BA (Hons) Musical Theatre

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If you dream of being in the cast of a West End or Broadway musical, Solent’s dynamic BA (Hons) Musical Theatre degree will help you build your practical performance skills, industry knowledge, and a great work portfolio to kick-start your career in the exciting world of musical theatre.

This course prepares students for a career in performing arts by combining training in singing, dancing and acting with the academic study of musical theatre performance and production, enabling them to become well-rounded musical theatre performers.

Students also have the chance to develop skills in related areas such as directing, education and wellbeing, and take part in extended dance, vocal or instrumental training. With support from the course team, students are encouraged to develop their professional talents by focusing on audition and interview techniques, vocal skills and CV writing.

In their final year, students have the opportunity to participate in our London Showcase, providing the perfect opportunity to present themselves to the industry and develop professional networks that will help launch their career in the performing arts.

The course team has a broad range of international and national industry experience, but students will also hear from external guest speakers such as actors, directors, singing coaches and theatre reps, who share their unique insights. There are also opportunities to work with local professional theatres such as the Nuffield Theatre, The Point theatre and the Solomon Theatre Company, giving students industry feedback on their work and building professional contacts.

The course provides comprehensive practical training for a career in musical theatre. Students may benefit from professional connections with local theatres and visiting industry professionals.

What does this course lead to?

The popularity of musical theatre has soared in recent years and there is a wealth of opportunities for talented performance artists. This course offers excellent preparation for a career as a musical theatre performer and also in broader areas such as screen acting, radio presenting, directing and teaching.

Who is this course for?

This course is perfect for aspiring performers who wish to begin a career on the stage in musical theatre. Candidates will be expected to prepare audition pieces to accompany their application.

Tuition fees

The 2019/20 tuition fees are not yet available. For guidance, the 2018/19 fees were:
UK and EU full-time fees: £9,250 per year
International full-time fees: £12,500 per year

For further information, please visit our tuition fees page.

Bursaries and scholarships

Solent University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships that provide financial assistance or waive fees for tuition or accommodation. Each bursary or scholarship has specific eligibility criteria. Check out our bursaries and scholarships pages to find out more.

Graduation costs

Graduation is the ceremony to celebrate the achievements of your studies. For graduates in 2018, there is no charge to attend graduation, but you will be required to pay for the rental of your academic gown (approximately £45 per graduate, depending on your award). You may also wish to purchase official photography packages, which range in price from £15 to £200+. Graduation is not compulsory, so if you prefer to have your award sent to you, there is no cost.

112 UCAS tariff points from A-levels or equivalent

A-levels, a BTEC Extended Diploma at DMM or BTEC Diploma at D*D* or equivalent.
UK applicants are required to attend an audition – applicants will be required to prepare one contemporary monologue and a song from a piece of musical theatre. They should also be prepared to learn/follow an unprepared dance routine.
Applicants from outside the UK will be required to send electronic auditions.
Direct entry into the second or third years may be considered for this course.
Applicants over the age of 21 may be considered based on relevant experience, without having the required tariff points.
Additional entry is available through the Performance Foundation Year.

We welcome applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds. Applicants who are not in possession of the minimum entry requirements but are able to demonstrate aptitude, enthusiasm and motivation will be considered on an individual basis and may be admitted subject to satisfactory interview and/or portfolio. Please contact us for further details.

English language requirements

Applicants who do not have English as their first language will be required to demonstrate an approved level of proficiency in the use of the English language. The agreed minimum requirements for this course are:

IELTS minimum 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each individual component
TOEFL IBT minimum 80 with a minimum of 19 in each individual component
or equivalent.

Qualifications are checked before enrolment, and international students must bring their original certificates or certified copies when coming to study at the University.

The University also offers a pre-sessional English programme for international students who wish to improve their level of English before starting a degree course.

The team

Our course team has a broad range of international and national industry experience, but you’ll also hear from external guest speakers such as actors, directors, singing coaches and theatre reps, who share their unique insights. Course tutors are academic and/or industry professionals whose knowledge, industry experience and contacts provide you with...

The team

Our course team has a broad range of international and national industry experience, but you’ll also hear from external guest speakers such as actors, directors, singing coaches and theatre reps, who share their unique insights.

Course tutors are academic and/or industry professionals whose knowledge, industry experience and contacts provide you with an invaluable resource for learning musical theatre skills, supporting academic achievement and understanding opportunities in the performing arts industry. In addition, visiting lecturers provide specialist training and further insights into the professional workplace. Our focus on employability ensures that you leave us with the skills and confidence to pursue your career ambitions.
Transferable skills

Students have the opportunity to gain a wide knowledge of the musical theatre field and develop key transferable skills in creative thinking, researching, writing and presenting.
Assessment

The course has a strong focus on practical assignments, including live performances and presentations. There are also written assignments, including essays, journals and a research project.
Study abroad

The Erasmus+ programme may give you the opportunity to spend between a term and a year of your course studying abroad at one of our partner universities, or undertaking a work placement for a company in Europe. For more information visit www.solent.ac.uk/exchange If you are a student at one of our Erasmus partner...

Study abroad

The Erasmus+ programme may give you the opportunity to spend between a term and a year of your course studying abroad at one of our partner universities, or undertaking a work placement for a company in Europe.

For more information visit www.solent.ac.uk/exchange

If you are a student at one of our Erasmus partner institutions in Europe, then you may have the opportunity to come to the UK and study performance units at Solent for either a single term or a full academic year as part of your degree programme.

If you’re studying outside Europe, then you may be able to study with us as an exchange student if there is a partnership agreement in place. If you are studying at a university which does not have a partnership agreement with us, then you could apply to study at Solent under our Study Abroad programme.
The industry

Music, performing and visual arts was one of the fastest-growing areas of employment between 2011 and 2015, with an increase of 34%, according to recent figures released by the UK Government in June 2016, and the creative industries as a whole are now worth almost £10m per hour to the...

The industry

Music, performing and visual arts was one of the fastest-growing areas of employment between 2011 and 2015, with an increase of 34%, according to recent figures released by the UK Government in June 2016, and the creative industries as a whole are now worth almost £10m per hour to the UK economy according to GOV.UK figures released in January 2016.
The growth in the study of performing arts continues, with overall applications for further education in drama growing by 2.26% in the 2015-2016 academic year. The growth in mixed-media and multi-media is presenting new, exciting opportunities and challenges for the sector.
Student support and services

Student welfare - Solent University is committed to giving you the best possible educational experience during your time with us. As such we have a number of support services and policies set up covering funding, careers and employability, chaplaincy, counselling, international advice, student affairs, key academic skills, disability support and...

Student support and services

Student welfare - Solent University is committed to giving you the best possible educational experience during your time with us. As such we have a number of support services and policies set up covering funding, careers and employability, chaplaincy, counselling, international advice, student affairs, key academic skills, disability support and general student advice. Find out more about our approach to student welfare.

University facilities - You will have access to a modern, comfortable and efficient study environment, including the Mountbatten library and learning resource centres. Solent offers a wide variety of sports halls, gyms and sports equipment, plus superb IT, media, and cutting-edge specialist facilities. Find out more about our first-class facilities here.

Living in Southampton - Southampton is a modern, vibrant student city brimming with arts and culture, top high street brands, green spaces and a buzzing nightlife. Studying at Solent means that you’ll be at the very heart of it. Find out more about being a student in Southampton.

Solent Students’ Union - Run by students for students, Solent Students’ Union is on hand to offer independent advice and support while you’re at university. Visit the Students’ Union website for more information.

Study location

East Park Terrace

Got a question about this course?

Contact our Ask Solent team:

admissions@solent.ac.uk 023 8201 5066

How to apply

Any student applying for the first year of a full-time/sandwich undergraduate course must apply through UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service). This includes mature, overseas and EU students.

Nearly all schools and colleges offer their students the facility of applying electronically through the UCAS website using 'Apply'; it may also be used by those applying independently in the UK and overseas. This facility and all course information can be found on the UCAS website: www.ucas.com.

Your application should reach UCAS by January if you hope to enter a course the following autumn. Early application is advised for the most popular subject areas. Late applications may be made until June. The UCAS Code for the University is S30, code name SOLNT.

Please click the links below to apply through UCAS:

Mode of study	Duration	Apply
Full-time	3 years	Apply

Performance Foundation Year route:

Mode of study	Duration	Apply
Full-time	4 years	Apply

How to apply

Core units

Histories and Contexts 1: The American Musical
Histories and Contexts 2: the West End and Beyond
Core Skills: Body and Voice
The Self and Text 1
Approaches to Musical Theatre
Directed Production Project

Core units

Musical Theatre and Identity
Musical Theatre Inside and Out
Professional Performance Skills - Live Brief
Stage and Screen Production
Performance Techniques

Options

Performance and Wellbeing
Creative Arts in Education
Directing Performers
Musical Theatre
Performance in the Digital Age

Please note: Not all optional units are guaranteed to run each year.

Core units

Major Production Live Brief
Creative Industries Research Project
The Solo Performer
Careers in the Creative Industries

Options

Creative Arts in Education
Performance and Wellbeing
Directing Performers
Musical Theatre
Performance in the Digital Age

Please note: Not all optional units are guaranteed to run each year.

Programme specification document

Web-based learning

Solent's virtual learning environment provides quick online access to assignments, lecture notes, suggested reading and other course information.

The Student Hub

The Student Hub is a central space where you can access all of the information and support you need during your time at University.

Professional and experienced staff can help resolve any query, and if they cannot answer the question themselves they will find the person who can.

Career support

Maggie Tarver Course Leader View profile

Matt Fletcher Senior Lecturer View profile

Michael Goron Associate Lecturer View profile

Annie Sanger-Davies Associate Lecturer View profile

The university cannot guarantee any particular members of staff will teach specific aspects of the course in the future, but will endeavour to ensure the teaching team maintains their balance of experience and qualifications.

Students have full access to a variety of rehearsal spaces including rehearsal rooms and a dance studio with sprung floor, as well as an additional 200-seat flexi-form space on campus, which can be used for live performances. Final productions take place in a professional theatre venue. Performance students can also use the University's three multi-camera television studios with green-screen technology, additional television studio space and radio recording studios. The University is also in negotiations to further expand resources for the performance degrees by offering a high-quality professional space in the city.

Students will be able to use the University's extensive collection of musical equipment, including a piano, electronic keyboards and portable stereo systems, as well as technical equipment including Panasonic 151 HD cameras, rifle mikes, tripods and monitors, radio microphones, a mixing desk, and dictaphones for interviews and research.

On-site library facilities include a range of industry specific books, articles, journals, DVDs and audio-visual resources to support research.

Students have the opportunity to take part in a West End Showcase in their final year and the course helps to prepare students for entry into the professional world through auditions, CVs and photos.

360°Virtual tour

Graduates could go on to do postgraduate training in acting and various practical skills at other training institutions. They could pursue Masters degrees in areas of specialisation such as musical theatre, music theatre, acting, directing, creative writing, applied theatre and drama-therapy.

The theory side of the course underpinned the practical aspects that we were learning and allowed us to experiment with different approaches to performing.

Neil Gibbs, Graduate
I was offered a wide and varied range of experiences and opportunities. Over the three years I was taught a variety of skills, from running a lighting rig or shooting and editing film to writing full-length plays. Our tutors were supportive and yet encouraged us to stand on our own two feet.

Thomas Jancis, Graduate

The course team works closely with their industry partners to ensure professional standards are aimed for and real industry feedback is obtained. The team work directly with the industry to make sure students get the most relevant and up-to-date training for the contemporary performing arts. Our staff offer a broad range of international and national industry experience to ensure that you benefit from professional expertise.

There are opportunities to work with local professional theatres such as the Nuffield Theatre, The Point theatre and the Solomon Theatre Company, giving students industry feedback on their work and building professional contacts.