Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Performance at University of Cape Town

Programme overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre & Performance (HB014, NQF level 8, SAQA ID 14682) is a four-year degree that admits a restricted number of students and is intended for those pursuing professional studies and careers in theatre and theatre education.

Faculty: Faculty of Humanities | Department: Centre for Theatre, Dance and Performance Studies | Duration: Four years full-time (maximum five years) | Study mode: full-time | Location: Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

What you will study

Professional Theatre Training courses (T&P Studiowork, Professional Practice, Stagecraft) alongside academic courses such as Introduction to Theatre & Performance A, South African Performance Genealogies and Global Performances. Five areas of specialisation: Acting, Dance Performance, Performance Making, Applied Performance/Pedagogy and Scenography; not all are offered every year and students audition for their area during second year.

Career pathways

Careers in theatre and related industries, and theatre education.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Candidates must be admitted into the Faculty of Humanities, have matriculated with full exemption or hold a National Senior Certificate endorsed for Bachelor's study, and attend an audition arranged by the Centre for Theatre, Dance and Performance Studies, demonstrating marked talent as a performer or potential performance-maker and being offered a place.

Tuition is charged per module, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Applications to study at UCT in 2027 opened on 1 April 2026 and close on 31 July 2026 for undergraduate study; late applications are not considered.

The application fee is R100 for undergraduate and postgraduate applications from South Africa and the SADC region, and R300 for applications from outside the SADC region; it is non-refundable and payable by direct deposit, EFT or credit card (online). UCT students and graduates are exempt except for GSB programmes.

Apply through the official page: https://applyonline.uct.ac.za

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