Bachelor of Arts (Performance and Theatre)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Wollongong

Program Overview

If you’re drawn to storytelling, performance, and creative expression, this program gives you the space to explore all of it while building real, industry-ready skills. You’ll train in acting and theatre-making while also developing critical thinking and communication—so you graduate as both a performer and a confident creative professional.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

You start by building your foundation—learning the basics of acting, performance, and how productions come together. It’s a mix of practical exploration and understanding how theatre works behind the scenes.

Year 2

This is where things get more hands-on and personal. You begin creating and performing your own work while studying theatre in different cultural and historical contexts, helping you shape your artistic voice.

Year 3

In your final year, you step into a near-professional space—working on a major performance project and refining your skills for the industry. By the end, you’ll have both experience and confidence to take your work beyond university.

Focus Areas (string)

Acting, Stagecraft, Theatre-making, Performance Studies, Creative Production, Professional Practice

Learning Outcomes (string)

Professional performance skills, creative and critical thinking, strong communication, ability to produce and analyse theatre work, confidence in presenting original performances

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

Built around real industry practice with a strong focus on live performance, production work, and creative collaboration rather than formal accreditation.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

University of Wollongong is globally recognised and ranked among top universities worldwide, supporting strong graduate employability outcomes.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

What makes this course genuinely exciting is how quickly you get out of theory and into practice. From early on, you’re rehearsing, performing, and creating work in real theatre settings—not just learning about it, but actually doing it. With access to dedicated performance spaces and creative studios, you’ll grow your skills in environments that feel much closer to the real industry than a typical classroom.

As you move forward, the experience becomes even more immersive—you’ll collaborate on productions, experiment with your own ideas, and present work to live audiences, building both confidence and a strong creative portfolio along the way:

Perform in fully equipped theatre spaces, working on live productions and showcases
Train in rehearsal studios that mirror professional performance environments
Work with lighting, sound, and stage production tools as part of your learning
Collaborate on group performances and theatre projects, just like a real production team
Build a portfolio of performances and creative work across the degree
Learn from industry-active practitioners including actors, directors, and theatre-makers
Explore internship or industry exposure opportunities with arts organisations
Take part in public performances and final-year showcases
Access library and research resources for script development and performance studies
Opportunity to engage in global exchange programs, adding international exposure to your experience

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from this program, you’re not limited to just one path—you step out with a strong mix of creative, performance, and communication skills that translate across industries. Many students move into roles like Actor, Theatre Director, Arts Administrator, or Drama Educator, while others branch into media, production, or creative industries where storytelling and collaboration are key.

What makes this transition smoother is how the university supports you beyond the classroom, helping you turn your creative training into real career outcomes:

Access to UOW Careers & Employability Services, offering resume workshops, audition preparation, and one-on-one career coaching
Opportunities to connect with industry through guest artists, visiting practitioners, and performance showcases
Exposure to real-world production environments, helping you graduate with practical experience—not just theory
A degree from a globally recognised university, adding long-term value to your professional profile
Strong focus on portfolio development, giving you tangible work to present to casting directors, companies, or employers
Graduates equipped for roles across theatre, film, television, events, and arts management sectors

🎓 Further Academic Progression:

After completing this degree, you can deepen your expertise or specialise further through postgraduate study. Many students go on to pursue Honours programs, Master’s degrees in Theatre, Performance, Creative Arts, or related fields, or even transition into areas like arts management, film, or education—opening doors to both advanced creative practice and leadership roles within the industry.