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Choreographie und Performance / Choreography and Performance (M.A.)

Explore an expanded notion of dance and performance: The Master's in Choreography and Performance at JLU entangles artistic practice with sociopolitical theory.

This course of study can be completed in German and English or in English only.

Close-up of a person whose head and upper body are covered in multiple layers of colorful clothing as part of a performance
Photo: Daniel Shaw

Overview

This international programme provides a stimulating environment to push the boundaries of contemporary performing arts: the Master's in Choreography and Performance closely entangles practical staging with philosophical and sociopolitical discussions. By combining experimentation and reflection, you develop your own distinct artistic voice.

 

Applying for admission

 

Start of studies

Winter semester

Mode of admission

No admission restriction

Duration of studies

4 semesters

Workload

120 credit points (CP)

Degree

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Language of instruction

German and English or English

Composition of the Study Programme

What can I expect from this programme?

The aim of the Master’s programme is to train artists who are equipped to deal with the complexity of the production conditions in contemporary performing arts, particularly in the fields of dance and performance. The degree programme is designed to enable students to creatively realise their own dance- and movement-based productions both within and outside established production contexts; to reflect upon, theoretically and practically, drawing on relevant academic and artistic research approaches – including strategies from the fields of media and performance – and to apply the knowledge they have acquired to other fields of work or to open up new ones.

How is the programme structured?

The Master’s programme in Choreography and Performance (CuP) comprises ten modules, including seven compulsory modules for the M.A. CuP, two specialism modules as compulsory-elective modules (students may take modules from other departments) and the thesis module in the CuP subject.

The modules in detail:

  • History and Theory of Dance
  • Contemporary Aesthetics and Performance
  • Choreography / Performative Practice
  • Movement Research 
  • Interdisciplinary Aspects: Visual Arts, Film and New Media
  • Specialisation Module
  • Physical Performance
  • Research Module
  • Placement Module (Assistantship)
  • MA Thesis Module

The final thesis should be an artistic-practical project (e.g. an independently created choreography, performance, installation or video production, together with a scholarly documentation of the artistic work.

The Master’s programme in Choreography and Performance is run under the supervision of the Chair of Dance Studies, specialising in Choreography and Performance, at the Institute for Applied Theatre Studies at Justus Liebig University Giessen. For practical dance courses, there is a partnership under the umbrella of the Hessian Theatre Academy with the Dance Department of the Frankfurt am Main University of Music and Performing Arts (HfMDK) (B.A. Dance and M.A. Contemporary Dance Education (CoDE)). To ensure that academic credits earned there are recognised despite differences in teaching formats, dance classes are defined as teaching units of two hours each.

The Institute for Applied Theatre Studies is also part of the Hessian Theatre Academy (HTA) study network. There may be the opportunity to take module components at the Hessian Theatre Academy’s partner institutions.

 

You will find detailed module descriptions in the appendix to the programme’s Special Regulations.

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Career Options

What career paths can I pursue after graduation?

The career paths on offer are wide-ranging and include, for example, a freelance artistic career (choreography, dance- or movement-based performance art, video), dance dramaturgy, cultural planning and organisation – for example, of dance festivals – or editorial and journalistic work. Even the increasingly important field of ‘dance in schools’/‘community dance’/‘education projects’ etc. will no longer be dominated by dance pedagogy, but will increasingly focus on artistic issues as well, thereby opening up new career opportunities for graduates.

Can I do a PhD after my Master’s degree?

It is possible to do a doctorate after completing the course of study.

 

Graduate Centre

Giessen Graduate Centre for Humanities

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Application and Enrolment

No study fees are charged for this programme. However, students have to pay a semester contribution.

Requirements

Admission to the Master’s programme in Choreography and Performance requires a relevant Bachelor’s degree in Dance Studies or a comparable degree in a subject with a focus on choreography and/or performance, an artistic aptitude test, which must be taken well in advance of the application, and proof of English language proficiency. The student’s previous studies must have focused primarily and predominantly on dance and/or the performing arts, in both practice and/or theory, and must comprise at least 180 CP.

Artistic aptitude test

Applicants interested in the Master’s in Choreography and Performance must successfully complete an aptitude test as part of the admissions process. This must be completed before, and in addition to, the formal application to study.

Registration for the aptitude test is a prerequisite for your university application and must be completed independently of it. Some of the deadlines are well in advance of the general application and enrolment deadlines.

Further information can be found on the website of the Institute for Applied Theatre Studies:

Artistic aptitude test for the M.A. Choreography and performance


Language requirements

English language skills are required for the Master's degree programme in Choreography and Performance. This can be demonstrated by:

  • at least a secondary school leaving certificate (10th grade), proven by school reports; or
  • "Test of English as a Foreign Language" (TOEFL): whereby the test result must be at least 550 points in the paper-based version, 213 points in the computer-based version and at least 79 points in the internet-based version (iBT); or
  • "International English Language Testing System" (IELTS): minimum overall score of "6"; or
  • Non-student examination in English: at least 11 points; or
  • Evidence that is certified according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) with at least level C1; or
  • Completion of an English-language Bachelor's degree programme.

The Examination Board decides on the recognition of foreign language requirements for applicants who can provide proof of a higher education entrance qualification obtained abroad or a BA or equivalent degree. If proof is not provided at the time of enrolment, enrolment is subject to proof in accordance with JLU's selection regulations.

Application Deadline

Winter semester 2027/28

The application deadlines for the winter semester 2027/28 are currently being prepared and are expected to be published here in spring 2027.

International applicants can find further information on the International Office website.

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More about the application process

Further Information

Where can I find official documents about the programme?

Examination and study regulations

Special Regulations (with module descriptions and module plans)
General Regulations for Bachelor's and Master's programmes

Please note that only the German version of the regulation is official and legally binding. The English version is for informative purposes only.

 

Courses offered in the course catalogue

Electronical course catalogue (eVV)

 

Accreditation

This programme has been accredited since 18 August 2008.

Where can I find more information about the faculty?

How do I have a successful start at JLU?

To help you get off to a good start with your studies, we warmly invite you to attend our orientation events. Here you will learn
everything you need to know about starting your studies:

  • creating a course schedule,
  • examination regulations and registration deadlines,
  • campus areas and leisure activities,
  • and much more.

At the same time, you will have the opportunity to get to know your future fellow students.

Start of studies
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Contact

Subject Advisor

Dr. Bojana Kunst

Institute for Applied Theatre Studies
Gutenbergstrasse 6
35390 Giessen
Room 110b

Email: bojana.kunst@theater.uni-giessen.de

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Mila Pavicevic

mila.lanz@uni-giessen.de

Central Study Advisor

Frank Uhlmann

Central Student Advisory Service
Erwin-Stein-Gebäude, 1st floor
Goethestrasse 58
35390 Giessen

Advisory services and contact information

International Office

Assistance for incoming, outgoing and Erasmus+ students

International Office
Goethestrasse 58
35390 Giessen

Contact persons and office hours