School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design

Theatre Studies

At a Glance
About the Program
Requirements
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Applied Learning Opportunities
Potential Career Paths
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At a Glance

Learn more about Theatre Studies

Offered by

School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design

Offered at

Keele Campus

Degrees offered

Ways to study

Full-Time, Part-Time

Entry

Fall - Yes (first and upper year)
Winter - No
Summer - Yes (first and upper year)

Applied Learning Opportunities

OUAC Code

YJ (BA)

Rankings

3rd in Canada and top 100 globally for Performing Arts (QS 2026 rankings)

About the Program

Step into the world of theatre and explore every aspect of the stage. York University’s School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design offers four Theatre programs:

Theatre Studies (BA)
Theatre – Acting & Performance (BFA)
Theatre – Production & Design (BFA)
Theatre – Performance Creation (BFA)

Students in all four Theatre (BA; BFA*) programs share a common first year. After the first year, students in the BA program can stay in their current program or choose to move into one of three BFA degrees based on their interests and goals.

*Entry into BFA programs for BA students in the second year is by audition or interview.

In the Theatre Studies program, you can explore a mix of hands-on and lecture-based courses in directing, production and design, playwriting and dramaturgy, theatre and performance studies.

Undergraduate Students Handbook 2027-28

Arts, Media, Performance & Design Handbook

Requirements

BA

Requirements for admission:

Alberta High School Diploma

ELA30-1 or English 30

And four additional academic courses numbered 30 or 31

Students who wish to pursue a BFA in Theatre must undergo auditions at the end of year one of the Theatre (BA) program. Upon successful evaluation, students may enter the following BFA programs beginning in second year: Acting Conservatory (BFA), Performance & Creation (BFA) and Production & Design (BFA).

Students who choose to either remain in the Theatre (BA) program, or who choose to pursue Performance and Creation (BA) do not need to audition at the end of their first year.

To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 80%.

BA

Requirements for admission:

British Columbia Secondary School Graduation Diploma

English 12 or English 12 First Peoples

And four additional Grade 12 Academic subjects

Students who choose to either remain in the Theatre (BA) program, or who choose to pursue Performance and Creation (BA) do not need to audition at the end of their first year.

To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 80%.

BA

Requirements for admission:

Baccalauréat Général

Students who choose to either remain in the Theatre (BA) program, or who choose to pursue Performance and Creation (BA) do not need to audition at the end of their first year.

A maximum of 30 possible transferable credits may be granted for successful completion of the Baccalauréat Général. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.

To gain admission to this program, the Baccalauréat Général with a minimum overall score of 14 is required.To gain admission to this program, the Baccalauréat Général with a minimum overall score of 14 is required.

The overall average required for admission is determined each year on a program specific basis. Some programs have limited enrolment. Admission is not guaranteed, and all requirements are subject to change.

BA

Requirements for admission:

Successful completion of the final year of senior studies

Minimum overall result of “Bien/Buena/Bueno/Good” on all academic courses.
Some programs require a higher GPA.

Students who choose to either remain in the Theatre (BA) program, or who choose to pursue Performance and Creation (BA) do not need to audition at the end of their first year.

BA

Requirements for admission:

Diploma with a total of at least six units, including prerequisites, and grades of 1, 2 or 3 in each unit.

Students who choose to either remain in the Theatre (BA) program, or who choose to pursue Performance and Creation (BA) do not need to audition at the end of their first year.

CAPE 2-unit courses, with results of 3 or better, are eligible for transfer credit, up to a maximum of 18 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.

BA

Requirements for admission:

One year of CEGEP

2 semesters of English (code 603) / Français (code 601)

And ten additional academic courses (high-school equivalent courses not accepted)

Students who choose to either remain in the Theatre (BA) program, or who choose to pursue Performance and Creation (BA) do not need to audition at the end of their first year.

Extra courses will be assessed for transfer credit. Applicants with the DEC may be awarded up to one full year of transfer credit.

To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 80%.

BA

Requirements for admission:

Senior Secondary School Graduation Certificate

Students who choose to either remain in the Theatre (BA) program, or who choose to pursue Performance and Creation (BA) do not need to audition at the end of their first year.

To gain admission to this program, successful completion of the final year of Senior 3/Grade 12 level of study with a minimum overall average of 85% on all academic courses.To gain admission to this program, successful completion of the final year of Senior 3/Grade 12 level of study with a minimum overall average of 85% on all academic courses.

BA

Requirements for admission:

Lise Diplomasi

Students who choose to either remain in the Theatre (BA) program, or who choose to pursue Performance and Creation (BA) do not need to audition at the end of their first year.

To gain admission to this program, minimum 4.5 or 80% average is required in the final year of senior studies.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires minimum 4.5 or 80% average in the final year of senior studies.

BA

Requirements for admission:

General Certificate of Education (GCE) Examinations

Students who choose to either remain in the Theatre (BA) program, or who choose to pursue Performance and Creation (BA) do not need to audition at the end of their first year.

GCE A2 examinations with results of "C" or better, are eligible for transfer credit, up to a maximum of 18 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.

To gain admission to this program, minimum average of B is required.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of B.

BA

Requirements for admission:

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)

Students who choose to either remain in the Theatre (BA) program, or who choose to pursue Performance and Creation (BA) do not need to audition at the end of their first year.

To gain admission to this program, successful completion of the Twelfth Year of senior studies with a minimum overall average of 4.5/5.0 required. To gain admission to this program, successful completion of the Twelfth Year of senior studies with a minimum overall average of 4.5/5.0 required.

BA

Requirements for admission:

International Baccalaureate Diploma

IB Diploma with passes in six subjects: three passes at the Standard-level and three passes at the Higher-level, or two passes at the Standard-level and four passes at the Higher-level

Students who choose to either remain in the Theatre (BA) program, or who choose to pursue Performance and Creation (BA) do not need to audition at the end of their first year.

Transfer credit is granted for IB courses with Higher-level final grades of 5 or better, to a maximum of 30 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.

To gain admission to this program, minimum IB diploma point scores of 30 is required.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires minimum IB diploma point scores of 30.

BA

Requirements for admission:

Completion of one of the following:
All-India Senior School Certificate (AISSCE)

Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC)

Indian School Certificate (ISC)

Intermediate Examination Certificate

Pre-University Examination Certificate

Students who choose to either remain in the Theatre (BA) program, or who choose to pursue Performance and Creation (BA) do not need to audition at the end of their first year.

To gain admission to this program, minimum 70% average in XII is required.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires minimum 70% average in XII.

BA

Requirements for admission:

Manitoba High School Diploma

English 40S

And four additional 40S level academic subjects (no more than one at the 40G level)

Students who choose to either remain in the Theatre (BA) program, or who choose to pursue Performance and Creation (BA) do not need to audition at the end of their first year.

To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 80%.

BA

Requirements for admission:

New Brunswick High School Graduation Diploma

English 120, 121 or 122

And five additional Grade 12 academic subjects (college preparatory 120, 121 or 122)

Students who choose to either remain in the Theatre (BA) program, or who choose to pursue Performance and Creation (BA) do not need to audition at the end of their first year.

To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 80%.

BA

Requirements for admission:

Newfoundland and Labrador High School Graduation Diploma

English 3201

And nine additional credits at the 3000 level

Students who choose to either remain in the Theatre (BA) program, or who choose to pursue Performance and Creation (BA) do not need to audition at the end of their first year.

To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 80%.

BA

Requirements for admission:

Nova Scotia High School Graduation Diploma

English 12

And four additional Grade 12 academic subjects (university preparatory academic or advanced)

Students who choose to either remain in the Theatre (BA) program, or who choose to pursue Performance and Creation (BA) do not need to audition at the end of their first year.

To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 80%.

BA

Requirements for admission:

Nunavut High School Graduation Diploma

ELA30-1 or English 30

And four additional academic courses numbered 30 or 31

Students who choose to either remain in the Theatre (BA) program, or who choose to pursue Performance and Creation (BA) do not need to audition at the end of their first year.

To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 80%.

BA

Requirements for admission:

Northwest Territories High School Graduation Diploma

ELA30-1 or English 30

And four additional academic courses numbered 30 or 31

Students who choose to either remain in the Theatre (BA) program, or who choose to pursue Performance and Creation (BA) do not need to audition at the end of their first year.

To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 80%.

BA

Requirements for admission:

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)

ENG4U

And five additional 4U or M courses

Students who choose to either remain in the Theatre (BA) program, or who choose to pursue Performance and Creation (BA) do not need to audition at the end of their first year.

To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 80%.

OUAC code YJ

BA

Requirements for admission:

Completion of a diploma program or at least two full semesters or one year of full-time academic study at an accredited college

Overall average of 3.3 or better on a 4-point scale (or equivalent)

Students who choose to either remain in the Theatre (BA) program, or who choose to pursue Performance and Creation (BA) do not need to audition at the end of their first year.

BA

To be considered a mature student, you must:

be at least 21 years old by the end of the calendar year of admission to the University;

have been out of full-time high school studies for at least two years; and

have attempted less than one full year of studies at an accredited college or university.

Students who choose to either remain in the Theatre (BA) program, or who choose to pursue Performance and Creation (BA) do not need to audition at the end of their first year.

BA

Requirements for admission:

Completion of at least four full-year courses or one year of full-time degree studies at an accredited university

Overall average of 3.3 or better on a 4-point scale (or equivalent)

Students who choose to either remain in the Theatre (BA) program, or who choose to pursue Performance and Creation (BA) do not need to audition at the end of their first year.

BA

Requirements for admission:

Prince Edward Island Senior Secondary School Diploma

English 621

And four additional Grade 12 academic subjects (numbered 611 or 621)

Students who choose to either remain in the Theatre (BA) program, or who choose to pursue Performance and Creation (BA) do not need to audition at the end of their first year.

To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 80%.

BA

Requirements for admission:

Quebec Grade 12 Certificate of Graduation

Grade 12 English

And five additional academic (university preparation level) subjects

Students who choose to either remain in the Theatre (BA) program, or who choose to pursue Performance and Creation (BA) do not need to audition at the end of their first year.

To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 80%.

BA

Requirements for admission:

Transcript of Secondary Level Achievement

English Language Arts 30 or English Language Arts A 30 or English Language Arts B 30

And four additional Grade 12 academic subjects numbered 30

Students who choose to either remain in the Theatre (BA) program, or who choose to pursue Performance and Creation (BA) do not need to audition at the end of their first year.

To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 80%.

BA

Requirements for admission:

General Secondary Education Certificate

Students who choose to either remain in the Theatre (BA) program, or who choose to pursue Performance and Creation (BA) do not need to audition at the end of their first year.

BA

Requirements for admission:

High School Diploma

Students who choose to either remain in the Theatre (BA) program, or who choose to pursue Performance and Creation (BA) do not need to audition at the end of their first year.

AP College Board examinations are eligible for transfer credit, for results of 4 or 5, up to a maximum of 30 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.

To gain admission to this program, minimum A- (3.7) GPA on Grade 11 and 12 academic courses is required.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires minimum A- (3.7) GPA on Grade 11 and 12 academic courses.

BA

Requirements for admission:

West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) or National Examinations Council (NECO)

Students who choose to either remain in the Theatre (BA) program, or who choose to pursue Performance and Creation (BA) do not need to audition at the end of their first year.

To gain admission to this program, minimum WAEC and/or NECO average of B2 is required.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires minimum B2 average in the final year of senior studies.

BA

Requirements for admission:

British Columbia Secondary School Graduation Diploma

English 12 or English 12 First Peoples

And four additional Grade 12 Academic subjects

Students who choose to either remain in the Theatre (BA) program, or who choose to pursue Performance and Creation (BA) do not need to audition at the end of their first year.

To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 80%.

Start Your Application

View deadlines for

Winter 2027 (January) entry - November 18, 2026
Summer 2027 (May) entry - April 1, 2027
Fall 2027 (September) entry - January 15, 2027

Winter 2027 (January) entry - November 18, 2026
Summer 2027 (May) entry - April 1, 2027
Fall 2027 (September) entry - March 24, 2027

Winter 2027 (January) entry - November 18, 2026
Summer 2027 (May) entry - April 1, 2027
Fall 2027 (September) entry - March 24, 2027

Winter 2027 (January) entry - November 18, 2026
Summer 2027 (May) entry - April 1, 2027
Fall 2027 (September) entry - March 24, 2027

How to Apply

Required Documentation for Undergraduate Applicants

Language Requirements

Deadlines for Undergraduate Study

Applied Learning Opportunities

First-year students receive professional certification for working with lifts and at heights (allowing them to work anywhere in the province!).

There are two fully mounted, main stage shows/year, plus countless student shows

Students can receive independent study production credits by doing an exchange trip in the summer to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival

The Playground Festival is held every year as a completely student-run showcase.

Intercut: an annual cross-departmental showcase where original short screenplays written by senior film students are brought to life on stage by acting students

Scenes by Design: annual exhibition showcasing the work of their Design and Production students

Learn More about Experiential Education

Explore Co-op at York