Postgraduate Theatre –
Enhance your career prospects and gain advanced theoretical and technical knowledge with postgraduate study of theatre.
Take your passion for theatre to the next level with the School of English, Film, Theatre, Media and Communication, and Art History. The Theatre programme offers a range of pathways for postgraduate students, whether your interest is in honing your understanding of distinct areas of theatre and performance scholarship, or advancing your skills in theatrical practice.
Contribute to ground-breaking research on the theatre and performance of Aotearoa New Zealand, explore Māori and Pasifika theatre through an Indigenous lens, or reshape the way we talk about Early Modern and Restoration drama. Connect with the local industry through collaborative research projects which contribute to the rich cultural landscape of Aotearoa’s capital city. Or create your own practice-led project as part of an annual festival showcase of graduate student work.
Available qualifications
Dive in deep
Studying a postgraduate theatre degree offers an in-depth look at the areas of theatre and performance you really care about. This might begin with a year in the Honours programme, or the development of a Master of Arts or PhD by thesis project.
If you are interested in making a move into the theatre industry, you might consider the Master of Fine Arts (Creative Practice). This one-year qualification can give you useful tools and experience to support a career as a theatre practitioner. The degree is designed to enrich the knowledge of people already working in the industry, to upskill those teaching secondary school drama, or to invigorate anyone who makes theatre to empower communities.
Develop specialist expertise
Through the Theatre programme you can develop expertise in a range of diverse fields in theatre and performance. These include:
- theatre and performance in Aotearoa New Zealand
- Māori and Pasifika theatre and drama
- Shakespeare and early modern drama
- gender and sexuality in performance
- Asian and intercultural theatre
- scenography, performance design, and interdisciplinary art practice
- global theatre markets, festivals, and touring
- writing for live performance
- directing and performance training and practice
- arts research and performance studies.
Develop skills in independent and collaborative research while working with lecturers whose passion matches your own.
Globally ranked
This programme is ranked in the top 100 universities worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2024.
The QS World University Rankings is an annual global publication that gives overall rankings and subject rankings for more than 1,500 universities worldwide.
Graduate success
Research
Be part of an active and dynamic culture of research. Staff will guide and support you through the process—take advantage of their expertise and research an area of theatre that relates to your goals and interests.
Graduates of this programme come out with so many transferable and useful skills. Theatre changes how you see the world and how you collaborate with the people in it.
Full storyHannah Banks
Theatre PhD graduate
Community
Postgraduate study at Victoria University of Wellington will help you build valuable relationships and networks with peers, university staff and future colleagues. You'll have opportunities to attend events, seminars, conferences, workshops and social functions.
The Postgraduate Students' Association can also give you information on study at the University and provides a voice for you on campus.
Wellington is a creative and performing arts incubator. The New Zealand International Arts Festival, the New Zealand Fringe Festival and the Kia Mau festival are just a few of the exciting events you'll be able to see and take part in. From the innovative BATS Theatre to the classic Opera House, you'll have the opportunity to be inspired and to inspire.
Studying and living in Wellington is ideal for a Theatre student because this city is a vibrant hub for the arts and it is so easy to get involved.
Full storyHannah Banks
Theatre PhD graduate
Scholarships
You can look for scholarships based on your level of study, subject area and background.