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Solent Unviersity Southampton logo

BA (Hons)Musical Theatre

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Starting in2024
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UCAS code: WW31
Institution code: S30
Campus: Southampton City CentreView on Google Maps

Why study a musical theatre degree at Solent University

Take centre stage at university by developing your stage technique with tutors who have worked professionally in musical theatre.

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  • Perform two live public musical theatre shows in your second year and be part of a season of musicals at a local theatre in your final year.
  • Get access to rehearsal spaces as well as an additional 64-seat flexi-form space on campus, which can be used for live performances.
  • Hear from top industry professionals. Recent guest speakers include representatives from West end lead Earl Carpenter (Valjean in Les Mis, Phantom in Phantom of the Opera); Will Holyhead (Associate director The King and I, Curtains) Equity, Spotlight, The Point Theatre.
  • Collaborative study and work with students from our film, television, make-up, animation, fashion and photography programmes.
  • All students on our courses are eligible for Equity membership at a much-reduced student rate. Not all courses offer this opportunity. This will allow you to access essential career resources such as information on casting, contracts, and pay, and to create a personal profile on their website.

Course overview

With a key focus on employability and developing your creative skills, you will receive training in up-to-date acting techniques, vocal coaching based on contemporary vocal techniques, and a range of dance techniques. You will also have the opportunity to develop your skills in related areas, such as directing, theatre in education, and stage combat.

You will learn from an experienced, welcoming and helpful teaching team who have been professionally engaged in the performing arts across a wide range of disciplines.

Thanks to the course team's close links with industry, you’ll have the chance to gain practical experience working with local institutions on live briefs. Our industry links can create exciting partnerships with professionals and guest lecturers including actors, directors, and career guidance professionals who will share their unique insights, including our Associate Professor, Earl Carpenter (Les Mis, Phantom of the Opera).

Studying musical theatre at Solent combines practical performance skills with academic study (no formal exams) to help you identify potential career directions in the creative industries. Whatever direction you choose to follow, musical theatre at Solent offers an exciting and collaborative starting point.

Spotlight, the leading casting platform, and Equity, the performers union, worked together to create guidelines for drama school and university courses. Our course has been recognised as fulfilling these guidelines, allowing our third-year students to become both Spotlight Graduate members and obtain Equity’s full membership.

During your studies you will be eligible for Student Equity membership at a much-reduced rate and Equity’s full membership upon graduation. This will allow you to access essential career resources such as information on casting, contracts, pay, and to create a personal profile on their website.

As a Spotlight Graduate Member, you can receive tailored events to help nurture your transition from training to the industry, as well as discounted membership for the first two years of your career.

During your third year, one student is nominated by course staff to compete for the Spotlight Prize, with a chance to win a cash prize and perform at an industry event in front of an expert panel of judges.

In the final year, you can participate in an industry-standard performance showcase in London, providing the perfect opportunity to present yourself to the industry and develop professional networks that will help launch your career in the performing arts. Our showcase is listed on the Spotlight Performance Calendar, making it visible to casting directors and agents.

Any questions?

Contact UK admissions

Email: admissions@solent.ac.ukCall: 023 8201 5066

Contact international admissions

Email: admissions.international@solent.ac.ukCall: +44 (0)23 8201 5066

Recognised by:

Spotlight logo

Course features

  • Specialist facilities

    This course has access to specialist facilities

  • Top-up option

    If you have an appropriate Level 5 qualification, you can top it up to a degree in just a year

  • Further studies

    After successfully completing your studies, there's an opportunity to continue your studies at Solent

  • Study abroad

    You have the opportunity to study abroad in one of our partner universities for a semester on this course

Who is this course for?

Solent’s musical theatre degree is ideally suited to students with a passion for musical theatre arts and a desire to work in a performance related area. Strong communication and team building skills make our students highly desirable for employers across of range of industries. Applicants will ideally have some previous experience and/or qualifications in drama and will be required to present an audition.

What does this course lead to?

The nature of this degree prepares students for a career in the performing arts. Our alumni have gone on to post-graduate studies, teaching, cruise ship entertaining, theatre and/or screen acting, theatre in education, children's’ entertaining and more.

Solent stories

Hear from Solent alumni about where their careers have taken them and how studying at Solent prepared them for their future.

I was given the opportunity to gain a vast amount of experience through various recorded and live performance projects

Francessca Rusling

Francessca Rusling

Graduate

Meet the team

Course tutors are academic and/or industry professionals whose knowledge and contacts provide you with an invaluable resource for understanding contemporary trends and opportunities in the performing arts. In addition, visiting lecturers provide further insight into current workplace practice. Our focus on employability ensures that you leave us with the skills and confidence to realise your career ambitions.

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.

Facilities

Students have access to a variety of rehearsal spaces including rehearsal rooms, studios with sprung floors, and a 64-seat flexi-form space on campus, which can be used for live performances. Students will be able to use the University's collection of musical equipment, including a piano, electronic keyboards and portable stereo systems.

Away from studying, why not try out the gyms, fitness studios and sports halls in our £28 million Sports Complex, or watch a blockbuster film at our student-run cinema with Dolby Atmos audio.

    International opportunities

    Broaden your horizons by adding an international dimension to your CV – essential to achieving success in today’s fast-changing, global environment.

    Studying, working or volunteering in another country could be the experience of a lifetime. Enhance your degree by developing important global skills such as knowledge of other countries, language skills, intercultural awareness, adaptability and confidence.

    For more information, please email international.mobility@solent.ac.uk.

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