BA (Hons) Musical Theatre

BA (Hons) / Level 6 Diploma

Course Guide

Years One & Two

You will receive world-class triple-threat training in Dance, Singing and Acting.

Dance

  • Jazz
  • Ballet
  • Tap
  • Contemporary
  • Pas de Deux
  • Global Dance

Singing

  • Weekly one-to-one singing and repertoire tuition
  • Learn the correct technique and form a consistent sound
  • Learn a varied collection of songs from musical theatre and contemporary repertoires

Acting

  • Learn how to form characters and portray them with honesty
  • Control speech, movement and voice
  • Develop confidence in a range of acting styles and theatrical texts

Contextual Studies

  • Learn about the history of musical theatre
  • Discover the work of major composers, librettists, dramatists, choreographers and directors working in the field.

Performance

In the final year, students will perform two professional level shows, as well as a filmed showcase. In preparation for this, first and second years will perform a series of projects for an audience of course leaders and students.

Professional Practice

  • Career workshops with industry professionals: performers, agents, casting directors, tax specialists and Equity and Spotlight representatives
  • Audition classes with guest directors and choreographers will prepare you for the realities of the audition process, as well as inform you about how to create a strong CV and take the best headshot.

Year 1 – HE Level 4 Modules

Module MT1 Year 1 Performance
Credit value 35
Core components Dance Project
Acting Project
Singing Project
Performance Class
Musical Theatre Skills Consolidation
Song Workshop
Module MT2 Year 1 Dance
Credit value 40
Core components Jazz
Ballet
Tap
Global Dance
Ballroom Pas de Deux
Fitness
Wellbeing
Module MT3 Year 1 Acting
Credit value 40
Core components Acting
Speech and Voice
Physical Theatre
Complementary components RP and Sound Recognition
Recorded Voice
Module MT4 Year 1 Singing
Credit value 40
Core components Singing Technique
Repertoire
Ensemble
Module MT5 Contextual Studies
Credit value 5
Core components History of Musical Theatre
Critical Reflection
Professional Practice Portfolio

Year 2 – HE Level 5 Modules

Module MT6 Year 2 Performance
Credit value 35
Core components Dance Project
Acting Project
Singing Project
Performance Class/Audition
Technique
Musical Theatre Skills Consolidation
Song Workshop
CV and Photograph Workshops
Module MT7 Year 2 Dance
Credit value 35
Core components Jazz
Ballet
Tap
Pas de Deux
Global Dance
Module MT8 Year 2 Acting
Credit value 35
Core components Acting
Speech and Voice
Lift Off
Module MT9 Year 2 Singing
Credit value 35
Core components Singing Technique
Repertoire
Ensemble
Module MT10 Year 2 Contextual Studies
Credit value 5
Core components Current Musical Theatre Creative Practice
Wellbeing, Yoga and Mindfulness
Critical Reflection
Professional Practice Portfolio

Year Three

Professional Performance

Showcase the skills you have developed over your first and second year in two professional staged musicals before a paying audience. These shows take place in ArtsEd’s professionally staffed theatre (Andrew LLoyd Webber Foundation Theatre) with full sets, costumes, lighting, sound and musical accompaniment. You will work alongside professional directors, choreographers, designers and musicians from the industry, as well as stage managers and wardrobe staff.

You will then perform again in a Graduation Showcase. This is a filmed showcase, performed in the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Theatre. The showreels are then shared with agents, casting directors, and other industry practitioners.

Year 3 – HE Level 6 Modules

Module MT11 Year 3 Performance
Credit value 60
Core components Two Public Productions
Showcase (Filmed)
Critical Reflection
Module MT12 Year 3 Skills
Credit value 15
Core components Dance
Singing
Acting
Module MT13 Year 3 Professional Employment Skills
Credit value 10
Core components Auditions and Audition Class
Careers Workshop
Professional Practice Portfoli

Teaching and Learning

Course Structure and Delivery

Each year is taught in three terms:

  • Autumn term: September – December
  • Spring term: January – March
  • Summer term: April – July

Teaching

You will be taught through a combination of workshops, technique classes, rehearsals, lectures, seminars, and tutorials. Most sessions will take place in groups of 16 students. Singing & repertoire and other tutorials are offered on a one-to-one basis.

Independent Learning

When not attending timetabled classes you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study:

  • Reading plays & books
  • Listening to musicals
  • Watching performances
  • Working on individual and group projects
  • Undertake research in ArtsEd specialist library, City University of London Library and Digital Theatre Plus. Students can also join the lending library at the Barbican Centre, EC2.

Overall Workload

Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, independent study and performance/assessments. The following outlines a recommended time allocation for each year:

Teaching, learning and assessment Independent learning
Year 1 1,002 hrs 598 hrs
Year 2 1,000 hrs 450 hrs
Year 3 770 hrs 280 hrs

Academic Support

Staff will provide academic support in the following areas:

  • Study skills
  • Learning strategies
  • Academic writing
  • Research skills

Our Disability Officer is also available to help students with learning difficulties, organisation skills and mental health. Additionally, students may contact our Health & Wellbeing Officer, and Equality, Inclusivity & Diversity Officer when required.

Teaching staff

You will be taught by a highly professional teaching team with industry experience. You can learn more about them on our staff profiles.

Assessment and Feedback

You will have opportunities to test your understanding informally before you complete the formal assessments/performances that count towards your final mark.

Assessment

Year 1

  • 80% assessed on rehearsal process
  • 20% assessed on performance.
    You are required to achieve a grade of 40% or above for your rehearsal process in each project, as well as 40% or above for your classwork, and Project Journal.
    To pass Year 1 and progress to Year 2, you must have acquired 160 credits and passed each module.

Year 2

Projects in Year 2 are assessed

  • 50% assessed on rehearsal process
  • 50% assessed on performance.
    You are required to achieve an overall grade of 40% or above for each project.
    You must achieve a grade of 40% or above for your classwork, and Project Journal.
    To pass Year 2 and progress to Year 3, you must have acquired 145 credits and passed each module.

Year 3

  • Year 3 public performances are assessed 100% on performance.
  • The Showcase is assessed at 80% for the rehearsal process and 20% for the performance.
  • You are required to achieve a grade of 40% or above in each component, and pass the Production Journal and Professional Practice Portfolio.

Professional Employment Skills are marked pass/fail. You must pass all three components. To pass Year 3 and qualify for the award of BA (Hons) Musical Theatre, a student must have acquired 120 credits and passed each module.

Written assignments are assessed as pass/fail – you are required to pass them but no marks are awarded and the written work carries no weighting in your final degree mark.

The minimum pass mark for each component or module of the course is 40%.

In order to qualify for the award of BA (Hons) Musical Theatre, you must pass all modules and achieve 425 credits overall. The overall aggregate degree marks for the Honours degree will be calculated as follows:

  • Average of the four percentage marks achieved for the Year 3 Performance module: 80%
  • Final mark for Year 2: 20%

The class of the award of an Honours degree shall normally be:

BA (Hons) Acting Minimum Overall Aggregate Mark
Class I 70%
Class II upper division 60%
Class II lower division 50%
Class III 40%

An award of Ordinary Degree is not available for this programme.

Feedback

You will receive regular feedback on all classes and projects, either verbally or in writing. Feedback is intended to help your development, and you are encouraged to discuss it with your module tutor. After assessed projects and final performances we aim to provide written feedback within 20 working days.