Produce professional public performances
Become job ready with access to industry placements
Learn from passionate and leading performance experts
Key facts
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course information
Drama graduates are equipped to launch careers as independent theatre makers and pursue roles throughout the arts and entertainment industries. Career opportunities include:
- actor
- theatre director
- art centre manager
- festival manager
- drama educator
- community theatre practitioner
- production manager
- presenter.
For more information go to DeakinTALENT
Read MoreCourse structure
To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Creative Arts (Drama) a student must complete 24 credit points including:
- 8 x common core units (totalling 12 credit points)
- 4 Drama discipline units
- 2 course electives from List A
- 6 electives
- no more than 10 credit points at level 1
- Academic Integrity AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
12
Core
8
Elective
4
Drama Discipline
24
Total
Core units
Course Electives
Complete two 1 credit point units from the following course electives list A:
Drama discipline units
Electives
Complete six electives
We suggest students complete at least 4 units in a subject area different to their degree, preferably a linked sequence of study in the same area. This choice can include units from any degree in the University but is best chosen from the subject areas in the Bachelor of Creative Arts: (Dance, Visual Arts, Photography), Bachelor of Design: (Visual Communication, Digital Technologies, 3D Animation) or Bachelor of Arts programs.
Key information
2020 course information
Campuses by intake
Campus availability varies per trimester. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Read more to learn where this course will be offered throughout the year.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
Trimester 3 - November
- Start date: November
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
Deakin splits the academic year into three terms, known as trimesters. Most students usually undertake two trimesters each year (March-June, July-November).
Additional course information
The faculty offers two units AIX160 Introduction to University Study and AIX117 Professional Writing for Work which are specifically designed to ease the transition into university study. New students are encouraged to enrol in one or both of these units as electives in their first year.
Assessment
Assessment takes place at the unit level and has been designed to ensure successful attainment of all the Course Learning Outcomes and corresponding Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes over the duration of the course.
Course duration - additional information
Delays in completing the placement could mean that the course will take longer to complete than the stated duration.
International students are required to study full-time to complete their course within the duration registered on CRICOS
Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.
Work experience
Work-integrated learning opportunities are embedded through the Bachelor of Creative Arts programs with real client briefs, opportunities for client and industry engagement and professional practice. These may be discipline specific or may introduce students to other opportunities in the diverse field of creative arts. This level of engagement occurs at first, second and third year and is core to the course. In particular we have a Creative Careers and Contexts and Exhibition and Performance units where students meet industry practitioners, visit creative industry workplaces, organise and promote a festival of exhibitions and performances and learn the appropriate practical, administrative, marketing and self-management skills required to launch and maintain their careers as creative artists in their chosen discipline. Student will develop a career development strategy that can be used to demonstrate the essential skills and knowledge for a future job application, successful pitch for funding or, development of a self-run project.
Entry requirements
Entry information
Deakin University offers admission to undergraduate courses through a number of Admission categories.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements
Please note that meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee selection, which is based on merit, likelihood of success and availability of places in the course.
For more information on the Admission Criteria and Selection (Higher Education Courses) Policy visit the Deakin Policy Library
Entry for applicants with recent secondary education (previous three years) will be based on their performance in a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education, with pre-requisite units 3 and 4; a study score of at least 25 in English EAL (English as an additional language) or 20 in English other than EAL. Applicants will be selected in accordance with the published Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) for that year.
Refer to the VTAC Guide for the latest pre-requisite information www.vtac.edu.au
Entry for applicants with previous Tertiary, VET, life or work experience will be based on their performance in one of the following:
- a Certificate IV in a related discipline OR
- a Diploma in any discipline or 50% completion of a Diploma in a related discipline OR
- successful completion of relevant study at an accredited higher education institution equivalent to at least two Deakin University units OR
- other evidence of academic capability judged to be equivalent including relevant work or life experience
Admissions information
Learn more about this course and others that Deakin offers by visiting VTAC for more information. You can also discover how Deakin compares to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning by visiting the ComparED website.
Special entry access schemes (SEAS) enables Deakin to consider disadvantageous circumstances you may have experienced and their impact upon your studies. SEAS also allows us to identify if you're from under-represented groups when making selection decisions for some courses. SEAS does not exempt you from meeting any of the course entry requirements.
You can also find out about different entry pathways into Deakin courses if you can't get in straight from high school.
Finally, Deakin is committed to admissions transparency. As part of that commitment, you can learn more about our first intake of 2019 students (PDF, 746.6KB) - their average ATARs, whether they had any previous higher education experience and more.
Recognition of prior learning
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees.
The tuition fees you pay will depend on the units you choose to study as each unit has its own costs. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students undertaking the first year of this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the time it takes to complete your course and any approved Recognition of Prior Learning you have.
Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together 8 credit points of a typical combination of units for that course. Eight credit points is used as it represents a typical full-time enrolment load for a year.
You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the Handbook.
Learn more about fees and available payment options.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship could help you pay for your course fees, living costs and study materials. If you've got something special to offer Deakin - or maybe you just need a bit of extra support - we've got a scholarship opportunity for you. Search or browse through our scholarships
Apply now
How to apply
Applications through VTAC have now closed.
Applications can be made directly to the University through the Course and Scholarship Applicant Portal.
For more information on the application process and closing dates, visit the how to apply page.
Please complete the Register your interest form to receive further information about our direct application opportunities.
Entry pathways
View pathways into the Bachelor of Creative Arts (Drama) with our pathways finder.
Contact information
Arts and Education Student Services and Enrolment Enquiries
Burwood (Melbourne)
Tel 03 9246 8100
artsed@deakin.edu.au
Frequently asked questions
What are the key study start dates?
Browse all start and finish dates for Deakin’s main study periods. You’ll also find dates relating to applications and prospective student events, plus a list of all public holidays and study breaks.
How much does it cost to study at Deakin?
Your tuition fees will depend on the type of student you are, the course you study and the year you start. Fees are based on an annual amount; they don't cover the entire duration of the course.
Use our fee estimator to gauge what your fees could be per year.
Can I speak to someone in person about my study options?
Yes! We regularly host a range of events including 1:1 consultations and information sessions, to assist you with your study options and career planning. Check out our upcoming events or contact our Prospective Student Enquiry Centre on 1800 693 888 for more information.
Am I eligible for a scholarship with this course?
Scholarships are available for domestic and international students at all study levels. Find a scholarship that works for you.
Can I claim recognition of prior learning (RPL) for this course?
In some courses, you can reduce your overall study time and tuition cost by getting your work and previous study experience recognised as recognition of prior learning (RPL).
Why choose Deakin
Want a degree that’s more than just a qualification? Our industry connections, world-class facilities and practical approach to learning are just some of the reasons why Deakin students graduate confident and ready to thrive in the jobs of tomorrow.
Career outcomes
The Bachelor of Creative Arts (Drama) aims to provide graduates with practical and applicable creative skills, along with critical awareness, and the confidence to successfully establish themselves as professionals in artistic and commercial contexts. Graduates can pursue careers in creative cross-disciplinary environments and within the dynamics of 21st century creative industries. As drama practitioners, graduates are prepared to launch career pathways in the small to medium independent theatre sector; community art practice; arts, event, festival and production management; applied arts; and drama therapies. Graduates are also equipped to transfer their discipline skills to jobs within a wide range of industries, including arts administration, curation, academic research, promotion, film production and education. Graduates are well positioned to pursue higher level coursework or research studies at a postgraduate level.
For more information go to DeakinTALENT
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline specific knowledge and capabilities | Interpret and apply conceptual, theoretical and technical skills in the analysis and presentation of a range of creative outcomes. |
| Communication | Critically employ a variety of mediums, methods and techniques to present ideas and practical work. |
| Digital literacy | Critically evaluate, manipulate and apply a range of information technologies, digital tools, devices and environments to support and develop creative processes. |
| Critical thinking | Analyse and synthesize research materials across a diversity of sources and mediums to generate original and diverse creative work. |
| Problem solving | Apply theoretical and practical knowledge to generate and express solutions to creative arts problems |
| Self-management | Develop, manage and critically reflect upon the production and presentation of creative works in accordance with industry standards and personal learning goals. |
| Teamwork | Contribute in a constructive and respectful way to the collaborative production of creative outcomes. |
| Global citizenship | Engage critically, respectfully and with self-awareness when working within diverse social and cultural contexts in creative arts practice. |
| Approved by Faculty Board March 2019 | |
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*QS Stars University Ratings 2016–2017
^Mid-year intake is not available for all courses and some courses have limited places, apply early to avoid missing out.
+Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our list of media references.
* Application close dates vary. Some courses have limited places, apply early to avoid missing out.