BA (Hons) Musical Theatre

Note: This course is found under the Undergraduate option when making a UCAS application NOT the Conservatoires option.

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Study BA (Hons) Musical Theatre at Leeds Conservatoire

Our Musical Theatre degree is designed to prepare performers for a sustainable career in the fast-paced Musical Theatre industry.

Through studio practice and professional training you will develop as an authentic, multi-faceted performing artist, undertaking high level acting, dance and singing training within the unique environment of a leading European music conservatoire.

 

  • Starts:
  • Duration: 3 Years
  • UCAS Course Code(s): W311
  • UCAS Institution Code: L30
  • Apply Via: UCAS Undergraduate
  • Study Mode: Full time
  • Validated By: University of Hull

Course Overview

Professional Training

Taught in small groups for your practical work and training, you will hone your skills as an actor within Musical Theatre through tuition in singing, acting, movement/mime/physical theatre and voice. Dance training will involve classes in ballet, tap and jazz, inclusive of the varying jazz styles (street, commercial, lyrical and contemporary) found in the modern industry. In your third year, you will work towards full scale Musical Theatre public performances, including an industry showcase where casting agents and industry insiders will be invited to watch you perform.

Career Focus

As a Leeds Conservatoire graduate, you will be fully prepared for a sustainable career in the Musical Theatre industry and beyond, with the skills and potential to work across various forms of theatre and screen work.

Working with practitioners from Leeds Playhouse and conservatoire staff, you will study alongside active professionals and expert Musical Theatre educators who will train you to the highest, industry standard.

Our course is professionally recognised, which will allow graduates to gain full Equity and Spotlight membership upon graduation.

Collaboration

Leeds Conservatoire’s creative environment, encompassing musicians, composers and performers, combined with our teaching and learning approach, will shape your talent and inspire your passion in preparation for the diverse world of Musical Theatre.

Purpose-built specialist facilities

Musical Theatre is taught in a bespoke building with state-of-the-art specialist facilities. With a panoramic view over the city landscape, this £60m development houses bespoke performing arts facilities for our students.

Developed by industry leaders The Studio People, state-of-the-art dance and drama studio spaces sit alongside a 180-seat purpose-built theatre. Three additional music ensemble rooms complete this exciting addition to the conservatoire’s award-winning facilities.

Career destinations

Graduates from Leeds Conservatoire have gone on to a wide variety of careers including Opera Singers, Musical Directors and more. Find out further information in our Alumni section.

“The training here is absolutely fantastic and I’ve seen so much improvement in myself since coming to study here. The tutors are amazing – they are all active in the industry and they know what we need to be successful in this world – being able to learn from their expertise has helped me progress my skills so much.” – Alex Terry, Musical Theatre student

What you will study 

Acting is central to this BA (Hons) Musical Theatre course and informs your training in both singing and dance, developing you in to a fully rounded professional musical theatre performer.  Alongside this, a professional studies strand will develop your core business skills, including showreel creation, audition technique and more. See our module specifications page for detailed module specification documents.

What You Will Study* (See Modules and Specifications)

This course is a full-time, high-contact, vocational training programme which is taught in six academic terms over three years. Contact time averages 30 hours a week, across 30 teaching weeks each year, mostly in.

The course has several distinct strands over the course of the three years.

  • Acting – Embodied, developmental actor training, acting through song, spontaneity and improvisation. 20th/21st Century European and American text.
  • Voice – Ensemble singing, singing technique, repertoire development. Spoken voice for stage. Students also have one-to-one singing tuition throughout the three years of their degree.
  • Dance – Jazz (inclusive of various styles including lyrical, commercial and Broadway), ballet and tap supported by strength and conditioning work.
  • Contextual Studies – Contextual studies lectures and practical classes will underpin and enhance your practice putting your studio work into a wider theatrical and social context.
  • Professional Studies – Including sessions on audition technique, rehearsal preparation, performance anxiety management and CV and professional showreel development. This module is designed to inspire and give students practical tools from a personal and business perspective to thrive in the professional industry
  • Performance – You will work on repertoire, including musicals and plays, throughout the degree to bring together learning from all aspects of the programme. In the third year, these productions are open to the general public and invited industry audiences.

96 UCAS tariff points from level 3 studies or equivalent, which normally include an A Level or BTEC Extended Diploma in an Acting, Music or Dance-related subject.

A minimum of three GCSEs including English Language at Grade C / Grade 4 or above or equivalent international qualification, eg IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each component).

Read our full entry requirements for more detail.

Apply via: UCAS Undergraduate (not Conservatoires)

Read our step-by-step application guide

Applicants will need to audition.

Find more audition information for UK applicants and International applicants.

Leeds Conservatoire does not charge audition fees for any Undergraduate or Postgraduate course.

Leeds Conservatoire does not charge audition fees for any Undergraduate or Postgraduate course.

We don't want travel costs to be a barrier to attending in-person auditions at Leeds Conservatoire, so help is available for many applicants where finances are an issue. Eligibility and bursary application information is available on our audition information page.

Visit our Fees and Funding section to find out more about Fees & Funding for International Students.

View our Musical Theatre kit list for clothing and equipment requirements.

If you are an international applicant, visit our dedicated International section of the website for information on:

  • How To Apply
  • Auditions
  • International Entry Requirements
  • Fees & Funding

Course Type: Undergraduate, Single Honours
Duration: 3 years
Study Mode: Full Time
Apply via: UCAS Undergraduate (not Conservatoires)
UCAS Code: W311
UCAS Institution Code: L30
Validated by: University of Hull

Leeds Conservatoire plans to apply to the Office for Students for Degree Awarding Powers. If we are granted Degree Awarding Powers, your degree may be awarded by Leeds Conservatoire rather than validated by the University of Hull.

Course Key Information Document 2020/21

“The facilities at the conservatoire are just outstanding – the rehearsal spaces are fantastic plus the access to drama online and scripts is really improving my education.” – Zoe Martin, Musical Theatre student

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Drama Facilities - Playhouse Square, Mabgate and more

Our Performing Arts students benefit from bespoke new facilities in our brand new Playhouse Square building.

Teaching will take place at our St Peters Square, Mabgate and Playhouse Square buildings as well as external teaching spaces where necessary.

We are confirming teaching spaces for 2025/26, but teaching spaces in 2024/25 also included Slung Low Theatre Company in Holbeck, Dance Studio Leeds and Yorkshire Dance.

Take a look at our custom-designed studios with panoramic views over Leeds city centre.

See Performing Arts Facilities

“Leeds is the only city outside of London to have its own internationally-renowned Ballet and Opera companies. Leeds Conservatoire is surrounded by an incredible array of leading culture and arts institutions providing an inspirational environment in which to study musical theatre.” – Professor Joe Wilson, Vice Principal and Director of Curriculum, Leeds Conservatoire

“The tutors here are phenomenal – they’re all working in the industry which keeps everything really current. They are passionate about what they do and they value us all as individuals and see our strengths.” – Niamh Hendron, Musical Theatre student

Tutor profiles

Lucy Hind
Lucy HindSenior Lecturer: Musical Theatre

Courses Taught: BA (Hons) Musical Theatre

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Victoria GimbySenior Lecturer and Postgraduate Development Lead (Performing Arts)

Senior Lecturer and Post Graduate Development Lead: Musical Theatre

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Harriet Leigh SpenceAcademic Manager - School of Drama

Courses taught: BA (Hons) Musical Theatre

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Open Days (On-Campus, Live Online & On-Demand)

Find out what it's like to study at Leeds Conservatoire by coming along to one of our Open Days. 

As well as talks and tours specific to the courses you're interested in, you can also chat to our staff and students.

Plus, get immediate access to our On-Demand Open Day.

Find out more
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Images from Recent Productions

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Musical Theatre Class of 2024

Click the button below to meet our graduates and explore the exciting next generation of Musical Theatre talent.

See our Graduating Class of 2024
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