Diploma in Performing Arts
Sunway College Johor Bahru · Johor Bahru, Malaysia
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
Sunway College Johor Bahru offers the Diploma in Performing Arts as a full-time programme that develops your theatre and film knowledge and practical skills over two years. Learning includes lectures, demonstrations, practical sessions, tutorials, viewings, discussions, performances, and field trips.
The programme offers strong career preparation across theatre and film as well as related industries such as television, radio, journalism, digital media, advertising, broadcasting, and social media. On completion, students may choose to further their education with Sunway or partner universities in Australia and the UK.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Develop theatre and film fundamentals through modules such as Improvisation, Theatre Practices, and Introduction to Audio-Visual Production.
- Build core performance and production capability with modules including Acting & Text and Media & Culture.
- Start learning production design and practical studio workflows through Production Design Theory and Theatre Project.
- Strengthen writing and directing skills with Script Writing, Directing for the Camera, and Modern Theatre.
- Develop end-to-end production outputs through modules such as Audio-Visual Post-Production and Collaborative Screen Production Project or Collaborative Stage Production Project.
- Learn career readiness and industry-facing professionalism through Career Management and Production Management.
Career outcomes
- You gain job-ready skills for theatre and film roles such as Actor/Performer, Cinematographer, Director, Stage manager, and Production Researcher.
- The diploma is designed as an industry-relevant head-start, preparing you for careers across related media fields like television, radio, journalism, digital media, advertising, and broadcasting.
- You build a practical portfolio through production-based learning, including a collaborative screen or stage production project and internship experience.
- You learn both onstage and behind-the-scenes competencies, helping you apply to a wider range of creative production teams.
- You develop industry communication and professional readiness with modules like Career Management, supporting smoother transitions into entry-level industry roles.
Employability rate
Sunway University does not publish a programme-specific employability rate or unemployment percentage for Diploma in Performing Arts graduates on the official programme page.
Based on the programme’s listed career prospects in theatre, film, and related media industries, you can expect a generally stable demand for entry-level creative production roles, but outcomes will vary by your portfolio strength and audition/internship experience.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| School-leaving qualification or equivalent | For international applicants: a pass with minimum 3 credits (including English) for SPM/O-Level, or a pass with minimum 3 Grade Bs (including English) for UEC. Any other equivalent qualifications are also considered, and applicants with no standard qualification may be considered on a case-by-case basis via APEL.A (Recognition of Prior Learning). |
Module matching by study area
| Study area | Match possible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Performing Arts | Direct match | The programme includes theatre and film modules, so applicants with prior study in performing arts, theatre practice, acting, film-making, media production, or related disciplines may be well aligned. Audition requirements still apply to all candidates. |
Language requirements
IELTS Academic
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
MOI waiver details are not published for this programme. See the English test requirements above.
Exam / assessment
| Component | Required? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Audition | required | All candidates must pass an audition prior to entry. You must submit a one-minute self-introduction video, and either (1) a one-minute video recording of a dramatic monologue or (2) a demonstration of film-making skills via a one-minute micro-film. The programme page states the text/titles for the audition items are provided upon request, and you submit the audition to the contact email provided by the university. |
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Semester fee | MYR 2026 / total program | Official page shows Estimated Annual Course Fee (Year 2026) and not a per-semester tuition breakdown for international students. |
| Estimated annual course fee | MYR 29750 / per year | Estimated Annual Course Fee (Year 2026) for Malaysian students is RM29,750. |
Proof of financial resources
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | April - Summer intake | September - Winter intake |
|---|---|---|
| Application portal opens | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (final submit) | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | N/A | N/A |
| Semester begins | N/A | N/A |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | April - Summer intake | September - Winter intake |
|---|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | April - Summer intake | September - Winter intake |
|---|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Official transcripts deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Certified translations deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A | N/A |
📝 How to Apply
Prepare your documents and entry evidence
Collect your passport, academic transcripts/examination results, and your school-leaving or equivalent qualification evidence for international entry. Ensure you can meet the programme English requirement and prepare for the required audition. You will also need a school-leaving/completion/graduation certificate as part of the international application document set.
Submit your application for the international programme
Complete the international application process with Sunway College Johor Bahru and submit the complete set of documents and required fees. After receiving your complete documents and required fees, the university issues a Letter of Acceptance if you meet the academic entry requirements. The university then submits the application and documents to Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) for Student Pass approval and processing.
Complete visa steps after the Visa Approval Letter (VAL)
After the Malaysian Immigrations Department issues the Visa Approval Letter (VAL), you can arrange travel to Malaysia. The university notes that you must enter Malaysia before the VAL validity period expires. It also states that international students are required to apply for a Single Entry Visa (SEV) at the Malaysian High Commission in the student’s home country prior to travelling.