthøgskolen i Oslo, and Lietuvos Muzikos ir Teatro Akademija. In addition, the Degree Programme in Directing has long-spanning partnerships in Brazil (SP Escola de Teatro, São Paulo) and Mozambique (Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo).
The main language of instruction for master’s studies in directing is English, but in certain contexts students can also use Finnish or Swedish.
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 Uniarts Helsinki 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.