Home Courses Stage and Screen BA (Hons) Musical Theatre (Triple Threat)
'Just So' production

Present fully-scaled productions with professional production teams

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WW34
3 years Full Time; or 1 year top up Full Time
Bognor Regis Campus

Top 40

UK University

The Guardian University Guide 2024

Gold

rated university in the Teaching Excellence Framework

TEF 2023

90%

teaching satisfaction

National Student Survey 2023

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Overview

Internationally-respected musical theatre training with guaranteed performance opportunities

With an international reputation for excellence, our BA (Hons) Musical Theatre (Triple Threat) course provides you with strong industry links, guaranteed performance opportunities, and the ability to work with professional practitioners as you study dance, acting and singing.

Receive highly-practical musical theatre training

You will receive training in every aspect of Musical Theatre and focus on developing your technique and skills in acting, singing and dance equally.

You will access vocal masterclasses, one-to-one singing lessons, ensemble, singing and acting through song. Dance will include tap, jazz, contemporary, body con, ballet, and Matt Mattox. Your acting classes will include technique (Meisner and Stanislavski), improvisation and devising, script work, dialect, acting for camera, and Shakespeare.

Guaranteed performance opportunities in fully-staged productions

You will join a cohort of over 400 student performers across the University of Chichester Conservatoire and showcase public performances with professional production teams for regional tour and major art festivals as well as premiering new commissions.

At the end of your first year, you will take part in an ensemble showcase presentation assessment and an informal audition to be placed into one of two companies during your second year. These auditions lead to a public performance in The Alexandra Theatre, Bognor Regis in your second year.

'Just So' production

Learn the fundamentals of theatre production

For those interested, the course also offers optional stage management, technical and producing routes in a range of backstage and front of house activities, giving practical experience in stage management, sound, lighting, design, costume, and arts management and producing.

Star in your professional showcase and kickstart your career

In your third year, you will perform one of three shows, performing in professional venues across the South East region, audition at an agent panel day and at the end of the year have the chance to perform in a Graduate Showcase in London.

You will graduate with a professional showreel, headshots and a vocal rep folder, giving you everything you need to start your career within the performance industry.

Mark Ward

Director of leading West End agency Belfield and Ward
"This is a course we recognise as providing the training needed for the level of actor that we represent."

Spotlight accredited

Our Spotlight accreditation offers you discounted graduate membership to largest casting resource in the United Kingdom, inclusion in a dedicated ‘graduate’ section of their website, access to their dedicated one-to-one career advice sessions, and much more.

Spotlight logo

On this course you will:

  • Gain a comprehensive and internationally-renowned musical theatre training
  • Perform in multiple fully-staged productions as you become part of your own company
  • Have the opportunity to learn the key aspects of theatre production and management
  • Star in a professional showcase as you develop connections with industry professionals to boost your career.
  • Learn from expert and experienced teaching staff

The Course

Develop your acting, singing and dance skills as you experience company life

Year One

In your first year you will develop your acting, singing and dance skills through technical classes and build you foundational knowledge for the rest of your degree.

Year Two

Become part of a company

Alongside your technical development classes, you will be placed in two companies and over the course of the year will engage in a fully-staged performance at The Alexandra Theatre, a professional 350-seater theatre venue in Bognor Regis, and will participate in a series of practical research projects (MT Lab) in the University’s own studio space, The Assembly Theatre.

Explore additional specialisms

In addition, can start to specialise in either Stage Management or Arts Management. You will undertake additional practical tasks as part of the chosen specialism and choose complementary contextual or theoretical modules to support your work. You will receive professional mentoring and hands on experience in your chosen specialism to enhance your training.

Year Three

In your third year you will be placed into one of three companies. You will continue to complete technical classes in acting, singing and dance and undertake a weekly specialist workshop programme run by external practitioners covering a range of areas in preparation for the industry. There are also two Teaching modules available to take as an option open to all students on a selection basis.

If you are studying the stage or arts management course route you will study affiliated contextual modules. You will continue to gain hands on experience under the mentoring of professional practitioners.

This list is indicative and subject to change.

Select a year

Acting Development

You will develop fundamental skills in theatre performance, connection to and understanding of self, truthfulness and character. You will achieve this through acting exercises and techniques, for example, Stanislavski, Meisner, improvisation as well as through narrative and script work as an individual and ensemble performer.

Dance Development

This module focuses on the development of ensemble skills, with an additional examination of the different performance styles of jazz, tap, contemporary and ballet.

You will begin with a focus on the correction and development of alignment, posture, core, and upper body strength through the regular engagement with dance tutors and choreographers. You will then move on to prepare for fully staged production.

Training is in a range of styles which will develop versatility in performance to include specific knowledge of dynamics, use of space and the stage space and the relationship with other dancers.

Introduction to Musical Theatre

The module introduces you to key skills in examining repertoire drawn from succeeding periods of musical theatre history, supporting an examination of musical structure with a parallel focus on developments in dance and drama within the genre.

Musical Grammar 1

This module will introduce, reintroduce and familiarise you with a range of aspects of musical structure and its notation. Alongside this, you will present and discuss your work, both individually and in groups – enhancing skills in teamwork and presentation, and building confidence.

Musical Grammar 2

This module builds on the knowledge you have accrued on music grammar and deepens your understanding of key elements of musical structure. You will continue to present and discuss your work, both individually and in groups – enhancing skills in teamwork and presentation, and building confidence.

Professional Resilience

This module will explore a range of different strategies designed to offer support to the emerging arts practitioner and will introduce students to a number of different models of successful self-development.

Singing Development

This vocal development module focuses technical study where you will explore a variety of skills particular to the students’ individual voice. Your skills and technique are strengthened and nurtured to support stylistic and dramatic choices which are expressed in solo and ensemble repertoire.

Stage Management

This module will begin by setting out the basic requirements, skills and techniques applicable to stage management. You will explore the production planning process, the nature and function of the rehearsal environment, and the roles and function of the personnel required for running a range of productions.

Production 1

The second year of study is intended to develop an exploration of performance styles in practical work drawing on the technical skills from first year and to encourage a willingness to approach new and more ambitious material.

A more professional approach to rehearsal and performance work will be encouraged.

If you are on either the Arts or Stage Management pathway you will undertake a parallel development of your broader theatre skills under the direction of specialist tutors.

Practical Research Project

This module is intended to further extend the exploration of vocal, dance and acting styles, into a three week practical research project, applying technical skills and drawing on experiences from performance work in semester 1.

This will also enable an increased understanding of the technical, administrative and organisational aspects of the project.

The continuation of a professional approach to rehearsal and class work will be encouraged and you will also develop research skills in these practical musical theatre styles. If you are aiming for the Arts or Stage Management pathways you will undertake a parallel development of your broader theatre skills under the direction of specialist tutors.

Musical Theatre Technical Skills

In this module you will build on your exploration of music, dance and acting style and draws on the technical skills from first year to support the increase of skills which can be applied to performance based projects.

A more professional approach to all technical classes will be encouraged and this module covers all technical aspects of your study in acting, singing and dance.

Personal Study

You will have the opportunity to select an area of study of their choice, in singing or dance, acting, lecture presentation or written work and to develop this over an extended period.

This will provide you with an opportunity to develop an individual repertoire, and to present a longer and more challenging programme of research work.

Production Skills

This module is intended to extend your second-year explorations of musical, dance, and acting styles in practical work through the inclusion of new and more ambitious repertoires, performing in the public domain in a non-campus, public theatre context.

The development of a professional approach to rehearsal will be encouraged and if you are on either the Arts or Stage Management pathways you will undertake a parallel development of your broader theatre skills under the direction of specialist tutors.

Musical Theatre Technical Skills 2

This module is intended to extend your second year exploration of music, dance and acting style and draws on the technical skills you’ve learnt to support the continuing development of skills which can be applied to performance based projects.

A more professional approach to all technical classes will be encouraged alongside the development of all technical aspects of your study in acting, singing and dance at a higher level.

Musical Theatre Teaching

Optional

This module provides you with practical experience of teaching in a one-to-one and group teaching context and an opportunity to share your experience with a peer group and measure the outcomes of your work against your planned objectives and the devised teaching aims:

  • Working in a group environment, to gain experience in group teaching
  • To acquire experience of appropriate and stimulating group teaching techniques
  • To broaden knowledge of other disciplines within a drama, singing or dance context
  • To be able to be flexible in understanding different teaching practices within a musical theatre context
  • To gain experience in creating and utilising strategies in order to teach multiple members of a group simultaneously

Ophelia

Musical Theatre student
"I feel so proud that I had an influence in creating this amazing show and fulfil my artistic ideas for the final piece. I would never have imagined creating something like this three years ago, which gives me the confidence that you can do anything that you put your mind to. What an incredible opportunity to have had my training at Chichester."

Teaching and Assessment

Feel the support of our expert and experienced staff

Our expert and experienced musical theatre practitioners get to know you as individual so you can feel more confident to develop your technical skills and explore your creative ideas in a supportive environment.

Typical study weeks include:

  • Performance technique classes
  • Supplemental training classes
  • Lectures
  • Tutorials
  • Studio-based workshops
  • Application of practice classes

Outside of scheduled classes you will complete independent study including developing repertoire, researching texts, individual solo practise, completing individual or group tasks and working on your assignments.

Jordan

Musical Theatre student
"The lecturers' positive and encouraging attitudes towards students really give the drive to complete a challenging day of performing. An incredible university to study at. If I could, I would do it all again in a heartbeat."

Experience

Discover industry-standard spaces and equipment to support you learning

Kody

BA (Hons) Musical Theatre (Triple Threat)
"I had my West End debut this year in Hairspray and have gone straight into rehearsals for Hex at the National Theatre. The Triple Threat Course at the conservatoire gave me the tools and the shaping I needed in order for me to excel in these amazing opportunities I've been given in the industry."

Ellie

BA (Hons) Musical Theatre (Triple Threat)
"I had my West End debut this year (2022) and The Triple Threat route was the perfect course to enable me to access the professional industry, network with incredible artists and creatives, and find myself as a musical theatre performer. I am so grateful to all the tutors that gave me their time and expertise that allowed me to be where I am today, doing what I love every day, and being able to call it my job!"

Careers

Prepare for a rewarding career within the performance industry

High-contact hours with industry experts, focus on performance skills and experience, and strong professional links with the sector help prepare you for your future career, as you develop a broad range of skills to enhance your CV and your employability.

Many past graduates are now working in some of the principal producing houses.

As performers, alumni have gone into:

  • West End productions
  • Major touring productions throughout Europe
  • Major cruise ships including Disney
  • UK and International small-scale touring theatre
  • ​Film and TV in both the UK and US
  • Edinburgh Festival
  • Cabaret
  • Stage managers, arts managers and producers picking up contracts in the UK and around the world.

Further Study

You could choose to continue your studies at postgraduate level.

Study options at the University of Chichester include:

  • MA Music Performance
  • MA Music Teaching
  • PGCE
  • PhD/MPhil

University of Chichester alumni who have completed a full undergraduate degree at the University will receive a 15% discount on their postgraduate fees.

Course Costs

Course Fees 2024/25

UK fee
£9,250
International fee
£15,840

For further details about fees, please see our Tuition Fee page.

For further details about international scholarships, please see our Scholarships page.

To find out about any additional costs on this course, please see our Additional Costs page.

Tia Kenrick

Student
"It is overwhelming how much I have learnt from the whole process. I feel as if I have grown as an individual having worked with my tutors. It has been the most demanding yet worthwhile performing experience I have had to date."

Mark Ward

Director for a leading West End agency, Belfield & Ward
"I have worked in the entertainment industry for 25 years. First as a trained performer for 8 years and subsequently as an artist's agent for 17 years. It has been my pleasure to be aware of the Musical Theatre (Single Hons- Triple Threat) programme at The University of Chichester since it's inception in 2009. "

Entry Requirements

Typical offers (individual offers may vary):

UCAS
104-120
tariff points from A levels or combination with AS / EPQ / BTEC/ Cambridge Technical.
A Levels
BBC
BTEC
DDD-DMM
IB
28 points
IELTS
6.0
with no element lower than 5.5.

Auditions

You will need to demonstrate your ability in dance, acting and singing in a performance audition. Applicants with high levels of performance skills may be considered for a lower academic offer.

Interviews and Auditions

Auditions and interviews usually run from January until March/April.

We aim to offer you a genuine dialogue during your application process. This gives you a sense of worth and achievement from the audition process itself; a sense of ownership for you during the process and, ultimately, is an opportunity for us to get a clear understanding of who you are, what you need, and how we can best prepare you for your degree.

We judge you on your skills, your potential, and your personality, not your background.

Booking Your Audition

If you are invited to audition you will receive an email asking you to book your audition date on ChiView. If you are unsuccessful we will email you to let you know.

You can usually choose between multiple days on ChiView at one time. If none of the current dates suit you please contact admissions@chi.ac.uk.

Once you have booked your audition, you will be able to access the audition guidance document on ChiView – just log into the ChiView portal, click on ‘Events schedule’ and then ‘View details’ to access the document, which will tell you how to prepare for your audition, what to expect on the day, etc.

If your situation changes and you can no longer attend your audition date, you should cancel your booking in ChiView by visiting your ‘Event Schedule’ and clicking ‘Cancel Attendance’. You also need to inform the admissions team by emailing admissions@chi.ac.uk, so we can send you a new audition invitation.

Using ChiView 

Sometimes if you are viewing your ChiView portal on a phone you will not be able to see the page correctly. If this happens you should try again on another device.

You may need to clear your browser history.

If you are still unable to see the ‘View details’ button, please check that you have successfully booked your audition by clicking ‘respond to interview invitation’.

If all else fails please email admissions@chi.ac.uk with your query and applicant number.

Your Audition Day

Once you have booked your audition, please log into the ChiView portal, click on ‘Events schedule’ and then ‘View details’ to access the audition guidance document, which will tell you (amongst other things) what will happen at the audition itself, a basic itinerary of the whole day, parking information, etc.

In brief, there should be an introductory talk by the department, the chance to meet lecturers and other applicants, as well as your opportunity to perform for the audition panel.

After Your Audition

After your audition, the panel will discuss your performance and pass our decision onto the admissions team, who will update UCAS and email you with the outcome, whatever it might be.

  • We make bespoke offers: Your offer is specifically for you. If we offer less than your predicted grades, this will reflect the potential and quality of your audition and we’d like to take a bit of pressure off of you heading into your exams.
  • We don’t do unconditional offers: Unless you already have your grades (you are a mature student), we will always insist on certain grade achievements because we want you to succeed in all aspects of your academic life including your A levels, BTEC, etc.
  • If you do not get the grades you wanted: Don’t panic. You received an offer because you were good enough for the department at audition. On Results Day, just ring us on the clearing hotline, so we can discuss things with you.
  • We may offer you a different course: We may offer you a place on an alternative, relevant course within the department, rather than offer you the course you applied for. If this is the case, we will state this in your offer letter/email and update your course on UCAS. We will explain our reasoning, which will revolve around placing you on the most appropriate course where we think you will thrive.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

How do I apply?

Click the ‘Apply now’ button to go to relevant UCAS page.

What are UCAS tariff points?

Many qualifications have a UCAS Tariff value. The score depends on the qualification, and the grade you achieved.

How do I know what my UCAS tariff points are?

Head to the UCAS Tariff Points web page where you can find a tariff points calculator that can tell you how much your qualification and grades are worth.

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