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Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (PGDipArts) in Theatre Studies

New Zealand

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What will I learn?

The Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (PGDipArts) requires two semesters of full-time study. It entails a structured programme of postgraduate coursework and, in some instances, a piece of supervised research that counts for one or two of the required papers. The normal admission requirement is a completed Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in the major of the proposed programme.

Graduates are employed in administration, business, education, government, industry and journalism where their advanced knowledge of an academic area, ability to solve problems, research and writing skills are valued. It is also a recognised qualification for admission as a candidate for the Master of Arts (MA) and, if a dissertation is included, the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Why study Theatre Studies at Otago?

Theatre Studies is a subject that is easy to become passionate about. It provides an understanding of the nature of performance, allows you access to the tools of a theatre-maker, and looks at performance using critical and analytical skills.

You’ll study different times and cultures from a theatre perspective, ranging from Shakespeare to performance art and all points in-between. Practice and analytical investigation inform and support one another.

Your lecturers have professional as well as academic expertise in the fields of acting, producing, directing, criticism, stage design, lighting and sound design, playwriting and translation. And then there is our unique weekly Lunchtime Theatre programme at Allen Hall, which is your testing ground as a performer, director or playwright, and in all aspects of stagecraft.

Otago offers a wide selection of papers in Theatre Studies, drawn from the following areas:

Performance skills: improvisation; principles of actor training, including Shakespeare, voice and movement

Analysis and interpretation of drama on stage and screen

Bicultural theatre; drama and theatre of Aotearoa/New Zealand, the Pacific and Australia

Directing

Theatre history, contemporary drama and performance art

Performance analysis and critical theory

Theatre technology and design, especially lighting and stage design

Playwriting and the creation of new theatre works

Level of Award of the Diploma

The diploma may be awarded with distinction or with credit.

Diploma in a Second Subject

A student who has obtained the diploma in one subject may become a candidate for the diploma in any other subject.

Which department am I in?

Division of Humanities

Study options

Full Time (1 year)

Tuition fees
NZ$37,746.00 (US$ 22,631) per year

*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution

Application deadline

Expected May 2025

More details

Start date

24 February 2025

Venue

Dunedin Campus

University of Otago Clocktower Building,

362 Leith Street,

DUNEDIN,

North Dunedin,

9016, New Zealand

Entry requirements

For international students

Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities).

Every applicant shall

  • either have been admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Arts majoring in the subject or subjects of study proposed;
  • or have been admitted with the status of one who is entitled to proceed to the diploma;
  • or have a qualification acceptable to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor and produce evidence satisfactory to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of ability to proceed to the diploma.
    • English language requirements

      • IELTS (Academic module) (including IELTS Online) - Overall score of 6.5, no individual band below 6.0.
      • TOEFL iBT - Overall score of 90 and a writing score of 21.
      • C1 Advanced (previously Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)) & (previously Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE)) - Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169).
      • Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic - Overall score of 58 with no communicative skills score below 50.
      • Language Cert - International ESOL: C1 Expert (LRWS) with a high pass overall and no less than a pass in each skill OR C2 Mastery (LRWS) with a pass overall and no less than a pass in each skill.
      • NZCEL - NZCEL 5 Academic endorsement
      • English New Zealand's Accredited Pathway Assessment - Assessment Level 3 (with no skill lower than Level 2).
      • APIEL Advanced Placement International English Language Examination - Grade 4 or higher.

*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.

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About University of Otago

The University of Otago is ranked in the top 1 per cent of universities in the world and is often regarded as the best in New Zealand.

  • Top 5 most beautiful campuses globally
  • New Zealand’s No.1 university for educational performance
  • 95 percent of Otago graduates go into work or further study
  • Opportunity to apply for a three-year post-study work visa

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