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
Best countries to study theatre studies
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 - Performance - BFA Auburn University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
32,220 USD
Fee in university's local currency 32,220 USD
- Start date
- January
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Theatre Arts Administration - BSc Lees-McRae College, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
26,490 USD
Fee in university's local currency 26,490 USD
- Start date
- August, January
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Theatre - Theatre Studies - BA Louisiana State University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
28,700 USD
Fee in university's local currency 28,700 USD
- Start date
- January, May, August
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Theatre Studies - BA University of Waikato, New Zealand
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
18,006 USD
Fee in university's local currency 24,425 NZD
- Start date
- February, July
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Theatre - BA Fairfield University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
47,650 USD
Fee in university's local currency 47,650 USD
- Start date
- January, September
Associate in theatre studies
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Theatre - AA Douglas College, Canada
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
14,320 USD
Fee in university's local currency 18,000 CAD
- Start date
- January, May, September
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Theatre Performance - AA Hesston College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
28,992 USD
Fee in university's local currency 28,992 USD
- Start date
- January, August
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Theatre Arts (for Transfer) - AA Laney College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
7,950 USD
Fee in university's local currency 7,950 USD
- Start date
- August, January, June
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Theatre Arts for Transfer (AA-T) - AA San Jose City College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
8,138 USD
Fee in university's local currency 8,138 USD
- Start date
- January, August
Diploma in theatre studies
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Theatre - Dip University of the Fraser Valley, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
15,036 USD
Fee in university's local currency 18,900 CAD
- Start date
- January, September
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Theatre - UGDip Douglas College, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
14,320 USD
Fee in university's local currency 18,000 CAD
- Start date
- September
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Theatre Arts - Production - UGDip Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
12,261 USD
Fee in university's local currency 15,412 CAD
- Start date
- September
-
Theatre Arts and Performance - OCADip Centennial College, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
13,152 USD
Fee in university's local currency 16,531 CAD
- 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
- Annual tuition fee
-
15,446 USD
Fee in university's local currency 10,900 GBP
- Start date
- January, September
Theatre studies graduate programs
Master's in theatre studies
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Theatre Studies - MA University of Waikato, New Zealand
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 18 months
- Annual tuition fee
-
22,186 USD
Fee in university's local currency 30,095 NZD
- Start date
- February, July
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Theatre Arts: Theatre Studies Specialization - MA Central Washington University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
23,007 USD
Fee in university's local currency 23,007 USD
- Start date
- September, January
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Theatre (Design and Technology) - MFA University of Southern Mississippi, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
10,770 USD
Fee in university's local currency 10,770 USD
- Start date
- January, August
-
Theatre Management - Dual MBA/MFA California State University, Long Beach, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
14,604 USD
Fee in university's local currency 14,604 USD
- Start date
- August, January
-
Performance: Theatre - MA University of Chichester, UK
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
19,768 USD
Fee in university's local currency 13,950 GBP
- Start date
- September
Doctorate in theatre studies
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Dance, Theatre and Music - PhD University of Chichester, UK
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
19,768 USD
Fee in university's local currency 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
- Annual tuition fee
-
13,232 USD
Fee in university's local currency 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.
