Postgraduate Applications

In order to be considered for admission to a postgraduate programme you need to complete a formal UCT application (UCT Postgraduate Application page). 

Honours

Admission Requirements

BA(Honours) specialising in Theatre, Dance or Performance (126 NQF credits) 

Convener: Dr Mbongeni Mtshali 

(a) Faculty requirements are set out under Rule FH3. 

(b) Special requirements: 

  • Applicants should include a CV and the names and contact details of at least two referees who have knowledge of their work in Theatre, Dance or Performance. The inclusion of other testimonials is optional. 
  • An interview may be required as part of your application.

The choice of courses and stream will be determined in consultation with the Head of Section, whose decision will be final. Acceptance is on the recommendation of the Head of Section. 

The course will commence early in February - usually several weeks before the beginning of the Undergraduate Academic quarter. 

There are 3 streams in the Honours programme: 

  • Theatre (Directing, Applied, Technical Theatre Management and Playwriting)
  • Performance (Live Art, Public Art)
  • Dance

NOTE: Not all streams will be offered every year. 

You can make preliminary enquiries to Ms. Shabnam Pansariprior to officially applying to the university. 

Email: postgrad.ctdps@uct.ac.za

Students who have a three-year major in Theatre, Dance or Performance 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 theatre/dance experience and /or their reasons for wanting to pursue Theatre/Dance at a post-graduate level. 

Masters

Entry to the MA programme is usually for candidates who hold four year or honours degrees in theatre/dance/performance and preferably some experience in the theatre industry. At the discretion of the Head of Section, students with a BA degree in cognate areas, or a three year BA with a major in theatre/dance/performance and sufficient work experience may be admitted to the programme.

Admission Requirements

Applicants are required to have a Hons degree or equivalent qualification. In addition, application for Masters by Research (Dissertation 100%) are required to submit a research proposal. No formal registration can take place until the proposal has been considered and approved by the department’s Higher Degrees Committee (HDC).

Admission through the recognition of prior learning is possible in appropriate circumstances. Such admission is processed and decided in terms of the RPL policy and must be approved by the HOD.

The HDC communicates its decision to the Faculty Office who will inform the applicant and process the registration.

Registration procedure

Registration is processed by the Faculty Office and will be detailed once the applicant has been made a firm offer of study.

Students will be required to attend an interview/audition and /or provide a portfolio of work and the names of two contactable references to seek admission to the course.

Phd (Theatre and Performance)

The acceptance of dissertation proposals is dependent on the availability of a suitable supervisor. Areas of specialised research in the department include:

Theatre

Areas of specialised research in the Centre include:

  • Theatre Making
  • Directing for the Theatre
  • Performance Studies
  • Theatre and Media studies
  • Educational and Applied Drama
  • Theatre Voice Practice

Dance

Areas of specialised research in the Centre include:

  • Contemporary Dance
  • Dance Pedagogy and Applied Dance
  • South African Dance
  • Choreography
  • Classical Ballet

The Centre welcomes all enquiries as the possibility of joint supervision with other departments allows for a much broader range of theoretical enquiries than the areas of specialisation suggested above.

Email: postgrad.ctdps@uct.ac.za, 

For further information on submitting an application, please consult the UCT Postgraduate Application Guide.