The UCW Academy of Performing Arts aims to replicate the professional workplace environment. On this course you will utilise our rehearsal studios, working individually and as part of an ensemble to perform in regional theatres and also further afield.

Our unique performance opportunities is what sets us apart. In the past three years, our students have toured with productions to Sweden, debuted Broadway composer Rob Rokicki’s newest musical, workshopped Stiles & Drewe award winning new musical The Circle and also undertaken a month-long study programme in New York City working with Broadway performers and creatives.

This includes access to our industry standard tv/film studios on our Loxton Campus and to the University Centre…. You may also have access to dedicated fitness and dance studio in our Parkside Accommodations.

Please contact the course leader Kyle Davies or UCW’s HEART student services team if you have any questions. It would also be great to meet you and show you around at our next Open Day.

All of the modules on this course are compulsory and worth either 20, 40 or 60 credits each. Successful completion of all three years is worth 360 credits and will lead to the award of a degree at Level 6.

Year 1:

• Acting and Voice 1 (20 credits) 
• Ballet and Jazz Dance (20 credits) 
• Musical Theatre History and Repertoire (20 credits) 
• Musical Theatre Singing 1 (20 credits) 
• Personal Development (20 credits) 
• Tap and Musical Theatre Dance (20 credits)

Year 2:

• Acting and Voice 2 (20 credits) 
• Musical Theatre Dance Skills (40 credits) 
• Musical Theatre Performance Processes (40 credits) 
• Musical Theatre Singing 2 (20 credits) 

Year 3:

• Musical Theatre Independent Study (20 credits) 
• Professional Musical Theatre Project (60 credits) 
• The Professional Musical Theatre Performer (40 credits)

This course is taught and assessed via a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, skills classes, in-class performances of devised work, presentations, individual and group work, written assignments and public performances. UCW’s Higher Education Library Plus (HE.LP) team also deliver a series of sessions on degree-level research and academic writing to all first-year students. When not in scheduled lectures and seminars, students are also expected to continue learning through independent self-study.

This course has an average of 30 hours of scheduled teaching per week.

Assessment is via a combination of practical exams and coursework, with an assessment breakdown of 25% coursework and 75% practical exams. There are no written exams on this degree.

Students who pass this course are eligible to apply for postgraduate study, such as the Master’s Degrees in Classical Acting, Performing Shakespeare or Directing at Bath Spa University.

Graduates can also seek roles with touring theatre companies and employment in various positions in the wider entertainment industry. Roles students can progress onto after completing their degree may include:

• Performer in musicals
• Performer on cruise ships
• Stage management roles
• Front of house/management in theatres
• Teaching in schools
• Running their own businesses such as performance schools

Industry insight

£1.28 billion was generated in ticket sales for performances in theatres in 2018 (UK Theatre).

• A level - CDD
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MMP
• Access to HE Diploma - M: 30 credits
• T Level - M
• We will contact all applicants short listed for audition by email with full details.

We try to ensure that all as many costs for the programme you will study will be included within your tuition fees. We will endeavour to keep any additional costs you may have to pay to a minimum and some of the extra costs may be considered optional where it is deemed extra to your programme. 

To be clear, your tuition fees pay for the following: 

• All teaching and lectures  

• Use of specialist facilities at UCW 

• Specialist Guest Lectures at UCW 

• Annual photocopying budget of £10 

• Use of computer equipment at any UCW campus  

• Access to Microsoft 365 whilst enrolled at UCW. 

• Access to careers advice during and after completion of your programme of study. 

• Use of Libraries and access to Journal databases, e-books and physical books. 

Additional Costs that will need to be incurred to study your programme: 

Each student on the BA (Hons) Musical Theatre degree  could incur: 

• Photography costs for headshots and body shots. Costs vary from £25-£250+ 

• Dance wear suitable for all styles you will be training in. Costs vary significantly depending upon what dance wear you might already possess and your chosen retailer. Standard costs start at £50. 

• Purchase of sheet music to support your study and assessment. Annual costs for students are usually £20-£50. 

Additional costs that you may incur should you wish to: 

• Student membership to Spotlight in your third year. Current cost is £129.60. 

• Visits/Exhibitions that are seen as optional. Total costs are usually £30-£50. 

• Cost of travel to any extra-curricular events such as performances in Bristol or London. Total costs are usually around £150. 

• Residentials that are seen as programme enhancement and are thus optional. Costs in 2023/34 were around £160 for third year students. 

• Additional videographer costs for showreel. Costs vary significantly from £50-£250+ 

• Participation in the Turing Scheme in your third year. In 2024 students participated in our New York with a cost of £1800.    

• Extra photocopying and printing above the initial £10 

• The cost of books you may wish to purchase. 

Course handbook

UCW Terms and Conditions

Bath Spa University Terms and Conditions

Programme Specification