PGDA Applied Drama and Theatre at University of the Witwatersrand

Programme overview

Put your performance skills into practice and develop your knowledge of drama and theatre. Drama for Life within the Wits School of Arts is an arts centre for social transformation and healing. Our postgraduate academic, research and community engagement department brings together the disciplines of Applied Drama and Theatre, Performance Ethnography, Performance Studies, Performance as Research, Drama in Education and Arts Education, Drama Therapy and Expressive Arts Therapies within the context of a critical reflexive praxis.

Faculty: Humanities | Department: Wits School of Arts | Duration: 1 year | Study mode: full-time | Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

What you will study

Introduction to Applied Theatre; Introduction to Reflective Practice in Applied Drama & Theatre; Introduction to Cultural Leadership in Applied Drama & Theatre; Performance Project

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Either traditional education qualifications or must demonstrate maturity of age and extensive work experience of a high standard in the field of Applied Drama and Theatre. Successful completion of at least 1 Drama for Life- Wits accredited short courses An outstanding Performers, Theatre-Makers, Performing Arts Managers, Arts Work experience in Capacity Development, HIV/AIDS, Civic Society, Health Education, Arts Therapies, Universities and Arts & Culture Experience in at least one of the following fields is recommended: * HIV/Aids Education, activism and therapy, * Human Rights and Social Justice, * Peace Building, Transformation and Diversity Management, and * Environmental Sustainability would be an asset Additional entry requirements may apply.

ZAR 52,230 for the whole programme (2026). Average tuition fee per programme for 2026 as stated in the 2026 Fees Book, Chapter 2 (Average Tuition Fees); excludes additional charges (notes, computer, lab and other fees). Postgraduate international students pay local tuition plus the non-refundable Source

Postgraduate applications are made online at www.wits.ac.za/applications; the closing date for each programme is listed in its course finder entry. The application fee is R200 (not payable by current Wits students applying online), paid via the Self-Service Portal or by EFT to the Wits University Application Fees account at FNB.

Apply through the official page: https://www.wits.ac.za/applications

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