Apply now Make an enquiry

The HNC and HND Musical Theatre is aimed at people looking to make performance a career or as a stepping stone to specialist training in Musical Theatre. It develops skills in singing, acting and dance with the opportunity to perform on stage in a variety of musicals and events.

Key facts:

The course is taught in a highly practical way using workshop style classes in which students work individually and in groups to develop and refine their skills, supported by lecturers and technicians with extensive experience of the theatre. There are at least two public performances each year with the second year focussing on preparation for the London stage and the acquisition of agents or progression to top stage schools around the country or the third year of a Musical Theatre degree.

The School of the Arts benefits from cutting-edge facilities which give students access to the studios and equipment necessary to gain the knowledge and skills demanded by a fast-moving and competitive industry.

Our resources include:

  • Two large dance studios
  • Two large performance studios
  • Theatre
  • Well-resourced classrooms and IT suites
  • What will I study?

    The units you will study are likely to include:

    All units are subject to change and may be withdrawn.

    • Acting for Musical Theatre
    • Classical ballet background and technique
    • Classical ballet development and analysis
    • Commercial dance
    • Dance and health
    • Dance for Musical Theatre
    • Development of Acting Skills
    • Emplyability Skills
    • Historical Context in the performing Arts
    • Jazz dance technique and performance
    • Jazz dance development and analysis
    • Musical Theatre performance
    • Singing techniques adn styles
    • Singing for Musical Theatre
    • Tap dance technique and Performance
    • Tap dance development and analysis
    • Vocal method in context
  • Who is this course for?

    The HNC and HND Musical Theatre is for students who have reached Level 3 in this discipline either at school, college or stage school. You will be looking to progress further into the performing arts industry, specialising in musical theatre and theatre dance. The course will enable you to develop further competences in solo and group performance and prepare you for auditioning for parts on the professional stage. The successful applicant is likely to have performed in public and will have developed at least basic skills in dance and singing and be ready to move on to the next stage with the help of experienced professionals with a background in the industry.

  • How is the course assessed?

    This is a unit based course and you will be assessed throughout the course work and practical assessment rather than through examination. Practical projects, assignments, presentations and essays will be set for each module. The course will culminate in a final major project in which students take responsibility for the management of a major piece of assessed work showcasing their skills and specialisms. Your final major project performances will normally be staged in a public theatre or event in front of large audiences.

  • Knowledge

    You will develop a thorough knowledge and understanding of:

    • The key elements and influences in your discipline (Acting, Dance, Musical Theatre or Technical Theatre) and refining an investigative approach to the Performing Arts industry

    • A range of activities and competences through in-depth subject specific study, enabling the practical, written, presented and evaluative academic work to further your reading, writing and digital skills

    • Subject specific context; for example an awareness of equality and diversity in the performing industries and an up-to-date approach to casting, skills itineraries and CV writing.
  • Skills

    You will have the ability to:

    • Explore and enhance personal performance and technical skills through practical and research-based study and practical sessions including specialist disciplines of Acting, Dance, Musical Theatre & Technical Theatre
    • Develop core specialist skills at relevant levels including taking correction (in Dance and Musical Theatre for example) practical feedback, critical listening skills around others work, communicating ideas with your peers,enhancing your skills levels both individually and collaboratively
    • Integrate and develop previously acquired skills, alongside new and challenging work enabling a broader repertoire and experience, and therefore develop your own approaches to your directed and creative work.
  • Behaviours

    What is required?

    • Developing the behaviours and expectations to help you work in the industry that are specific to your discipline, such as reliability, time keeping and organisation, respect and communication skills
    • Taking responsibility in the management and commitment to rehearsals and production work or for an assignment of personal interest and prepare for progression within a chosen discipline

    • Demonstrate professional and respectful behaviours that will help you network, develop connections in industry and contacts, including taking initiative, organisational skills and developing resilience.
  • General info

    Students will be expected to be able to provide suitable clothing for practical sessions and be prepared to finance visits to shows and theatres during the course.

  • Progression and Career Opportunities

    Career opportunities include:

    • Work in theatres across the country and abroad
    • Work on cruise ships or holiday resorts
    • Teaching performance
  • Entry Requirements for new students

    48 UCAS points which are equal to two D Grades or above at A Level, pass grades at BTEC Extended Diploma Level or Merit pass at Level 3 Diploma, plus a 4 Grade in English & Maths GCSE and complete the practical tasks that will be sent to you. Applicants aged 21 or over who do not have the entry requirements may be eligible for acceptance based on application ad interview. All applicants will need to complete a practical task that will be sent to them.

  • Admissions Process

    We recommend that you attend one of our exciting open events so that you can look around the department, the college and meet the tutors. You are welcome to do this before or after you apply. These events have proved very successful in ensuring students and their families see the best of what the college has to offer such as our inspirational teaching areas, teachers, library facilities and places to eat.
    Once you have applied our experienced Enrolment Team will consider your application carefully and will let you know, by email, if the College would like to make you a conditional offer based on you meeting the specified entry requirements. If your predicted grades or career aims suggest that an alternative subject area or course level would be more appropriate for you at this stage, we will contact you either by telephone, email or text. If you have told us that you have some additional support needs we will contact you to find out more so that we can help you.