Comedy

Course Overview

If you dream of a career as a Stand Up Comedian, Writer or Producer, working in Film and TV, Radio, Internet, Performing Arts or Podcasting, the Comedy course is for you.

The Comedy course is perfect for students who are wanting to work in the comedic side of the arts and entertainment industries. You will be taught and mentored by industry experts who are currently working within many sectors of the industry including theatre, film, television, radio and podcasting.

You will undertake fundamental units in comedy performance, comedy writing, production, and entrepreneurship, you will gain the knowledge and skills to develop and manage a career in the entertainment industry. Students will develop a showcase of their work to achieve a position as a comedic artist, with performance, creation, and production knowledge, which the industry seeks.

Students will graduate with a globally recognised qualification and a well-rounded understanding of the comedy and dramatic arts industries in Australia and overseas.

WHAT YOU’LL BE STUDYING

Bachelor Degree or Diploma?

Collarts offers two qualifications within the Comedy course, a Bachelor of Dramatic Arts (Comedy) and a Diploma of Dramatic Arts (Comedy). The Diploma is embedded within the Bachelor Degree.

The Diploma consists of the first 2 trimesters of the 6 trimester Degree. Students may receive an offer into the Diploma or Bachelor Degree depending on their application and/or entry requirements. If students apply for, or receive an offer for the Diploma course, they may use the Diploma as a pathway into the Bachelor Degree. If they successfully pass the Diploma level qualification, they may then begin the Bachelor Degree in the 3rd trimester should they so choose.

If students apply for, or receive an offer for the Bachelor Degree, they must complete all 6 trimesters including trimesters 1 and 2, which are also considered a part of the embedded Diploma. If a student enrols into the Bachelor Degree and chooses to finish the course at the end of their 2nd trimester and they have successfully completed both trimesters, they may exit the course with the Diploma level qualification. Students enrolled in the Diploma and Degree will have classes together in the first two trimesters of their course.

Please see course matrix above, outlining the embedded Diploma within the Bachelor degree.

Bachelor of Dramatic Arts (Comedy)

The Bachelor of Dramatic Arts (Comedy) balances creative, technical and industry-related skills, with a focus on comedy in the dramatic arts. The degree will provide students with a knowledge and understanding of comedy, developing the practical skills required to gain employment in the dramatic arts industries.

The Bachelor degree can be completed in six trimesters (2 years) of full-time study.

Throughout the degree, you will:

Create, produce and promote projects based on an understanding of theories in humour, comic performance, and comic writing for live performance, film, TV, radio, and podcast;
Develop an in-depth understanding of comedy creation, production, and publicity with the required knowledge of the industry;
Gain knowledge and experience in performance and comedic arts by completing projects to a professional level, from concept to completion;
Get valuable insight into the entertainment industry from experienced teachers;
Build a creative practice within the industry, including an understanding of the industry’s requirements to pursue employment;
Develop your own varied showcase of industry-ready work.

FEE-HELP available to eligible students (no upfront fees), learn more here.

Diploma of Dramatic Arts (Comedy)

The Diploma of Dramatic Arts (Comedy) will teach students the knowledge and understanding of comedy in dramatic arts, while developing the practical skills required to gain employment in the dramatic arts industries.

The Diploma can be completed in two trimesters of full-time study.

Throughout the Diploma, you will:

Develop an understanding of comedy creation, production, and publicity with the required knowledge of the industry;
Complete stand-up and comedic projects to a foundational level, from concept to completion;
Get valuable insight into the entertainment industry from experienced teachers;
Build an introductory understanding of the industry, including the industry’s requirements to pursue employment;
Create a stand-up show of industry-ready work.

FEE-HELP available to eligible students (no upfront fees), learn more here.

Admission and Intake

The Bachelor and Diploma of Dramatic Arts (Comedy) are delivered at the Wellington Street, George Street and Cromwell Street Campuses and is recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework, accredited until 28 March 2026 (CRICOS Code 0100339).

Admission Criteria:

Bachelor of Dramatic Arts (Comedy)
Diploma of Dramatic Arts (Comedy)

For intake dates, duration and links to learn more, click here.

Eligibility & Entry Requirements

To be eligible to apply for Collarts' Bachelor Degrees, you need to have successfully completed ONE of the following:

Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or International Baccalaureate (IB).
Interstate or New Zealand equivalent to VCE ie. HSC, QCE, TCE, WACE, SACE, NTCE, ACT Year 12 Certificate, or NCEA (New Zealand)
Overseas Secondary Year 12 Equivalent

To be eligible to apply for Collarts' Diplomas, you need to have successfully completed ONE of the following:

Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) Year 12 Senior Level
Interstate or New Zealand Vocational Equivalent to VCAL ie. QCIA
Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or International Baccalaureate (IB).
Interstate or New Zealand equivalent to VCE ie. HSC, QCE, TCE, WACE, SACE, NTCE, ACT Year 12 Certificate, or NCEA (New Zealand)
Overseas Secondary Year 12 Equivalent

If none of the above qualifications have successfully been completed, applicants must be 20 years of age or older with 2 years of work experience to apply.

Collarts does not have subject prerequisites and does not require a minimum ATAR rank.

FEE-HELP and FEES

For more information on FEE-HELP, FEES and Tuition Assurance, click here.

For more information on International Student Fees, click here.

Click Here For Admission Requirements

Admissions Requirements

ALL APPLICANTS: Applicants must undertake a 30 minute interview and audition. During the interview we will ask you questions about your knowledge and experience within your field of interest as well as discuss your course choice with you.

Applicants are required to audition a short comedic performance (a stand-up routine, song, or monologue, etc.) and submit a short written piece such as a script or screenplay, humour blog, satire piece, original jokes and more.

Diploma – Applicants are required to successfully complete VCAL, VCE, IB or state/international year 12 equivalent. If students have not completed the year 12 requirements, they must be at least 20 years of age. The diploma can be used as a pathway into the Bachelor degree. There is no ATAR minimum or subject requirements.

Bachelor – Applicants are required to successfully complete VCE, IB or state/international year 12 equivalent. VCAL students are not eligible for the Bachelor until they have successfully completed the diploma. If students have not completed the year 12 requirements, they must be at least 20 years of age. There is no ATAR minimum or subject requirements.

Course Intake Dates: We run 3 intakes throughout the year, February, May, and September. Please see our Course Dates page for more information.

How To Apply

Non-Year 12 applicants may apply directly on the website, and a Future Student Coordinator will be in touch to arrange an interview.

Year 12 applicants MUST apply through VTAC. VTAC opens in August each year. Place the appropriate Collarts course into one of your preferences and a Future Student Coordinator will be in touch to arrange an interview.