Course Overview
The Master of Fine Arts (Dramatic Writing) is an intensive, practice-led course designed to prepare students for life as professional writers. It offers a culturally safe, supportive and stimulating environment where students can be curious, experiment with form and subject matter, and explore their own unique imagination and voice.
Across 18 months, students undergo a rigorous exploration of theatre, film, television, interactive writing, including those industries, audiences and future trends. You’ll undertake collaborative projects, workshopping with actors and directors while building a portfolio of industry-focused projects, including two full-length works and multiple outlines and pitches.
We believe that some of our most important stories are those least told and strongly encourage applications from writers from First Nations and underrepresented communities. Building inclusive and collaborative communities and understanding issues of story ownership are viewed by NIDA as the core to developing an ethical practice.
This course is focused on forging versatile and adaptive dramatic writers with sustainable writing careers. Armed with the skills to work across theatre, film and television, graduates leave with strong links within industry and the opportunity to establish a priceless network of professional connections.
- Utilise sophisticated dramatic techniques in the creation of form appropriate narrative
- Critically analyse a range of narrative works across stage and screen, providing a rigorous explanation of their dramatic composition and thematic concerns
- Create work and communicate ideas that demonstrate a distinctive voice
- Develop safe and inclusive environments and working relationships that facilitate all participants to contribute to challenging creative projects
- Generate professional opportunities through the application of knowledge and understanding of the creative industries
- Navigate complex ethical issues that connect the process and outcome of storymaking with its social, cultural and political context
- Design, implement, document and / or disseminate research relevant to their practice
The duration of the Master of Fine Arts is 18 months and comprises nine subjects with a total of 180 credit points, with 60 credit points per semester.
Students are usually required on campus at NIDA from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm from Monday to Friday.
Additional time also needs to be allocated to library work, research, preparation for classes and private study. For this reason, it is difficult for NIDA students to maintain regular part-time jobs. Studying at NIDA is a big commitment, so students need to manage their time and resources carefully.
2027 Key Dates
Welcome Week 1 – 5 February 2027 (First years only) Teaching Period 1 8 February – 16 April 2027 Teaching Period 2 26 April – 25 June 2027 Semester Break 28 June – 16 July 2027 Teaching Period 3 19 July – 17 September 2027 Teaching Period 4 29 September – 3 December 2027 |
Teaching Periods exclude public holidays. View 2027 NSW public holiday dates.
Semester one
- Principles of Dramatic Writing
- Story and Culture
- Writing for Stage
Semester two
- Writing for Screen
- Episodic Writing
- The Business of Writing
- Practice-Based Research Project
Semester three
- Interactive and Immersive Storytelling
- Practice-Based Research Project
- Major Project
2027 Course Overview available in September 2026.
Our award-winning writing graduates work both nationally and internationally, including on some of Australia’s most recognisable stories. They have worked on shows for Amazon Prime, Disney, Stan and ABC as well as across Australia’s mainstage, including Sydney Theatre Company and Belvoir.
Potential careers include
Writing across dramatic genres, including as playwright, screenwriter for film and television, narrative designer for games and interactive, as well as story development and dramaturgical roles across forms.
Meet the Team
Admissions Criteria
Domestic students with overseas qualifications must supply certified translations of their qualifications.
International students with academic qualifications that are not in English will need to attach a certified, official translation in English in application portal.
Entry is by merit selection.
General entry requirements for accredited postgraduate courses are as follows:
- Have completed an undergraduate degree (in any area) or have five years relevant experience in a related area.
- Be proficient in written and spoken English.
Applications are encouraged from domestic applicants who:
- Identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.
Applications are encouraged from international applicants who:
- have successfully completed a Genuine Temporary Entry (GTE) interview.
- have an English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 7.0 with no band score less than 6.0.
Recognition of Prior Learning is an assessment process that involves assessment of an individual’s relevant prior learning (including formal, informal and non-formal learning) to determine the credit outcomes of an individual application for credit.
NIDA may grant credit for:
- Formal study undertaken in recognised education institutions in Australia, including universities, colleges, TAFE and other post-secondary education institutions and for study at recognised overseas institutions.
- Credentialed courses provided by recognised professional bodies, employers and other authorities, where appropriate certification is available; and
- Prior learning, where such learning can be sufficiently evidenced.
The principles underlying the assessment of credit transfer/Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) applications are that the policy and procedures are:
- Aligned to the Higher Education Standards Framework and the Vocational Standards for RTOs.
- Designed to maintain the integrity and reputation of NIDA’s accredited courses for which credit or RPL is applied and support the collaborative nature of NIDA’s conservatoire training model.
- Consistent, equitable, transparent, and accountable.
- Based on processes of comparable standard and integrity to those used to assess the relevant subject.
- That students are not disadvantaged in achieving the expected learning outcomes for the course of study or qualification.
NIDA Recognition of Prior Learning Policy
Domestic students with overseas qualifications must supply certified translations of their qualifications.
We select applicants who demonstrate commitment, capacity and willingness to advance their practice by:
- Demonstrating a commitment to and passion for dramatic writing and the motivation to achieve success in the creative industries
- Demonstrating a range of technical knowledge and craft skills
- Providing evidence of a capacity to work creatively and imaginatively
- Demonstrating cultural and contextual awareness and the ability to bring valuable perspectives to a group
- Demonstrating an ability to collaborate and openness to feedback
Original Work Requirement (All Applicants)
All submitted work must be your own original creation, including writing, design, performance, and any supporting material.
The use of Artificial Intelligence to generate or substantially develop any part of your submission is not permitted. This includes (but is not limited to) ideas, written text, imagery, design outcomes, dialogue, or performance content.
You may use research, reference material, and feedback to inform your work; however, the final submission must clearly reflect your own thinking, creative development, and decision-making.
Submissions that do not meet this requirement may not be considered for assessment.
About the Application Process
Applying to this course will involve:
Round One: Online Application, Writing Portfolio
Round Two: Interview
View our Course Specific Application Requirements for a detailed breakdown of what to include in your online application and what to expect if you progress to Round Two of the application process.
Applicants MUST apply online via the NIDA application portal.
View details about how to complete your online application as well as key dates and timelines.
Fees and Scholarships
Visit our Fees and Payments page for information about our tuition fees and payment information for NIDA courses, including payment options and additional costs.
NIDA is committed to making its education and learning more accessible to the most creative and talented individuals across Australia with a range of scholarships aimed to remove financial barriers, providing students with the opportunity to study at NIDA while being relieved of some of the cost of living, relocating and study expenses.
NIDA scholarships are made available by the generous support of donors, sponsors, corporate partners, trusts and bequests, through the NIDA Foundation Trust, and enable a significant increase in financial assistance to ongoing and students commencing study in 2026.
Scholarship applications for 2027 will open in early October. Learn more about our Scholarships.
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Further Information
The table below gives an indication of the educational backgrounds of the 2026 commencing postgraduate MFA cohort.
It should be noted that as selection and admission to courses at NIDA is based on merit the statistics below may not be indicative of the educational backgrounds of commencing cohorts on a year-to-year basis.
L/N – Low numbers: the number of students is less than 5.
| Applicant Background | Number of students | Percentage of all students |
|---|---|---|
| (A) Past higher education study | 26 | 79% |
| (B) Past Vocational Education and Training study | 5 | 15% |
| (C) Recent secondary education Admitted on basis of other criteria and ATAR was not a factor | Ν/Α | Ν/Α |
| (D) Work and life experience | 2 | 6% |
| International students | LN | N/A |
| All students | 33 | 100% |
NIDA’S Registration Status | Registered as a Higher Education Provider by TEQSA | |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Renewal Date | 20 January 2033 | |
CRICOS Registration | Code: 00756M | This allows NIDA to enrol international students on student visas into CRICOS approved courses. |
Self Accrediting Authority* | Yes – partial self accrediting | Registered Higher Education providers may be authorised by TEQSA to self-accredit courses of study. |
| Course Name | Status | CRICOS Code |
| Master of Fine Arts (Dramatic Writing) | Self-Accredited by NIDA under TEQSA’s determination of Self-Accrediting Authority for NIDA. | 113111J |
Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for more info about NIDA courses, admissions and facilities? Check our FAQ page for answers to commonly-asked questions from future students.
What does it take to put on a show?
Take a peek behind the curtain to see how our students collaborate each year on our June and October Student Production seasons.
This qualification is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework
The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national policy for regulated qualifications in Australian education and training.
Read more information about the AQF.