BA (Hons) Musical Theatre (Performance)

Train like a professional performer from day one.

Apply

Awarding partner

Duration

3 years, full-time (4 years with optional Foundation Year)

Start date

September 2027

Minimum age

18+

Fees

£10,050 per year

Course overview

The BA (Hons) Musical Theatre (Performance) at SLP College, awarded by the University of Chichester, is an intensive, practice-led degree designed to develop you into a versatile, reliable and employable performer.

You’ll train across the full range of musical theatre performance, with regular opportunities to apply skills in rehearsed and assessed performance work:

Singing & Voice: Technique, musical skills, interpretation and performance confidence.
Acting: Truthful storytelling, character, scene work and performance craft.
Dance: Strong technical foundations and the ability to learn and perform choreography effectively.
Integrated Performance: Bringing acting, singing and movement together under real rehearsal and performance conditions.

Alongside training, you’ll build your understanding of performance in context and develop the habits that matter in the industry: preparation, focus, collaboration, resilience, and the ability to respond constructively to direction and feedback.

A performer in a striped top and denim shorts dances on a pink-lit stage.

Beyond the studio

Employability and progression

Employability and professional practice

Employability is built into the course through dedicated Professional Practice learning across the degree, helping you develop the skills to move confidently into auditions and early career work. You will develop areas such as:

Audition and self-tape technique: Preparation, performance, and responding to feedback.
Professional rehearsal etiquette and sustainable working practices.
Reflective skills to track your progress and improve consistently.
Practical preparation for the working world (for example, professional materials and planning where relevant).
An understanding of the industry and realistic next steps after graduation.

Foundation Year (optional)

If you take the Foundation Year, you’ll build core performance and study skills to progress confidently onto Level 4 of the degree. It’s a supportive route for students who want a structured step into degree-level training.

Where it can lead

This course prepares you to pursue opportunities in musical theatre performance and related performance work and supports progression to further training (including postgraduate study) where appropriate.

Course structure

What you will study

OptionalBefore Year 1

Foundation Year

The Foundation Year provides an additional preparatory stage before entry onto the BA (Hons) Musical Theatre (Performance) degree. It’s ideal for students who would benefit from a focused year to strengthen technique, confidence, and professional readiness before beginning degree-level training.

This intensive, full-time year develops core skills in dance, acting, and singing, alongside academic and contextual studies that support progression to higher education.

The Foundation Year is designed for students who show potential in the performing arts but need further preparation, whether refining technical ability, building confidence, or adapting to UK training and study expectations.

On successful completion, students can progress directly onto the BA (Hons) Musical Theatre (Performance) degree at SLP College.

Foundation: Technical Skills

Students build strong technical foundations across all three performance disciplines: dance, acting, and singing. Training focuses on developing body awareness, alignment, strength, stamina, and healthy practice, giving students the physical and mental resilience required for professional-level study.

Students also receive 30-minutes weekly private singing lessons.

The emphasis is on technique, consistency, and good working habits that support long-term progress.

Introduction to Professional Practice

Introduction to Professional Practice prepares you for the demands of higher education study and professional training in musical theatre. Through structured tasks, workshops, and guided reflection, you develop the academic habits, industry awareness, and personal development plan that support your progression into Level 4.

Foundation: Integrated Performance (Ensemble)

This module brings together the three core disciplines in collaborative performance. Through scenes, large ensemble numbers, and smaller group pieces, students learn how to connect acting, singing, and movement into a single, truthful performance.

Working under the guidance of a director and musical director, they develop ensemble awareness, stamina, and professional rehearsal discipline, learning how to sustain character and storytelling through transitions between scenes and songs.

Foundation: Integrated Performance (Solo)

This module draws together all aspects of the Foundation Year training, allowing students to apply their technical, creative, and contextual skills in individual performance work. Students learn to approach material with insight and professionalism, demonstrating readiness for higher-level study.

By the end of the Foundation Year, students will have achieved a standard of performance comparable to Level 3 qualifications within the UK framework. They will be well prepared to progress onto the BA (Hons) Musical Theatre (Performance) degree.

Year 1

Core Skills

Daily training in acting, dance and singing builds your technique and confidence, while contextual studies explore how performance is created and why it matters. Professional Practice begins here, covering music theory and the healthy performer.

This year also includes in-house performance opportunities as part of your assessments.

Acting & Voice Core Skills

Character Study
British Scenes
Animal Studies
Acting Technique
Cold Reading
Script & Stagecraft
Voice
Accent

Dance Core Skills

Ballet
Jazz
Tap
Commercial

Singing Core Skills

Weekly Private Singing Lessons (30 min)
Singing Technique
Singing Repertoire
Ensemble Singing

Professional Practice 1

Music Theory
Healthy Performer
Industry Investigation
Mock Auditions

Context of Performance

The origins and development of Musical Theatre
Critical understanding of the arts, specifically musical theatre and dance

Integrated Performance 1

Large-scale company numbers and/or small group scenes and songs
Character preparation
Working with rehearsal call-sheets
Script analysis and cold-reading
Research into given scenes and shows
Evaluating the rehearsal process and performances

Year 2

Advanced Skills

In Year 2, you’ll refine your technique across all three disciplines and develop a deeper understanding of how the profession operates.

This year includes two performance projects, introduces Pantomime and Professional Practice continues, covering audition preparation, self-management and industry standards.

Acting & Voice Advanced Skills

American Scenes
Shakespeare Scenes
Radio Play
Play Performance
Acting Technique
Cold Reading
Script & Stagecraft

Dance Advanced Skills

Ballet
Jazz
Tap
Commercial

Singing Advanced Skills

Weekly Private Singing Lessons (30 min)
Singing Technique
Singing Repertoire
Ensemble Singing

Professional Practice 2

Theatre Review
Industry Awareness
Mock Auditions

Integrated Performance 2

Pantomime Project
Large-scale company numbers and/or small group scenes and songs
Character preparation
Working with rehearsal call-sheets
Script analysis and cold-reading
Research into given scenes and shows
Evaluating the rehearsal process and performances

Year 3

Professional and Performance Skills

In your final year, you’ll pitch and produce your own work, complete a personal study project and develop a clear career plan. The year includes an agent showcase in London and a full-scale in-house public musical: your opportunity to showcase your skills before graduation.

Professional Performance Skills

Specialism focus
High-intensity rehearsal-to-performance workshops and run-throughs
Build your professional performance identity
Sustainable training: warm-ups, recovery, load management and safe practice
Ongoing feedback, reflection and target-setting

Professional Practice 3

Skills audit and career direction planning
Industry know-how: castings, agents, rehearsal etiquette and working culture
Create and refine your CV, profiles and professional communications
Audition technique: briefs, recalls, notes and quick adjustments
Self-tape and online audition skills (set-up, sound, submission standards)
Mock dance, acting and singing calls that mirror real casting processes

Independent Project

Create an original project: your concept, your performance focus
Plan and manage delivery: timelines, milestones and production readiness
Develop material through creative research, rehearsal and experimentation
Collaborate and lead: communication, delegation and decision-making
Work-in-progress sharings with supervision and structured feedback
Document your journey in a learning journal (process, reflection, evaluation)

Full Musical

Audition and casting process with professional rehearsal expectations
Story and character work through table work and profiling
Music rehearsals: accuracy, style and ensemble discipline
Choreography and movement rehearsals: company numbers and detail
The full production process: call-sheets, spacing, run-throughs and notes
Technical and performance delivery leading to a public performance

Dancers in lace dresses and corsets perform an energetic group number under blue stage light.

Performers in denim and checked shirts sing together on stage in an ensemble scene.

A company of performers in khaki costumes dances across the stage, led by a performer in a green shirt.

Optional enhanced training

SLP Extra

Elevate Your Training

For students who want to go further and make the most of every opportunity, SLP Extra offers an enhanced professional training experience alongside your BA (Hons) Musical Theatre (Performance) degree.

It’s designed for ambitious performers who want to stretch every muscle, refine every skill and graduate with the broadest possible range of opportunities.

As an SLP Extra student, you’ll have extra studio hours dedicated to technique, creativity and performance development, and you’ll benefit from:

Additional dance disciplines, including Latin and Neo-Classical, expanding your versatility, stylistic range and movement vocabulary.
Full-College Christmas Show, giving you extra rehearsal and performance time in a large-scale production setting, building ensemble discipline, stamina, and the ability to deliver consistently.
Radio Play (Year 2), developing voice performance skills including character work, clarity, pacing and mic technique, and strengthening your storytelling through audio-only performance.
Musical Pitch Project (Year 3), helping you develop and present a musical concept with confidence, sharpening your creative voice, collaboration skills, and your ability to communicate ideas clearly and professionally.
Regular guest masterclasses across a range of disciplines and styles, giving you direct exposure to different ways of working, fresh creative perspectives, and opportunities to meet and work with choreographers, directors and other industry professionals.
Participation in our full-college end-of-year productions at an external theatre, giving you the chance to perform as part of a large-scale ensemble, and extending your training by 4 weeks.

SLP Extra transforms your degree into the most immersive version of SLP training. It’s for students who want to hone their craft further, challenge themselves and graduate as confident, industry-ready artists, not just strong triple-threat performers, but adaptable, employable professionals ready to stand out in a competitive industry.

Extra-curricular

SLP College offers various extra-curricular activities which students can choose to audition for and participate in. These include:

Note: Acro and Partner work classes have a small fee associated with them.

Acro
Partner Work
Move It
Can You Dance?
Cabarets

Entry requirements

Admission process

Entry is by audition and interview. We are looking for potential, commitment, and readiness for daily training in acting, singing/voice and dance. Auditions assess your current skills and, importantly, your capacity to develop quickly through intensive studio training.

Academic requirements

Home Students: Direct Entry to Year 1 (Level 4)

Academic qualifications help us judge readiness for higher education study. If you do not meet the standard requirements, we may still consider you through non-standard entry, based on your audition/interview and evidence of readiness to succeed on the programme.

We usually expect applicants to have:

GCSE English Language at Grade 4 (C) or above (or recognised equivalent), plus
Four other GCSEs at Grades 9–2 (A–E) (or recognised equivalents), and
64 UCAS tariff points (or equivalent), for example:
- A Level: CC
- Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: MPP
- Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma: MM
- Pearson T Levels: Pass (C or above)
- Other Level 3 qualifications that attract UCAS points (for example, RSL, OCR Diplomas/Extended Diplomas).
- Access to HE Diploma: 15 credits at Merit, 30 credits at Pass

Home Students: Direct Entry to Foundation Year

In addition to audition and interview, we usually expect applicants to have:

GCSE English Language at Grade 4 (C) or above (or recognised equivalent), plus
Three other GCSEs at Grades 9–2 (A–E) (or recognised equivalents).

Applicants without the above qualifications may still be considered through non-standard entry, which is assessed at audition.

All applicants must have the legal right to reside and study in the UK for the full duration of the programme.

Minimum age requirements

All applicants must be 18 or over by 31 August in the year of entry.

International students

At present, we are unable to accept applications from International or EU students, as we are not able to sponsor or support Student Visa applications.

A performer in a period costume and velvet coat delivers a dramatic moment on stage under warm light.

Audition information

Admission to SLP College is based on your audition performance, potential and commitment to training.

As part of your audition, you’ll be asked to demonstrate your skills in dance, acting, and singing. Then, you'll be interviewed by members of the faculty.

The audition process is designed to give you the chance to show your individuality, creativity and readiness for professional training.

Applicants who demonstrate exceptional talent may be offered a place regardless of formal academic qualifications.

For details about upcoming audition dates, requirements and how to prepare, see Audition information.

Fees and funding

SLP College is a funded and private fee-paying college offering a University of Chichester–validated degree alongside optional enhanced professional training through SLP Extra.

Students are eligible to apply for student finance to help cover tuition fees and living costs.

£10,050 a year

Tuition fee. Most UK students are eligible for a Tuition Fee Loan.

£500 a year

Mandatory supplementary fee. With tuition, £10,550 a year.

£1,500 a year

SLP Extra (optional). Not required to complete the degree.

Tuition fees

Tuition Fees: £10,050 per year (2027/28)

Most UK students are eligible for a Tuition Fee Loan, which covers this in full. For more information, visit Apply for Student Finance.

Students may also be eligible for a Maintenance Loan from Student Finance to help with living costs such as accommodation, food, and travel.

The amount you can receive depends on your household income and personal circumstances.

You can use the Student Finance Calculator on the GOV.UK website to estimate how much support you may be entitled to.

SLP Extra (optional)

Fee: £1,500 per year

This covers additional professional training through the SLP Extra programme.

Note: SLP Extra is optional and not required to complete the BA (Hons) Musical Theatre (Performance) degree.

Supplementary fee

In addition to your tuition fee, there is a mandatory supplementary fee of £500 per student, per year. With tuition of £10,050, the total cost of the course is £10,550 per year.

This contributes to essential production-related costs, including (but not limited to) costume, printing, lighting, sound, set, and venue hire for performances and public showcases during your course.

The supplementary fee helps ensure every student benefits from high-quality production values and professional-level performance experiences throughout their training.

Please note: This fee does not cover student uniform, dancewear, or any personal costs associated with the course. Please see additional costs below.

Additional costs

In addition to tuition and supplementary fees, students should budget for some personal and course-related expenses that are not covered by SLP College. These may include:

Uniform and rehearsal wear: Studio and rehearsal kit are compulsory. A full kit list will be provided at enrolment and includes suitable dance shoes, class-specific attire (for example, ballet uniform for ballet classes), and the SLP College uniform.
Books, stationery and equipment: Students will need basic study materials such as notebooks, pens and access to a computer or laptop for written work, research, and viewing recorded performances.
Accommodation and living costs: SLP College does not provide on-site accommodation, however we do have connections with local landlords. Students are responsible for arranging their own housing and covering daily living expenses.
Professional materials (final year): Third-year students will require a professional headshot and are expected to cover costs for Spotlight registration and other personal promotional materials. Travel to London for the Agent Showcase will also need to be budgeted for.
Graduation: Students can attend the end-of-year graduation ceremony, which includes gown hire and ticket costs. A graduation committee, made up of elected year reps, organises the graduation ceremony.