university of cape town drama department
About the Drama Department
”Located in the heart of South Africa’s beautiful Mother City and built on a proud tradition of excellence, The UCT Drama Department is committed to nurturing individual creative and academic brilliance within the context of a vibrant local and international performing arts community” ~ Associate Professor Geoffrey Hyland, Head of Drama.
The Drama Department has a long tradition of graduating actors, theatre-makers, teachers and theatre practitioners. The Department offers both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in theatre making and performance. All courses offered combine a stimulating range of practical and theoretical studies, which include acting, voice, movement, theatre making, stagecraft, production, directing and theory options.
The Department of Drama, together with its resource unit, the Little Theatre is located on the Hiddingh Campus of the University, in the heart of Cape Town’s ‘cultural precinct’ and near the loci of the film and television industry. Drama has beautiful premises on the Hiddingh Campus, a well-stocked library and access to the Little Theatre (270 seats), the Arena Theatre (80 seats), the Bindery Lab (90 seats) and other flexible performance spaces in the Hiddingh Hall, Playroom and Rehearsal Studio.
Applications
Undergraduate Applications
Postgraduate Applications
Honours Applications
Students who have a three-year major in Drama with final marks of 65% or more will be considered for the course. In special circumstances students without full majors or with lower marks may be admitted, depending upon their previous drama experience and /or their reasons for wanting to pursue Drama at a post-graduate level. More Information
Masters Applications
Entry to the MA programme is usually for candidates who hold four year or honours degrees in drama and preferably some experience in the theatre industry. At the discretion of the head of department, students with a BA degree in cognate areas, or a three year BA with a major in Drama and sufficient work experience may be admitted to the programme. More Information
PhD Applications
The acceptance of dissertation proposals is dependent on the availability of a suitable supervisor. Areas of specialised research in the department include:
- Theatre Making
- Directing for the Theatre
- Performance Studies
- Theatre and Media studies
- Educational and Applied Drama
- Theatre Voice Practice
The department welcomes all enquirers as the possibility of joint supervision with other departments allows for a much broader range of theoretical enquirers than the areas of specialization suggested above.
Undergraduate Applications
Applicants wishing to study Theatre (Drama) or Dance will fall in to one of three categories. Before deciding which category you fall into, you must first work out your Admissions Points Score (APS).
Calculating Admissions Points Score (APS)
The percentages achieved in National Senior Certificate examinations (preliminary and final examinations) will be allocated an admission score equal to that percentage. The sum of six subjects, excluding Life Orientation, but including English. Results below 40% for any subject do not attract a score.
- Applicants whose APS is above 390 points
- Applicants whose APS is below 370 points
- Applicants whose APS is between 370 and 390 points
Applicants in Group 1 (APS above 390) must follow these steps:
Applicants in Group 1 must submit 3 items using our upload form.
- You must submit an essay. The instructions for the essay can be found using the link: Essay Instructions
- You must submit a reference letter. The letter must be from a teacher or community leader. The instructions for the reference letter can be found using the link: Reference Letter Instructions
- You must submit a video audition. The instructions for the video audition can be found using the link: Video Audition Instructions
Applicants in Group 2 (APS below 370) must follow these instructions:
Applicants in Group 3 (APS between 370 and 390) must follow these instructions:
Should you have any further questions, please contact Shabnam Pansari (undergrad.drama@uct.ac.za)
Suggested Monologues
- Boo to the Moon
- Vrededorp
- The Hungry Earth
- So What’s New?
- No-Good Friday
- My Children My Africa
- My Children My Africa (2)
- Mooi Street Moves
- Master Harold and the Boys
- Hello and Goodbye
- The Blue Period of Milton van der Spuy
- Curl up and Dye
Please note: these monologues are only suggestions. Applicants are welcome to present their own choice of pieces. Please ensure that you source and read the entire play.
When do applications close?
Applications for study in 2024 open in April 2024 and close on 30 September 2024.
How do I book and for an audition?
To book an audition, please complete the online booking form.
What are the academic requirements?
Minimum requirement: NSC endorsed for degree study/Matric Exemption. FPS 380 with Academic Literacy NBT score at Intermediate Level and 50% for English Home Language or 60% for English First Additional Language. Successful audition.
Diploma in Theatre and Performance (DTP: HU020)
NSC endorsed for diploma study. Academic Literacy NBT score at Intermediate Level and 50% for English Home Language or 60% for English First Additional Language. Successful audition.
Is drama as Matric subject required?
Drama as a subject for Matric is not a prerequisite.
How much does the course cost? Are there any bursaries available?
For all information regarding Bursaries, Financial Aid and Fees, please consult the UCT Website using the following link:
http://www.uct.ac.za/apply/funding/undergraduate/financial/
Alternatively you could contact the Student Financial Aid Office on 021 650 3545 or email sfa-finaid@uct.ac.za
I am an international student and wish to study drama at UCT. How do I proceed?
Depending on how you wish to study drama, there are several options open to you as an International Student.
If you are interested in studying through the Semester Study Abroad Programme, then you should begin
by contacting the International Academic Programmes Office (IAPO) on int-iapo@uct.ac.za or +27 (0)21 650 2822.
Under this programme, students may choose classes from our Academic Drama Major courses. Students studying through Semester Study Abroad programmes may not enrol for our Professional Practice courses.
Should you wish to study a full undergraduate degree, then there are two options available – a BA Theatre & Performance (HB014) or a General BA with a Major in Drama (HB003).
Note that for all Professional Practice Programmes, an audition is necessary to be considered for admission.
Undergraduate Programmes
The BA in Theatre & Performance
This four year degree programme equips students with the necessary skills in acting (including some music theatre) and theatre-making to enable them to pursue professional careers in the theatre and related fields such as film, television, advertising and teaching.
The programme offers two orientations.
- Acting for Stage and Camera
- Theatre Making
Please note: Not all orientations are offered every year.
The programme includes the full major in Drama and requires students to take courses in other departments in the Humanities faculty.
This degree is Honours equivalent and can lead to Masters study.
BA Theatre & Performance and Diploma in Theatre & Performance admit very restricted numbers of students and are specifically intended for candidates who wish to undertake professional studies in Theatre and Performance and make careers in the theatre and related industries.
The Diploma in Theatre & Performance
This three year diploma programme is an intensive vocational training for stage performance. It is intended for students who do not qualify for the BA Theatre & Performance on the basis of their matriculation results but who show exceptional potential as performers in an audition.
The programme includes some courses from the Drama major but its main emphasis is practical.
The programme offers two orientations:
- Acting for Stage
- Theatre Making
(Please note: Not all orientations are offered every year.)
BA Theatre & Performance and Diploma in Theatre & Performance admit very restricted numbers of students and are specifically intended for candidates who wish to undertake professional studies in Theatre and Performance and make careers in the theatre and related industries.
The Drama Major
For students who want to study Drama and Theatre but do not wish to become theatre professionals, the department offers an undergraduate major in Drama.
The BA in Theatre & Performance
This four year degree programme equips students with the necessary skills in acting (including some music theatre) and theatre-making to enable them to pursue professional careers in the theatre and related fields such as film, television, advertising and teaching.
The programme offers two orientations.
- Acting for Stage and Camera
- Theatre Making
Please note: Not all orientations are offered every year.
The programme includes the full major in Drama and requires students to take courses in other departments in the Humanities faculty.
This degree is Honours equivalent and can lead to Masters study.
BA Theatre & Performance and Diploma in Theatre & Performance admit very restricted numbers of students and are specifically intended for candidates who wish to undertake professional studies in Theatre and Performance and make careers in the theatre and related industries.
| Email Address | Contact Details | Physical Address | Postal Address | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drama Department Database | little.theatre@uct.ac.za | Room 2.06 Rosedale Building Hiddingh Campus 31-37 Orange Street Gardens Cape Town 8001 |
Room 2.06 Rosedale Building Hiddingh Campus 31-37 Orange Street Gardens Cape Town 8001 |
|
| Drama | drama@uct.ac.za | (t) 0216507121 (f) (w) www.drama.uct.ac.za |
Room 2.06 Rosedale Building Hiddingh Campus 31-37 Orange Street Gardens Cape Town |
Room 2.06 Rosedale Building Hiddingh Campus 31-37 Orange Street Gardens Cape Town 8001 |