Overview

About the program

The Drama program of University of California, Irvine (UCI) involves hands-on participation in productions as an actor, designer, writer, technician, or stage manager. Auditions for all productions at UCI are open to undergraduates, and some productions are open exclusively to undergraduates. The B.A. program does not require an entrance audition.

There can be few subjects as broad or as fundamental to human civilization as those of Drama and Theatre. The B.A. in Drama is part of a larger education which includes close consideration of world history and politics; human psychology and desire; music, dance, literature and art; visual and aural aesthetics, and both ancient and contemporary technologies of communication.

While Drama is rightfully considered an entertainment, it is an entertainment that begins with the greatest literature ever written – from the classics of Euripides, Shakespeare and Molière to modern Americans like Tennessee Williams, August Wilson and David Henry Hwang – as presented in the most sophisticated performance techniques from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas developed over 3,000 years. And Theatre – the practice of Drama – is a hands-on collaboration that involves real-time interactions with other artists, and displaying the results to real-life audiences.

Career Opportunities

Graduates from the Department of Drama perform, stage manage, or design on Broadway, in national tours, regional and summer theatres, in films and on television. UC Irvine's Drama alumni serve as artistic directors, business managers, designers, art directors, and performers at more than 100 theatre companies, and are faculty at more than 75 institutions of higher learning.

A degree in Drama may or may not lead to professional employment in theatre or film. While some alumni may pursue careers as professional theatre artists, many may use the skills learned from their degree and embark upon careers in law, business, arts management, advertising, and teaching. Others may pursue further study at UC Irvine or other notable institutions.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Performance Now

Culture in Performance

Acting

Development of Drama

Costume Design

Scenic Design

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-01-06 00:00:00
- Apply before 2025-07-31 00:00:00
Starting 2026-09-26 00:00:00
- Apply before 2025-12-02 00:00:00

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

Credits

120 alternative credits

Delivered

On Campus

Disciplines

Drama View 1401 other Bachelors in Drama in United States

Academic requirements

GPA

3.4

You must receive a 3.0 GPA (3.4 for non-California residents)

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

Student insurance

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:

Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
Liability
Home contents and baggage
Accidents
Legal aid

We partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

Get your student insurance now

Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at University of California, Irvine (UCI) and/or in United States, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Other requirements

General requirements

You must receive a 3.0 GPA (3.4 for non-California residents) or higher in the 15 required “a-g” subject courses, with no grade lower than a C.

UCI will not consider SAT or ACT scores for admission or scholarship purposes. After enrollment, exams may be used for class placement or some graduation requirements.

Personal Insight Questions (your personal insight questions should be exactly that – personal. This is your opportunity to tell us about yourself, what matters to you, your hopes, ambitions, life experiences, and inspirations. Key points about the personal insight questions include: freshman applicants choose four out of eight questions to answer, each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words. We encourage you to take your time. Be open, be reflective, and be honest. Your personal insight questions provide context for the rest of your application.)

English proficiency requirements

Tuition Fee

To always see correct tuition fees

International

47346 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 47346 USD per year during 48 months.
National

47346 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 47346 USD per year during 48 months.
In-State

13146 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 13146 USD per year during 48 months.

Living costs for Irvine

1560 - 2585 USD /month

Living costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Drama.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About