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Musical Theatre (Full-time) (English) (BA Hons)

Cardiff
2 Years Full-time
96 UCAS Points

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

Start date:
ÃÜÌÒ´«Ã½ modes:
  • On-campus
  • Full-time
Language:
  • English
  • Welsh
Institution code:
T80
UCAS code:
Eng: MTH2 Cym: THG2
Course length:
2 Years Full-time
Entry requirements:
96 UCAS Points

Undergraduate Fees
Home (Full-time): £9,535 per year
Overseas (Full-time): £15,525 per year

Why choose this course?

01
Triple-threat Musical Theatre degree
02
Small classroom sizes
03
Taught by industry professionals

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

Learning in the Digital Era

(20 credits)

Changemakers: Building your Personal Brand for Sustainable Employment

(20 credits)

Performance Class

(20 credits)

Acting

(20 credits)

Acting for Musical Theatre 2

(20 credits)

Dance Training 1

(20 credits)

Singing 1

(20 credits)

Theatre Laboratory

(20 credits)

Audition Technique

(10 credits)

Optional 

Independent ÃÜÌÒ´«Ã½ (Retrieval)

(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

Independent Project

(40 credits)

Acting for Musical Theatre 2

(20 credits)

Creative Industries

(20 credits)

Dance Training 2

(20 credits)

Singing 2

(30 credits)

Collaborative Project

(20 credits)

Production 1

(30 credits)

Final Production

(30 credits)

Course Disclaimer

  • The modules outlined above provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent academic teaching. We continuously review our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.

    You’ll typically complete 120 credits per year of study on a full-time course. For more information visit our Student Agreement.

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

Three students practise dance moves: a swaggering step to the right with finger snaps.

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

  • 96 UCAS Tariff Points  

    e.g. A-levels: CCC, BTEC: MMM, IB: 30 and Audition 

    The UCAS tariff score is applicable to you if you have recently studied a qualification that has a UCAS tariff equivalence. UCAS provides a  for you to work out what your qualification is worth within the UCAS tariff. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

    We are interested in creative people who demonstrate a strong commitment to performance and, therefore, we welcome applications from individuals from a wide range of backgrounds. 

    We arrange auditions and interviews for all applicants to assess suitability for the chosen course. 

    ³Ò°ä³§·¡²õ  

    GCSE grade A*-C (grade 9-4 in England) in English and Mathematics is also required. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

    Admissions Advice and Support  

    We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, such as your background, experiences and individual circumstances. This is known as ‘Contextual Admissions’. For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

    English language requirements  

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

    Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses. 

    Visa and funding requirements  

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

    For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

    International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;

    For full information read our visa application and guides. â¶Ä¯â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

  • 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:

    1. Songs: 2 Musical Theatre Songs
    2. Dance: Self-tape of the following jazz exercises:
    3. Standing on the spot, 4 jazz kicks to the front and 4 jazz kicks to the side on both legs.
    4. A single pirouette in parallel to the right and to the left
    5. With turned out legs – 8 jumps in first and 8 jumps in second
    6. With parallel legs – 8 jumps in parallel first and 8 jumps in parallel second
    7. 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:

    1. 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.
    2. 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.

  • Some modules in this course are available to study through the medium of Welsh either fully or partially. In all cases students will be able to submit written assessments through the medium of Welsh.  

    If you choose to study your course either fully or partially through the medium of Welsh, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships and bursaries to support you with your studies. 

    We are continuously reviewing our Welsh medium provision, the precise availability of modules will vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course offers modules available through the medium of Welsh this may vary from year to year, and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific Welsh medium modules cannot be guaranteed.  

    Extracurricular Welsh Opportunities 

    There are many ways to engage with Welsh culture and life at UWTSD, including joining clubs and societies for Welsh speakers and becoming a member of our vibrant Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol branch. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

    Opportunities to Learn Welsh 

    We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;

  • 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.