The BA (Hons) Musical Theatre (Performance) (Top-Up) at SLP College, awarded by the University of Chichester, is a one-year Level 6 programme for performers who have already completed substantial training at Level 5 and are ready to finish a full honours degree while working at a higher standard.
This top-up year is designed to sharpen what you already have: greater consistency, clearer professional identity, and the habits and skills that employers in this industry look for.
You'll refine advanced skills across the full range of musical theatre, with regular opportunities to apply technique through rehearsed and assessed performance work:
At Level 6, you'll be expected to work with greater independence and artistic ownership. You'll set your own performance focus, manage your own practice, and take real responsibility for the quality of your work, alongside developing the professional habits that matter in rehearsal rooms and audition spaces: preparation, focus, collaboration, resilience, and the ability to respond well to direction and feedback.
Employability and professional practice
Professional practice runs throughout the year as part of how you train. You'll develop:
Where it can lead
This year prepares you to move into auditions and early professional opportunities in musical theatre performance and related work. It can also support progression to postgraduate study.
Apply >The core of the year. You'll select one discipline; acting, singing/voice, or dance, as your principal focus, and develop advanced performance craft in that area while maintaining strong, reliable practice across the other two. The aim is a clear professional performance identity: knowing what you bring, being able to deliver it consistently, and understanding how to position yourself for the industry.
You'll research the industry, identify where you fit, and build the professional materials to get there: CV, Spotlight profile, audition preparation, self-tape technique, and a realistic career development plan. Workshop activity simulates real audition processes, including mock dance calls, singing calls, and online submissions.
A self-initiated, small-scale performance project that you plan, develop, rehearse and deliver. You'll work collaboratively with peers, but you're assessed individually on your artistic choices, your project management, and your ability to reflect critically on the process. It's a chance to work on material that matters to you, on your terms, at Level 6 standard.
The year ends with a full-scale musical production, presented publicly, working with a professional director, musical director, and choreographer. From audition and casting through to performance, this is the closest thing to a professional production process your training can offer. You'll join SLP College's Year 3 cohort for this production, performing alongside students on the full BA programme and, for eligible students, attending the agent showcase in London.
For students who want to go further and make the most of every opportunity, Degree Plus offers an enhanced professional training experience alongside your BA (Hons) Musical Theatre (Performance) (Top-Up) 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 a Degree Plus student, you’ll have extra studio hours dedicated to technique, creativity and performance development, and you’ll benefit from:
Degree Plus 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.
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.
Entry is by audition and interview. We're looking for strong underlying technique, a professional attitude, and clear readiness to work at Level 6 intensity. The audition assesses your current skills and, importantly, your capacity to sustain high standards in rehearsal and performance while working with increasing independence.
We usually expect applicants to have:
If you don't meet the standard requirements, we may still consider you through non-standard entry, based on your audition, interview, and evidence that you can succeed at Level 6.
You'll normally also have GCSE English Language at Grade 4 (C) or above (or a recognised equivalent).
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.
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 >
Applications for the BA (Hons) Musical Theatre (Performance) (Top-Up) can be made directly to SLP College via the Apply page on our website.
We’re in the process of joining UCAS, and this page will be updated once that service goes live. You don’t need to wait; you can apply directly now to be considered for the next intake.
Apply >SLP College is a funded and private fee-paying college offering a University of Chichester–validated degree alongside optional enhanced professional training through Degree Plus.
Students are eligible to apply for student finance to help cover tuition fees and living costs.
