Level I Master's Degree
The Master in Performing Storytelling for the promotion of Cultural Heritage, Cultural Dissemination, and Education (MSP) is unique in its kind in Italy and reprents a rare opportunity in Europe to attend a one year a First Level post Grad Master focusing on Performing Storytelling and its repertorie related to cultural heritage, its dissemination and education.
This one-year Master's program is designed to provide a solid training and tool kit for those who wish to work- or are already working, in the fields of cultural heritage promotion (such as tour guides, museum professionals, exhibition curators etc.), art and heritage communication and dissemination, or education, as well as for those interested in pursuing a career as a professional Storyteller.
The program aims to provide students with specific knowledge of a broad narrative repertoire – ranging from ancient mythology to the biblical world, medieval literature, hagiography, and folklore – as well as communication skills that enable effective audience engagement through advanced techniques in public speaking and rhetoric.
Classes, workshops, and masterclasse will be led by university professors and renowned experts in the Stortyelling field, both from the Italian and the international scene aiming to offer acomprehensive theretical and practical training. Students will gain in-depth knowledge of a rich narrative repertoire, master oral storytelling techniques, and explore the various applications of performative storytelling.
The program includes a rich schedule of educational field trips, practical training sessions, and two internships, involving students directly in professional storytelling practices and projects. The The sudents will be presented also with a number of pportunities for international exchange.
Professional skills:
Students who will follow and complete the master will acquire the following skills:
- To be able to create high-quality cultural content—aiming at promoting cultural heritage, cultural outreach and dissemination, and educational purposes—starting from thorough research, careful selection, and contextualization of sources, and to convey such content in an original and engaging way through the Art of Storytelling.
- To communicate effectively, capturing the audience’s attention through full mastery of the techniques of Perfomative Storytleling .
The deadline for applications is September 28, 2025.
Link identifier #identifier__128598-1Admission announcement
Link identifier #identifier__53454-2Master's program regulations
Learning outcomes of the programme
The programme of the MSP is developed as follows:
A theoretical part with focus on the study of stories, myths, and legends drawn from classical and medieval literature, the biblical world, hagiography, and folklore. These narratives are examined within their historical, literary, anthropological, archaeological, and geo-cultural contexts, with close attention to their original cultural settings.
This part aims to provide a broad cultural education and to develop skills useful for research, as well as for the preparation and creation of a personalized repertoire applicable in various fields of performative storytelling.
A theoretical-practical part focusing on oral Storytelling and consisting of introductory laboratories to the Art of Storytelling and hands-on workshops. In these sessions, participants will acquire oral narrative performance techniques through a professional approach aligned with the standards of the Federation for European Storytelling (FEST), using as “ material” for practical exercises the topics covered in the theoretical part of the course.
Students will have the chance to be exposed and involved into two internship experiences—one with the International Storytelling Festival, a major Storytelling event of international relevance. A selected group of students - based on motivation and performance- will have the opportunity to participate in international exchanges with peers and to take part into International storytelling festivals abroad.
The combination of lectures, hands-on laboratories, workshops, and educational field trips—including visits to significant sites and monuments (such as locations tied to myths and legends from various traditions, saints’ burial sites, and catacombs), as well as attendance at performances by professional storytellers—will allow participants to acquire a broad and sophisticated framework of knowledge and to develop very advanced communication skills. These skills can be applied to the promotion of cultural heritage, cultural Dissemination, and Education The constant interaction between theoretical and practical components is designed to foster a rich, interdisciplinary, and well-structured educational experience.
Career opportunities
- Professional storyteller, with possibility to develop a career both in the the performative field and in applied contexts (includes the issuance of an advanced-level certification in Storytelling recognised by FEST- federation for European Storytelling)
- Cultural event curator, organizing initiatives for the promotion and enhancement of cultural heritage and cultural programming
- Content creator and author in the field of cultural communication: podcasts, public speaking, storytelling, multimedia productions, radio and television broadcasting
The Master’s program is also highly suitable for those who intend to work or are already working in the fields of cultural heritage promotion, scientific and cultural dissemination, and education, and who wish to improve their communication skills and knowledge. This includes professionals such as:
- Tour guides and museum operators
- Science/cultural communicators
- Teachers of all levels
Admission Requirements
Applications to the Master’s Program in Performative Storytelling for the Promotion of Cultural Heritage, Cultural Dissemination, and Education are open to candidates holding a Bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification.
In case the number of applications might exceed the maximum number of available places, the Master's Committee will evaluate candidates based on the following criteria:
- Previous education and qualifications (final degree grade and curriculum vitae et studiorum)
- Motivation, assessed through an individual interview with the candidate.
Max number of students admitted to the course: 20
Course Structure and Key Information
Teaching language: Italian / English for most courses. In case of casses taught exclusively in Italian, hand outs and study material in English will be provided.
Teaching Method: Blended Learning
Sart date : Monday 27th October
Classes will be held on Fridays from 2pm to 7pm and from 10am to 7pm in case of intensive workshops
Saturday from 9am ton 1pm.
Duration: 60 CFU - 1 year
Classes will be held primarily at the facilities of the Department of Humanities, but the study plan includes also several educational field trips .
I parcical workshops and nternships will allow students to complete their training through hands-on experience in the field, working alongside internationally recognized experts. Selected students—based on commitment and academic performance—may have the opportunity to participate in international exchange programs with other students and to begin their professional journey.
Auditors are not permitted to attend the Master’s Program. However, it is possible to enroll in individual course modules (6 ECTS credits), for which a certificate of attendance will be issued guided by the Master experts.
Auditors are not permitted to attend the Master’s Program. However, it is possible to enroll in individual course modules (6 ECTS credits), for which a certificate of attendance will be issued.
Final Assessment
There will be no intermediate exams
The final assessment consists in the presentation of a project work developed in agreement with at least two faculty members: one from a theoretical subject and one from a practical subject.
The final project is intended as an active application of the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the educational program.
Plan of studies
The program includes both theoretical learning activities (lectures) and practical activities (workshops, educational field trips, and internships).
Lectures
Lectures are designed to provide students with the knowledge and tools needed to conduct research, select and use sources effectively, and develop original cultural content aimed at the promotion of cultural heritage, scientific/cultural dissemination, and education.
Theoretical instruction will also be provided on the cultural movement of the Storytelling Revival, tracing its historical development from its origins to the present day.
Topics will include:
- Greek and Roman mythology
- Stories from the Bible, apocryphal literature, and early Christianity
- Tales from the Decameron
- Techniques of ancient rhetoric
- Promotion of local heritage through the study of archaeology, geography, and art history
- History of the cultural movement of the Storytelling Revival
Several educational field trips are also planned as part of the programme.
Workshops
The workshops aim to develop storytelling skills through the learning of oral narrative techniques, approached professionally in accordance with the standards of the Federation for European Storytelling (FEST). The content builds on the topics studied in the theoretical lessons.
Practical workshops are complemented by one-to-one tutoring and coaching, with the goal of helping each participant develop a personalized repertoire tailored to their specific areas of interest.
Additionally, Story Tours and Story Walks are planned to offer on-site practice in cultural heritage promotion through storytelling—particularly focused on Rome and the Lazio region.
Themes and Activities
-
storytelling techniques (3 modules: Basic, Advanced and Professional development)
- International storytelling workshops with teachers from diverse cultural/geographical backgrounds
- Linklater voice workshop with a certified teacher (an international certificate of completion for the "Freeing the Natural Voice" training will be issued at the end)
- Workshop on stage movement
- Practical storytelling exercises based on narrative materials studied in the theoretical courses
- Attendance at storytelling performances by faculty and established International guest artists focused on cultural heritage promotion
- Theoretical-practical workshops on the use of storytelling specifically for the promotion of cultural heritage, cultural dissemination, and education
- Individual tutoring and coaching for building a customized storytelling repertoire based on each participant’s cultural and/or professional goals
Internships
Students will have two practical internship opportunities: the residential internship at Farfa and the International Storytelling Festival.
They will have the chance to be involved in various roles according to their interets, both artistic and organizational.
Tuition Fees and Exemptions
- First installment: €2,000.00 (due by January 24, 2026)
- Second installment: €2,000.00 (due by May 31 of each year; a single deadline applies to all courses unless specific arrangements are made with the Student Services Office)
The amount of the first installment includes a fixed stamp duty and the fee for the issuance of the diploma or certificate.
Tuition fees are non-refundable in case of voluntary withdrawal or failure to complete the required enrollment documentation.
Full exemption from tuition fees and contributions is granted to students with disabilities, pursuant to Article 3, paragraphs 1 and 3, of Law no. 104 of February 5, 1992, or with documented disabilities equal to or greater than 66%, provided that the total number of students with disabilities does not exceed two.
Contacts
Master's Program Secretariat
Department of Humanities
Via Ostiense 234 – 00146 Rome
For general information about DSU master's programs, please contact: Link identifier #identifier__53611-4postlauream.dsu@uniroma3.it