Master of Performing Arts

Admission requirements you'll need to meet for this course.

• The following course-specific admission requirements are mandatory and must be satisfied by all applicants. These requirements are in addition to or supersede the minimum requirements outlined within the Academic admission requirements band section below.

  All applicants are required to provide a personal statement and a detailed CV/resume. Applicants will also be required to attend an interview and provide a showreel and/or portfolio of previous work. Applicants who do not hold a Bachelor degree in a cognate discipline will need to provide evidence of equivalent prior learning which includes at 3 years industry experience.

  Academic admission requirements (Band 8) may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

  • Bachelor degree in a cognate discipline; or
  • Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience.

• English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

  • IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0);
  • Bachelor degree from a country specified on the English Proficiency Bands page;
  • Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
  • Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience; or
  • Other tests, courses or programs defined on the English Proficiency Bands page.

Admission requirements you'll need to meet for this course.

• The following course-specific admission requirements are mandatory and must be satisfied by all applicants. These requirements are in addition to or supersede the minimum requirements outlined within the Academic admission requirements band section below.

  All applicants are required to attend an audition. The candidate is expected to undertake an audition (all performance and directing) and/or interview (composition, musicology and other forms of historic study) for the staff in the relevant area. Information on this requirement will be available from the area head on application.

  For more information, including guidelines for specific disciplines, please see our Interviews, folios and auditions web page.

  Academic admission requirements (Band 6) may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

  • Bachelor degree; or
  • Equivalent prior learning including at least five years relevant professional experience.

• English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

  • IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0);
  • Bachelor degree from a country specified on the English Proficiency Bands page;
  • Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
  • Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience; or
  • Other tests, courses or programs defined on the English Proficiency Bands page.

A candidate shall:

1. (a) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification with a major or equivalent in Theatre Studies and have 2 years' experience as a performer or director or designer or playwright or teacher; or

(b) hold an AQF Level 8 Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Bachelor with Honours or AQF Level 9 Masters qualification in a relevant discipline*; and

2. All applicants must submit a preliminary research proposal (approximately 500-800 words) which should:

(i) describe their proposed creative project for the Master of Applied Theatre Studies;

(ii) include a rationale for the choice of creative work in the context of the overall research project and explain why this is significant; and

(iii) include a short reference list.

Applicants are advised to discuss this proposal with the course coordinator before submission.

Relevant Disciplines include, but are not limited to:

English; Media and Communications; Performance; Theatre Studies; Writing.

Admission requires:

• a master's degree in an appropriate discipline as determined by the Sydney Conservatorium of Music; or
• a pass bachelor's degree with a credit average, or an honours bachelor's degree from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification in an appropriate discipline as determined by the Conservatorium; or
• an award of graduate diploma from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification in an appropriate discipline as determined by the Conservatorium; or
• completion of the requirements of the embedded graduate diploma in this discipline from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification; and
• successful completion of an audition.

Available places will be offered to qualified applicants in the order in which complete applications are received, and according to the admissions criteria.

Applicants who do not have a recognised tertiary award but who demonstrate an equivalent musical ability and maturity at the audition and interview, and who can show considerable performing experience may be admitted.