Diploma in Theatre and Performance at University of Cape Town

Programme overview

The Diploma in Theatre and Performance (HU020, NQF level 6, SAQA ID 96640) admits very restricted numbers of students and is intended for candidates who want professional training and careers in theatre, dance and related industries. Students perform in productions and take on backstage work as assigned.

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

What you will study

Professional training through T&P Studiowork, Professional Practice and Stagecraft alongside academic courses such as Introduction to Theatre & Performance A, South African Performance Genealogies, Theatrical Production & Stagecraft and Writing in the Performing Arts. Areas of concentration are Acting (English, or English/Afrikaans or Xhosa), Dance Performance, Performance Making, Applied Performance/Pedagogy and Scenography; not all are offered every year, and students audition for their concentration in second year.

Career pathways

Careers in theatre, dance and related industries.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Candidates must have matriculated, or hold a National Senior Certificate endorsed for Diploma study approved by Senate, and must attend an audition arranged by the Centre for Theatre, Dance and Performance Studies and demonstrate marked talent as a potential performer or performance maker. Transfer to the four-year BA in Theatre & Performance after first year requires an average of at least 65%, at least 65% in five named first-year courses, and a successful interview scoring at least 65%.

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.

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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