The department's main goal is to support students in developing and deepening their artistic skills; combining craft, critical thinking and scholarship with the best of contemporary performing arts. Our students graduate prepared to shape the performing arts of the future. Graduates of the Department of Performing Arts play a leading role within the national and international performing arts scene, as well as in many other fields; from performers to academics, artistic directors, producers and authors.
Performances and events are an important part of studies in the Department of Performing Arts. These include open presentations at the end of courses and cooperation between different study programs, as well as individual projects and the final projects of all the department's programmes. Performances can take the form of traditional theatre, playreadings, performance art, dance performances, site-specific performances, radio dramas, participatory theatre, etc. In addition, seminars and symposiums are regularly held on the performing arts profession.
International cooperation is a large part of the department's work, and students have the opportunity to go on exchange and/or internships abroad. Exchange students and teachers from international education institutions are frequent guests at the university and the department is involved in various international projects.
The Department of Performing Arts regularly collaborates with all the main performing arts institutions and festivals in Iceland such as the National Theatre of Iceland, the Reykjavik City Theatre, the Akureyri Theatre Company, Iceland Dance Company, Reykjavík Dance Festival and has good relations with the independent performing arts scene.
The Department of Performing Arts offers four study programs: Acting programme, International Contemporary Dance Practices programme, Theatre and Performance making programme, and MA programme in Theatre and Performance. The Bachelor’s degree programme is a three-year course of study comprising 180 ECTS credits, while the Master’s programme lasts two years and comprises 120 ECTS credits. Admission to all of the department’s study programs is subject to an entrance exam. Every third year new students are not admitted to the BA programme.
Application deadlines:
MA in Theatre and Performance
Open for applications:
January 2028
Study begins:
August 2028
Theatre and Performance making BA
Open for applications:
January 6, 2027
Closes for applications:
6 April 2027
Study begins:
August 2027
Acting BA
Open for applications:
October 5, 2026
Closes for applications:
November 25, 2026
Study begins:
August 2027
International Contemporary Dance Practices BA
Open for applications:
October 5, 2026
Closes for applications:
25 January 2027
Study begins:
August 2027
Departmental courses.
Master's in Performing ArtsMA
MA program in performing arts is a two-year program intended for performing artists who want to improve their skills and knowledge of the performing arts, either through playwriting, directing, stage writing studies or...
Screenwriting ProgramB.A.
The author's role is at the forefront of stage author studies In the program, students develop an artistic vision and an independent approach to the performing arts.
Actor's program B.A.
The program provides professional and progressive comprehensive teaching in drama and graduates open-minded and creative actors, who possess the technology and knowledge that contemporary performing arts environments call...
International Contemporary Dance Program B.A.
Contemporary Dance Practices inspires and challenges its students technically, contextually and artistically to enable them to develop their dance practice. Our aim is to educate creative...
