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Course code W92

Bachelor of Performing Arts Honours

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Creative thinkers made here.

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About this Course

The Bachelor of Performing Arts (Honours) course provides students with an opportunity to focus in depth on a particular research topic of their choice while also receiving further research training at fourth year Honours level.

Students can focus on Dance or Performance Making which encompasses devising, directing, writing or design. Students are guided through refining a research topic and undertaking research that synthesises practical, theoretical and historical knowledge. The course develops advanced technical skills and a sophisticated understanding of the creative process. Critical thinking and communication skills are developed in seminar discussions and the written exegesis or thesis component. Assessment tasks, both practical and written, have real-world application to prepare graduates to make a contribution to the professional performing arts industry. There is scope for the Honours year to incorporate international study tour or industry placements. Undergraduate feeder programs are the Bachelor of Arts (Dance) and the Bachelor of Performing Arts (Performance Making or Practice Transition majors).

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level

This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 8 Bachelor Honours Degree Award.

Course code W92

Entry requirements

ECU admission and English language requirements apply.

See Course Entry for further information.

Fees

Commonwealth supported - estimated 1st year indicative fee AUD $8,950

See Fees and Scholarships for further information.

Duration

1 year full-time or part-time equivalent

See Course Details for further information.

Availability & Campus

Location Semester 1 Semester 2
Joondalup
Mount Lawley FT PT
South West
Online
*FT = Full-time study PT = Part-time study

Timetable

This course has a modified timetable. See Course Notes.

About this Course

The Bachelor of Performing Arts (Honours) course provides students with an opportunity to focus in depth on a particular research topic of their choice while also receiving further research training at fourth year Honours level.

Students can focus on Dance or Performance Making which encompasses devising, directing, writing or design. Students are guided through refining a research topic and undertaking research that synthesises practical, theoretical and historical knowledge. The course develops advanced technical skills and a sophisticated understanding of the creative process. Critical thinking and communication skills are developed in seminar discussions and the written exegesis or thesis component. Assessment tasks, both practical and written, have real-world application to prepare graduates to make a contribution to the professional performing arts industry. There is scope for the Honours year to incorporate international study tour or industry placements. Undergraduate feeder programs are the Bachelor of Arts (Dance) and the Bachelor of Performing Arts (Performance Making or Practice Transition majors).

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level

This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 8 Bachelor Honours Degree Award.

Course code W92

CRICOS code 105882K

Entry requirements

ECU admission and English language requirements apply.

See Course Entry for further information.

Fees

International students - estimated 1st year indicative fee AUD $37,600

See Fees and Scholarships for further information.

Duration

1 year full-time

See Course Details for further information.

Availability & Campus

Location Semester 1 Semester 2
Joondalup
Mount Lawley FT
South West
Online
*FT = Full-time study PT = Part-time study

Timetable

This course has a modified timetable. See Course Notes.

Course Entry

Admission requirements you'll need to meet for this course.

  • The following course-specific admission requirements are mandatory and must be satisfied by all applicants. These requirements are in addition to or supersede the minimum requirements outlined within the Academic admission requirements band section below.

    All applicants are required to have successfully completed a Bachelor of Arts (Dance) or Bachelor of Performing Arts or equivalent and are usually required to have a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70% or higher, and attend an audition. The audition is inclusive of an interview component, including submission of a written outline of a research proposal, where applicants will be assessed to determine both their commitment and aptitude.
    Note: The audition/interview requirement may be waived for current ECU students enrolled in the Bachelor of Performing Arts or Bachelor of Arts (Dance).

    For more information, including guidelines for specific disciplines, please see our Interviews, folios and auditions web page.

    All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. The indicative or guaranteed ATAR is as published (where applicable) or academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • Bachelor degree in a cognate discipline; or
    • Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience.

    For international students, requirements include your secondary school results.

  • English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • Year 12 English ATAR/English Literature ATAR grade C or better or equivalent;
    • Special Tertiary Admissions Test;*
    • IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.0 (no individual band less than 6.0);
    • Successfully completed 1.0 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher in the UK, Ireland, USA, NZ or Canada;
    • University Preparation Course;
    • Indigenous University Orientation Course;*
    • Aboriginal University Readiness Assessment;*
    • AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree;
    • Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent); or
    • Other tests, courses or programs defined on the English Proficiency Bands page.

    * Further information can be found on the Study course entry page.

Applications for this course are not accepted through ECU's Experience Based Entry Scheme.

Course Entry

Admission requirements you'll need to meet for this course.

  • The following course-specific admission requirements are mandatory and must be satisfied by all applicants. These requirements are in addition to or supersede the minimum requirements outlined within the Academic admission requirements band section below.

    All applicants are required to have successfully completed a Bachelor of Arts (Dance) or Bachelor of Performing Arts or equivalent and are usually required to have a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70% or higher, and attend an audition. The audition is inclusive of an interview component, including submission of a written outline of a research proposal, where applicants will be assessed to determine both their commitment and aptitude.
    Note: The audition/interview requirement may be waived for current ECU students enrolled in the Bachelor of Performing Arts or Bachelor of Arts (Dance).

    For more information, including guidelines for specific disciplines, please see our Interviews, folios and auditions web page.

    All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. The indicative or guaranteed ATAR is as published (where applicable) or academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • Bachelor degree in a cognate discipline; or
    • Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience.

    For international students, requirements include your secondary school results.

  • English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • Year 12 English ATAR/English Literature ATAR grade C or better or equivalent;
    • Special Tertiary Admissions Test;*
    • IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.0 (no individual band less than 6.0);
    • Successfully completed 1.0 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher in the UK, Ireland, USA, NZ or Canada;
    • University Preparation Course;
    • Indigenous University Orientation Course;*
    • Aboriginal University Readiness Assessment;*
    • AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree;
    • Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent); or
    • Other tests, courses or programs defined on the English Proficiency Bands page.

    * Further information can be found on the Study course entry page.

Applications for this course are not accepted through ECU's Experience Based Entry Scheme.

Course Details

Semester availability

Semester 1: Study full-time at Mount Lawley

Semester 1: Study part-time at Mount Lawley

Course Structure

Year 1 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
BPA4001Performing Arts Research30
BPA4002Creative Practice 130
Year 1 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
BPA4003Research Project30
BPA4004Creative Practice 230

W92|1

For more detailed unit information for this course take a look at our Handbook. To organise your life for next semester visit the Teaching timetable.

Student handbook

Course notes

Important course notes

  • Students may be required to attend evening and weekend workshops, rehearsals and performances. Some of these may be at locations external to WAAPA, ECU.

Course learning outcomes

  1. Execute creative projects in the performing arts displaying advanced technical and creative skills consistent with the discipline.
  2. Apply advanced discipline knowledge and research skills to conceptualising research projects with the capacity to develop new understanding of performance through research.
  3. Communicate disciplinary knowledge and values in professional and public contexts.
  4. Demonstrate leadership and advanced collaboration skills in professional environments that encompass diverse disciplines, perspectives and levels of expertise.

Course Details

Semester availability

Semester 1: Study full-time at Mount Lawley

Course Structure

Year 1 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
BPA4001Performing Arts Research30
BPA4002Creative Practice 130
Year 1 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
BPA4003Research Project30
BPA4004Creative Practice 230

W92|1

For more detailed unit information for this course take a look at our Handbook. To organise your life for next semester visit the Teaching timetable.

Student handbook

Course notes

Important course notes

  • Students may be required to attend evening and weekend workshops, rehearsals and performances. Some of these may be at locations external to WAAPA, ECU.

Course learning outcomes

  1. Execute creative projects in the performing arts displaying advanced technical and creative skills consistent with the discipline.
  2. Apply advanced discipline knowledge and research skills to conceptualising research projects with the capacity to develop new understanding of performance through research.
  3. Communicate disciplinary knowledge and values in professional and public contexts.
  4. Demonstrate leadership and advanced collaboration skills in professional environments that encompass diverse disciplines, perspectives and levels of expertise.

Fees and Scholarships

Fees

  • AUD $8,950 - Commonwealth supported estimated 1st year indicative fee 1

Note

1 The 'estimated 1st year indicative fee' is provided as a guide only, based on a typical enrolment of students undertaking the first year of this course. At ECU, you pay for the individual units you enrol in, not an overall course fee, so the total cost of your course will vary, depending on what units you choose. An indicative fee will be provided with your course offer, however you can use our Course Fee Calculator to estimate the actual amount you'll need to pay. ECU fees are adjusted annually.

Some units require the payment of a fee for incidental goods or services required to complete those units. For more information and the full list of incidental fees for courses and units, visit What are Incidental Fees.

Scholarships

ECU has a scholarship program that provides many opportunities each year to students undertaking studies here.

Find a scholarship

Career Opportunities

Graduates of both streams are likely to enter the local, national and international performing arts industries as performers and key arts workers in roles such as marketing and communication, producing and artistic direction. Affiliated industries are in education, policy and government positions (such as Australia Council) and health.

Possible future job titles

performer, dancer, arts, producer, director, marketing, education, health, policy, government

Similar courses to consider

Courses you can consider if you are interested in progressing further in this area.

Fees and Scholarships

Fees

  • AUD $37,600 - International students estimated 1st year indicative fee 1

Note

1 The 'estimated 1st year indicative fee' is provided as a guide only, and has been calculated based on a typical enrolment of students undertaking the first year of this course. At ECU, you pay for each individual unit you enrol in, not an overall course fee, so the total cost of your course will vary, depending on what units you choose. An indicative fee will be provided with your course offer, however you can use our Course Fee Calculator to estimate the actual amount you'll need to pay. ECU fees are adjusted annually.

Some units require the payment of a fee for incidental goods or services required to complete those units. For more information and the full list of incidental fees for courses and units, visit What are Incidental Fees.

Scholarships

ECU has a scholarship program that provides many opportunities each year to students undertaking studies here.

Find a scholarship

Career Opportunities

Graduates of both streams are likely to enter the local, national and international performing arts industries as performers and key arts workers in roles such as marketing and communication, producing and artistic direction. Affiliated industries are in education, policy and government positions (such as Australia Council) and health.

Possible future job titles

performer, dancer, arts, producer, director, marketing, education, health, policy, government

Similar courses to consider

Courses you can consider if you are interested in progressing further in this area.

Need some help deciding what to study?

Our future student events include a mix of on-campus and online sessions designed to help you decide what to study at ECU.

Creative thinkers start here

Explore your options through the following media

"When you choose to study at WAAPA, you'll be joining one of the world's most celebrated performing arts academies, recognised for the quality of its graduates-turned-stars."

Creative thinkers start here

Explore your options through the following media

"When you choose to study at WAAPA, you'll be joining one of the world's most celebrated performing arts academies, recognised for the quality of its graduates-turned-stars."

Quick guide to uni-speak

    • The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national regulator of qualifications in the Australian education and training system. The AQF defines the essential characteristics, including the required learning outcomes, of the different types of qualifications issued across the higher education systems in Australia.

    • ATAR is the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank, the primary criterion for entry into most undergraduate university courses in Australia. The ATAR is a percentile score which denotes a student's ranking relative to their state-wide peers upon completion of their secondary education.

    • CRICOS is the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. A CRICOS code is allocated to education institutions (like ECU) who are approved to recruit, enrol and deliver education to overseas students. Courses with a CRICOS code are available to international students who meet the entry requirements.

    • A major, or unit set, is your chosen area of in-depth study in an undergraduate course. It usually involves 8 units of study, or one-third of the units in a 3-year degree. Talk to your Student Information Office if you need help choosing a major subject.

    • Minors include between 4 and 6 study units in a specific discipline. Not all courses require you to complete a minor. Your minor subject doesn't appear on your printed degree (parchment), but is part of your academic transcript.

    • If you're enrolled in 3 or more units in a semester this is considered full-time study. To complete most 3-year degrees studying full-time you'll need to complete 4 units per semester, i.e. 24 units over 3 years.

    • If a course is available to study part-time you can generally expect it to take twice as long to complete as it would in full-time mode. Part-time students are enrolled in 1 or 2 units maximum per semester.

      Note: International students who hold a student visa can only choose the full-time study option for our courses. This is to ensure the course is completed within the duration of the student visa.

    • Most courses start in Semester 1 each year, usually in the last week of February. Some courses can be started in Semester 2 (we call this mid-year). There's a week of Orientation before each semester to help you get used to uni life.

    • A lot of our courses start in Semester 2 each year, usually in the last week of July. We call this mid-year. There's a week of Orientation beforehand to help you get used to uni life.

    • We use a points system to make it easier for you to understand your study progress. Most Bachelors degree study units are allocated 15 credit points. If you're studying a 3-year full-time degree you'll need to successfully complete 360 credit points - that's 24 units x 15 points per unit.

    • These are compulsory units you have to successfully complete as part of your course.

    • An elective is a unit you choose to study that counts towards your course requirements, but isn't compulsory. For some courses we recommend elective units. In some situations, a course coordinator may approve an elective unit as a replacement for a compulsory one.

Quick guide to uni-speak

    • The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national regulator of qualifications in the Australian education and training system. The AQF defines the essential characteristics, including the required learning outcomes, of the different types of qualifications issued across the higher education systems in Australia.

    • ATAR is the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank, the primary criterion for entry into most undergraduate university courses in Australia. The ATAR is a percentile score which denotes a student's ranking relative to their state-wide peers upon completion of their secondary education.

    • CRICOS is the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. A CRICOS code is allocated to education institutions (like ECU) who are approved to recruit, enrol and deliver education to overseas students. Courses with a CRICOS code are available to international students who meet the entry requirements.

    • A major, or unit set, is your chosen area of in-depth study in an undergraduate course. It usually involves 8 units of study, or one-third of the units in a 3-year degree. Talk to your Student Information Office if you need help choosing a major subject.

    • Minors include between 4 and 6 study units in a specific discipline. Not all courses require you to complete a minor. Your minor subject doesn't appear on your printed degree (parchment), but is part of your academic transcript.

    • If you're enrolled in 3 or more units in a semester this is considered full-time study. To complete most 3-year degrees studying full-time you'll need to complete 4 units per semester, i.e. 24 units over 3 years.

    • If a course is available to study part-time you can generally expect it to take twice as long to complete as it would in full-time mode. Part-time students are enrolled in 1 or 2 units maximum per semester.

      Note: International students who hold a student visa can only choose the full-time study option for our courses. This is to ensure the course is completed within the duration of the student visa.

    • Most courses start in Semester 1 each year, usually in the last week of February. Some courses can be started in Semester 2 (we call this mid-year). There's a week of Orientation before each semester to help you get used to uni life.

    • A lot of our courses start in Semester 2 each year, usually in the last week of July. We call this mid-year. There's a week of Orientation beforehand to help you get used to uni life.

    • We use a points system to make it easier for you to understand your study progress. Most Bachelors degree study units are allocated 15 credit points. If you're studying a 3-year full-time degree you'll need to successfully complete 360 credit points - that's 24 units x 15 points per unit.

    • These are compulsory units you have to successfully complete as part of your course.

    • An elective is a unit you choose to study that counts towards your course requirements, but isn't compulsory. For some courses we recommend elective units. In some situations, a course coordinator may approve an elective unit as a replacement for a compulsory one.

Do you have any questions about the Bachelor of Performing Arts Honours?

The Important Things

Things you should know about if you're thinking about studying here.

Course Entry

There's more than one admission pathway into an ECU course. It depends on what you've studied already, or your work or life experience.

Fees & Scholarships

Course tuition fees can change, but we can give you an estimate of your costs. If you're eligible, a scholarship or student loan can help too.

Applying

Applying for a course is a fairly simple process, especially if you have scanned copies of qualifications, your resume or other paperwork, ready to upload.

ECU Experience

Starting a course is an exciting and sometimes daunting time, so we make a massive effort to ensure you get all the support you need to have a positive experience.