Single intake: March 2012

Entry requirements: Pass SPM, O-Level, UEC, or equivalent, with 3 credits, including a distinction in English

Duration: 2½ years

Medium of instruction: English

Enquiries: Call Information Centre at 603-7491 8622

• Imparts rigorous training and education in two inter-related fields: theatre and audio-visual production using professional video tools.
• Stretches students with our challenging team of lecturers who are established professionals and scholars.
• Gets our graduates geared up for work and further studies, locally and abroad.
• Has arranged one-year pathway to BA degrees for our graduates.

The Diploma in Performing Arts (DPA) at Sunway University offers a unique curriculum that covers both theatre and audio-visual production while maintaining a fine balance between hands-on and academic classes. As a result, our graduates end up with comprehensive and cross-disciplinary skills, knowledge and abilities – many doors are open to them where work and further studies are concerned.

A number of our DPA graduates have chosen to continue their education. They usually make use of the no-fuss, one-year transfer pathway to one of our affiliated universities in Tasmania, Melbourne and Wales, to study drama, performance, film and digital media. Many of those who opt to start working get involved in project-based freelance work. The spectrum of jobs available to them is broad, ranging from performing on stage, television and film to behind-the-camera and back-stage work. The latter includes production crew, production management, editing, writing, producing, office administration as well as teaching drama. A smaller number of our graduates work at full-time jobs with media production houses and theatre companies, while several enterprising individuals have started collaborative and commercial ventures in audio, music and theatre production.

This diverse after-diploma scene is reflective of the diversity of individuals who come into our two-in-one DPA programme. Many already have an interest in performance and/or film. They want to act, direct or write. Others who come in with music and dance backgrounds may want to sing, dance, choreograph, compose and perform their own songs, or perform in musical theatre. Yet others may be the shy and quiet types who want to be involved in the arts but behind-the-scenes. Whatever their entry points, all students get exposed to new ideas, skills and knowledge on the DPA programme. They acquire new abilities and interests while developing the ones they already have. Because the programme covers a wide variety of subjects in theatre and film, it helps them to form a clearer perspective of what they want to do eventually, especially after they have had a taste of the ‘real world’ through a 12-week internship stint.

While the DPA can open the door to a bright future, it is only the starting point to a long career. Creativity researchers have come up with what they call the “10-year rule” which indicates that no truly great creative contributions can come without at least 10 years of intense effort and preparation. Therefore, to give them a head-start, our students are taught by a dynamic team of lecturers, comprising established theatre and film practitioners and scholars. Besides sharing their well-seasoned skills and knowledge with students, they also provide invaluable networking and artistic and professional insights.