Overview

The Theater- Design programme of Rutgers University provides students with essential artistic and technical skills as well as a strong foundation in theater history and theory. The faculty are distinguished working professionals who provide students with one-on-one mentoring and prepare them to be effective artists and collaborators in the entertainment industry.

Learning Goals

Students will acquire the ability to analyze theatrical texts through social, historical, fashion, decorative arts, and dramaturgical perspectives, thereby developing a richer context to express the world of the play and its production.

Students will develop their own distinctive and dynamic costume rendering style through courses in life drawing and digital arts. These courses will help them refine techniques that enhance their artistic vision and align with the director and design team.

Students will gain foundational skills in costume construction and craft techniques, including fabric dyeing, draping, and pattern making, to better understand the costume design production process.

Students will receive a comprehensive education in the history of clothing, architecture, and decorative arts from ancient civilizations to the present day, including cross-cultural analysis. They will learn to identify and use basic terminology and research tools to enhance their creative work.

Students will analyze and critique their own work and that of their peers through comprehensive discussions. By building aesthetic awareness, curiosity, and an understanding of collaborative theater design, they will gain confidence in presenting their ideas verbally and visually

Students will develop professional practices to become successful costume designers who are good citizens and ambassadors in the profession.

Programme Structure

Courses include

The first year provides the foundations of design theory, skills, and history. All first-year students take core classes together, providing a strong sense of community and an appreciation of the collaborative nature of theater.

The second year builds on the foundations learned in the first year and provides more in-depth explorations into the areas of concentration. One course, “Global Theater,” analyzes current theater styles and theories across the globe.

All design students spend six weeks of their third year in London at Shakespeare’s Globe, where they study with distinguished British designers and take full advantage of London’s dynamic theater and cultural opportunities.

Students spend the final semester studying their specialized design area in further depth, with a special focus on career transition and portfolio presentation.

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-01-19 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-10-01 00:00:00
Starting 2027-09-01 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-01 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

115

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TOEFL^® IBT

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PTE Academic

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

New Brunswick, United States

Disciplines

Design Drama View 1336 other Bachelors in Drama in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

115

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Online Application - Complete the Rutgers Application or Common App carefully as it can’t be changed after it has been submitted. You should submit only one application.

Extracurricular Activities

Essay - Whether applying with the Common App or Rutgers Application, Rutgers requires that first-year applicants provide a short, original essay.

Application Fee - A $70 non-refundable application fee is required whether applying with the Rutgers Application or Common App.
GED Results - Students with a GED diploma/certificate are required to submit their official results.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

35758 USD / year

≈ 35758 USD / year
Out-of-State

35758 USD / year

≈ 35758 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

14933 USD / year

≈ 14933 USD / year

Living costs

New Brunswick

United States

1204 - 2963 USD / month

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

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Theater- Design.

Available Scholarships

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

About

Overview

Learning Goals

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

New Brunswick

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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