Master of Theatre (Directing)

at University of Melbourne

Course Structure
 

24 months full-time.
 

This is a 200 credit point program.
 

The Master of Theatre (Directing) offers a balance of theory and practice across the four semesters, organised to allow for a progression from the intensively-taught, skills-based, first year to a more independent, project-orientated second year which culminates in an independent, practice-led research performance project or written dissertation.

200-point program

2 years full-time
 

• Year 1
  62.5 pts
   

• Semester 1
  50 pts
   

COMPULSORY

• Performing Arts Research Methodologies

• DRAM90010

• 12.5 pts
  ​​​​​​​

COMPULSORY

• Dramaturgy, Text And Performance

• DRAM90019

• 12.5 pts
  ​​​​​​​

COMPULSORY

• Directing Methodologies

• DRAM90020

• 12.5 pts
  ​​​​​​​

COMPULSORY

• Collaboration In Action

• DRAM90022

• 12.5 pts
   

• Semester 2
  12.5 pts
  ​​​​​​​

COMPULSORY

• Collaborative Dramaturgies Project 1

• DRAM90012

• 12.5 pts
   

• Year 2
  100 pts
   

• Semester 1 (Early-Start)
  50 pts
  ​​​​​​​

COMPULSORY

• Industry Internships And Placements

• DRAM90016

• 37.5 pts
  ​​​​​​​

COMPULSORY

• Creating A Project Vision

• DRAM90018

• 12.5 pts
   

• Semester 2
  50 pts
  ​​​​​​​

CAPSTONE

• Independent Directing Project

• DRAM90017

• 50 pts

Applicants for the Master of Theatre (Directing) must meet the following criteria:
 

• An undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline (such as the performing arts, music, visual arts, film, dance and digital arts), or equivalent; or

• An undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline (such as social sciences, architecture, landscape, computer science, cultural studies, applied sciences or international development fields), or equivalent; or

• an honours degree, or equivalent, in a relevant discipline, with a weighted average mark of at lease H2B (70%) across the honours year; or

• At least six years of documented professional practice in the creative arts industry.
   

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview.
 

It is possible to enter the Masters course at Year 2 with an appropriate Level 4 qualification such as the Postgraduate Diploma in Performance Creation (Directing or Animateuring), VCA, or Honours in a cognate discipline.
 

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.
 

• TOEFL (internet-based): total score at of least 79 and scores of 21 for writing, 18 for speaking, 13 for reading and 13 for listening. To submit your scores when you apply, use our TOEFL Institution Code: 0974.
   

• IELTS: total score of at least 6.5 in the Academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS), with no bands less than 6.0.

• Indicative first year fee AUD$36,128
   
• Indicative total course fee AUD$74,062

Artistic collaborations with directors, choreographers, designers and other performance makers at the VCA, provide a unique opportunity to develop creative partnerships that can lead to future collaborations in your profession.
 

Learning Outcomes
 

On completion of this course, graduates will have developed:
 

• Potential for artistic leadership and gain in-depth knowledge, practice and critical approache required to build the Australian performance culture of the future

• Specialist skills in directing for performance, such as processes of rehearsal, dramaturgy, devising, composition, performance-making

• Ability to work across disciplines and multiple contexts of performance practice

• Ability to work collaboratively in interdisciplinary projects

• Advanced dramaturgical awareness, providing the skills to understand one’s own and others’ work within its socio-cultural environment

• Advanced skills to build future collaborative networks nationally and internationally.
   

With the skills gained from your Masters, you can take on directing a variety of performance styles. Professional work could include directing for theatre, dance, music theatre, opera and other cross discipline productions.