Musical Theatre BA (Hons)
Pursue your passion for the stage with our BA (Hons) Musical Theatre degree. Hone your craft as a performer, creator, and storyteller while exploring all aspects of musical theatre.
Key information
UCAS code:
2B69
Typical offer:
104-112 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent.
Showing content for section Overview
Overview
Musical theatre is one of the most popular forms of entertainment. For over a century, it’s helped us to understand how the world works, generating stories of hope and optimism while considering the challenging issues at the heart of being human.
Develop vital stagecraft skills in movement, voice, acting, and devising on our Musical Theatre degree course and explore contemporary approaches to music and theatre. You’ll immerse yourself in all forms of practice, create new musicals. stage a full production in your first and final year, and produce a professional showreel for use in the industry.
You'll also examine musical theatre's significance in popular culture and society, exploring themes such as the representation of race, gender and politics on the local and global stage, and gain vital transferable skills for all kinds of career opportunities after you graduate.
Along the way, you’ll use specialist facilities, collaborate with students on other creative courses, work with professional composers, writers, and directors, and perform in many fantastic locations – in СÀ¶ÊÓƵ and beyond.
Taught by a world-leading team of expert practitioners and scholars, СÀ¶ÊÓƵ's one of the most established musical theatre programmes in the UK, and through our new partnership with Laine Theatre Arts – whose graduates are regularly seen in the West End – we’re in an exciting phase of our history. Come and join us!
Course highlights
- Enhance your creative collaboration by working alongside peers and new writers to create shows
- Boost your professional profile by developing a showreel to perform in front of agents, producers, and casting directors as part of your final-year career preparations
- Develop career-enhancing skills in mixed- and multi-media arts, including live and virtual practices
- Gain valuable industry experience by taking an optional placement
- Take advantage of pioneering research by studying at the home of Studies in Musical Theatre – the UK’s only international academic journal dedicated to musical theatre
- Get current professional insight by attending guest lectures from leading actors, producers, and authors – past guests include actor Sheila Hancock, Randy Adams (Tony award-winning producer of Memphis the Musical), Lyn Darnley (former Head of Voice and Text, Royal Shakespeare Company), and Ken Cerniglia (Hadestown dramaturg and Disney Theatricals’ literary director)
Top 30
for student satisfaction
(Times Higher Education, 2024)
Watch BA (Hons) Musical Theatre graduate Lizzie Hughes' music video
Joy (2020)
‘Joy’ is composed, performed and produced by Lizzie Hughes, our 2021 BA (Hons) Musical Theatre graduate. It formed part of her final year Major Academic Project, exploring the use of musical frequencies and harmonies to affect a listener’s emotional response to music and performance.
Lizzie is now seeking to build a career as a freelance singer-songwriter and recording artist.
Can you see me glowing gold?
In this moment I'll smile
Happiness comes in shimmering flecks
So I'll savour this moment a while
In my eyes lay specks of gold
Beautifully replayed
And I'll be your hand to hold
It is warm in this house
Warm like a sunny day in winter
Pretty but rarer
Shimmering flecks, mystic moons
I'm walking on moonbeams, waiting for you
Tell me if you're coming home soon
Can you see me holding on
To all our memories?
I won't fly too close the Sun
If you let me swim in the sea
Give me reason to stay awhile
I'll stay as long you need
Just look at this smile to know
It is warm in this house
Warm like a summer breeze: can you feel it?
We're sisters climbing trees: can you feel it?
Glowing gold in the afternoon
Shimmering life from that mystic moon
Tell me if you're coming home soon
Tell me that you're coming home soon
Entry requirements
BA (Hons) Musical Theatre
Typical offers
- A levels – BBC-BCC
- UCAS points – 104-112 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent. (calculate your UCAS points)
- T levels – Merit
- BTECs (Extended Diplomas) – DMM
- International Baccalaureate – 25
You may need to have studied specific subjects –
Selection process
All applicants will be asked to attend an on-campus workshop and interview or provide a video submission.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
We look at more than just your grades
While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.
Your facilities
White Swan Building
Our drama and theatre hub was developed with СÀ¶ÊÓƵ’s esteemed New Theatre Royal, with all you need for stage and performance productions: from rehearsal to final act.
New Theatre Royal
With integrated facilities bridging it and White Swan Building, New Theatre Royal is the space for drama, music, and theatre students to grow their talents in a professional environment.
Careers and opportunities
After this course, you'll have skills in production, technical theatre, stage management, directing, choreography, and other creative fields that can be applied to a variety of careers within and outside the theatre industry.
You can also start your own company, pursue a postgraduate degree, and engage in research.
Graduate areas
Past graduates have gone on to careers in areas including:
- theatre, arts and events management
- broadcasting
- the media industry
- teaching
- business
- project and team management
Graduate roles
Roles our graduates have taken on include:
- actor
- producer
- playwright
- theatre manager
- arts administrator
Delve into Cerys' experience at СÀ¶ÊÓƵMy undergraduate degree helped me to develop my interests in theatre and research, and it prepared me for postgraduate study. My time spent at the СÀ¶ÊÓƵ has been so amazing and I wouldn’t change any of it.
Ongoing careers support
Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.
Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.
Placement year (optional)
After your second or third year, you can complete an optional work placement to gain professional experience and enhance your skills. It's also a great incentive for employers once you graduate.
You can work for a company, organisation or agency, or you can go self-employed and start your own business with fellow students or by yourself.
Whatever you decide – or even if you just want some employability advice – our exclusive Creative Careers team can support you every step of the way.
Creative Careers
Our in-faculty Creative Careers team has extensive recruitment experience and knows the creative sector well, making it easier for students to .
They can guide you through every step of the application process, including:
- Searching for the ideal job through their database of vacancies
- Giving tips on how to write an interesting CV that will catch employers' attention, no matter the role
- Organising mock interviews, so you can hone your technique and familiarise yourself with the recruitment environment
- Writing your startup business proposal – if you're going down the self-employment route
The team will continue to give you support throughout your placement year.
Should I go on a placement year?
It is not only about making tea and coffee in an office: a placement can transform your career, personal, and study development. Our students who've been on placements say they were the best experiences of their lives.
Find out more about the benefits of doing a placement on our Creative Careers blog.
Modules
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.
In each year, you need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits. For example, four modules worth 20 credits and one module worth 40 credits.
What you'll study
Core modules
- Devised Project – 20 credits
- Making Theatre – 20 credits
- Movement for Performance (Musical Theatre) – 20 credits
- Performance - Criticism and Analysis – 20 credits
- Performance and Society – 20 credits
- Voice and the Actor – 20 credits
Core modules
- Advanced Scene Study (Musical Theatre) – 20 credits
- Critical Contexts – 20 credits
- Musical Theatre Laboratory – 20 credits
- Musical Theatre Skills – 20 credits
- Performance Histories – 20 credits
Optional modules
- Bloody Shakespeare: The Politics and Poetics of Violence – 20 credits
- CCI Study Exchange – 60 credits
- Engaged Citizenship Through Interdisciplinary Practice – 20 credits
- Playwriting and Text for Performance – 20 credits
- Professional Experience – 20 credits
- Puritans to Postmodernists: American Literature – 20 credits
- Student Enterprise – 20 credits
Core module​​​​​s
- Alternative Theatres – 20 credits
- Applied Theatre for Young Audiences – 20 credits
- Forming a Company – 20 credits
- Major Academic Project – 20 credits
- Theatre Studies and Industries – 20 credits
Optional modules​​​​​
- Applied Theatre: Workshop Skills - 20 credits
- Musical Theatre: Special Topic - 20 credits
- CCI Placement Plus - Full Year – 40 credits
- CCI Self-Employed Placement - Full Year – 40 credits
- CCI Study Abroad - Full Year – 120 credits
- CCI Study Abroad - TB1 – 60 credits
- CCI Study Abroad - TB2 – 60 credits
- CCI Work Placement - Full Year – 40 credits
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
My confidence has ... improved because I’ve been performing on stage more and met so many new people. I’ve constantly been encouraged to try new things that had never crossed my mind before, such as tap dancing and writing for theatre.
How you're assessed
You’ll be assessed through:
- practical performance
- dramatic writing
- essays
- video productions
- group presentations
- examinations
- dissertation/project
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Teaching
Teaching methods on this course include:
- workshops
- seminars
- lectures
- one-to-one tutorials
- work placement
As well as learning the academic side of musical theatre, there's a strong focus on the practical side of performance. You'll have many opportunities to perform or put on shows both at and outside the University.
This course was the right path for me because not only does it teach me the theoretical element of musical theatre but it also gives me the opportunity to explore the practical side.
How you'll spend your time
One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.
We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means you’ll take part in both face-to-face and online activities during your studies. As well as attending your timetabled classes you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.
A typical week
We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for your musical theatre degree. In your first year, you’ll be in timetabled teaching activities such as acting lessons for 4 hours per week and lectures and seminars for 4-6 hours per week. The rest of the time you’ll do independent study such as research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group with others from your course. You'll probably do more independent study and have less scheduled teaching in years 2 and 3, but this depends on which modules you choose.
Most timetabled teaching takes place during the day, Monday to Friday. You may occasionally need to go to University and course events in the evenings and at weekends. There’s usually no teaching on Wednesday afternoons.
Term dates
The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.
Supporting your learning
The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.
You'll have regular contact with your personal tutor in learning activities or scheduled meetings. You can also make an appointment with them if you need extra support.
In addition to the support you get from your personal tutor, you’ll also have access to a Faculty student support advisor. They can give you confidential, impartial advice on anything to do with your studies and personal wellbeing and refer you to specialist support services.
You'll have help from a team of faculty academic skills tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.
They can help with:
- improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
- delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
- understanding and using assignment feedback
- managing your time and workload
- revision and exam techniques
If you need support with software and equipment or you want to learn additional skills (including skills not covered on your course), our creative skills tutors provide free workshops, activities and one-on-one tutorials. Skills you can learn include life drawing, film camera operation and video production.
Computing support staff are always available to give technical support in the Faculty's computer suites during normal working hours. There's also some support available from 5.00pm to midnight at busy times of the year.
During term time, Faculty Academic Skills Tutors (AST) are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions and online sessions. These sessions are tailored to your needs.
Support is available for skills including:
- University study
- Getting into the right study mindset
- Note-taking and note-making skills
- Referencing
- Presentation skills
- Time management, planning, and goal setting
- Critical thinking
- Avoiding plagiarism
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Our online will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,535 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £9,535 a year, including our Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £17,200 a year (subject to annual increase)
Funding your studies
Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.
Additional course costs
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Costs breakdown
Our accommodation section show your accommodation options and highlight how much it costs to live in СÀ¶ÊÓƵ.
You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
You may need to buy items such as DVDs and MiniDV tapes to use on practical units, which cost approximately £20–£30.
You’ll also need to cover:
the material costs for individual project work, which usually costs £50–£100
the costs for performance work and other practice based units, which are normally in the region of £50–£100
If you take a placement year or study abroad year, tuition fees for that year are as follows:
UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £925 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
EU students – £925 a year, including Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
International students – £1,800 a year (subject to annual increase)
Apply
Ready to apply?
To start this course in 2025, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – 2B69
- our institution code – P80
If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our .
You can also sign up to an Open Day to:
- Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
- Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
- Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
Applying from outside the UK
As an international student you'll apply using the same process as UK students, but you’ll need to consider a few extra things.
You can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.
Find out what additional information you need in our international students section.
If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the СÀ¶ÊÓƵ, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.