GraduateMusic & Performing Arts
Master of Fine Arts (Writing for Performance)
National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), Sydney, NSW, Australia
About this program
This course's current CRICOS-registered and accredited name is Master of Fine Arts (Dramatic Writing); NIDA markets it under that name, distinct from the older 'Writing for Performance' title stored in this database. It is an 18-month, practice-led course preparing writers for professional careers across theatre, film, television and interactive forms simultaneously, producing 2 full-length works over the course alongside multiple outlines and pitches, developed in the room with actors and directors rather than in isolation.
NIDA specifically encourages applications from First Nations and other underrepresented writers, framing story ownership and inclusive practice as core to an ethical writing career. Graduates have worked on productions for Amazon Prime, Disney, Stan and ABC, and across Australia's mainstage including Sydney Theatre Company and Belvoir.
Entry doesn't require a writing-specific undergraduate degree: applicants need an undergraduate degree in any area or 5 years of relevant experience, assessed through a writing portfolio and an interview.
Fees & duration
English test scores
Verified nida.edu.au ↗
Course structure
Study plan in 5 parts
- Principles of Dramatic Writing
- Story and Culture
- Writing for Stage
- Writing for Screen
- Episodic Writing
- The Business of Writing
- Practice-Based Research Project
- Interactive and Immersive Storytelling
- Practice-Based Research Project
- Major Project
- 18 months
- 9 subjects
- 180credit points total (60 credit points per semester)
- on campus
Admissions
An undergraduate degree in any area, or 5 years of relevant experience in a related area. Selection: an online application with a writing portfolio (Round One), followed by an interview for shortlisted applicants (Round Two). International applicants must also complete a Genuine Temporary Entry (GTE) interview.
More Music & Performing Arts programs
Graduate Certificate in Creative Arts Entrepreneurship and Cultural Innovation
Edith Cowan University · Graduate
Graduate Certificate in Music
Australian Institute of Music · Graduate
Graduate Diploma in Creative Arts Entrepreneurship and Cultural Innovation
Edith Cowan University · Graduate
Graduate Diploma in Music (Opera)
University of Sydney · Graduate
Graduate Diploma in Music (Performance and Pedagogy)
Adelaide University · Graduate
Graduate Diploma in Music Performance
Adelaide University · Graduate
Why trust Where To Apply
- Official sources onlyEvery deadline, fee, and requirement traces to a university, government, or admissions-body page.
- Dated and re-checkedEach fact carries the date it was last verified, on a quarterly re-verification cadence.
- IndependentNo university pays for inclusion, a better write-up, or a higher rank. We are not an education agent.
- Named editor, public methodWritten and maintained by a named operator against a published methodology.