This is a dynamic and intensive course, which is centred on vocational practice where students learn, develop and apply skills in acting, dance and singing.
We are continually excited by the curriculum opportunities we provide for our students as part of the course. Watching the development of the students across the three years and then progress into either industry or Postgraduate study is both rewarding and exciting. We are passionate about our subject and along with a great team of practitioners, look forward to helping you in your musical theatre and performance careers.
As part of the course, you will perform in regional and national venues, trained and guided by experienced staff who ensure that your work is seen by industry agents and other professionals. Arts Theatre London, Leicester Square Theatre London, Brighton Fringe Festival, Battersea Barge London, Mercury Theatre Colchester and The Other Palace London are some of our regular performance venues.
Want to find out more?
Come and meet our staff on an Open day, or contact us directly to arrange an individual visit.
Your profile
You possess the drive, stamina, confidence and talent to pursue an electrifying career in musical theatre. Your curiosity is matched only by your creativity. You are bold, brave and born to take the stage. With a passion to succeed in musical theatre, you will have a level of skill and/or experience in the required disciplines and are prepared to audition your skills to a panel of staff and show the ability to take direction.
Your subject
As technology evolves and entertainment mediums shift, the art of musical theatre endures. Touring shows, London’s West End and New York City’s Broadway are powerhouses in the entertainment industry, and the pinnacle of live performances. Successful musicals can run for decades and recent enthusiasm for the stage has encouraged even more shows to premier. This popular pastime has developed into a global multi-billion pound industry that is yours for the taking.
Your course
BA (Hons) Musical Theatre at University Centre Colchester is a dynamic, intensive and professional degree programme that will provide you with the acting, singing and dance skills necessary for sustainable employment within the creative industries. The programme has a strong emphasis on practical training, supported by reflective and theoretical practice. The course reflects the nature of work within the performing arts industries, which requires flexibility, diversity of skills, technical competence and the ability to respond to changing trends. You will be taught by experienced staff and industry guests who will deliver the required skills and theatre projects. As part of the programme, you will perform at regional and national venues, such as Colchester’s Headgate Theatre, Leicester Square Theatre, Brighton Fringe Festival, Battersea Barge in London, Colchester’s Mercury Theatre and The Other Palace in London.
Your future
Once you graduate, you will leave with a range of skills to ensure you have a prosperous career within the performing arts. The transferable skills you will gain include research, communication and confidence, enabling you to move into other roles across the creative arts industry. Recent graduates include Karis Jack (Les Misérables, West End 2017-18), David Michael Hands (Blue Man Group, Las Vegas 2018-19 and Jersey Boys, International Tour 2018) and Fred Smiley (Kinky Boots, UK Tour 2018-19).
Undergraduate courses operate on a modular basis that provides flexibility and choice. Each module is worth a specified number of credits, with most modules counting for 30/40 or 15/20 academic credits (depending on the programme), with each credit taken equating to a total amount of study time which includes scheduled teaching, independent study and assessment activity.
Most full-time students will take modules worth 60 credits per semester, with part-time students taking proportionately fewer credits per semester. A total of 120 credits per level and 360 credits are needed for an honours degree as a whole. Overall grades for the course and degree classification are based on the marks obtained for modules taken at levels 5 and 6.
Our teaching is informed by research, professional practice and industry engagement and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline.
Normally students on this course will have 96 UCAS points* or greater. All applicants will be auditioned in acting, dance and singing to demonstrate ability and potential.
Click here to find out more about the audition:
BA (Hons) Musical Theatre Audition Book 2023
*UCAS Tariff points where shown, are for entry on to higher education programmes starting from September 2023.
International applicants
If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 6.0, with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking), or an equivalent English Language qualification.
Additional requirements for International Students:
Graduates from this course have gone to work in London’s West End and in many venues and productions around the world. Others have pursued postgraduate training at Masters level at institutions such as the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, the Royal Academy of Music, Guildford School of Acting, Musical Theatre Academy, American Musical Theatre Academy, Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, Arts Educational School, London School of Musical Theatre, Italia Conti and Northern School of Contemporary Dance. We also have a number of graduates who have gone into the teaching profession at schools and colleges nationwide.
Career Opportunities
A wide variety of careers is possible including performance, leisure and entertainment industry, arts administration, workshop leadership and education.
Timetables: Timetables are normally available one month before registration. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week. Part-time classes are normally scheduled on one or two days per week.
Teaching and Learning: You are taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and practicals. Seminars enable smaller group discussions to develop understanding of topics covered in lectures.
When not attending lectures, seminars and practicals or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-directed study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, learning zone or technical learning resources, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for examinations
Assessment: The course provides you with opportunities to test your understanding of the subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module normally contains at least one piece of practice or ‘formative’ assessment for which you receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark.
There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. Assessment methods include written examinations and a range of coursework assessments such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations and your final year major project. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.
Feedback: You will receive feedback on all practice assessments and on formal assessments undertaken by coursework. Feedback is intended to help you learn and you are encouraged to discuss it with your module tutor.
All Fees and prices shown on the website are for courses starting in the 2023-24 academic year and are correct at the time of entering/printing information, however these may be subject to change. The College cannot accept legal or financial liability as a result of any such changes.
The course information describes programmes offered by University Centre Colchester at Colchester Institute. The College takes all reasonable steps to provide courses as described, but cannot guarantee provision. The information is for guidance and does not form any part of a contract.
The College reserves the right to update and amend information as and when necessary. University Centre Colchester at Colchester Institute will do its best to provide the courses shown, but may have to modify or withdraw a course depending on customer demand and other factors.