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Performing Arts

The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts is one of the world's leading performing arts academies, recognised nationally and internationally for the quality of its acting, dance music theatre and music graduates.

Why ECU?

  • QILT logo

    ECU top in WA for Creative Arts

    ECU has been ranked the top university in Western Australia in the Creative Arts discipline for undergraduate teaching quality, educational experience, learner engagement, learning resources, skills development, and student support. QILT is an annual independent Australian government survey.

  • The Good Universities Guide 2021

    Good Universities Guide

    In the 2021 Good Universities Guide, ECU graduates have given us a 5-star rating for teaching quality, skills development, student support, learning resources, learner engagement and overall student experience.

    The 5-star rating for undergraduate teaching quality has now been achieved for 14 straight years.

    Read more about the Good Universities Guide.

  • THE World University Rankings 2020 Top 100 Young

    THE Young University Rankings

    ECU has been ranked in the world's top 100 universities under 50 years old in the 2020 Times Higher Education (THE) Young Universities Rankings, THE World University Rankings.

Courses

Study world ready

WAAPA provides world-class teaching, concert facilities and performance opportunities for aspiring professionals in acting, dance, classical, jazz or contemporary music, and musical theatre.

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.

Download a guide

If you prefer paper over pixels, please download one of our guides.

Domestic Students

Study area guide Undergraduate course guide Postgraduate course guide

International Students

Create your own guide International student guide

Become World Ready

Experience Performing Arts at ECU.

World Ready facilities

Scholarship opportunities to reduce your expenses

Scholarships recognise those whose life journey may have been challenging, as well as students who've shown outstanding academic excellence and endeavour.

A scholarship can help you realise your ambitions by paying for fees, text books and living expenses.

Realise your dream with our scholarships

WAAPA stars are born

Our graduates excel in their chosen professions around the world, confirming WAAPA's well-earned reputation.

Many well-known actors, dancers, musicians and music theatre stars, including Hugh Jackman, Meg Mac, Frances O'Connor, Jai Courtney, William McInnes, Lisa McCune, Lucy Durack, Dacre Montgomery, Emma Matthews, Jamie Oehlers, Eddie Perfect and Tim Minchin have called WAAPA home.

Explore your options

  • Watch WAAPA's unique interdisciplinary collaboration.

  • Our Certificate IV in Aboriginal Performance helps First Nations students refine their performance skills.

  • Get an experience you won’t find anywhere else in Australia.

  • Our Bachelor of Performing Arts (Performance Making major) prepares self-reliant and entrepreneurial artists to be the initiators of their own work.

  • "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."

Student stories

  • Evelyn Roberts

    Evelyn Roberts

    Bachelor of Arts (Dance) student

    "WAAPA has been such a fantastic institution for me to study at"

    Being able to complete a Diploma, then an Advanced Diploma, and then articulate into a Bachelor of Arts (Dance) is just amazing. The dance faculty is outstanding and staff are really helpful in guiding everyone on their own individual journey. For example, they gave me their whole-hearted support in entering me in the Genée International Ballet Competition last year, leading to my selection as a finalist to perform at the Sydney Opera House.

  • Charlotte Otton

    Charlotte Otton

    WAAPA Performing Arts graduate

    "The best part of being at WAAPA is having the access and privilege of being taught by some incredible teachers, being surrounded by creativity day in and day out and having the space to fail"

    The arts industry in Australia is benefitting from some very clever, creative young theatre makers. Makers that I am extremely proud to be in the WAAPA alumni pool with.

  • Natalie Allen

    Natalie Allen

    WAAPA Dance graduate

    "WAAPA was an invaluable experience and gave me many opportunities"

    The Advanced Diploma course delivered exceptional training for me to develop many skills to become a professional dancer. The course involved choreographic practice, learning critical thinking skills and applying dance knowledge in performance.

    It definitely contributed to my success in the professional dance industry