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The information below will be relevant from 10/03/2025.
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CL01 - Diploma of Theatre

Overview

Course Overview

In this course, you will develop introductory knowledge and performance skills related to theatre at the purpose-built performing arts facilities on the CQUniversity Mackay Ooralea campus. You will be involved in a comprehensive conservatoire style learning environment with expectations of high standards of performance and scholarship. A rigorous performance schedule in various University, community and professional settings, with mentoring from industry professionals, is one of the strengths of this course. 

 

Career Information

The Diploma of Theatre is designed for students seeking to gain introductory knowledge and skills associated with theatre. The diploma also provides excellent pathways for further studies in theatre and careers in creative industries and arts administration.

Course Details
Duration 1 years full-time or 2 years part-time
Credit Points that Must be Earned 48
Number of Units Required CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in undergraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24).
Expected Hours of Study One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term.
Course Type Undergraduate Award
Qualification (post nominal) DipTheatre
AQF Level Level 5: Diploma
Course Fees
Indicative Year - 2025
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $11,232
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $23,202

Admission Codes

Domestic Students
Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes
International Students
CRICOS Codes 		Not Applicable
Where and when can I start?
Units offered internally at the below campuses may be delivered using a combination of face-to-face and video conferencing style teaching.
Units offered via MIX mode are delivered online and require compulsory attendance of site-specific learning activities such as on-campus residential schools, placements and/or work integrated learning. See Course Features tab for further information. Online units are delivered using online resources only.
Please Click Here for more information.
The following tables list the courses availabilities by location and term. Directing your pointer over your preferred location will provide further information if this course is not available for the full duration. Please be sure to also check individual unit availability by location and term prior to enrolling.

Domestic Availability

Term 2 - 2026

Mackay

Term 1 - 2026

Mackay

Term 1 - 2025

Mackay

Term 2 - 2024

Mackay

Term 1 - 2024

Mackay
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International Availability

Term 2 - 2026

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2026

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2025

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 2 - 2024

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2024

Sorry, no international availabilities found.
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For any problems regarding admissions availability for the selected course please contact 13 CQUni (13 27 86) or send us an email at http://contactus.cqu.edu.au/
Entry Requirements - What do I need to start?
Entry Scores
Entry scores are not available, please contact the Student Advice Team for more information.
Academic Requirements

To be eligible for entry into this course, all applicants will be required to successfully complete an audition and interview.

Visit our Auditions webpage for more information about auditions, including the audition guidelines. 

English Language Proficiency Requirements:

If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or United States of America, you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University.

Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion of:

  • A secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12 or equivalent), or
  • An Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate IV qualification, or
  • An Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) diploma level qualification, or
  • Bachelor level qualification study for a period of at lease 2 years full time with a minimum overall GPA 4.0

Completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland or United States of America, which will meet the English proficiency. 

If you are an international student, additional requirements may apply, please visit international student information for more details.

If you do not satisfy any of the above, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores:

  • An International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 6.0 overall with a minimum 5.5 in each subset; or
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT - Requires 75 or better overall and no score less than 17; or
  • Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) - Requires an overall score of 54 with no sub-score less than 46; or
  • An Occupational English Test with Grades A or B only in each of the four components.

English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate. 

If you are an International student please visit International students English requirements for further information.

Each student will be assessed individually. 

Assumed Knowledge

You are encouraged to study performing arts units during your senior school years. Private tuition in performing arts is also encouraged. These performing arts studies may include music, singing, drama, dance (ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary ballet) and technical theatre. However, it is not essential that you have formally studied all of these performing arts areas before auditioning for this course.

Security Requirements

Nil

Health Requirements

You will need to meet the inherent requirements for this course.

Fees and Charges
Course Features

Awards and Accreditation

Interim Awards Not applicable
Exit Awards Not applicable
Accreditation

  • Core

    N/A

Residential School Requirements

No Residential School for this course.

Practicum/Work Placement

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.
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.

Predicted Enrolments

Year Number of Students
First Year 2
Second year 2
Third Year 2
Inherent Requirements
There are currently no inherent requirements associated with this course.
Core Learning Outcomes
  • 1. Demonstrate introductory skills and knowledge of the practices, languages, forms, materials, technologies and techniques of a broad range of theatrical styles
  • 2. Develop and evaluate musical, cultural and artistic ideas, concepts and processes by thinking creatively, critically and reflectively
  • 3. Apply relevant introductory skills and knowledge to produce and realise theatrical works, performances and other forms of creative expression
  • 4. Interpret, communicate and present ideas, problems and arguments to do with theatre in modes suited to a range of audiences at an introductory level
  • 5. Work independently and collaboratively in theatre in response to authentic project demands in a variety of roles at an introductory level
  • 6. Recognise and reflect at an introductory level on social, cultural and ethical issues, and apply local and international perspectives to practice in theatre.
  Course Learning Outcomes
Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors 1 2 3 4 5 6
1. KNOWLEDGE Have technical and theoretical knowledge and concepts, with depth in some areas within a field of work and learning
2. SKILLS Have cognitive and communication skills to identify, analyse, synthesise and act on information from a range of sources
3. SKILLS Have cognitive, technical and communication skills to analyse, plan, design and evaluate approaches to unpredictable problems and/or management requirements
4. SKILLS Have specialist technical and creative skills to express ideas and perspectives
5. SKILLS Have communication skills to transfer knowledge and specialised skills to others and demonstrate understanding of knowledge
6. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate application with depth in some areas of specialisation, in known or changing contexts
7. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to transfer and apply theoretical concepts and/or technical and/or creative skills in a range of situations
8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate personal responsibility and autonomy in performing complex technical operations with responsibility for own outputs in relation to broad parameters for quantity and quality
9. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate initiative and judgement to organise the work of self and others and plan, coordinate and evaluate the work of teams within broad but generally well- defined parameters
10. FOUNDATIONAL KNOWLEDGE sufficient to undertake qualifications
11. ACQUISITION AND APPLICATION of knowledge in new or existing disciplines or professional areas drawn from higher education units
12. FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS sufficient to undertake qualifications
13. ACQUISITION AND APPLICATION of skills in new or existing disciplines or professional areas drawn from higher education units
14. Course content drawn from higher education units
KNOWLEDGE Develop an understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture in contemporary and historical context using the respectful and appropriate protocols and terminology
Drama Learning Outcomes
Please refer to the Core Structure Learning Outcomes
Music Theatre Learning Outcomes
Please refer to the Core Structure Learning Outcomes
Technical Theatre Learning Outcomes
Please refer to the Core Structure Learning Outcomes
Course Structure

In order to complete this course, you must:

  1. Complete the core structure
  2. Complete 1 minor

Core Structure

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Number of units: 4 Total credit points: 24

Due to pre-requisite requirements, the duration of study for full time students who commence in Term 2 in the Technical Theatre or Music Theatre minor is 1.5 years.

These core units provide you with the opportunity to be involved in fully staged theatrical productions, either as a performer or as part of the technical/creative team. You will be mentored by various industry professionals while you apply your skills in various types of theatrical performances and further your knowledge in theatre production.

Year 1 - Term 1
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
THTR11102 Production 1
THTR11125 Theatre: Stage, Screen and Musicals
Year 1 - Term 2
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
THTR11103 Production 2
THTR11126 Origins of Theatre

Drama Minor

View Full Course Structure
Number of units: 4 Total credit points: 24

Year 1 - Term 1
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
THTR11123 Principal Performance Studios 1
LITR11056 Introduction to Literature
Year 1 - Term 2
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
THTR11124 Principal Performance Studios 2
LITR11043 The Short Story

Music Theatre Minor

View Full Course Structure
Number of units: 4 Total credit points: 24

Year 1 - Term 1
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
THTR11123 Principal Performance Studios 1
MUSC11414 Music Theatre Voice 1
Year 1 - Term 2
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
THTR11124 Principal Performance Studios 2
MUSC11415 Music Theatre Voice 2

Technical Theatre Minor

View Full Course Structure
Number of units: 4 Total credit points: 24

Year 1 - Term 1
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
THTR11123 Principal Performance Studios 1
MMST11009 Digital Video and Audio
Year 1 - Term 2
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
THTR11124 Principal Performance Studios 2
DGTL12015 Video Editing and Post-Production
More Details
There is no additional information for this course.