Bachelor of Arts (Acting)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Edith Cowan University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts (Acting) at Edith Cowan University's Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) is an intensive three-year program designed for aspiring actors who want to build successful careers in theatre, film and television. Through hands-on training in acting, voice, movement and performance, you'll develop the confidence, creativity and professional skills needed to thrive in the performing arts industry.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

You'll build a strong foundation in acting through units such as Acting Skills, Foundations of Movement for an Actor, and Discovering the Performer's Voice. Along the way, you'll explore performance history and learn how voice, movement and text come together in live performance.

Year 2

The focus shifts to developing your artistic range and performance techniques. You'll study units including Theatre Production, Movement for the Actor, Dynamic Voice, and Extending and Exploring Acting Techniques Through Character and Screen, while gaining practical experience in both stage and screen acting.

Year 3

In your final year, you'll prepare for the professional industry through Theatre Production, Acting for Screen, Professional Voice, Professional Preparation: Business Skills, and Professional Preparation: Audition Techniques, graduating with the confidence and experience to launch your acting career.

Focus areas (in a string)

Acting, theatre performance, screen acting, voice training, movement, character development, physical theatre, audition techniques, professional practice.

Learning outcomes (in a string)

Acting and performance skills, vocal and physical technique, creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, communication, reflective practice, professionalism.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

AQF Level 7 Bachelor Degree. Entry is based on meeting academic requirements and successfully completing an audition.

Reputation (employability rankings)

WAAPA has earned an international reputation for producing outstanding performers, while ECU has received 19 consecutive years of 5-star ratings for teaching quality in the Good Universities Guide.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At WAAPA, you'll spend far more time on your feet than behind a desk. From your first semester, you'll develop your skills through hands-on training, rehearsals and live performances in a conservatoire-style environment. Working closely with experienced lecturers and visiting industry professionals, you'll gain the practical experience and confidence needed to succeed in theatre, film and television.

Train every day in acting, voice and movement through immersive studio-based classes.
Take part in theatre productions that give you real performance experience in front of live audiences.
Build on-camera performance skills through dedicated screen acting training.
Learn from industry professionals through workshops and guest masterclasses.
Prepare for your career with practical training in audition techniques and professional business skills.
Access specialist rehearsal studios, teaching spaces and professional performance venues at WAAPA.
Book rehearsal and practice spaces outside class hours to refine your performances.
Make use of ECU Library's extensive print, digital and research resources to support your learning.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts (Acting) leave WAAPA with the practical skills, industry experience and professional confidence to pursue careers across theatre, film, television and digital media. Whether you aspire to become an Actor, Screen Performer, Voice-over Artist or Theatre Practitioner, the program equips you with the tools to succeed in a highly competitive creative industry. To support your transition into the profession, ECU provides a range of career-focused opportunities:

Access to ECU Employability, offering personalised career advice, resume and portfolio support, interview coaching, networking opportunities and employer events.
WAAPA's strong industry reputation and connections with professional theatre companies, film and television organisations, and visiting artists help students build valuable industry networks.
Career preparation is embedded into the course through dedicated units in Professional Preparation: Business Skills and Professional Preparation: Audition Techniques.
The qualification is an AQF Level 7 Bachelor Degree, providing a recognised foundation for employment and further study in Australia and internationally.
While ECU does not publish course-specific graduate employment or salary figures for Acting, WAAPA has a long-standing reputation for producing graduates who work successfully across stage, screen and the wider performing arts industry.

Further Academic Progression:

After graduation, students can continue their studies through postgraduate coursework or research in areas such as Performing Arts, Theatre, Creative Arts, Screen Production, Arts Management or related disciplines. The bachelor's qualification also provides a pathway into honours and higher research degrees for those interested in advanced study, teaching or creative research.