Overview

Based in the Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies, the PhD program in Performance Studies takes advantage of Berkeley’s distinguished history in the field of drama and theater studies and opens out to a wider interrogation of the disciplines and methodologies of performance studies.

Features

The program at University of California, Berkeley is administered by the Graduate Group in Performance Studies, comprised of faculty from a wide range of related departments.

Students in the Performance Studies PhD program conduct research in a diverse array of interdisciplinary methodologies, on projects spanning the fields of theater, dance, and performance studies.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Research Colloquium

Performance Theory: Key Topics

Performance Theory: Enduring Debates

Methodologies in Performance Studies

Performance Practicum: Bodies, Space, and Time

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 60 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-08-20 00:00:00
- Apply before 2025-12-01 00:00:00

Language

English

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Delivered

On Campus

Disciplines

Drama Music Performance View 70 other PhDs in Music Performance in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

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Student insurance

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:

Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
Liability
Home contents and baggage
Accidents
Legal aid

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Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at University of California, Berkeley and/or in United States, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Other requirements

General requirements

Transcripts: Applicants may upload unofficial transcripts with your application for the departmental initial review. Unofficial transcripts must contain specific information including the name of the applicant, name of the school, all courses, grades, units, & degree conferral (if applicable).

Letters of recommendation: Applicants may request online letters of recommendation through the online application system. Hard copies of recommendation letters must be sent directly to the program, by the recommender, not the Graduate Admissions.

Evidence of English language proficiency: All applicants who have completed a basic degree from a country or political entity in which the official language is not English are required to submit official evidence of English language proficiency.

Tuition Fee

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International

12264 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 6132 USD per semester during 60 months.
National

12264 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 6132 USD per semester during 60 months.
In-State

12264 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 6132 USD per semester during 60 months.

Living costs for Berkeley

1750 - 2820 USD /month

Living costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Performance Studies.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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