Production & Design
When you watch a performance, it's easy to think that all of the creativity is happening on stage. But it takes a lot of creative energy behind the scenes to make the whole show come together.
Find out moreWhy ECU?
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QILT rankings ECU received the top undergraduate teaching quality ranking of all public universities in the Australian Governments 2019 QILT (Quality Indicators for Learning & Teaching) survey.
We're also the top-ranked Australian public university for skills development and overall educational experience (based on two-year aggregated results).
ECU also ranked best in Australia across these disciplines for teaching quality, skills development, student support, quality of educational experience and overall educational experience:
- Humanities, Culture and Social Sciences
- Rehabilitation
- Creative Arts
- Teacher Education
Read more about the QILT survey.
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Good Universities Guide In the 2020 Good Universities Guide, ECU graduates have given us a 5-star rating for:
- Teaching quality
- Skills development
- Student support
- Learning resources
- Median salary (based on the starting salary for new domestic graduates under age 25, and in their first full-time job.)
The 5-star rating for teaching quality has now been achieved for 13 straight years. We're the only public university in Australia to have achieved such a consistently high endorsement.
Read more about the Good Universities Guide.
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THE Young University Rankings ECU has been ranked in the world's top 150 universities under 50 years old in the 2019 Times Higher Education (THE) Young Universities Rankings.
Young universities are measured on their teaching, research, citations, international outlook and industry income.
These are the same performance indicators as measured in the overall THE World University Rankings.
Courses
Study world ready
Production and Design courses include our highly-regarded Arts Management course, plus professionally recognised Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas offering specialisations in Costume for Performance, Design, Lighting, Props and Scenery, Sound and Stage Management.
Download a guide
If you prefer paper over pixels, please download one of our guides.
Become World Ready
Experience Production & Design at ECU.
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.
Sound decision leads to working with Cirque du Soleil
Just two years after finishing his WAAPA training, Production & Design graduate Christian Peterson is now touring the world as a sound engineer with Cirque du Soleil.
After graduating, Christian worked full-time as a sound technician on festivals, concerts and theatre shows in Perth and around Australia. After scoring a gig on the Perth leg of the Cirque du Soleil show, Kooza he was offered the tour of Australia, New Zealand and Dubai with the Cirque show, Toruk.
Christian then spent several months in Montreal, Canada – where Cirque is based – designing and building the arena version of Corteo. He is currently touring North America with Corteo. Nice work we say!
Student
stories
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"Being a mature, international student, I've felt welcome from day one"
Mandy RauchWAAPA Arts Management student My study experience thus far has only been amazing! One of the things that impresses me the most is the fact that ECU are really committed, being involved in both your study experience as well as your personal well-being. They offer assistance in both and I definitely feel they care about every individual student. The lecturers are the best in my field of study and are engaged with students. Being a mature, international student, I've felt welcome from day one.
My greatest achievement so far is definitely being accepted to study at WAAPA. I have worked as front-of-house staff for several student productions and volunteered at a few art events. This is an excellent way of getting in contact with organisations and individuals working in the industry. By the time I graduate, I'll have already acquired valuable experience in the field.
I love the vibrant art scene in Perth – there are a variety of events, lots are for free. Apart from art, Perth offers so much entertainment and relaxation. The parks are beautiful and well kept. I love that fact that I feel safe in Perth and that people respect one another.
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"The design course at WAAPA is unlike any other course in Australia"
Tyler HillWAAPA Design graduate Over my three years at WAAPA I was completely immersed in both design theory and design for production. The course is unlike any other in Australia, as you can study the discipline while constantly realising your own set and costumes for plays, musicals, operas and dance.
Furthermore, with opportunities such as secondments and master-classes, design students are introduced to professional designers and companies to gain more understanding for design for live performance.
WAAPA was a real eye-opener, helping me understand the opportunities in the arts industry, both locally and internationally. Now designing shows for Black Swan State Theatre Company and Lost and Found Opera Company, I cannot wait to see what lies ahead.
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"Going to WAAPA not only gives you a top of the line education in your chosen field, but guarantees you a group of life-long friends"
Hannah PortwineWAAPA Stage Management graduate The people you meet and work with over your time at WAAPA become your second family – and having that support network for the rest of your career is so important.
My WAAPA family extends across the world now and constantly continues to grow, presenting all manner of career opportunities.