Overview
Transform your musical theatre career in nine intensive months
The University of Chichester’s accelerated Musical Theatre Master’s Degree offers an immersive journey into the art of musical theatre, combining rigorous training with industry experience.
Starting on day one, you’ll dive straight into production work alongside your academic training.
Through seven dynamic productions spanning diverse theatrical styles, our unique nine-month programme prepares you for a dynamic career while celebrating diversity and artistic excellence.
Distinguished leadership and expertise
Our programme is helmed by a voice and acting-through-song specialist whose expertise spans traditional and contemporary approaches to musical theatre.
With extensive experience in trans and non-binary vocal training, they bring deep understanding of personalised voice development, gender-affirming voice work, and the delicate integration of acting and vocal technique.
This specialised knowledge ensures every student receives guidance tailored to their unique artistic journey.
Two professional pathways
Choose between two specialised tracks:
Performance track
Perfect your craft through intensive training in acting, voice, and movement, developing both technical excellence and emotional authenticity.
Creative track
Develop your vision as a director, musical director, or choreographer through hands-on production experience and mentorship.
Seven dynamic performance projects
Experience rapid artistic growth through seven distinct productions that span various theatrical styles and approaches.
- Professional-pace production schedules
- Immediate application of learned techniques
- Diverse artistic challenges
- Regular performance opportunities
- Industry exposure
Holistic training philosophy
Our “Head, Hand, Heart” approach ensures complete artistic development:
- Deep theoretical understanding of the craft
- Technical excellence and practical mastery
- Authentic emotional connection and artistic purpose
The Course
Combine rigorous academic coursework with practical training and performance opportunities
This accelerated nine-month programme maintains exceptional academic standards while preparing you for immediate industry entry.
Through our inclusive, supportive environment and expert guidance, you’ll develop the skills, confidence, and connections needed for a successful career in musical theatre.
The concentrated curriculum delivers:
- Daily performance workshops
- Professional masterclasses
- Continuous production work
- Regular industry engagement
- Focused skills development
- Immersive theatrical experiences
Comprehensive personal development
Your growth is supported through intensive individual attention.
Weekly one-to-one singing lessons form the cornerstone of your vocal development, while regular dance workshops enhance your physical storytelling abilities.
Working with West End professionals, you’ll develop a robust technical foundation while nurturing your unique artistic voice.
Diverse artistic exploration
The programme embraces the full spectrum of musical theatre, from classical to contemporary:
- Traditional Golden Age musicals and technique
- Ground-breaking LGBTQ+ works and storytelling
- Contemporary West End and Broadway repertoire
- Experimental and devised theatrical pieces
- New works in development
Indicative modules
Each module is worth a particular number of credits and is delivered differently depending on the needs of the module.
This list is indicative and subject to future change.
Black Box Project
In this project, you will delve into the intimate world of black box theatre, exploring innovative approaches to performance.
Working in collaboration with a highly-experienced director and musical director, you will hone your skills on an established piece from the musical theatre repertoire.
Culminating in performance, you will explore the work through structural analysis, physical experimentation, detailed performance and generous collaboration.
Out of the Box Project
In this project, you will participate in a collaborative process to create a musical theatre piece from scratch.
You will work closely with a team of fellow students to devise a unique and imaginative small-scale production that reflects their collective artistic vision.
Through these tutor-led, small collectives, you will develop current or original theatre producing exciting and relevant material able to be cultivated into professional self-generated work, post-graduation.
Straight Play Project
In this project, you will have the opportunity to explore nonmusical theatrical works and expand your acting range, as you participate in a straight play production, working with faculty or guest directors to delve into the world of dramatic storytelling.
This project allows you to further develop your acting skills and gain a well-rounded understanding of the broader theatrical landscape.
Juke Box Project
In this module you will undertake an immersive learning experience designed to explore the creative process in making and performing a Jukebox Musical.
Diving into the art of storytelling, music selection, adaptation and stage performance you will develop your skills in one of four central roles; performer, director, musical director or choreographer.
Combining theoretical and practical learning you will challenge yourself to become an artist with an ever-deepening knowledge of what is involved in communicating narrative, emotions and ideas to an audience.
New Musical Project
In this project, you will have the opportunity to participate in the development of a new musical, as you work closely with composers, lyricists and playwrights, to explore the creative process of shaping and refining a new work.
Through workshops, readings, rehearsals and performance, you contribute your talents to the growth of a fresh and original musical.
Main Show Production
The main show production serves as a centrepiece project of the programme, allowing you to take part in a large-scale musical production that showcases your skills and talents.
You will audition for roles, working alongside faculty and professional directors, choreographers and designers to mount a fully realised public musical theatre production.
Industry: Forum and Showcase
The Industry Projects provide you with platforms to present your talents to industry professionals including casting directors, agents and producers.
You will prepare a curated selection of musical theatre material to showcase your versatility, range and unique abilities.
This project serves as a bridge between academic training and professional opportunities, potentially leading to future career prospects.
Teaching and Assessment
Feel the support of our expert and experienced staff and current industry professionals
Our students collaborate with distinguished theatre professionals, including directors from award-winning West End productions like Loserville and The Hired Man, composers behind emerging works at the National Theatre, and musical directors currently working in shows in London’s West End.
Throughout your studies, you'll have the opportunity to work alongside:
- Award-winning West End directors and choreographers crafting cutting-edge productions
- Established and traditional performers bringing fresh perspectives to the craft
- Leading musical directors from current West End shows
- Rising performers bringing fresh perspectives to the craft
- Industry pioneers pushing theatrical boundaries
Typical study weeks include:
- Project rehearsals
- Guest workshops
- Masterclasses
- Vocal lessons
- Audition preparation
- Industry and employment lectures
- Tutorials
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.
Meet programme leader Ian Massa-Harris-McFeely
Ian Massa-Harris-McFeely
Ian is known in both Operatic and Musical Theatre arenas. He is a specialist in acting through song and trans/non binary voices.
Recent roles include: Gavin (Charmed the Musical), Piangi (Phantom), Pirelli (Sweeney), Chef Louis (Little Mermaid), Clopin (Hunchback of Notre Dame), Torquemada (L’heure Espagnol).
Experience
Discover industry-standard spaces and equipment to support you learning
University of Chichester Conservatoire
You will study in the University of Chichester Conservatoire, which has one of the largest and liveliest performance departments in the UK, with a community of over 1,000 student performers.
Facilities including well-equipped practice rooms with more than 60 pianos supplied by Steinway and sons and an acoustically superb performance venue.
The ShowRoom
Our 250-seat performance venue gives you experience of working in a working theatre space.
Expert staff
Learn from industry experts with extensive experience of the performance and entertainment sectors..
Career guidance and support
Gain vital career materials, support and guidance through our industry partnerships, connections, and Spotlight accreditation.
Close community
Our commitment to a friendly and close-knit student community allows you to collaborate with students from other courses.
Learning Resource Centre
The Learning Resource Centre (LRC) contains the library, a café, IT/teaching rooms, and the Support and Information Zone (SIZ).
Library
Our campus library holds more than 200,000 books and over 500,000 eBooks.
Careers
Prepare for a rewarding career within the performance industry
When you join our Company, our leading creators – directors, choreographers, musical directors, writers and performers active in the industry will help you develop the understanding, expertise and connections you need to develop to create and be a part of socially engaged, current and world-class Musical Theatre.
We will elevate your performance craft and prepare you for a rewarding and stimulating professional career.
Graduate prepared for professional success with:
- A comprehensive performance portfolio
- Versatile skills for multiple career paths
- Strong industry connections
- Professional mentorship
- Direct exposure to casting directors
- Experience with West End creative teams
As performers, our musical theatre 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
Course Costs
Course Fees 2025/26
UK fee
International fee
For further details about fees, please see our Tuition Fee page.
To find out about any additional costs on this course, please see our Additional Costs page.
University of Chichester alumni who have completed a full undergraduate degree at the University will receive a 15% discount on their postgraduate fees.
Entry Requirements
A good undergraduate degree or significant, and/or documented professional experience in Musical Theatre performance.
Applicants will also need to meet the minimum English language requirement of an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with no component below 5.5, or an equivalent recognised test. Visit our English Language Requirements page for more information.
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.
International students who don't meet the entry requirements
If you are an international student and do not yet meet the entry criteria for this course, you may be eligible for our International Premaster’s Programme. This is a one-semester programme that allows you to progress onto a master’s course at the University of Chichester.