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Email academic.registry@tcd.ieThe Stage Design programme is purposely designed to allow students to either specialise on one area of stage design (set, costume or lighting design) or to combine disciplines as desired (for example, set and costume design or set and lighting design).
In addition to the core classes and workshops, individual and group tuition from The Lir’s Head of Design will be a key feature of the training. In addition, 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 culmination of the course. Students can opt to take this course either part-time (24 months) or full-time (12 months).
The course is designed to complement the MFA in Playwriting and the MFA in Theatre Directing. Students on all three programmes will work together in collaboration, developing a shared understanding of contemporary theatre practice and a collective appreciation of the dedication and commitment required to make innovative performances happen.
If you have a passion for theatre and are interested in the many elements of stage design, you should consider the M.F.A. in Stage Design. This course is perfect for professionals looking to get practical experience and specialise in costume or set design.
This programme allows students to specialise in or combine stage design disciplines (set and costume design) and is tailored to provide talented individuals with the necessary skills to pursue a career in professional theatre and related industries.
Students elect to take this course either full-time (12 months) or part-time (24 months).
Full-time students take Contemporary Theatre Practice (20 ECTS), and two elective modules (20 ECTS x 2) in the first two terms, and Production Design (30 ECTS) in the third term and subsequent summer months.
Students who elect to take the course part-time ordinarily complete:
- Year 1: Contemporary Theatre Practice (20 ECTS); 2 elective modules (20 ECTS x 2)
- Year 2: Production Design (30 ECTS)
The final Production Design module will be taught by an ongoing series of individual tutorials.
Students will take two core modules:
- Contemporary Theatre Practice: enables students to become conversant in the styles, forms, theories and practices that constitute contemporary theatre making in Ireland.
- Production Design: individual supervision of two placements as assistant to a professional designer, and realisation of a design for public viewing in one of The Lir studios.
Students will choose 2 elective modules, among the following: Set Design Workshop, Costume Design Workshop, Lighting Design Workshop, Dramaturgy for Stage Design.
Click here for further information on modules/subjects.
Join The Lir's Director, Loughlin Deegan, to learn more about the three M.F.A. programmes at The Lir Academy, available full-time and part-time. He outlines course content, finance, funding and more.
September 2025
Gavin O'Donoghue, Director of Actor Training and Postgraduate Programmes
31st March 2025
In addition to the information required on the online form, you are also required to upload a copy of the following:
All applicants to Trinity are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language. Applicants to this course are required to meet Band B (Standard Entry) English language requirements. For more details of qualifications that meet Band B, see the English Language Requirements page here.
Click here for a full list of postgraduate fees.
To apply, click on the relevant Apply Link below
Register your interest in studying at Ireland’s leading university, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin.
If you want to learn about yourself as a designer, as an artist, if you want a year of work to explore your practice, come to The Lir Academy, it's a good place to do it. My favourite thing is that I now have a lot of designer friends and directing friends because the course involves a lot of collaboration.
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