Key facts
IELTS overall score of 6 (with no band score less than 6) or equivalent
3 years full time
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course information
Get amongst the next generation of dynamic theatre makers to create innovative contemporary performance in Deakin's Bachelor of Creative Arts (Drama). Become a versatile and agile theatre practitioner equipped with the tools to kick-start your independent theatre career.
You will be challenged to develop physical, creative and intellectual capacities through practice-based learning, while also exploring history and theory, and working with digital technologies and other creative arts disciplines. In a studio setting, you’ll develop core skills in acting, improvisation, collaborative theatre creation, dramaturgy, dramatic text analysis, rehearsal techniques, and site-specific and applied performance.
Real-time practical learning in state-of-the-art facilities is supported by online materials, lectures, guest speakers and access to leaders in the field. Opportunities extend from campus-based learning to include public performance, site-based practice and internship experiences.
Want to launch your career in the performing arts and entertainment industries?
Through a dynamic combination of acting theory and practice, you'll gain a thorough understanding of the arts and be inspired to create new forms of performance.
Through this course, you’ll produce public performances at a professional standard, and explore important aspects of the theatre including:
- acting theory and practice
- different performance styles and processes
- site-based and community theatre
- text studies
- theatre history.
You’ll have the chance to work on individual and group creative projects to develop your skills in ensemble creation and production management and participate in public performances. Plus, you can gain exposure to international theatre techniques by taking an overseas study tour or internship*.
By the time you graduate, you’ll have the foundations to work across the arts and entertainment industries in anything from live theatre, film and television to drama education, performance companies and community theatre.
*Overseas study programs to be confirmed in 2022 and beyond, subject to government travel restrictions.
Read MoreCourse structure
To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Creative Arts (Drama) a student must complete 24 credit points including:
- 8 common core units (totalling 12 credit points)
- 4 Drama discipline units
- 2 course electives
- 6 electives
- no more than 10 credit points at level 1
- at least 6 credit points at level 3
- Academic Integrity AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
18
Core units
6
Elective units
24
Total
Core units
Drama discipline units
Course Electives
Complete two 1 credit point units from the following course electives list A:
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
2022 course information
This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7.
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)
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.
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
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.
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
Senior certificate of education
If you are currently studying Year 12 or completed Year 12 in the previous two years and have not attempted higher education or VET/Polytechnic study since, your selection is based on the following.
VCE Prerequisite subjects
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English EAL (English as an additional language) or at least 20 in English other than EAL.
ATAR
This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
International equivalent requirements
To view the international academic admission and English language requirements visit the International Undergraduate Course Guide (pages 18-23). If your course or country of origin is not listed please contact study@deakin.edu.au.
To submit an application please visit the how to apply page.
Higher education study
If you have undertaken at least one unit of higher education after secondary schooling, your selection is based on the following.
Education
This course uses your entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.
VCE Senior Secondary prerequisite studies
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English EAL (English as an additional language) or at least 20 in English other than EAL or equivalent, or Certificate IV: or higher, or concurrent Bachelor study.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Please read about other ways of satisfying the English language proficiency requirement.
Personal statement
Applicants who wish their work and volunteer/other experience to be considered as part of their application for entry are required to submit a personal statement with details of their work and volunteer/other experience, motivation to study and any other factors relevant to their application for the course. Learn more about the personal statement.
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
International equivalent requirements
To view the international academic admission and English language requirements visit the International Undergraduate Course Guide (pages 18-23). If your course or country of origin is not listed please contact study@deakin.edu.au.
To submit an application please visit the how to apply page.
Polytechnic study
If you have undertaken at least one unit of Vocational Education and Training (VET) study after secondary school, your selection is based on the following.
Education
This course uses your entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.
VCE Senior Secondary prerequisite studies
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English EAL (English as an additional language) or at least 20 in English other than EAL or equivalent, or Certificate IV: or higher, or concurrent Bachelor study.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Please read about other ways of satisfying the English language proficiency requirement.
Personal statement
Applicants who wish their work and volunteer/other experience to be considered as part of their application for entry are required to submit a personal statement with details of their work and volunteer/other experience, motivation to study and any other factors relevant to their application for the course. Learn more about the personal statement.
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
International equivalent requirements
To view the international academic admission and English language requirements visit the International Undergraduate Course Guide (pages 18-23). If your course or country of origin is not listed please contact study@deakin.edu.au.
To submit an application please visit the how to apply page.
Work and life experience
If you finished Year 12 more than three years ago or did not finish Year 12, your selection is based on the following.
Education
This course uses your entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.
VCE Senior Secondary prerequisite studies
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English EAL (English as an additional language) or at least 20 in English other than EAL or equivalent, or Certificate IV: or higher, or concurrent Bachelor study.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Please read about other ways of satisfying the English language proficiency requirement.
Personal statement
Applicants who wish their work and volunteer/other experience to be considered as part of their application for entry are required to submit a personal statement with details of their work and volunteer/other experience, motivation to study and any other factors relevant to their application for the course. Learn more about the personal statement.
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
International equivalent requirements
To view the international academic admission and English language requirements visit the International Undergraduate Course Guide (pages 18-23). If your course or country of origin is not listed please contact study@deakin.edu.au.
To submit an application please visit the how to apply page.
Cloud studies
Deakin offers many courses which can be studied by distance education overseas.
However, international students living in Australia on a student visa, in each compulsory trimester (that is, Trimesters 1 and 2), must enrol in at least one unit that is offered as a Campus located unit and can, in addition enrol in units offered via Cloud (online). International students may undertake a maximum of up to one third (or equivalent) of their study as Cloud (online) study. Please note enrolment in one face to face unit in compulsory study periods is only allowed if the student is completing their final unit of study and will not exceed maximum one third (or equivalent) online requirement.
Recognition of prior learning
If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for credit transfer. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your credit transfer.
Your credit transfer is formally approved prior to your enrolment at Deakin during the Enrolment and Orientation Program. You must bring original documents relating to your previous study so that this approval can occur.
You can also refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
The tuition fees you pay are calculated depending on the course you choose.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students completing the first year of this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of 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 eight 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 international student fees.
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
International students who are currently completing an Australian Year 12 in Australia or overseas should apply through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC), as well as directly to Deakin through StudyLink Connect – Deakin University's International Student Application Service. For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply web page.
All other international students apply directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service. For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply web page.
Fill out the application form and submit to a Deakin International office or take your application form to a Deakin representative for assistance
For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage.
If you’re still having problems, please contact Deakin International for assistance.
Careers
Career outcomes
- acting
- community theatre
- drama education
- festival or event management
- producing
- stage management
- theatre directing
- youth theatre.
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 | |