Overview

Course Overview

 

The Bachelor of Theatre (Specialisation) is designed to provide specialist training in music theatre, drama and technical theatre. Students are involved in a comprehensive conservatoire style environment with expectations of high standards of performance and scholarship. A rigorous performance schedule in various University, community and professional settings is one of the strengths of this program. A range of adjunct courses and electives allows students the opportunity to pursue additional studies in music, or add other allied skills and knowledge in areas of professional and personal interest such as other creative arts and arts administration, events management, education, business, multimedia design, and professional communication to their study programs.

Career Information

The Bachelor of Theatre (Specialisation) is designed for students seeking a profession in the entertainment industry as an actor, musical theatre performer or as part of the theatre production team. The course includes opportunities to gain the professional skills necessary for a performing arts industry career as a performer, director, designer, theatre technician or theatre manager. The degree also provides excellent pathways for careers in education, creative industries and arts administration.

Course Details
Duration 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time
Credit Points that Must be Earned 144
Number of Units Required CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in undergraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24).
Expected Hours of Study Each unit at this level, typically requires 144 hours of student commitment over a period of 12 weeks.
Course Type Undergraduate Award
Qualification (post nominal) B
AQF Level Level 7: Bachelor Degree
Course Fees
Indicative Year - 2026
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $9,600
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $25,500
  • International Indicative First Term Fee - $18,000
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $36,000
Indicative Year - 2025
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $8,140
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $23,670
  • International Indicative First Term Fee - $17,160
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $34,320
Indicative Year - 2024
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $10,788
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $22,281
  • International Indicative First Term Fee - $16,320
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $32,640
Indicative Year - 2023
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $7,252
  • International Indicative First Term Fee - $15,600
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $31,200
Indicative Year - 2022
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $8,016
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $31,200
  • International Indicative First Term Fee - $15,600

Admission Codes

Domestic Students
Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes
International Students
CRICOS Codes
Where and when can I start?

Domestic Availability

  • Term 2 - 2027
    Mackay
  • Term 1 - 2027
    Mackay
  • Term 2 - 2026
    Mackay
  • Term 1 - 2026
    Mackay
  • Term 2 - 2025
    Mackay
  • Term 1 - 2025
    Mackay
  • Term 2 - 2024
    Mackay
  • Term 1 - 2024
    Mackay
  • Term 2 - 2023
    Mackay
  • Term 1 - 2023
    Mackay
    The Music Theatre, Drama and Technical Theatre majors are available at this location.
  • Term 2 - 2022
    Mackay
  • Term 1 - 2022
    Mackay
  • Term 2 - 2021
    Mackay
  • Term 1 - 2021
    Mackay
  • Term 2 - 2020
    Mackay
  • Term 1 - 2020
    Mackay
  • Term 2 - 2019
    Mackay Online
  • Term 1 - 2019
    Mackay Online
  • Term 2 - 2018
    Distance Mackay
  • Term 1 - 2018
    Distance Mackay
  • Term 2 - 2017
    Distance Mackay
  • Term 1 - 2017
    Distance Mackay
  • Term 2 - 2016
    Distance Mackay
  • Term 1 - 2016
    Distance Mackay
  • Term 2 - 2015
    Distance Mackay
  • Term 1 - 2015
    Distance Mackay
  • Term 2 - 2014
    Mackay
  • Term 1 - 2014
    Mackay

International Availability

  • Term 2 - 2027
    Mackay
  • Term 1 - 2027
    Mackay
  • Term 2 - 2026
    Mackay
  • Term 1 - 2026
    Mackay
  • Term 2 - 2025
    Mackay
  • Term 1 - 2025
    Mackay
  • Term 2 - 2024
    Mackay
  • Term 1 - 2024
    Mackay
  • Term 2 - 2023
    Mackay
  • Term 1 - 2023
    Mackay
    The Music Theatre, Drama and Technical Theatre majors are available at this location.
  • Term 2 - 2022
    Mackay
  • Term 1 - 2022
    Mackay
  • Term 2 - 2021
    Mackay
  • Term 1 - 2021
    Mackay
  • Term 2 - 2020
    Mackay
  • Term 1 - 2020
    Mackay
  • Term 2 - 2019
    Mackay
  • Term 1 - 2019
    Mackay
  • Term 2 - 2018
    Mackay
  • Term 1 - 2018
    Mackay
  • Term 2 - 2017
    Mackay
  • Term 1 - 2017
    Mackay
  • Term 2 - 2016
    Mackay
  • Term 1 - 2016
    Mackay
  • Term 2 - 2015
    Mackay
  • Term 1 - 2015
    Mackay
  • Term 2 - 2014
    Mackay
  • Term 1 - 2014
    Mackay
For any problems regarding admissions availability for the selected course please contact 13 CQUni (13 27 86) or send us an email at https://contactus.cqu.edu.au/
Entry Requirements - What do I need to start?
Entry Scores
Entry scores are not available, please contact the Student Advice Team for more information.
Academic Requirements
Audition
Assumed Knowledge
No information available at this time
Security Requirements
No information available at this time
Health Requirements
No information available at this time
Course Features

Awards and Accreditation

Interim Awards Not applicable
Exit Awards Not applicable
Accreditation
  • Core
    not applicable

Residential School Requirements

No Residential School for this course.

Practicum/Work Placement

Not applicable

Previous and Current Enrolments

Year Number of Students
2025 19
2024 17
2023 21
2022 25
2021 24
Inherent Requirements
Ethical Behaviour

Examples are:

  • Complying with academic and non-academic misconduct policies and procedures such as CQUniversity’s Student Charter, Student Misconduct Policy and Student Behavioural Misconduct Procedures, and Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
  • Demonstrating respect for cultural diversity as well as individual differences and capacities in the creative and performing arts practice environment.
  • Demonstrating honesty and integrity in academic and performing arts contexts.
Behavioural Stability

Examples are:

  • Being reflective with personal behaviours appropriate for professional performance and being positive and receptive to processing constructive supervisor/lecturer feedback or criticism.
  • Interacting with people from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures in a calm and composed manner in difficult to deal with situations in the creative and performing arts practice environment.
  • Demonstrating appropriate behavioural stability through successfully distinguishing your own personal behaviours, experiences and emotions from others and situations in a professional or performance setting.
Legal Compliance

Examples are:

  • Complying with university and workplace policy around the use of social media, online discussion forums, email and other electronic forms of communication.
  • Complying with the relevant workplace policies and practices including relevant OHS legislative requirements pertaining to creative and performing arts practice in a music performance environment.
  • Complying with university and workplace policy pertaining to students, courses and any other university or industry related activities undertaken while a student
Communication Skills (Verbal, Non-verbal, Written and Technology)

Examples are:

  • Verbally communicating your creative and performing arts knowledge and skills with accuracy, appropriateness and effectiveness in a wide variety of contexts.
  • Actively participating in discussions and course activities with appropriate use and command of language to the context.
  • Using appropriate facial expressions: eye contact, being mindful of space, time boundaries, a range of body movements and gestures.
  • Recognising and interpreting non-verbal cues of others and responding appropriately during activities related to the course.
  • Competently and appropriately producing written assessment work in a logical, coherent manner, and with correct grammar and punctuation to the required academic standards.
  • If required, competently using written music notation as required to convey detailed information and knowledge relating to music theatre performance and practice.
  • Accessing a computer and having sufficient computer skills to engage in online learning, reading and responding as required to emails, and completing relevant assessments for the course.
  • Regularly accessing the Internet for research, and email for communication with peers and lecturers.
  • Using a variety of computer programs suitable to your course of study.
  • Establishing personal time management methods to ensure personal and collegial success.
  • Engaging with university support services, including the Academic Learning Centre, Accessibility and Student Well-being, to assist in developing communication skills.
Cognitive Abilities (Knowledge and Cognitive Skills, Literacy and Numeracy)

Examples are:

  • Conceptualising and using appropriate knowledge in response to academic assessment items.
  • Completing academic learning activities and assessment tasks, and performing professional skills within reasonable set time-frames.
  • Producing written text proficiently, in English, using appropriate vocabulary and conventions of speech, including being able to paraphrase, summarise and reference in accordance with appropriate academic conventions.
  • Competently reading, writing and accurately interpreting information to convey language effectively in a professional setting.
  • Demonstrating competency in applying sufficient mathematics knowledge and numeracy skills to design various theatrical elements including scenery, sets, props and costumes.
  • Demonstrating effective use of sufficient mathematics knowledge and numeracy skills to design lighting and sound for theatrical environments; plot stage and blocking and negotiate set items and stage movement
  • Seeking assistance in cognitive ability development through university support services, including the Academic Learning Centre and Accessibility, as may be required. 
Sensory Abilities (Visual, Auditory, Tactile)

Examples are:

  • Safely performing in a variety of theatrical contexts including on stage as a performer or off stage as part of the technical support team.
  • Working in a team-based performing arts environment where verbal and non-verbal communication is essential to realisation of a wide range of theatrical performances.
  • Sufficiently hearing verbal communication from other students and lecturers during activities related to the course.
Relational Skills
Examples are:
  • Communicating effectively and being respectful of other’s perspectives, dignity, culture, values, beliefs and rights.
  • Recognising that people are the experts in the experience of their life.
  • Participating in and/or leading collaborative practice in the performing arts.
  • Attending all classes and rehearsals and being punctual to these to develop respectful practice.
  • Being supportive of the collaborative nature of performing arts practice.
Reflective Skills
Examples are:
  • Reflecting on topics taught during the course.
  • Reflecting upon your own learning during the course.
  • Reflecting on personal situations that may be difficult and sensitive.
  • Identifying when an issue or circumstance arises that could affect your objectivity or judgement, and be able to take an appropriate course of actions.
  • Identifying when your own experiences may potentially negatively influence your objectivity or judgement.
  • Developing your own reflective practice as part of your professional craft.
Sustainable Performance

Examples are:

  • Actively participating in sustained and intensive rehearsals and performances involving creative and performing arts skills that may occur in time-frames outside normal working hours, including evenings and weekends. These creative and performing arts skills may include dancing, drama, singing and technical theatre skills.
  • Actively participating in intensive rehearsals and performances involving creative and performing arts skills with sustained levels of physical energy and concentration.
  • Performing with the required physical and mental energy and endurance in the learning activities of the course, as well as during set time-frames during intensive rehearsal and performance periods.
  • Establishing an effective personal routine of sleep, exercise and nutrition to sustain performance.
Strength and Mobility (Gross Motor Skills and Fine Motor Skills)

Examples are:

  • Using a variety of gross motor skills in various creative and performing arts performance activities that include dancing, drama, singing and technical skills associated with theatrical performance and activity.
  • Demonstrating and performing a variety of gross motor skills in various creative and performing arts performances that include dancing, drama, singing and technical theatre skills, consistently in a safe manner to reduce the risk of injury to yourself and others.
  • Using a variety of fine motor skills in various creative and performing arts performance activities that include dancing, drama, singing and technical skills associated with theatrical performance and activity.
  • Demonstrating and performing a variety of fine motor skills in various creative and performing arts performances that include dancing, drama, singing and technical theatre skills, consistently in a safe manner to reduce the risk of injury to yourself and others.
Interpersonal Engagement

Examples are:

  • Communicating effectively and being respectful of other’s perspectives, dignity, culture, values, beliefs and rights
  • Recognising that people are the experts in the experience of their life.
  • Participating in and/or leading collaborative practice in the performing arts.
  • Actively fostering a culture of safety and learning that includes engaging with others, to share knowledge and practice in the performing arts.
  • Participating in and/or leading collaborative practice in the performing arts.
  • Developing a respectful way to share feedback in response to your own and others' work and performance.

 

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Abilities
  • Using computers and technology to actively participate in the course and to submit all required assessment materials.
  • Using software on online systems including AI according to university and industry policy.
  • Engaging in training to be able to effectively and efficiently use ICT within the course.
Core Learning Outcomes
Please refer to the Core Structure Learning Outcomes
Drama and Technical Theatre Learning Outcomes
Please refer to the Core Structure Learning Outcomes
Music Theatre Learning Outcomes
Please refer to the Core Structure Learning Outcomes
Course Requirements
Number of units: 18 Total credit points: 108

All students must complete the following 18 courses associated with Production, Theatre studies and Principal Performance.

Production Courses

Available units
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
THTR11102 Production 1
THTR11103 Production 2
THTR12104 Production 3
THTR12105 Production 4
THTR13106 Production 5
THTR13107 Production 6

There are no specific program prerequisites for entry into Performance and Production Studies 1. Entry into each successive course assumes an achievement of a passing grade or higher in the previous course in the series.

Theatre Studies coures

Available units
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
THTR12123 Theatre Studies 1: Music Theatre History
THTR11121 Theatre Studies 2: Introduction to Script Analysis
THTR13124 Theatre Studies 3: Mask, Myth and Ritual
THTR13125 Theatre Studies 4: From Page to Stage
THTR13126 Theatre Studies 5: Realism to Epic Theatre
THTR13127 Theatre Studies 6: Dada to Post-Modern Theatre

Principal Performance courses

Available units
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
THTR11123 Principal Performance Studios 1
THTR11124 Principal Performance Studios 2
THTR12121 Principal Performance Studios 3
THTR12122 Principal Performance Studios 4
THTR13122 Principal Performance Studios 5
THTR13123 Principal Performance Studios 6

There are no specific program prerequisites for entry into Principal Performance Studios 1. Entry into each successive course assumes an achievement of a passing grade or higher in the previous course in the series.

Drama and Technical Theatre Major View Full Course Structure
Number of units: 6 Total credit points: 36

Students wishing to graduate with the Drama or Technical Theatre major should undertake 6 electives from anywhere in the University.

Music Theatre Major View Full Course Structure
Number of units: 6 Total credit points: 36

Available units
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
MUSC11394 Music Language Studies 1
MUSC11395 Music Language Studies 2

Students must complete 4 elective courses from anywhere in the University.

More Details

Credit Transfer

Students will be assessed for credit transfer on a case-by-case basis and will be required to nominate the CQU units they wish to be considered for exemption from. Credit transfer will only be granted where a student is able to demonstrate that tertiary studies, equivalent in content and depth to the CQUniversity course, have been successfully completed. Students should examine the unit synopses in this handbook to determine the units for which they may be eligible to claim exemption.

Students may only gain credit transfer for up to 67% of the overall course.

Please note that study undertaken more than 10 years ago is not normally considered unless the applicant can supply certified documents showing that they have been continually using the required skills in the work force. Generally only TAFE diploma level or above is recognised for credit at tertiary level.

Refer to the Credit Transfer website at https://www.cqu.edu.au/courses-and-programs/credit-transfer-and-rpl/credit-transfers for further details on the guidelines and application process.

Course Planners

For Course Planners please refer to the following website http://www.cqu.edu.au/student-life/new-students/planners-and-profiles