Overview
Theatre for the real world
Perform the change you want to see in the world with Massey’s unique Diploma in Arts (Theatre Studies).
Level
- Undergraduate, NZQF Level 5
Campus
- Auckland, Manawatū, Wellington
Distance learning
- Available
Duration
- 1 year(s) full-time. Available part-time.
International
- Available for international students studying in NZ
This exciting applied theatre and performing arts diploma combines theatre for social change with real-world communication techniques.
Gain critical drama and creativity skills
Theatre studies will develop your skills in:
- acting
- directing
- teamwork
- event management
- playmaking.
You’ll be challenged to think critically, write powerfully and learn how to produce compelling creative performances.
Learn from national and international theatre practitioners
You’ll be taught by award-winning and passionate staff. Our lecturers are well-known theatre practitioners who have won prestigious awards in teaching, critical research and theatre practice. You’ll be working in our custom-designed and well-equipped theatre labs.
Apply to the real world
This diploma offers an applied approach to theatre. It focuses on understanding theatre as a change agent. Actor/director training, playmaking and the study of drama as literature can develop you as a powerful communicator. There is a strong emphasis on real-world applications and on theatre’s role in enhancing society, community and democracy. You’ll be able to apply your new skills to business, community, education and other real-world contexts.
Develop your social responsibility
Several of our theatre courses are driven by the need to cultivate new kinds of communities. You’ll build texts and develop discourses that respond to social, cultural and environmental needs. You’ll not only study theatre as literature, but will explore how it provides access to different kinds of audiences and encourages social responsibility.
Careers and further study
Careers
Massey’s Diploma in Arts (Theatre Studies) will develop the creative and artistic skills that are important in many vocations, such as:
- writing, devising and directing original theatre
- teaching theatre and drama in schools and universities
- communication, journalism and broadcasting
- marketing, public relations, and event management
- local government and community development
- community work and activism
Our students tell us that theatre studies:
- builds skills for your CV
- makes you stand out from the crowd
- increases confidence and creativity
- improves public speaking and presentation skills
- develops team and group working skills
- develops practical project management skills (problem-solving, deadlines, budgets, goal-setting, directing others, taking direction)
- helps you to understand others through a humanities lens - culture, society, difference and empathy
- increases understanding and application of multimedia
- develops your appreciation for theatre and the arts as catalysts for social change.
Entry requirements
University admission
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Programme admission
Required
There are no specific entry requirements for this programme, outside of university admission regulations.
English language requirements
To study this programme you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
Prior learning, credit and exemptions
For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:
- review the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations
- contact us through the Enquire button on this page.
If you do not have the entry requirements
English language and foundation courses
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, we have courses and programmes that may help.
- English Language Proficiency
- Foundation Certificate in Academic English
- Foundation Certificate in Advanced Academic English
- Full Foundation - Certificate in Foundation Studies
Summer School
If you need to do a course before you start your programme, there may be options for you in Summer School.
Courses and planning
Credit summary
120 credits
Either
No endorsement
Core courses
From the Schedule to the Diploma
Electives
Or
Endorsement
Core courses
From one endorsement
Electives
A specialisation (endorsement) is optional, requiring at least 75 credits from the endorsement, including not more than 30 credits at 100-level.
Ensure across your courses you also have:
- Not more than 75 credits at 100 level
- At least 45 credits at 200 level or above
- Not more than 15 credits above 100-level from outside of the Schedule to the Diploma
- Not more than a total of 30 credits from outside of the Schedule to the Diploma.
Attend field trips, studios, workshops, tutorials and laboratories as required.
See ‘Courses for this programme’ below for schedules of courses.
Courses for this specialisation
At least 75 credits in Theatre Studies, including 139.104 or 139.133; 45 credits at 200 and/or 300 level, and 15 credits at any level from the Theatre Studies schedule.
Compulsory course
| At least 15 credits from | ||
|---|---|---|
| 139104 | Drama in Performance | 15 |
| 139133 | Creative Communication | 15 |
Elective courses
| 139209 | Speaking: Theory and Practice | 15 |
| 139220 | Theatre for Change | 15 |
| 139223 | Creative Processes | 15 |
| 139224 | Making Plays for Theatre | 15 |
| 139303 | Modern Drama | 15 |
| 139320 | Theatre in Production | 15 |
| 139323 | Script Writing | 15 |
| 139333 | Creativity in the Community | 15 |
Planning your programme
Planning overview
Full-time study comprises eight 15-credit courses for a total of 120 credits in one year. We recommend you aim for 60 credits per semester.
If you later proceed to the Bachelor of Arts degree, all of the courses in your Diploma of Arts can be transferred to the Bachelor of Arts.
If you have questions, contact us through the Enquire button on this page.
Fees and scholarships
Fees and finance
Fees, student loans and free fees scheme
Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.
There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.
Already know which courses you're going to choose?
If you already know which courses you are going to take, you can use our fees calculator to get an estimate of your fees.
Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme
You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.
The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.
Current and returning Massey students will find their National Student Number on their student homepage.
- Student loans (StudyLink)
- Fees Free
- Student homepage login
A good fit if you:
- have a passion for theatre and the creative arts
- want to develop creative and artistic skills
- seek opportunities to explore creative writing and media production in performance settings.
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.
Regulations
Review this important information before you apply for this programme. This gives you full details of the rules and regulations about what you need to study and what you must achieve in order to graduate with this qualification. That includes structure, courses and requirements. These regulations should be read in conjunction with all other Statutes and Regulations of the University including the below.
Undergraduate programmes
Applying and enrolling
Applying for the programme
Check you are ready
If you are ready to apply, have a look at our application checklist. It will help you get prepared with what you need. Please also check the entry requirements carefully before you apply.
Choose your programme and click on Apply now
You will apply for the programme using the Apply now button on this page. You’ll also choose your specialisation (major, subject or endorsement) if applicable.
Some programmes have additional requirements such as the submission of a portfolio or CV. Click on Apply now and you will be able to submit those documents as part of the application process.
Receive and accept an Admission Offer of Place
You will receive an Admission Offer of Place when you have been accepted into the programme. You need to accept this before you can enrol in your courses. International students also need to pay their fees at this point.
Enrolling in courses
You’ll then get access to your own student homepage (also known as the student portal). This is where you can enrol in courses. Any updates on your application or enrolments will also be on your student homepage. Make sure you check this regularly.
When you choose courses, ensure you check for any requirements that apply including:
- prerequisites (courses you have to do before the one you are enrolling in)
- corequisites (courses you have to do at the same time as the one you are enrolling in)
- restrictions (courses that you cannot enrol in if you are completing or have completed another identified similar course)
- location – for instance some distance-based courses still have an on-campus element, so double check that the way the course is taught is suitable for your situation.
Each of our courses has its own webpage where you can find this information. You can use our course search to find course pages.
More information on courses is in the ‘Courses for this programme’ section on this page.
You can find information on application due dates and semester dates on the key dates page.
We look forward to welcoming you to Massey!
If you have any questions, contact us through the Enquire button on this page.
What are courses and credits?
What are courses and credits?
Each Massey programme is made up of courses (in some tertiary institutions they are called ‘papers’).
You will have some compulsory courses and some you can choose from.
Each course is worth a certain amount of credits (often 15 credits, but this does vary). You must gain a set number of credits to be able to graduate from this programme.
There may also be some rules about which courses you need to pass to progress to the next year, or stage, of your study (known as progression). There are also courses you must pass to graduate with a specialisation.
- See the ‘Courses for this programme’ section for the list of courses.
- Courses search
Understanding course numbers
The first three digits of our course numbers show you which subject the course is about.
The second three digits show you the level and course ID number. For instance:
- sub-degree courses are '0' (i.e. xxx.0xx)
- undergraduate study begins at 100-level, (i.e. xxx.1xx)
- as you progress through 200- and 300-level courses this number changes to 2 and 3 respectively. The higher the number that starts the second three digits, the higher the level of study.
| 1 | 6 | 2 | . | 3 | 0 | 1 | |
| Subject area | Level | Course ID number | |||||
About electives
Electives are courses that are not compulsory. Certain guidelines are usually provided on courses you may take. Elective courses contribute to the programme, but not to your major or specialisation.
Workload and time management
Use this tool to help determine how much time you will need each week to complete your studies.
Returning students
For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.
In some cases the programme or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these programmes go to the Massey University Calendar.
Please contact us through the Enquire button on this page if you have any questions.
Scholarships and awards
There are a number of scholarships available for new and current students. They could relate to your situation, achievement or interest.