University home page

 

Victorian College of the Arts

DOMESTIC STUDENTS

For admissions purposes, applicants holding one of the following are considered to be domestic (local) students:

• Australian Citizenship
• New Zealand Citizenship
• Australian Permanent Residency
• Australian Permanent Humanitarian Visa

 Applicants who do not fall under one of these categories are considered to be international students.

Australian citizens or permanent residents who are currently studying overseas should refer to the entry standards for international students as a guide.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

The Selection Committee will evaluate the applicant’s ability to pursue the course successfully using the following criteria:

• Completion of a relevant three year undergraduate degree or qualification or combination of qualifications in a discipline relevant to the chosen stream from an Australian University (or equivalent); and/or
• At least five (5) years extensive, documented professional experience in an area relevant to the chosen stream.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

Applicants who have completed their bachelor's degree at the University of Melbourne do not need to submit a hard copy of their results. An applicant’s student ID is required however. For other applicants:

• Applicants must provide officially certified hardcopies of academic transcripts for all prior studies not completed at the University of Melbourne or the Victorian College of the Arts, along with proof of course completion (where claimed) for each previous qualification.
• If studying outside the University of Melbourne in the current semester, applicants are required to provide with their application, an official record/transcript of their current course results to date.
• Applicants must provide the Faculty with an officially certified* hardcopy of their final transcript, and proof of course completion, as soon as these become available.

 *Definition of a certified copy - a photocopy of the original document which has the signature and official stamp of one of the following people: Barrister or Solicitor, Police in Charge of Station, Pharmacist, Doctor, Dentist, Principal of School, Justice of Peace, Clerk of Court; indicating they have sighted the original document.

Applicants may upload electronic copies of transcripts during the online application process; however certified copies of all academic documents must be mailed to the Student Centre  directly (by post), before an offer can be made.

Supporting documentation must be mailed by the closing date to:

Graduate Admissions, Student Centre, Faculty of VCA and MCM, The University of Melbourne, 234 St Kilda Road, Southbank, Victoria, Australia 3006

 ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible for entry in to this course, graduate domestic students must have fulfilled one of the following criteria to meet the University’s English language requirements: 

• have satisfactorily completed an undergraduate degree at an Australian institution within the last two years; or
• within the last two years have satisfactorily completed either a postgraduate degree of at least two years duration at an Australian institution; or
• satisfactorily completed English studies in the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or another Australian secondary qualification at the required level; or
• satisfy one of the other methods outlined on the University’s English language requirements page.

ADVANCED STANDING AND CREDIT

Applicants who believe they are eligible for advanced standing can apply to have their subjects assessed once they have accepted an offer of a place in the degree. Advanced standing forms can be downloaded from the Student Centre Forms and Coversheets page.

Consult the University's Credit, Advanced Standing and Accelerated Entry Policy if you are unsure.

GRADUATE ACCESS MELBOURNE

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing education opportunities for students from a diverse range of backgrounds. Graduate Access Melbourne is the University’s special entry and access scheme for graduate study. Visit the University’s web site for more information about the eligibility categories.

Eligible applicants must complete the Graduate Access Melbourne Application Form (pdf file, 338kb) Applicants applying under the category Disadvantaged Socioeconomic Circumstances must also complete the category’s Supplementary Form (pdf file, 560kb) and submit this with the Graduate Access Melbourne Application Form.

Closing date for Graduate Access Melbourne applications - 5pm (EST) 30 November. No late applications will be accepted. Applications must be submitted to: Student Centre, Faculty of VCA and MCM, The University of Melbourne, 234 St Kilda Road, Southbank, Victoria, Australia 3006

 FEE-HELP

FEE-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme that helps eligible students who enrol in an Australian fee place (full time or part time) to pay tuition fees for graduate study. FEE-HELP can cover all or part of a student’s tuition fees.  Australian citizens and holders of a permanent humanitarian visa are eligible for FEE-HELP. To ascertain if you are eligible please FEE-HELP.

GRADUATE COURSEWORK SCHOLARSHIPS

The Melbourne Scholarships Program is one of the most comprehensive and generous scholarship programs in Australia. Visit the University’s web site for details about these scholarships.

INDIGENOUS APPLICANTS

The Faculty is committed to social inclusion, equity and improved access of all our programs for indigenous students.  The Faculty’s Wilin Centre for Indigenous Arts identifies, recruits and supports potential and practicing Indigenous artists to study and refine their skills at the Victorian College of the Arts and the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. For further information please contact the Wilin Centre at:  wilin-centre@unimelb.edu.au.

STEP 1 - Entry Requirements

Ensure you fulfil all entry requirements for the course.

 

STEP 2 - University Application Form
 

Online Application Form to be completed and submitted by all applicants by the closing date - 31 October 2012

 

If applicants have issues with internet access or other extenuating circumstances the may download the Graduate Application Form (pdf file, 236kb) and submit by the closing date above to:

Graduate Admissions, Student Centre, Faculty of VCA and MCM, The University of Melbourne, 234 St Kilda Road, Southbank, Victoria 3006

 

 

STEP 3 - Supplementary Application Form

Interviews cannot be scheduled without this form.

Applicants must complete the Supplementary Application Form (pdf file, 479kb)  with additional material attached, by the closing date - 31 October 2012


Send Supplementary Application Form, with additional material attached:
Graduate Admissions, Student Centre, Faculty of VCA and MCM, The University of Melbourne, 234 St Kilda Road, Southbank, Victoria Australia 3006
 

STEP 4 - Additional Requirements  

All applications should list details of other relevant skills, training/experience in other art forms and/or teaching experience.

Please refer below to the requirements for your selected stream.

FOR ALL STREAMS, including Animateuring, Directing, Choreography, Design (set and costume, lighting, sound), please provide the following:

 

Artistic Statement (500 words approx), which should include:

• an outline of the specialist creative (and/or other art form) work you have undertaken in the past, or are currently undertaking
• a proposal of the kind of creative work you wish to pursue in the future
• your reasons for wishing to undertake this course: what you believe to be its focus and why it attracts you at this time
• a brief outline of the areas you believe to be your strengths and weaknesses as a creator in general and in the specific stream you are applying for: what are the specific skills you wish to develop.

 

Demonstration of your previous artistic work (preferably all on a DVD). For example:

• a portfolio of photos, images, production support material, reviews etc
• a DVD or CD-ROM (10-15 mins max) of excerpts from your work
• other material you consider relevant to your application.

 

Full contact details of three referees who are willing to support your application and attest to your work.

 

 Please note: The material provided will be discussed in your interview.

 

Specific Stream Requirements

The following specific requirements for your supplementary application relate to the way each stream holds its audition/interview. For more information on audition/Interviews, please see below.

Directing: A copy of the scene you are planning to rehearse/present at the audition

Animateuring: Basic technical requirements for the ‘showing’ segment of the audition

Design (Set and Costume): An indication of which play/musical you are planning to present a design concept for in your interview/audition. You may choose from: “Comedy of Errors” (William Shakespeare), “Proof” (David Auburn), “The Crucible” (Arthur Miller) or “Sweeney Todd” (Stephen Sondheim).

Lighting Design: You are required to prepare a lighting design for one scene. Please provide an indication of which play/musical and which scene you are planning to present a design concept for in your interview/audition. You may choose a scene from: “Comedy of Errors” (William Shakespeare), “Proof” (David Auburn), “The Crucible” (Arthur Miller) or “Sweeney Todd” (Stephen Sondheim).

Sound Design: You are required to present a sound design concept for either “Quad” (Samuel Beckett) or a specific scene from “Macbeth” (William Shakespeare), including a brief discussion of the conceptual background to your design, and the potential implementation of it. Please indicate if you are presenting a concept for “Quad”, or for which scene from “Macbeth”.

The above documentation must be clearly identified and sent togther to:

Graduate Admissions, Student Centre, Faculty of VCA and MCM, The University of Melbourne, 234 St Kilda Road, Southbank Victoria Australia 3006

 

 

STEP 5 - Interview and Audition

 Not all applicants will be invited to an interview. The Selection Committee may conduct interviews for short-listed applicants.

Interviews will be held in Melbourne during the weeks commencing:

 12 and 19 November for Animateuring, Directing and Choreography; and 26 November for the Design streams

Please check with the VCA Student Centre regarding possible interview/auditions for some streams interstate.

Applicants will be notified by email.

Should you be selected, the following is a short description of the structure and focus of the interview/audition time, which is normally an hour in length:

 

• Initial meeting and discussion of application material (Artistic statement and demonstration of previous artistic work) (20 mins)
• Performance, demonstration of a short work or scene, or design presentation by the applicant (20 mins)
• Discussion of performed work or design presentation (10-20 mins)

 

The nature of the showing/audition/presentation varies slightly according to the stream you have applied for. But the following applies to all:

 

• The applicant may play a mini DV, DVD, CD ROM and/or present design drawings and photos of a performance or event they have created. They will be expected to talk to this material during or after it is shown. However, please note that the School of Performing Arts may not be able to provide the necessary equipment either to support such a showing or to be part of a live performance. If you wish to use this technology, please supply your own.
• If the applicant is dependent upon technical support, he/she should indicate this on their application form. If necessary we will then contact the applicant to indicate what we can provide. As a rule, the applicant should think simple and 'poor'.
• Please note that the constraints of time do not allow for an extensive feedback on your work at the interview. No later discussion will be entered into.

 

Specifics Of The Performance, Scene Work Or Presentation (Part (B) Of The Interview/audition) According To Stream:

Animateuring

The nature of this section of the audition is up to the applicant. The following are guidelines and some indications of the purpose of the showing.

 

• The showing is normally and preferably in the form of a solo performance. It may however include other performers, by arrangement with the School. The applicant must provide the other performers. They will not be allowed to attend the interview segments of the audition.
• The purpose of the showing is to gain some sense of the applicant’s interest and expertise and some measure of their talent as theatremakers. The piece does not have to be complex or spectacular to succeed. Aim to communicate a simple power and a connectedness of performance.

Directing

In the scene work section of the audition/interview, you have been asked to rehearse a short scene. Please note:

 

• You are only allotted a maximum of 20-30 minutes for this, so the scene chosen should be short (approx 1 – 2 pages) and relatively simple. By simple we do not mean that it has to be unsophisticated but that it should be able to be worked on without a lot of prior talk and explanation.
• The scene may contain no more than three characters. The actors will be provided by the VCA (Interstate applicants please note that you may be required to bring you own actors if it is not possible to arrange for our actors to be there on the day).Where possible, we will provide you with actors of the right gender, but not necessarily of the right age. Most of our actors are in their late teens or early twenties.
• The purpose for this section of the audition is to see how you work with actors on a text in the space. There is not expected to be any final showing. You may spend most of the time on one or two moments. You don’t even need to get through the whole selection.
• What you do in the time given is up to you. It is a demonstration of your work. But remember the three points of focus:

 

The focus is on TEXT, so there is no point doing warm-up exercises for 30 minutes.

The focus is on SPACE and ACTION, so there is no point in sitting around reading and talking for the allotted time.

The focus is on ACTORS, so don’t plan huge technical or choreographic results which ignore what happens in the space. If you want to use technical support (eg CD player, video), you will need to provide that yourself.

 

• Please note that the constraints of time do not allow for an extensive feedback on your direction at the interview. No later discussion will be entered into.

Choreography

Short listed candidates are invited to attend a one-day workshop/audition in Melbourne. This includes an exploration of a range of physical, choreographic, improvisational and performance provocations working in solo and group settings. Physical activity is followed by an individual interview and provides the opportunity to speak to more detailed aspects of the application, performance creation experience and aspirations.

Design (Set and Costume)
The interview/audition for Design (set and costume) will be held in 3 stages:

 

• Discussion of your Artistic Statement
• Presentation of your folio demonstrating previous work that relates to set and costume design for performance.
• Presentation and discussion of your design concept for ONE OF: “Comedy of Errors” (William Shakespeare), “Proof” (David Auburn), “The Crucible” (Arthur Miller) OR “Sweeney Todd” (Stephen Sondheim).

 

This should include:

 

• A set model in 1:25 scale of at least one scene
• A ground plan for your set in 1:25 scale
• Costume designs for at least 4 characters from your chosen play/musical

 

Lighting Design

The interview/audition will include a discussion of your Artistic Statement and the examples demonstrating previous work that you provided with your application. You will also present and discuss your lighting design concept for a scene from “Comedy of Errors” (William Shakespeare), “Proof” (David Auburn), “The Crucible” (Arthur Miller) or “Sweeney Todd” (Stephen Sondheim).

 

Sound Design

The interview will comprise of a discussion of your Artistic statement, the examples of your previous artistic work, and the design concept and realisation of either “Quad” or a scene from “Macbeth”.

 

 

STEP 6 - Check Your Emails

Check your emails regularly for interview details and application outcome.

 

The Faculty will communicate with applicants via email. Please check your email, including junk and quarantine folders. Applicants are strongly advised not to use a hotmail address as these often go into your junk box. By using such accounts you risk failing to receive our correspondence.

 

If your contact details change it is your responsibility to advise us by email - vcam-research@unimelb.edu.au- of these changes.