Note: This course is found under the Undergraduate option when making a UCAS application NOT the Conservatoires option.
Open DaysLeeds Conservatoire's Actor Musicianship programme offers practical training for actors with instrumental skill. Through practical skills training in Acting, Music, Movement, Spoken and Sung Voice and Performance-based Research you will develop the skills to be a highly employable, multi-disciplinary storyteller.
Training as an Actor Musician in a conservatoire environment puts you in a unique position. You will benefit from the teaching expertise of the music conservatoire, working with 1:1 instrumental teachers and the industry professional team delivering the BA Acting programme.
Training is physical, practical and demands consistent creativity. You are required to be fearless, as you acquire new skills and challenge those you arrived with. Training includes ensemble skills classes, 1:1 instrumental lessons, music ensembles, skills in context, seminars and rehearsals; culminating in a final year season of performance that serves as your industry introduction.
Our course is professionally recognised, which will allow graduates to gain full Equity and Spotlight membership upon graduation.
The programme celebrates individualism. You will develop your acting and music skills alongside your individual artistry, practically exploring ways of sustaining a portfolio career as a multi-disciplinary artist.
As an Actor Musician you are encouraged to develop creatively as well as technically; originating work and exploring established texts. Through practical exploration you will examine the musicality in acting and the drama in music, focusing on where they interconnect.
Actor Musicianship is a collaborative artform by design and collaboration is at the core of all we do at Leeds Conservatoire. On the Actor Musician programme, students spend their first weeks of training developing an ensemble practice, transforming a cohort into a company.
Regular collaboration with BA Acting students is central to the programme design, providing students with the broadest range of experience. Actor Musicians are encouraged to collaborate with music students - through bands, music festivals, live performance and music ensembles - further developing their instrumental craft and expanding their knowledge of musical styles and genres.
We actively encourage cross programme collaboration with artists from other disciplines throughout your training, supporting our ambition for students to establish a creative network in training, originate live performance and carry both into the profession. Throughout training, students are given the opportunity to collaborate with theatre companies and leading artists in the region developing new live performance.
"Across all elements of live performance there is a surge in the demand for the actor that can make music and support their performance with a breadth of instrumentalist skill. A training in Actor-Musicianship provides a crucial tool-kit for the emerging performer. It’s also an exhilarating and thrilling training merging a myriad of art forms.” – Alexandra Spencer-Jones, Director/Artistic Director of Action to the Word
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.
The course has two core strands; Skills Training and Artistic Development. Time assigned to each adjusts each year to promote the transition from learner to independent artist.
Year 1 is dedicated to intensive skills training.
Year 2 builds on the skills from Year 1, with a focus on projects and industry partnerships.
The final year of study provides the developing artist with a bridge to the profession.
96 UCAS tariff points from level 3 studies or equivalent, which normally include an A Level or BTEC Extended Diploma in an Acting or Music-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)
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.
Visit our Fees and Funding section to find out more about Fees & Funding for International Students.
View our Actor Musician kit list for clothing and equipment requirements.
If you are an international applicant, visit our dedicated International section of the website for information on:
Course Type: Undergraduate, Single Honours
Duration: 3 years
Study Mode: Full Time
Apply via: UCAS Undergraduate (not Conservatoires)
UCAS Code: W321
UCAS Institution Code: L30
Validated by: University of Hull*
*Note for applicants and offer holders for 2022/23 entry:
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.
“With the costs of studying the performing arts going up and up, there has been much discussion about how students from outside London really struggle to attend conservatoire training because of financial barriers. It is really exciting that Leeds Conservatoire will now offer high quality training in Actor Musicianship, which will bring high calibre performers and musicians to the city of Leeds.
“As a Leeds-based, nationally renowned theatre company we look forward to partnering with Leeds Conservatoire to work with their new students.”
Rod Dixon, Red Ladder Theatre Company
Specialisms: Drama, Storytelling, Writing, Directing, Movement Direction, Multi-Discipline Performance
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Courses Taught: BA (Hons) Acting, BA (Hons) Actor Musician
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Courses Taught: BA (Hons) Acting, BA (Hons) Actor Musician, BA (Hons) Musical Theatre
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Courses Taught: BA (Hons) Acting, BA (Hons) Actor Musician
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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“As a Yorkshireman, I am thrilled by the arrival of this course at Leeds Conservatoire. As someone who works extensively with actor-musicians, I cannot stress enough the importance of the unity between these two disciplines. It supports my belief in total theatre; skilled and holistic storytelling. Such a course opens up the potential of true inclusivity in our industry. And bottom line, that means work for all of us.” – Simon Slater, Olivier-Winning Composer & Musical Director
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.
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Click the button below to meet our graduates and explore the exciting next generation of Actor Musician talent.
See our Graduating Class of 2024
