Careers › Arts

How to become a Actor / Musician

Drama, music and performance. Most routes need an audition.

What does a Actor / Musician actually do?

More about this career

Drama and music degrees are built around practical performance and usually need an audition – sometimes alongside, sometimes instead of, an academic admission score. Very few performers make a full living purely from performance; most build a mix of performing, teaching, session work, and other creative industry jobs.

Where this degree can take you

  • Theatre Director
  • Music Teacher
  • Session Musician
  • Arts Administrator

This is our general description of the role and related jobs, not from an official source – it’s here to give you a fuller picture, not as a careers-counselling guarantee.

Not from an official source

Subjects that usually help

  • Dramatic Arts
  • Music

This is our general guidance about which school subjects suit this career. It is not an admission requirement and not from an official source – the real requirements are on the degrees below.

Not from an official source

Where to check this yourself

What the programmes we’ve captured actually ask for

  • Music – asked for by 1 of 27 programmes

Counted from the requirements below (an “or” alternative counts for each subject named). Each programme links to the page it came from.

Programmes that lead here

27 programmes at 13 universities. More are added as we verify them.

Durban University of Technology

Selection programme

Diploma in Drama

Arts & Design · 3 years

DUT APS 24 points

  • English: level 4 if it is your Home Language, level 4 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Second language – A second language subject at level 3 (40%).
  • Audition – Candidates must pass an audition (a monologue, then a call-back audition with song, movement, improvisation and an interview).

New row, from the user-supplied Department of Drama and Production Studies handbook.

Source: View the official page (dut.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Rhodes University

Bachelor of Music (BMus)

Humanities · 4 years

Rhodes points 45 points

  • English: 60% if it is your Home Language, 65% if it is your First Additional Language
  • Audition / portfolio – Some Humanities programmes also require a portfolio or audition during the application process.
  • Life Orientation: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Life Orientation: level 4 (50% or more)

Raw-read 2026-10-04 from the Rhodes 2026 Undergraduate Prospectus (page 15): same bands as the BA - Rhodes points of 34-44 are considered at the Dean’s discretion; 45 or more receives a provisional offer. We show 45 as the qualifying number so that "you qualify" means exactly that - but you are still worth an application from 34. Rhodes has no Engineering and no MBChB. The NBT is recommended, not required. Life Orientation is not scored, but you need at least 50% in it.

Source: View the official page (ru.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

BA (Drama)

Humanities · 3 years

Rhodes points 45 points

  • English: 60% if it is your Home Language, 65% if it is your First Additional Language
  • Life Orientation: level 4 (50% or more)

Read 2026-10-04 from the Rhodes 2026 Undergraduate Prospectus (18 March 2026): this is a major offered inside the degree named, so entry is the degree’s own. BA/BSS: Rhodes points of 34-44 are at the Dean’s discretion and 45+ gets a provisional offer. Life Orientation is not scored, but you need at least 50% in it.

Source: View the official page (ru.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Stellenbosch University

Selection programme

BA Drama

Arts & Social Sciences · 3 years

Stellenbosch aggregate 60 %

  • Audition – An audition is required.

Every Stellenbosch programme is a selection programme. The figures shown are the published minimum requirements - the actual selection threshold is usually higher. The published aggregate for BA Visual Arts, BA Drama and BMus is 60-65% depending on the programme; we show the lower end of that range.

Source: View the official page (files.su.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Selection programme

BMus

Arts & Social Sciences · 4 years

Stellenbosch aggregate 60 %

  • Audition – An audition is required.

Every Stellenbosch programme is a selection programme. The figures shown are the published minimum requirements - the actual selection threshold is usually higher. The published aggregate for BA Visual Arts, BA Drama and BMus is 60-65% depending on the programme; we show the lower end of that range.

Source: View the official page (files.su.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Selection programme

Diploma in Practical Music

Arts and Social Sciences · 3 years

Stellenbosch aggregate 40 %

  • Audition and theory – Practical standard equivalent to Grade VII on the main instrument or voice and Grade III/IV theory; candidates must attend an audition and theory test in Stellenbosch.

Read 2026-10-04 from the Stellenbosch 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus (page images). The number shown is the NSC aggregate (excluding Life Orientation). Page 5. A National Senior Certificate with at least 40% in each of four subjects (excluding Life Orientation). Every Stellenbosch programme is a selection programme. The figures shown are the published minimum requirements - the actual selection threshold is usually higher.

Source: View the official page (files.su.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Selection programme

Higher Certificate in Music

Arts and Social Sciences · 1 years

No points cut-off published for this one – see the note below.

  • Audition – Practical standard of Grade V/VI on the main instrument or voice and Grade III/IV theory; an audition is required.

Read 2026-10-04 from the Stellenbosch 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus (page images). The number shown is the NSC aggregate (excluding Life Orientation). Page 5. A National Senior Certificate is the only school requirement stated. Every Stellenbosch programme is a selection programme. The figures shown are the published minimum requirements - the actual selection threshold is usually higher.

Source: View the official page (files.su.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Tshwane University of Technology

Selection programme

Diploma in Performing Arts

Arts & Design · 3 years

TUT APS 20 points

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Audition – Performing-arts programmes select by audition - check the department.

New row, read directly from TUT’s 2026 faculty prospectus (tut-pass-3). Closes 31 July 2026 (TUT First-Year Course Information).

Source: View the official page (tut.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of Cape Town

Bachelor of Music (BMus)

Humanities · 4 years

UCT Faculty Points Score 380 out of 600

  • English: 50% if it is your Home Language, 60% if it is your First Additional Language
  • NBT – NBT Academic Literacy at Intermediate level or above.
  • Music: 60%
  • Audition, interview and music theory test – The audition is the leading factor and places are awarded on merit. Unisa Music Theory Grade V and Practical Grade VII or above are expected.

FPS 380 is the published minimum for an NSC degree pass, but admission is decided by the audition, interview and theory test, not by points. Applicants below the minimum who excel at audition may be considered for the Diploma in Music Performance.

Source: View the official page (uct.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Bachelor of Arts in Theatre & Performance (BA(T&P))

Humanities · 3 years

UCT Faculty Points Score 380 out of 600

  • English: 50% if it is your Home Language, 60% if it is your First Additional Language
  • NBT – NBT Academic Literacy at Intermediate level or above.
  • Audition – A satisfactory audition is required; it is the leading indicator and places are awarded on merit.

FPS 380 is the published minimum; the audition decides admission. Applicants below the minimum who excel at audition may be considered for the Diploma in Theatre & Performance.

Source: View the official page (uct.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Diploma in Music Performance

Humanities · 3 years

No points cut-off published for this one – see the note below.

  • English: 50% if it is your Home Language, 60% if it is your First Additional Language
  • NBT – NBT Academic Literacy at Intermediate level or above.
  • Audition, interview and music theory test – The audition is the leading indicator and places are awarded on merit.

Needs an NSC endorsed for diploma study, English 50% (Home Language) or 60% (First Additional Language), NBT Academic Literacy at Intermediate or above, and a satisfactory audition, interview and music theory test. UCT publishes no points cut-off.

Source: View the official page (uct.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Diploma in Theatre & Performance

Humanities · 3 years

No points cut-off published for this one – see the note below.

  • English: 50% if it is your Home Language, 60% if it is your First Additional Language
  • NBT – NBT Academic Literacy at Intermediate level or above.
  • Audition – A satisfactory audition is required; it is the leading indicator and places are awarded on merit.

Needs an NSC endorsed for diploma study, English 50% (Home Language) or 60% (First Additional Language), NBT Academic Literacy at Intermediate or above and a satisfactory audition. UCT publishes no points cut-off.

Source: View the official page (uct.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of Fort Hare

Partly verified

Bachelor of Music

Social Sciences and Humanities · 4 years

UFH APS 27

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Another language – Another language at level 4.
  • Four more subjects – One further subject at level 3 and three at level 4 or better.
  • Life Orientation: level 4 (50% or more)

New row, from the user-supplied Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities 2026 Prospectus' qualifications summary table - an audition or portfolio requirement is likely but not confirmed in the summary table we read.

Source: View the official page (ufh.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of KwaZulu-Natal

From an older document

BA Music

Humanities · 3 years

UKZN APS 28 points out of 48

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Life Orientation: level 4 (50% or more)
  • One listed subject – One subject from UKZN’s designated list at level 5 (Business Studies, Consumer Studies, Dramatic Arts, Economics, Geography, History, Information Technology, Life Sciences, Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy at level 2, Music, Religion Studies, Visual Arts, or a language at Home or First Additional level 5).
  • Practical audition – Contact the School of Music to arrange an audition for the instrumental or vocal course.

Read 2026-10-04 from the table in the Study@UKZN 2026 brochure (CAO code KN-H-BAM); published APS range 48-28. This comes from the Study@UKZN 2026 brochure, the most recent official source we could find. UKZN had not published a 2027 table when we checked, so treat these as 2026 figures pending a 2027 update. Applications go through the CAO.

Source: View the official page (studyatukzn.ukzn.ac.za) (opens the official page)

From an older document

BA in Music Extended Curriculum

Humanities · 4 years

UKZN APS 22 points out of 48

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Life Orientation: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Audition and diagnostic tests – A practical audition before a panel of music staff, plus diagnostic pre-entrance tests in theory and oral work.

Read 2026-10-04 from the table in the Study@UKZN 2026 brochure (CAO code KN-H-BMX); published APS range 48-22. After the foundation year, students continue into the standard BA Music curriculum. This comes from the Study@UKZN 2026 brochure, the most recent official source we could find. UKZN had not published a 2027 table when we checked, so treat these as 2026 figures pending a 2027 update. Applications go through the CAO.

Source: View the official page (studyatukzn.ukzn.ac.za) (opens the official page)

University of Limpopo

Bachelor of Arts (Performing Arts stream)

Humanities · 3 years

UL APS 25 points

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Home language – A home language (Northern Sotho, Tshivenda or Xitsonga where an African language is chosen) at level 5 (60-69%), alongside English at level 4.

Read 2026-10-04 from the University of Limpopo Faculty Requirements (Academic Programme) document, page images. APS 25. ; subjects beyond those shown only add to the minimum APS total. UL says meeting the minimum APS does not guarantee admission. No 2027 closing date appears in the prospectus - see the dates page.

Source: View the official page (ul.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of Pretoria

Bachelor of Drama

Humanities · 3 years

UP APS 28 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Audition – Applicants must complete and pass an audition process; admissions happen on an ad-hoc basis in August.

From the user-supplied Humanities 2027 Faculty Yearbook (programme code 01130117) - a 4-year extended version also exists at a lower APS 26/English level 4, not shown as its own row. Most UP closing dates are 30 June; Veterinary Science closes 31 May. Grade 12 applicants apply with their final Grade 11 results.

Source: View the official page (drupalwebprod-files.up.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Bachelor of Music

Humanities · 4 years

UP APS 28 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Music proficiency – Music at level 4 (50-59%) or Grade VII Practical and Grade V Theory (UNISA/Royal Schools/Trinity) or a comparable standard.

From the user-supplied Humanities 2027 Faculty Yearbook (programme code 01132003) - a 5-year extended version also exists at a lower APS 26/English level 4 with a lower music-proficiency bar, not shown as its own row. Most UP closing dates are 30 June; Veterinary Science closes 31 May. Grade 12 applicants apply with their final Grade 11 results.

Source: View the official page (drupalwebprod-files.up.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of South Africa

No cut-off published

Bachelor of Music

Human Sciences

No points cut-off published for this one – see the note below.

  • Music – NSC with Music as one of the subjects passed, or Music theory at Unisa Grade 5 / ABRSM Grade 6 / Trinity Grade 6, plus 50% in the language of teaching and learning.

Read 2026-10-04 from Unisa’s own qualification page (code 90089). NSC with Bachelor’s Degree endorsement (or equivalent). Unisa states percentages, not an APS, on this page. Confirmed current for the 2027 intake: Unisa’s own pages state its 2027 application window as 17 August - 9 October 2026.

Source: View the official page (unisa.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

No cut-off published

Higher Certificate in Music

Human Sciences

No points cut-off published for this one – see the note below.

  • English: 30%

Read 2026-10-04 from Unisa’s own qualification page (code 90194). NSC (Higher Certificate pass) or equivalent. Unisa states percentages, not an APS, on this page. Confirmed current for the 2027 intake: Unisa’s own pages state its 2027 application window as 17 August - 9 October 2026.

Source: View the official page (unisa.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of the Free State

Selection programme

Bachelor of Music (BMus)

Humanities · 4 years

UFS AP score 30 points out of 49

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Audition – A live audition is required, with musical competency equivalent to Unisa Grade 7 (principal instrument/voice) and Grade 5 (theory).

RAW-CONFIRMED against the 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus. All Odeion School of Music undergraduate programmes are selection programmes - meeting the AP score does not by itself secure a place.

Source: View the official page (ufs.ac.za) (opens the official page)

Selection programme

BA (Drama and Theatre Arts)

Humanities

UFS AP score 30 points out of 49

  • English: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Audition – A compulsory audition and interview are conducted for selection; closing date 30 September. Drama experience at school level is recommended.

New row, from the user-supplied 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus. English Home Language at level 5 (60%), or First/Second Additional Language at 65%.

Source: View the official page (ufs.ac.za) (opens the official page)

Selection programme

Diploma in Music

Humanities · 3 years

UFS AP score 25 points out of 49

  • English: level 4 if it is your Home Language, level 4 if it is your First Additional Language

Read 2026-10-04 from the table on the faculty’s page in the UFS 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus (page images). Plan code BC120044. Subject to an audition and theory test; Grade 5 in principal instrument or voice is expected and Music Theory Grade 3 is advised.

Source: View the official page (ufs.ac.za) (opens the official page)

Selection programme

Higher Certificate in Music Performance

Humanities · 1 years

UFS AP score 20 points out of 49

  • English: level 4 if it is your Home Language, level 4 if it is your First Additional Language

Read 2026-10-04 from the table on the faculty’s page in the UFS 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus (page images). Plan code BC111044. Compulsory audition and musical aptitude test before 30 September 2026.

Source: View the official page (ufs.ac.za) (opens the official page)

University of the Witwatersrand

BA Theatre and Performance

Humanities · 4 years

Wits APS 34 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Audition – Departmental selection includes auditions/interviews; audition booking closes in October 2026.

Read from the live 2027 course-finder page on 2026-10-04. Applications close 30 September 2026.

Source: View the official page (wits.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Bachelor of Music

Humanities · 4 years

Wits APS 34 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Audition – Applicants attend an interview and audition at the Wits School of Arts.

Read from the live 2027 course-finder page on 2026-10-04. Applications close 30 September 2026.

Source: View the official page (wits.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of Zululand

From an older document

Bachelor of Arts in Drama, Theatre and Performance

Humanities & Social Sciences · 3 years

UniZulu APS 26 points out of 48

  • English: level 4 if it is your Home Language, level 4 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Designated subjects – Level 4 (50-59%) in five subjects from the designated list: Business Studies, Dramatic Arts, Geography, History, Tourism, Visual Art, and languages (a language of learning and teaching plus two other recognised languages).

Read 2026-10-04 from UniZulu’s 2026 Humanities & Social Sciences handbook (Table 1): minimum entry for a Bachelor’s degree is 26 points. From UniZulu’s own 2026-labelled faculty handbooks, which contain no 2027-specific intake or closing-date information at all - do not assume a date, and treat this as the most recent official figures available rather than confirmed-current for 2027.

Source: View the official page (unizulu.ac.za) (opens the official page)

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