Musical Theatre (Full-time) (BA Hons)
Our Musical Theatre degree is a two-year intensive programme that provides practical training in the essential triple-threat disciplines of acting, singing, and dancing. This course is designed to offer an industry-relevant and focused study experience, ensuring you gain the skills needed for a successful career in the musical theatre industry.
You will receive professional training from experienced industry professionals who are dedicated to developing you into a creative, independent, thinking artist. Our course aims to make you relevant to the demands of the industry today. Throughout your studies, you will gain a thorough and practical understanding of how the musical theatre industry operates. This comprehensive training ensures that you develop transferable skills that enhance your employability potential across various fields.
The course covers a wide range of topics including audition techniques, stage presence, choreography, and voice training. You will also delve into character development, scene study, and musical theatre history. The training is designed to provide you with production skills and showcase opportunities that are critical for industry networking.
Throughout the programme, there is a strong emphasis on collaboration and the creative process. You will work closely with your peers and instructors in a supportive environment, fostering your ability to work effectively in professional settings. The course also includes training in technical theatre, ensuring you have a well-rounded understanding of theatre performance and professional stagecraft.
Graduates of this programme will leave with a robust set of performance techniques, acting techniques, and artistic development skills. They will be well-prepared to pursue careers in the musical theatre industry, backed by strong industry connections and comprehensive career preparation. With opportunities for creative performance and the development of dance techniques and singing techniques, our graduates are equipped to excel in various performance opportunities on stage and screen.
Course details
- On-campus
- Full-time
- English
- Welsh
Tuition Fees 24/25
Home (Full-time): £9,000 per year
Overseas (Full-time): £13,500 per year
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
Our Philosophy
We believe in a hands-on approach to learning, combining theoretical knowledge with practical experience to ensure that you are well-prepared for the demands of the industry. Our teaching philosophy emphasises creativity, collaboration, and professional skills development.
In the first year is a period of developing core skills and techniques, you will focus on foundational skills in acting, singing, and dancing including Tap, Bale, Jazz and Contemporary dance. You will explore essential performance techniques and voice training and begin to understand the creative process and musical theatre history. Emphasis will be placed on developing your stage presence and audition techniques through practical exercises and performance opportunities.
Compulsory
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(10 credits)
Optional
(20 credits)
The second year builds on the skills learned in the first year, with a focus on advanced choreography and character development. You will refine your acting techniques, dance techniques, and singing techniques through intensive workshops and performance modules. This year also includes preparing for your Final Showcase, where you will demonstrate your abilities to industry professionals and peers.
Compulsory
(40 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(30 credits)
(20 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
Course Disclaimer
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We listen to student feedback and insights from industry and from professionals to ensure that course content is high-quality and up-to-date, and that it offers the best possible preparation for your future career or study goals.
For this reason, there might be modifications to the content of your course over time, to keep up to date with changes in the subject area or in the sector. If a module is no longer running, we’ll make sure to keep you informed, and work with you to choose a different suitable module.
testimonial
Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Facilities
Performance, Dance and Musical Theatre Facilities Cardiff
Based in Haywood house our students studying in Cardiff have access to several rehearsal studios, including a dance studio with Harlequin dance floor, portable mirrors and Ballet Barres along with a Yamaha PA system and stage piano, a recital room and a computer lab all within walking distance of the city centre.
Further information
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We would be looking for 90-120 UCAS Points.
The university may consider applicants without formal qualifications if they are able to demonstrate an exceptional level of ability and practical experience.
Online Audition Process
STEP 1: Self-tape
Musical Theatre students should prepare a self-tape with the following content:
- Songs: 2 Musical Theatre Songs
- Dance: Self-tape of the following jazz exercises:
- Standing on the spot, 4 jazz kicks to the front and 4 jazz kicks to the side on both legs.
- A single pirouette in parallel to the right and to the left
- With turned out legs – 8 jumps in first and 8 jumps in second
- With parallel legs – 8 jumps in parallel first and 8 jumps in parallel second
- Short jazz routine lasting roughly 16 bars. This should demonstrate performance quality and musicality. If you already have a recorded or filmed routine, please ensure that it is clear who you are if it is a group routine.
Make sure you state clearly at the beginning of the tapes the following info:
- Full Name
- Degree applying for
- Title of Audition Pieces
STEP 2: Interview
You will be invited to a short interview with the programme team on zoom. You must prepare the following:
- Monologue: The monologue should last no longer than two minutes and from a published play and should not be extracts from poems, novels, films or television scripts. It is advisable to choose a character that is close to your age and you should perform it in your native accent.
- The programme team will work with you on your chosen piece followed by questions.
Following a successful audition applicants will be offered a place. There are limited places available each year.
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Performances/Events
Students regularly have the opportunity to take part in performances/events throughout their degree, in which we can see the growth and application of skills and knowledge.Regular tutorials
Throughout the degree, we hold formal and informal tutorials in which each student discusses their work with the module tutor or Programme Director. We look at practical development, conceptual growth and future intentions.Presentations
Presentations normally occur at the end of a module, exhibition or performance, to measure a student’s performance against assessment criteria.Process workbooks
Students will document their process and practical work in a workbook that demonstrates their learning and individual pathway. -
You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.