Musical Theatre
 Musical Theatre (Major).jpg)
UCAS Code: Combined Honours only – see combinations tab|Duration: 3|Full Time|Creative Campus
UCAS Campus Code: L46
International students can apply
About the course
Liverpool is a lively city filled with a diverse creative scene and a strong theatrical community. Musical theatre plays a key role in this dynamic landscape. Our students love going to national tours at The Empire Theatre. They also enjoy international events, like the Eurovision Song Contest.
This degree focuses on hands-on musical theatre study. It also includes theoretical analysis from various eras. You'll focus on vocal training, acting skills, and dance techniques. This combination will help you grow as a performer and reach your full potential.
At Hope, the musical theatre course aims to build an ensemble theatre company. This helps develop your professional practice and awareness. You'll study musical theatre history to deepen your understanding of the genre. You'll explore various musical styles and repertoire, both individually and as a group. Weekly one-on-one singing lessons will enhance your vocal technique and teach you about vocal health. Your hands-on work is paired with weekly tutorials and lectures. These sessions help you boost your academic writing and analytical skills.
The course is led by Musical Theatre experts. They have real production and performance experience in the West End and regional theatres. They provide current insights and guidance, plus opportunities to work with industry professionals.
Course structure
The structure of the Musical Theatre course is collaborative in nature, with all three practical disciplines combining to produce a fully integrated learning experience. Course content is delivered through a range of lectures, seminars and tutorials,
Assessment and feedback
Assessment will be by way of creative projects, performances and contextual essays. These will grow in complexity as the course progresses, culminating in the production of a full musical in your final year of studies.
Curriculum overview
Our Musical Theatre course is designed to give you the skills, confidence, and experience needed to succeed in this highly creative industry. Throughout the Musical Theatre degree, you will develop as both a performer and a critical thinker, exploring the key elements that shape this exciting art form.
You will study and practice:
- The importance of ensemble work and collaborative performance
- Acting through song, with a focus on the relationship between music and lyrics
- The balance of music, dance, and acting, and how each informs communication and expression
- Vocal development, building a personal and versatile repertoire
- Movement and confidence through a wide range of dance styles
- Music reading skills, preparing you to work with live musicians in your final year
- Analysis of landmark musical theatre works, influential figures, and the fundamentals of directing and producing for the stage
- Audition skills and professional portfolio development
As you progress through the musical theatre degree, these areas of study will grow in complexity, challenging you to refine your artistry, technical skills, and professional readiness.
Year One
Introduction to Musical Theatre
In the first year of your Musical Theatre course, you will build the essential skills that form the foundation of your studies, focusing on three key areas: creative practice (singing, acting, and dancing), academic research, and critical thinking.
You will develop your vocal ability through one-to-one singing lessons with a dedicated vocal tutor, as well as group sessions that enhance ensemble skills. Dance and acting are taught through group seminars and workshops, allowing you to explore a wide range of styles and techniques.
Alongside practical training, you will study the historical development of the musical theatre genre. This will give you valuable insight into its evolution and cultural relevance, helping you connect early works of music theatre with contemporary productions.
Year Two
Explorations in Musical Theatre
In your second year of the Musical Theatre course, your critical understanding of the genre will deepen as you engage with the work of key practitioners, including performers, composers, writers, and directors, as well as the social and cultural contexts that shape the industry.
You will be encouraged to apply this knowledge directly to your craft, further developing your performance potential across singing, dance, and acting. A central focus will be exploring in greater depth the interrelationship between words, music, and movement—both critically and practically.
As part of your studies, you will begin working toward the creation of your own musical theatre extracts, applying your skills in performance, choreography, acting, and directing. These will be showcased through your end-of-year assessments.
Your expertise in the use of technology in musical theatre will also be advanced, allowing you to develop your own production values and a more complete understanding of staging and performance.
Year Three
Advanced Musical Theatre
In your final year of the Musical Theatre course, you will significantly advance both your performance skills and academic expertise. This stage of the degree allows you to specialise in the creative and performance areas that matter most to you—whether singing, dancing, acting, writing, or directing—developing them to a professional standard.
Your professional development is supported through weekly audition practice and the creation of a tailored professional portfolio, preparing you for the competitive world of musical theatre. You will also engage in deeper academic exploration of the genre by undertaking a final dissertation project on an area of personal interest.
The culmination of your studies is a full-scale musical theatre production, supported by a professional musical director and practising musicians. This experience reinforces ensemble work, immersing you in an intensive rehearsal process that mirrors the expectations of the industry.
By the end of your musical theatre degree, you will graduate with a comprehensive understanding of the professional requirements needed to succeed in the musical theatre industry—and the confidence to take your next steps as a creative practitioner.
Entry requirements
| A-Levels | BBC |
|---|---|
| UCAS Tariff Points | 112 UCAS Tariff points must come from a minimum of two A Levels (or equivalent). Additional points can be made up from a range of alternative qualifications. |
| BTEC | DMM |
| Access to HE | 112 Tariff Points |
| IB | 26 points |
| Irish Leaving Certificate | 112 Tariff Points from Higher Level qualifications only |
| Welsh Baccalaureate | This qualification can only be accepted in conjunction with other relevant qualifications |
| T-Levels | Merit |
| Subject Requirements | An A level or a relevant level 3 qualification such as a BTEC or equivalent in one of the Performing Arts – Music, Drama or Dance is essential. An indicative ability to sing at ABRSM Grade 5 is strongly advised. All applicants will be required to attend an audition and interview. |
International entry requirements
| Specific Country Requirements | Select your country |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.0 overall (with reading and writing at 6.0) and no individual score lower than 5.5. We also accept a wide range of International Qualifications. For more information, please visit our English Language Requirementspage. |
Careers
Musical Theatre is a fast-growing area of employment regionally and nationally – whether as a performer, director, stage manager, producer or educator. The study of Musical Theatre involves many transferable skills that will strongly encourage the development of a portfolio creative career.
Enhancement opportunities
SALA
The Service and Leadership Award (SALA) is offered as an extra-curricular programme involving service-based experiences, development of leadership potential and equipping you for a career in a rapidly changing world. It enhances your degree, it is something which is complimentary but different and which has a distinct ‘value-added’ component. Find out more on our Service and Leadership Award page.
Study Abroad
As part of your degree, you can choose to spend either a semester or a full year of study at one of our partner universities as part of our Study Abroad programme. Find out more on our Study Abroad page.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2026/27 academic year are £9,535* for full-time undergraduate courses.
If you are a student from the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands, your tuition fees will also be £9,535*.
The University reserves the right to increase Home and EU Undergraduate and PGCE tuition fees in line with any inflationary or other increase authorised by the Secretary of State for future years of study.
*subject to Council approval.
Scholarships
We have a range of scholarships to help with the cost of your studies. Visit our scholarships page to find out more.
International tuition fees
The International Tuition fees for 2026/27 are £14,500.
Visit our International fees page for more information.
Course combinations
This course is only available as a Combined Honours degree with the following subjects: