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Studying technical production teaches everything you need to know to work behind the scenes of performances and entertainment.
Hands-on experience
Being part of the QUT Creative Industries Faculty means that you get the real world opportunity to work on live music, theatre and dance productions, developing industry skills ready to transfer the workforce.
Creative careers
‘As technical director for Casus Circus, my career has been an amazing adventure so far, travelling to 35 different cities in 15 countries. I love working on a technical creative level to produce great work from small to big productions. QUT prepared me on many level, it gave me the confidence to take risks and the skills to work in a multidisciplinary industry.’
Real graduate
‘The emphasis on practical learning at QUT was great. The opportunity to work in the industry with course recognition really catapults you into the professional theatrical scene. I toured the world with Global Creatures and Dreamworks on How to Train your Dragon—Live Spectacular. I have also worked as stage manager and resident director for a touring musical, Barbie LIVE! The Musical.’
Real student perspective
Studying technical production teaches everything you need to know to work behind the scenes of performances and entertainment.
Hands-on experience
Being part of the QUT Creative Industries Faculty means that you get the real world opportunity to work on live music, theatre and dance productions, developing industry skills ready to transfer the workforce.
Creative careers
‘As technical director for Casus Circus, my career has been an amazing adventure so far, travelling to 35 different cities in 15 countries. I love working on a technical creative level to produce great work from small to big productions. QUT prepared me on many level, it gave me the confidence to take risks and the skills to work in a multidisciplinary industry.’
Real graduate
‘The emphasis on practical learning at QUT was great. The opportunity to work in the industry with course recognition really catapults you into the professional theatrical scene. I toured the world with Global Creatures and Dreamworks on How to Train your Dragon—Live Spectacular. I have also worked as stage manager and resident director for a touring musical, Barbie LIVE! The Musical.’
Highlights
- Prepares you to work as a production artist, across a variety of disciplines for theatre, dance, opera, arts festivals, and large public events.
- Study lighting, sound, stage and production management.
- Opportunities to work on a variety of theatre productions and dance performances as part of your course.
- Gain experience through internships and industry placements at Australia’s leading arts and entertainment organisations.
Highlights
- Prepares you to work as a production artist, across a variety of disciplines for theatre, dance, opera, arts festivals, and large public events.
- Study lighting, sound, stage and production management.
- Opportunities to work on a variety of theatre productions and dance performances as part of your course.
- Gain experience through internships and industry placements at Australia’s leading arts and entertainment organisations.
Why choose this course?
Technology is transforming the world of entertainment. Production artists who can harness the potential of technology to create meaningful artistic experiences for today's audiences are going to have an exciting future in production. If you aspire to a career in the extended field of theatre, performance and entertainment, this course is just what you need. You will learn the professional skills you need to keep pace with future technical, management and design developments in the field.
The degree encompasses stage management, lighting, sound, multimedia production, costume, props, stage mechanics, scenery installation and theatre design. You’ll also get the opportunity to specialise in a particular area of live production.
Real-world learning
During this intensive three-year program, you’ll learn from industry-experienced teaching staff and have the opportunity to work across a range of performances including theatre and dance productions, featuring students from other creative industries courses.
The course offers opportunities for workplace internships and placements at a range of companies, productions and events including national, state and local theatre companies, major performing arts venues, opera and dance companies, and touring theatrical stage productions.
Visit the student and graduate blog to find out more about what it’s like to study fine arts and where a QUT degree can take you.
Learn from the best
Your teachers are working at the highest levels in the professional industry and are all practicing production artists. These strong ties to industry pave the way for a smooth transition into professional practice upon graduation.
In your final year you will have the opportunity to undertake placements within Australia’s peak performing arts organisations, as well as presenting your work to leading industry figures at the annual graduate showcase event.
Explore this course
The degree encompasses stage management, lighting, sound, multimedia production, costume, props, stage mechanics, scenery installation and theatre design. You’ll also get the opportunity to specialise in a particular area of live production. From your first year you will explore stage management for different genres including dance, music, orchestras, circus, opera, musical theatre, and apply your knowledge on real QUT productions.
You’ll progress to learning about live productions and performance industries—production and tour management, festival site and logistics management, and technical direction—applying your skills in the technical, management and design area. In your final year you’ll work alongside industry professionals and learn to lead a team that will lay the foundations for transition into the profession.
Careers and outcomes
Graduates work for companies and shows all over the world as stage managers, production managers, lighting, sound and scenic designers, technical programmers and operators, tour managers, technical directors and in the areas of props, costumes and stage mechanics, theatrical flying and automation. They work across all types of live production and performance for theatre, ballet, contemporary dance, opera, circus, international and corporate events, and arts festivals.
Possible careers
- Company manager
- Lighting technician
- Production manager
- Sound designer
- Stage manager
Your course
To meet the course requirements of the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Technical Production), you must complete the following:
- Two common units (KYB101 and KYB102) – 24 credit points
- Technical Production major – 168 credit points
- Complementary studies – 48 credit points from the Situated Creative Practice Extension plus 48 credit points chosen from a minor or unit options (electives).
Year 1
- develop an understanding of the disciplines involved in live production
- study technical lighting, sound and multimedia production, and practicalities of set, props and costume
- explore stage management for different genres–dance, music, orchestras, circus, opera, musical theatre
- apply your knowledge on real QUT productions
- progress from introductory to more senior roles
- scenography—history, techniques and applications of theatre design
Year 2
- explore advanced production concepts and technologies
- investigate and apply design skills for lighting, sound, multimedia and all aspects of production
- advance your knowledge in management
- learn about live productions and performance industries—production and tour management, festival site and logistics management, and technical direction
- develop further experience across four QUT productions
- apply your skills in the technical, management and design areas
Year 3
- work on several QUT productions
- gain senior experience as production stage manager, designer or head of department in sound, set, vision or lighting
- lead first and second-year students as your production crew
- option to focus on one particular area
- work alongside industry professionals
- industry placements are available
- apply previous learning in professional contexts
- lay the foundations for transition into the profession
Study overseas
Study overseas while gaining credit towards your QUT creative industries degree with one of our worldwide exchange partners. Overseas study can be for one or two semesters (or during the semester break) and the units you take can be in a creative or non-creative discipline area, depending on how they match with your QUT course. Saving your electives for exchange will allow you the most flexibility. Find out more about studying on exchange.
Your course
To meet the course requirements of the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Technical Production), you must complete the following:
- Two common units (KYB101 and KYB102) – 24 credit points
- Technical Production major – 168 credit points
- Complementary studies – 48 credit points from the Situated Creative Practice Extension plus 48 credit points chosen from a minor or unit options (electives).
Year 1
- develop an understanding of the disciplines involved in live production
- study technical lighting, sound and multimedia production, and practicalities of set, props and costume
- explore stage management for different genres–dance, music, orchestras, circus, opera, musical theatre
- apply your knowledge on real QUT productions
- progress from introductory to more senior roles
- scenography—history, techniques and applications of theatre design
Year 2
- explore advanced production concepts and technologies
- investigate and apply design skills for lighting, sound, multimedia and all aspects of production
- advance your knowledge in management
- learn about live productions and performance industries—production and tour management, festival site and logistics management, and technical direction
- develop further experience across four QUT productions
- apply your skills in the technical, management and design areas
Year 3
- work on several QUT productions
- gain senior experience as production stage manager, designer or head of department in sound, set, vision or lighting
- lead first and second-year students as your production crew
- option to focus on one particular area
- work alongside industry professionals
- industry placements are available
- apply previous learning in professional contexts
- lay the foundations for transition into the profession
Study overseas
Study overseas while gaining credit towards your QUT creative industries degree with one of our worldwide exchange partners. Overseas study can be for one or two semesters (or during the semester break) and the units you take can be in a creative or non-creative discipline area, depending on how they match with your QUT course. Saving your electives for exchange will allow you the most flexibility. Find out more about studying on exchange.
- ATAR/selection rank threshold
- 70.00
These thresholds are the lowest adjusted scores to which QUT made an offer in Semester 1, 2024.
Don't have a ATAR/selection rank?
- Course code
- KK34
- QTAC code
- 421932
- CRICOS code
- 056185A
-
- Kelvin Grove
-
- Kelvin Grove
- 3 years full-time
- 3 years full-time
- February
- February
Assumed knowledge
Before you start this course, we assume you have sound knowledge of the subject/s listed below. If you don't have the subject knowledge, you can still apply for the course but we strongly encourage you to undertake bridging studies to gain the knowledge:
- English, or Literature, or English and Literature Extension, or English as an Additional Language (Units 3 & 4, C)
Year 12 early offer scheme
If you're a current Queensland Year 12 student, you may be eligible to receive an offer for this course on the last day of Queensland Year 12, before receiving your ATAR or selection rank.
Offer guarantee
If you achieve an ATAR or selection rank of 70.00 or higher (including any adjustments) and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course.
Advanced standing
If you have prior studies or work experience, you may be eligible for advanced standing (credit). You can apply for advanced standing once you've been accepted to QUT. If you're in your first semester of study, you must apply for advanced standing within 10 days of receiving your offer.
Deferment
You can defer your offer and postpone the start of your course for one year.
More about deferring your offer
Adjustments to your ATAR/selection rank
Any adjustments you receive to your ATAR or selection rank will be applied to this course.
Find out if you’re eligible for an adjustment to your ATAR or selection rank
Offers we made to school leavers in Semester 1, 2023
The figures listed in the tables below reflect the offers that were made to recent ATAR students. The entry thresholds box at the top of this page shows the lowest adjusted ATAR/selection rank required to receive an offer for all applicants for the most recent January QTAC offer round.
| Excluding adjustments | Including adjustments | |
|---|---|---|
| Highest ATAR/selection rank to receive an offer |
Selection rank
98.55
|
Selection rank
99.95
|
| Median ATAR/selection rank to receive an offer |
Selection rank
83.80
|
Selection rank
85.05
|
| Lowest ATAR/selection rank to receive an offer |
Selection rank
69.90
|
Selection rank
71.25
|
You can find out more about your fellow students’ backgrounds with this course’s student profile.
Other admission options
If you are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, you may be eligible for admission through our Centralised Assessment Selection Process (CASP).
Select the country where you completed your studies to see a guide to the grades you need to apply for this course.
If your country or qualification is not listed, you can still apply for this course and we will assess your eligibility.
I completed secondary school in Australia
- ATAR/selection rank
- 70.00
Offer guarantee
If you completed secondary school in Australia and achieve an ATAR/selection rank of 70.00 or higher (including any adjustments) and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course.
Minimum English language requirements
Select the country where you completed your studies to see a guide on meeting QUT’s English language requirements.
Your scores and prior qualifications in English-speaking countries are considered. Approved English-speaking countries are Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, United States of America and Wales.
If your country or qualification is not listed, you can still apply for this course and we will assess your eligibility.
We accept English language proficiency scores from the following tests. Tests must be taken no more than 2 years prior to the QUT course commencement.
| English Test | Overall | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PTE Academic/PTE Academic Online | 58 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
|
Cambridge English Score
You must share your results with QUT through the Candidate Results Online website. |
176 | 169 | 169 | 169 | 169 |
| IELTS Academic / IELTS Online / IELTS One Skills Retake | 6.5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| TOEFL iBT / Home / Paper | 79 | 16 | 16 | 21 | 18 |
Don't have the English language score you need? We can help!
We offer English language programs to improve your English and help you gain entry to this course.
When you apply for this course, we will recommend which English course you should enrol in.
Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. We review fees annually, and they may be subject to increases.
2025 fees
2025: CSP fees available from September
2025 fees
2025: Available from July
2024 fees
2024: CSP $12,100 per year full-time (96 credit points)
2024 fees
2024: $34,300 per year full-time (96 credit points)
Student services and amenities fees
You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.
HECS-HELP: loans to help you pay for your course fees
You may not have to pay anything upfront if you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan.
You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.
QUT Excellence Scholarship (Academic)
QUT's premier offering for students with outstanding academic achievement.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Academic performance
QUT Real World International Scholarship
A scholarship to cover tuition fees, with eligibility based on your prior academic achievements.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Academic performance
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