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National Institute of Dramatic Art

Sydney, Australia · Private · Est. 1958

Updated 28 Oct 2026

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Established

1958

Type

Private

Location

Sydney, Australia

Ranking

Not ranked

Photo: DXR, CC BY-SA 4.0

About the university

The National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), founded in 1958, trains actors, designers, technicians, directors and writers for theatre, film and live performance. Its campus is on Anzac Parade in Kensington, Sydney. International students can apply for its Bachelor of Fine Arts courses (Acting, Costume, Design for Performance, Props and Effects, Set Construction Technologies, Technical Production) and its Master of Fine Arts courses.

Indian students look at NIDA for intensive, conservatoire-style training in acting and theatre production. Places are limited and selection is by audition or interview, which international applicants usually attend in Australia. NIDA does not offer on-campus housing. It is not a university and is not in world university rankings.

Founded
1958
Type
Higher education provider for the performing arts (PRV12052)
CRICOS provider code
00756M
Campus
215 Anzac Parade, Kensington, Sydney
Degrees for international students
Bachelor of Fine Arts (six specialisations) and Master of Fine Arts
Selection
Audition or interview in Australia (video interview may be possible for non-acting courses)

Rankings

    Popular courses with Indian students

    View all 8 courses with filters

    Fees for international students

    Course fees
    CourseDurationFee / year (AUD)Approx. in rupees
    Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)3 yearsA$41,880≈ ₹27.2 lakh
    Bachelor of Fine Arts (Design for Performance)3 yearsA$41,880≈ ₹27.2 lakh
    Bachelor of Fine Arts (Technical Production)3 yearsA$41,880≈ ₹27.2 lakh
    Bachelor of Fine Arts (Costume)3 yearsA$41,880≈ ₹27.2 lakh
    Bachelor of Fine Arts (Props and Effects)3 yearsA$41,880≈ ₹27.2 lakh
    Bachelor of Fine Arts (Set Construction Technologies)3 yearsA$41,880≈ ₹27.2 lakh
    Master of Fine Arts (Directing)18 monthsA$55,920≈ ₹36.3 lakh
    Master of Fine Arts (Dramatic Writing)18 monthsA$55,920≈ ₹36.3 lakh

    Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.

    Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at National Institute of Dramatic Art with similar universities in Australia.

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    Scholarships

      Admission requirements

      Undergraduate

      • Selection is by audition (Acting) or interview (production and design courses), held in November and early December each year.
      • International applicants must attend the audition or interview in Australia; a video interview may be offered for non-acting courses.
      • Commencing students must be able to start on the first day of the second week of the NIDA year, or reapply the next year.

      Postgraduate

      • MFA applicants are selected by interview; requirements vary by course, so check each course page.
      • Send official transcripts with grades for every tertiary degree completed or attempted, plus each institution's grading scale.

      Documents

      • Passport copy (and current visa if you are in Australia)
      • Official academic transcripts with grades and a grading-system explanation
      • Certified English translations of any documents not in English
      • English test result (non-acting applicants bring it to interview; shortlisted acting applicants send it by the end of the first week of December)
      • After an offer: Genuine Student evidence, financial documents and OSHC for the visa

      Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.

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      English language requirements

      English requirements
      Test or routeTypical requirement
      IELTS Academic7.0 or equivalent, with no band below 6.0.
      TOEFLAccepted as an equivalent, but NIDA does not accept TOEFL myBest scores.
      School in EnglishThe requirement may be waived if you completed high school in English, which may help Indian students from English-medium schools. Confirm with NIDA.

      Accommodation and living costs

      NIDA does not offer on-campus housing. Its accommodation page points students to UNSW residential housing, share houses and private renting. It does not give prices on the pages we checked.

      Accommodation and living costs
      ItemIn AUDApprox. in rupees

      Campus and location

      NIDA's campus is at 215 Anzac Parade, Kensington, in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

      • Specialist training for acting, costume, design, props and effects, set construction and technical production.
      • Master's courses in directing, dramatic writing and cultural leadership.
      • Auditions and interviews take place in November and early December.

      Careers and graduate outcomes

      NIDA trains people for theatre, film, television and live events. It publishes no graduate outcome figures on the pages we checked. See our Australia guide for post-study work rules.

      Graduate outcomes
      WhatFigureSource

      Studying in Australia

      Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Australia. Our country guide covers them in detail:

      Other universities in Australia

      Compare all universities in Australia

      FAQs

      How much does NIDA cost for Indian students?

      NIDA's 2027 international fee is A$41,880 a year for all BFA courses (about A$125,640 over 3 years) and A$55,920 a year for the 18-month MFA Directing and MFA Dramatic Writing.

      Do I have to travel to Australia for the audition?

      International applicants must attend an audition or interview in Australia. For non-acting courses, a video interview may be possible.

      What English score does NIDA need?

      Academic IELTS 7.0 or equivalent, with no band below 6.0. It may be waived if you finished high school in English.

      Sources

      1. NIDA: home page (opens in a new tab)
      2. NIDA: fees and payments (2027) (opens in a new tab)
      3. NIDA: international students (opens in a new tab)
      4. NIDA: undergraduate courses (opens in a new tab)
      5. NIDA: postgraduate courses (opens in a new tab)

      Official website: www.nida.edu.au (opens in a new tab)

      Check the latest details

      We researched this page on 28 Oct 2026. Fees, entry requirements and scholarships change every year, so confirm them on the university's website before you apply. Listing a university doesn't mean Admission Mantra represents it.

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