Major overview
An Honours year in Theatre is your chance to deepen and extend your undergraduate studies by undertaking an independent research project supported by expert supervision. This project may take the form of a written dissertation or a practice-as-research study incorporating a creative work.
You will have the opportunity to develop your specialisation, while engaging with major debates in theatre and performance studies, such as theatre’s role in social change and the evolving relationship between text, performance and audience. Alongside this, you will cultivate advanced research skills, with the option for strengthening both your scholarly capacity and your creative practice.
Over one year of full-time (or equivalent part-time) study, you will develop advanced skills in critical thinking, creative practice, communication, leadership, collaboration and independent research—highly transferable skills valued in the creative industries, cultural organisations, education and beyond.
3 reasons to study Theatre Honours at Murdoch University
- Pursue either a research dissertation or practice-as-research pathway, tailored to your strengths and career goals.
- Engage with theatre as both an artistic practice and a critical lens on contemporary society, for example, through exploring applied, political and ecological performance.
- Work closely with an expert supervisor, refining your capacity to lead original scholarly or creative projects.
What you’ll learn
This Theatre Honours major will build upon your previous undergraduate degree.
- Develop your knowledge of the underlying principles and concepts of theatre, performance and creative production.
- Expand your creative, critical-thinking and communication skills.
- Learn how to succeed while working on your own, leading others or working within a team.
- Further develop the writing, data analysis and independent research skills you need as a postgraduate student through our free workshops and seminars.
- Develop the skills you need to present your knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences.
- Show responsibility and accountability for your own learning, demonstrating initiative and judgement in diverse contexts.
Having completed three semesters and my honours research in Indonesia, I was able to get a much better idea of development on the ground. I found that when I graduated, I had a more realistic idea of what to expect in the workplace.
Karis Erceg, Bachelor of Arts
Your future career
- By undertaking an honours degree, you can improve your employment prospects, with career paths for graduates possibly including:Higher degree research (Master’s or PhD)
- Careers in performance, directing, dramaturgy, scenography, acting, writing and creative production
- Teaching and education
- Specialised roles in cultural industries, arts organisations and applied community-based performance
Start dates
| Starting period | Location | Face to Face | Online | Mixed mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1, 2026 | Murdoch | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Semester 2, 2026 | Murdoch | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Semester 1, 2027 | Murdoch | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Semester 2, 2027 | Murdoch | Yes | Yes | Yes |
View the dates for our teaching periods or find out more about attendance modes.
Major Structure
Visit the Course Handbook - Get detailed information on units, prerequisites, and pathways.
To help plan the structure of your course, search for our suggested course plans.
| Unit code | Unit name | Credit points |
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How to Apply
Majors are part of a degree and can't be applied on their own. Apply for a related degree first, then choose your major once enrolled.
Your arts degree could take you in any direction you choose. Build your professional skills and creative prospects even further by adding a postgraduate qualification to your Bachelor of Arts.