| Duration | 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time |
| Location | Mackay |
| Next start term | Term 1, 2025 |
| Study mode | On Campus |
| Course code | CG72 |
| First-year fee | $8,140 (Indicative) (CSP) |
Overview
The Bachelor of Theatre at CQUniversity has a carefully designed and performance-integrated structure that will enrich your learning experience. Choose to major in Drama, Music Theatre or Technical Theatre to suit your area of interest and career goals.
Within a creative and supportive environment of performance-based training, you will have the opportunity to work in a number of full-scale productions in technical and creative roles.
On completion, you will be a highly skilled and motivated creative performer who is ready for the workplace.
You will develop a wide range of skills, all of which will be contextualised by studies in dramatic literature, theatre history and drama theory.
During your education and training, you will develop advanced skills in problem-solving and creative, self-regulated and critical thinking, as well as enhance your singing and voice, acting, dance and movement skills. In addition, you will explore imagination and performance techniques and styles and cover production-related areas, such as lighting, sound and stage management.
To gain entry to this course you will be required to audition.
Study experience
- Authentic Learning Experiences
- Industry Relevant
- Real-World Learning Facilities
- Seamless Pathways
Career Opportunities
Completion of the Bachelor of Theatre will prepare you to pursue employment opportunities in roles such as an:
- actor
- musical theatre performer
- performer
- director
- designer
- theatre technician
- theatre manager.
This course also provides excellent pathways for education, creative industries and arts administration careers.
Postgraduate Pathways
After completing the Bachelor of Theatre, you may be interested in our Master of Arts. The Master of Arts is the perfect postgraduate degree for you to advance your skills and knowledge.
As a graduate of the Bachelor of Theatre, you'll benefit from a smooth transition into the Master of Arts with a credit transfer option. You can apply for credit for the four AQF level 8 units embedded within the Bachelor of Theatre, reducing the duration of your postgraduate studies from 18 months to one year full-time.
Structure & Availability
The course structure and available locations can change depending on when you want to study. You can choose the intake that best suits you in the drop-down menu below.
Available locations
Your course
You must complete 24 units (144 credits):
- 1The core structure (8 units)
- 2One eight-unit major
- 3Two four-unit minors
Unit Details
The units you'll study are listed below. Click on a unit to learn more.
Drama Major
Completing a Drama major will provide you with extensive studies and training in the craft of acting and allow you to acquire skills in voice and movement.
If you're studying the Drama major, you'll need to complete the Principal Performance Extension minor, plus one of the following minors:
- Drama Performance extension
- Pathway to Teaching (Early Childhood)
- Pathway to Teaching (Primary)
- Pathway to Teaching (Secondary)
Drama Performance Extension Minor
In this minor you'll develop your technical, creative and performance skills within the context of the presentation of a publicly performed theatrical work. You'll investigate the plays and performance practices of Ben Jonson, Christopher (Kit) Marlowe and William Shakespeare and will study the development and structure of realism as a theatrical style from the late nineteenth century to the mid-twentieth century.
Course Planner
To help you plan your studies and see which unit comes first, if one unit should be completed before another and when you will study each unit, check out our course planners.
Additional information
Production 1 - THTR11102
Students enrolled in this unit are involved in the production of a staged theatre performance on campus, in a range of theatrical styles. Students work with industry mentors and staff in a simulated theatre company environment. Technical and performance skills and knowledge are embedded in the learning and teaching elements of this unit. Students also have the option to be involved in a social innovation theatre project as part of the learning in this unit. The project is typically completed in an intensive teaching period, and students are expected to show increasing levels of technical, artistic and creative competence through this series of units.
Production 2 - THTR11103
Students enrolled in this unit are involved in the production of a staged theatre performance on campus, in a range of theatrical styles. Students work with industry mentors and staff in a simulated theatre company environment. Technical and performance skills and knowledge are embedded in the learning and teaching elements of this unit. Students also have the option to be involved in a social innovation theatre project as part of the learning in this unit. The project is typically completed in an intensive teaching period, and students are expected to show increasing levels of technical, artistic and creative competence through this series of units.
Production 3 - THTR12104
Students enrolled in this unit are involved in the production of a staged theatre performance on campus, in a range of theatrical styles. Students work with industry mentors and staff in a simulated theatre company environment. Technical and performance skills and knowledge are embedded in the learning and teaching elements of this unit. Students also have the option to be involved in a social innovation theatre project as part of the learning in this unit. The project is typically completed in an intensive teaching period, and students are expected to show increasing levels of technical, artistic and creative competence through this series of units.
Production 4 - THTR12105
Students enrolled in this unit are involved in the production of a staged theatre performance on campus, in a range of theatrical styles. Students work with industry mentors and staff in a simulated theatre company environment. Technical and performance skills and knowledge are embedded in the learning and teaching elements of this unit. Students also have the option to be involved in a social innovation theatre project as part of the learning in this unit. The project is typically completed in an intensive teaching period, and students are expected to show increasing levels of technical, artistic and creative competence through this series of units.
Production 5 - THTR13106
Students enrolled in this unit are involved in the production of a staged theatre performance on campus, in a range of theatrical styles. Students work with industry mentors and staff in a simulated theatre company environment. Technical and performance skills and knowledge are embedded in the learning and teaching elements of this unit. Students also have the option to be involved in a social innovation theatre project as part of the learning in this unit. The project is typically completed in an intensive teaching period, and students are expected to show increasing levels of technical, artistic and creative competence through this series of units.
Production 6 - THTR28003
Students enrolled in this unit are involved in the production of a staged theatre performance on campus, in a range of theatrical styles. Students work with industry mentors and staff in a simulated theatre company environment. Technical and performance skills and knowledge are embedded in the learning and teaching elements of this unit. Students also have the option to be involved in a social innovation theatre project as part of the learning in this unit. The project is typically completed in an intensive teaching period, and students are expected to show increasing levels of technical, artistic and creative competence through this series of units.
If you have completed prior study relevant to units within this course, you may be eligible for credit for your past studies. Learn more about credit and recognition of prior learning.
Requirements
To Be Eligible
For your application to be considered, you must meet the following entry requirements.
Student and Course Profiles
View the student and course profiles for this course and learn about CQU's Undergraduate Profile for Term 1, 2024 via our Institute Profile.
During Your Study
While not needed to apply, you'll need to meet the following requirements throughout your studies.
Fees & Scholarships
Indicative First-Year Fee
The Indicative First-Year Fee is the approximate cost of enrolling in this course for one full-time academic year (eight units over two terms) for a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and should be used as a guide only. Your actual fees may vary, depending on the units you select to study and your study load. Check the cost-per-unit spreadsheet available on our fees webpage for the approved unit fees. Fees are reviewed each year and are subject to change. Understanding your fees.
Commonwealth Supported Places
This course has Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) available, and as a domestic student, you'll be offered a CSP, provided you meet CSP eligibility requirements. CSPs are subsidised by the Australian Government, meaning you are only required to pay the student contribution rather than full tuition fees.
HECS-HELP Loan
You may be eligible for a HECS-HELP government loan if you are offered a CSP. HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme that assists you in paying your student contributions. Provided you meet the HECS-HELP eligibility criteria, you may use HECS-HELP to defer part or all of your student contribution fees.
Part of your course costs will include Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF). SSAF is charged in addition to your student contribution or tuition fees and is used to help enhance your study experience. There may also be other costs as part of your studies, such as textbooks, technology expenses, travel expenses, professional certifications, uniforms, or vaccinations. Explore other study costs.
We believe a quality education can be for everyone – regardless of background, location, or life circumstances. That's why we offer a variety of scholarships and bursaries that can give you a helping hand with a range of expenses and enhance your employability.
How to apply
How to Apply
Select where you'd like to study and your preferred intake
You'll need to choose where you would like to study in the 'choose where you live' selector. This course is only available on campus, so not all states or territories will be listed.
Your application options
Follow these steps
Extra Admission Information
Prior to applying, take a look at important application dates and learn about our admission considerations, such as information for domestic students with overseas qualifications, indigenous support, and elite athlete, coach and performer support. You should also check out the adjustment schemes that might be available to you and how to access them. You can also explore our offer information to learn more about what happens after you've submitted an application and how to respond to an offer to study with CQU.
Applying for 2026
Applications for 2026 via the Queensland Tertiary Admission Centre (QTAC) open in August 2025.
More information will be available soon.
