Study theatre studies abroad
An in-depth guide to studying theatre studies as an international student.
Theatre studies degrees abroad
Theatre studies is the perfect program for students looking to turn their passion for theatre into a successful career. It combines theory and practice to equip students with the knowledge, confidence, and creativity needed to pursue their dreams.
As a theatre studies student, you’ll take classes in acting, directing, playwriting, stage management, and more. You’ll consider how humans have used the theatre to express themselves throughout history, and how performance techniques and are constantly evolving.
Studying theatre abroad is a wonderful chance to broaden your horizons and enrich your education. You’ll get to study texts in the places they were written, encounter new performance styles and methods, and work alongside professionals who’ll push you to be your best.
Theatre studies program structure
You’ll have plenty of options to choose from when it comes to enrolling in a theatre studies program. Two-year associate degrees are a great option for students looking to gain a thorough introduction to the field so they can secure entry-level employment or progress onto further study.
Bachelor’s programs are studied over three or four years, depending on your university and country of study. Some institutions will allow you to combine theatre studies with another program like dance, English, film, or history as part of a joint honors program.
If you’re planning on going to the USA to earn your undergraduate degree, you’ll know that bachelor’s programs in the US take four years to complete. You’ll work on your general education for the first half of your program, before concentrating on theatre-specific modules for the remaining two years.
Postgraduate degrees allow students to undertake more advanced research and training in theatre studies. Master’s programs usually require one or two years of study, while doctoral degrees take between four and seven years of work.
Your timetable will largely be made up of lectures, seminars, tutorials, and practical workshops. You’ll be assessed both practically and theoretically through a mixture of essays, presentations, performances, and practical assignments.
The content of programs can differ substantially between universities because of different cultural contexts, theatrical rituals, and performance approaches. However, the majority of courses across the globe will touch on these core topics:
- Theatre skills
- Theatre making - scenography and technology
- Production for stage and screen
- Theatre, society and culture
- Theatre and text
- Acting for stage
- Playwriting
- Classical to modern theatre
- Contemporary theatre
How to study theatre studies abroad
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Theatre studies study abroad programs
Theatre studies undergraduate programs
Bachelor's in theatre studies
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Theatre Arts (Design & Production) - BFA Long Island University Post, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 35,736 USD
- Start date
- January, September
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Communication Arts - Theatre - BA Concord University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 18,190 USD
- Start date
- January, September
-
Theatre Arts - BSc Lees-McRae College, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 26,490 USD
- Start date
- August, January
-
Performance (Music Theatre) - BMus Arizona State University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 30,134 USD
- Start date
- January, May, August
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Drama and Theatre Arts - BA University of Birmingham, UK
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 3 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 18,700 GBP
- Start date
- September
Pathway in theatre studies
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Theatre & Performance (Foundation) - FD Leeds Beckett University, UK
- Program type
- Undergraduate pathway
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 10,900 GBP
- Start date
- January, September
-
Contemporary Circus with Physical Theatre - FdA Bath Spa University, UK
- Program type
- Undergraduate pathway
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 14,300 GBP
- Start date
- September
Diploma in theatre studies
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Theatre Arts - Performance - AdvDip Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 3 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 17,840 CAD
- Start date
- September
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Theatre Arts and Performance - OCADip Centennial College, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 3 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 16,531 CAD
- Start date
- September
-
Theatre - UGDip Douglas College, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 18,000 CAD
- Start date
- September
Associate in theatre studies
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Theatre - AA Douglas College, Canada
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 18,000 CAD
- Start date
- January, May, September
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Theatre Arts for Transfer (AA-T) - AA San Jose City College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 8,138 USD
- Start date
- January, August
-
Theatre Education - AA Hesston College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 28,992 USD
- Start date
- January, August
Theatre studies graduate programs
Master's in theatre studies
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Theatre Arts/Acting/Directing - MFA Long Island University Post, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 44,100 USD
- Start date
- January, September
-
Theatre (Interdisciplinary Digital Media) - MFA Arizona State University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 25,118 USD
- Start date
- August
-
Theatre: Socially Engaged Practice - MA University of Portsmouth, UK
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 7,750 GBP
- Start date
- September
-
Theatre Studies - MA University of Waikato, New Zealand
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 18 months
- Tuition fees per year
- 30,095 NZD
- Start date
- February, July
-
Theatre - History and Criticism - MA Texas State University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 15,034 USD
- Start date
- January, August
Doctorate in theatre studies
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Dance, Theatre and Music - PhD University of Chichester, UK
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 3 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 13,950 GBP
- Start date
- September
Diploma in theatre studies
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Theatre Arts - Performance - OCDip Fanshawe College, Canada
- Program type
- Postgraduate diploma
- Duration
- 14 months
- Tuition fees per year
- 16,632 CAD
- Start date
- September
Future theatre studies careers
A degree in theatre studies can open up several enjoyable and lucrative career paths. You can apply your communication, collaboration and presentation skills across several sectors, including performing arts, education, charity, private business, and healthcare.
Here are some of the positions that theatre graduates set their sights on:
- Actor
- Theatre director
- Arts administrator
- Dramatherapist
- Drama teacher
- Theatre stage manager
- Casting agent
- Playwright
To stand the best chance to landing your dream job, you’ll need to showcase your passion, enthusiasm and experience to recruiters. Getting involved in your university’s theatre society, volunteering at community theatre groups, and completing internships with industry experts are great ways to hone your craft and build your professional network.
