Content and structure

Course content.

From day one, students work with people from a variety of social backgrounds, and develop joint theatre projects with them. Parallel to this, students learn the basics of acting and about the dramatic arts. They also experiment with different methods of instruction.

Over the course of the degree programme, students develop their own staging ideas, present them on stage and learn how to manage and finance projects. Through their collaboration with art/cultural institutions, educational institutions and social services, they start to build a network during their studies that they will take with them as they transition into the working world. 


BA Theatre degree programme

The Theatre Education major programme is offered as part of the BA in Theatre, along with the Directing, Acting and Stage Design majors This degree programme interlinks the four majors, offers project-based work in ensembles as well as a compulsory elective curriculum in which students can hone their own profile. By taking a practical approach, students also benefit from an outstanding infrastructure, professional networks and opportunities to present their work on the university’s own stages or at external venues.  

Bachelor Theatre, Education
Bachelor Theatre, Education

Course structure.

Level 1 

In the first semester, the focus is on the basics of acting in the theatre:  Movement, speaking, improvisation, musical voice training, performance and instruction. In the process, students continually reflect on their theatre work from a theatre education perspective.

Moreover, they and their fellow students are jointly responsible for running the weekly rehearsal with a group of young people.

Classes are taught in small groups and in close collaboration with students from the other majors of Acting, Directing and Stage Design. Moreover, this degree programme offers you the opportunity to select elective courses from the other specializations and develop and strengthen your personal profile in the process. You can also showcase the knowledge and experience that you gain from your project-based work on our in-house stages.
→ Further information about Level 1 

Level 2

Students reflect on their work in relation to social contexts and analyse the objectives and trends of contemporary theatre.
You train in different research and instructional strategies, practise the craft of staging and performative approaches and hold theatre workshops in schools or other settings. Together with students from other major programmes, you explore staging practices, immersive spaces, theatrical methods and rehearsal systems. Moreover, you finalize your first staging projects and reflect on them.
→ Further information about Level 2 

Level 3

At this level, students focus on educational theatre practices. The process of critical reflection culminates in a collective project, a practical educational staging project and an academic, theory-based written paper. 
→ Further information about Level 3 

Graduation project

Students carry out theatre education projects under their own authorship and as a collective. In your BA thesis, you express the stance you wish to take in the professional field, while applying academic standards of research-based writing. 

Bachelor Theatre, Education
Bachelor Theatre, Education

Skills acquired in the course.

Ability to select and validate the most suitable method for a given situation based on a wide range of concepts and approaches. 

Ability to maintain an exploratory mindset in a variety of contexts and settings, which impacts how you think and act through an experience-/dialogue-based approach. 

Ability to utilize theatre education tools to bring heterogeneous groups together in a single ensemble, and to ensure the visibility of collective authorship in staging projects. 

Ability to use your own comprehensive, varied acting experience to impart your knowledge to amateur actors and performers. 

Ability to initiate instructional processes creatively, utilize them carefully and informatively, and reflect on them yourself and with others in a responsible manner. 

Act constructively in team processes and collective work settings, and manage yourself and others in a responsible, careful, objective manner. 

Bachelor Theatre, Education

Admissions requirements.

You are interested in the connections between social and artistic processes, enjoy working with other people and view theatre as a fascinating means of expression. You also have the following skill set: 

  • An interest in teamwork
  • Imaginative when it comes to staging and theatre work 
  • Able to self-assess with ease
  • A critical thinker who is interested in social issues

Benefits of studying at ZHdK

A degree in Theatre at ZHdK offers students a wealth of benefits:

  • The BA in Theatre is an internationally renowned degree programme.

  • In the German-speaking area, Zurich is the only city to offer interlinked major programmes, a wide range of courses and the opportunity to undertake work in project ensembles. 

  • The BA in Theatre has developed strong national and international collaborations and partnerships, which enables students to gain initial experience outside ZHdK as well as in professional practice. 

  • By positioning themselves individually and showcasing their staging projects and collaborations, students are able to work outside their subject area and degree course.

  • The field of study of Theatre combines intensive individual supervision with training sessions, seminars and project work in small groups and in close collaboration with students and teachers from all the theatre programmes.

  • External guests add to the expertise of the university’s teaching staff and open doors to numerous artistic opportunities. 

  • The shared campus allows all the ZHdK disciplines to be in close proximity with one another, and offers a diverse infrastructure of the highest calibre: Students have access to superbly equipped workshops, a museum, concert halls, sound and film studios, rehearsal stages, studios, a library, and exhibition spaces. A roof garden, cinema, music club, cafés and a canteen also enable them to meet for recreational purposes.