VCA (Victorian College of the Arts)
Melbourne's premier performing arts faculty within the University of Melbourne
Overview
The Victorian College of the Arts is the performing arts faculty of the University of Melbourne, offering programs in acting, music, dance, film, and visual art. Its acting program is one of the most respected in Australia.
Students in the BFA Acting program receive intensive training in classical and contemporary technique, with access to Melbourne's thriving theatre and film communities. The program emphasizes creativity, collaboration, and individual artistic development.
How It Works
VCA's Melbourne location provides proximity to the city's renowned theatre scene, including the Melbourne Theatre Company, Malthouse Theatre, and a vibrant independent sector. Students regularly engage with professional productions.
As part of the University of Melbourne, tuition follows standard Australian university fee structures. Commonwealth Supported Places are available for eligible domestic students, and scholarships are offered.
Who Uses It
VCA is an excellent choice for actors who want top-tier training in Melbourne's rich cultural environment. The university affiliation provides academic breadth alongside conservatory-level performance training. The Southbank campus location places students in the heart of Melbourne's arts precinct, steps from the Arts Centre, National Gallery of Victoria, and the city's major performing arts venues. VCA's graduate outcomes are impressive, with alumni regularly appearing in major Australian theatre, television, and film productions within a year of completing the program.
Pricing & Plans
VCA's Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting) tuition for Commonwealth Supported Place domestic students is approximately AUD $7,000-$10,000 per year as of 2025, in line with standard University of Melbourne fee structures. International students pay significantly more, with annual fees typically ranging from AUD $30,000-$38,000, reflecting the University of Melbourne's premium international fee schedule. Australian domestic students access HECS-HELP government loans, deferring payment until post-graduation income exceeds the repayment threshold. The University of Melbourne offers a range of scholarships including the Melbourne Chancellor's Scholarship, faculty-specific awards, and equity scholarships for students from underrepresented backgrounds. Melbourne's cost of living is higher than Perth but generally comparable to or slightly below Sydney, making total student expenses moderate by elite program standards. The combination of CSP-supported tuition and the prestige of a University of Melbourne degree makes VCA a strong value proposition for domestic students, though international students should carefully compare costs with alternatives.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
VCA's location in Melbourne's Southbank arts precinct provides unparalleled access to Australia's densest concentration of professional theatre companies, including Melbourne Theatre Company, Malthouse Theatre, and Red Stitch Actors' Theatre. The University of Melbourne affiliation means VCA graduates receive a degree from one of Australia's most prestigious and internationally recognized universities, adding academic credibility to their performance training. VCA's training philosophy emphasizes individual artistic voice and creative risk-taking, producing graduates known for their distinctive approaches rather than uniform technique. The school's connections to Melbourne's vibrant independent theatre scene provide students with opportunities to engage in experimental and contemporary work alongside their formal training. Faculty members include leading Australian theatre and screen practitioners who maintain active professional careers, ensuring that teaching remains current and industry-relevant. VCA's cross-disciplinary environment, sharing a campus with music, visual art, and film students, fosters collaborative relationships that often lead to creative partnerships extending well beyond graduation.
What Could Be Better
VCA's integration within the University of Melbourne means students must navigate some standard university administrative requirements that can feel bureaucratic compared to standalone conservatories. The program's emphasis on artistic experimentation and individual voice, while a strength for some, may leave students who want more structured technical training feeling insufficiently grounded in foundational technique. Melbourne's large number of acting programs and drama schools means VCA graduates face more direct local competition for early-career opportunities than NIDA graduates in Sydney. The BFA Acting program's relatively small profile within the broader University of Melbourne can sometimes result in less institutional attention and resources compared to larger faculties. Some students report that the program's three-year structure feels compressed when trying to cover both the academic requirements of a university degree and the practical demands of conservatory training. The school's strong focus on theatre may leave students who are primarily interested in screen acting wanting more dedicated film and television training, though screen modules are included.
Our Recommendation
VCA is the ideal choice for actors who want to train in Melbourne and take advantage of the city's extraordinary theatre ecosystem while earning a degree from a top-ranked university. Students who value creative independence and are drawn to contemporary, experimental, and devised theatre will find VCA's artistic philosophy particularly aligned with their interests. Those seeking a more structured, technique-focused conservatory experience may prefer NIDA's approach, which emphasizes classical foundations more heavily. International students should carefully evaluate whether the University of Melbourne's higher international fees are justified compared to more affordable options at WAAPA or other programs. Actors who know they want to build their careers primarily in Melbourne should strongly consider VCA, as the local industry connections and alumni network are concentrated in the city. If you are primarily focused on musical theatre, WAAPA's program has a stronger reputation in that specific discipline.
Pro Tips
Prepare VCA audition pieces that demonstrate intellectual curiosity and artistic individuality, as the school values performers who bring a distinctive perspective rather than polished technical perfection. Explore Melbourne's independent theatre scene before and during your training by attending shows at La Mama, Theatre Works, and fortyfivedownstairs to understand the creative community you are joining. Take advantage of University of Melbourne resources beyond VCA, including the university's extensive library system, career services, and student support programs that are available to all enrolled students. Build relationships with fellow VCA students across all disciplines, as collaborations with film, music, and visual art students often lead to the most creatively rewarding projects. Engage with Melbourne's professional theatre companies early by volunteering, attending industry events, and seeking assistant or understudy opportunities that VCA's connections can facilitate. Consider living in the inner-city suburbs near Southbank such as South Melbourne, Richmond, or Fitzroy to minimize commute times and maximize your immersion in Melbourne's cultural life.