- Musical Theatre
MA — 2025 entry Musical Theatre
This intensive MA in Musical Theatre is designed to equip participants in the ‘triple-threat’ musical theatre disciplines of acting, singing and dancing. Graduates from the MA Musical Theatre course are working all over the world in musical theatre and in a range of TV, film and media work.
Why choose
this course?
- As a performer you will be passionate about musical theatre, creative and able to form a deep connection with storytelling, the characters you play and your audience.
- Our MA in Musical Theatre builds on our longstanding international reputation in musical theatre. Across the year you will work on acting, singing, dance and all aspects of performance, enabling you to enhance your skills and launch your career with confidence.
- You will be taught and advised by leading West End directors, casting agents, experienced professionals and leading academics, giving you a unique and comprehensive support network and knowledge base.
- You will have opportunities to showcase your skills via public productions and industry showcases.
- We keep our cohorts small to ensure you get personal attention and contact from our expert teachers, who have extensive first-hand experience in professional theatre in the UK and internationally.
- GSA facilities rank amongst some of the best professional training facilities in the UK Conservatoire sector. As part of the University of Surrey, our students also have full access to the university's facilities, offering you world-class conservatoire training in a top university environment. Truly the best of both worlds!
Statistics
Fantastic graduate prospects
94% of our GSA postgraduate students go on to employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2024, HESA)
Top 10 in UK
Surrey is ranked 9th in the UK for overall satisfaction (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2023)
What you will study
This intensive MA in Musical Theatre is designed to equip participants in the ‘triple-threat’ musical theatre disciplines of acting, singing and dancing.
We place a strong emphasis on working on your practical skills (taught within technical group and one-to-one classes) together with a dedicated focus on your professional development. We provide you with opportunities to combine these skills into musical theatre rehearsal projects and public performances.
In addition, you'll attend seminars in contextual and theoretical studies, alongside masterclasses led by industry professionals in audition technique and widening your repertoire.
The skills you will learn in technical classes are integrated through project work, which includes: rehearsal projects of classic and contemporary musicals, a public production led by a production team of theatre professionals, a presentation of your work to a panel of industry professionals and an industry showcase which introduces you to agents, casting directors and industry creatives.
Graduates from the MA Musical Theatre course are working all over the world in musical theatre and in a range of TV, film and media work.
The Guildford School of Acting (GSA) delivers its provision across three teaching blocks, within the University of Surrey’s existing semester structure.
This MA Musical Theatre course comprises of four 15-credit modules, two 30-credit modules and one final 60-credit module.
The structure of our programmes follows clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes:
Modules
Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Modules are subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.
The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff, meaning all modules are comprised of multiples of 15 credits, up to a maximum of 120 credits.
Course options
Year 1
Semester 1 & 2
Compulsory
This Dance module seeks to develop and refine a secure and consistent technique in Dance and Physical skills. Central to the module are core classes in Jazz, Ballet and Tap, with the addition of Commercial Dance in Term Two. These classes are streamed by ability to ensure appropriate learning contexts for all levels of competence by a streaming system, focused on prior learning and initial assessment – apart from Commercial Dance which is taught as a cohort of Level 7 Musical Theatre students. In addition, Pilates is studied to ensure a thorough overview of the body and understanding of the needs of movement, health, and precision in performance. The module aims to improve posture and placing, and to develop the requisite strength, flexibility, stamina and personal resilience necessary to sustain a career in Musical Theatre. All classes will concentrate on the development of technique, presentation, style, and the dance vocabulary required in the study and performance of Musical Theatre. As the module develops over three teaching blocks, knowledge is developed and extended to secure a consistent fundamental technique. Not only will it focus on the physical requirements of the individual dance disciplines but also on the comprehension and application of terminology and the ability to incorporate a sense of performance to dance and physical work
View full module detailsThis module focuses on the integration and skills of Spoken and Singing Vocal Technique necessary for employability in Musical Theatre. Spoken Voice classes are practical in nature and allow a student to explore techniques by sequential practice. Training is undertaken in vocal anatomy and vocal physiology. Classes will explore accent diversity, diction & voice maintenance, and a variety of literature will be studied to fully integrate the spoken voice with the written word. Singing classes are also practical, with exploration of the anatomical, technical & physiological elements of singing. Classes include - Individual Singing Tutorials, Ensemble Singing Class, and Technical Singing Skill Class. As the module progresses, students examine technical control, use of voice qualities and the vocal performance required for a variety of historical and cultural genres and styles. In both Singing and Spoken voice, a comprehension and application of terminology will be explored. This module runs concurrently with Rehearsal & Performance, and the vocal styles required for the rehearsal and performance and the essential growth of training required for a student over three Teaching Blocks are purposefully aligned with those texts and scores.
View full module detailsThis year long module introduces students to the process of casting, rehearsing, and performing Musical Theatre at a professional level. Across three separate projects students will undertake showings of work that has been realized in the rehearsal room and also a public performance of a fully realized and resourced piece of musical theatre with a creative team. Alongside this, students will also reflect on their studies in the form of a journal that aims to link the technical skills classes with the first of the two Musical Theatre Projects.
View full module detailsThis module is founded upon a commitment to integrate Acting with Text, Voice, and the Body to acquire the requisite skills necessary for a career in Musical Theatre. Acting Fundamentals explores the key approaches to building character and delivering work in performance in a truthful and performatively sound way. Material covered/chosen will be reflective of the continually developing global perspective within the theatre industry, with an understanding and awareness of the history and context from which it is derived. This class runs at the very start of the module across the first five weeks of study. Song Interpretation (TB1) In this class work on text and score begins to explore how we produce meaning, emotion and understand the motivation of writers in acting through song. This is aligned to work on scenes and character that also inform the process of creating a performing in character. Acting in Musical Theatre 2 (TB2) Building on the work delivered in TB1 this part of the module looks at extended sequences from Musical Theatre and the wider Music Theatre cannon. Dance is also included here – enabling students to explore the progression of character through dialogue, song and dance. Teaching delivery will be designed and planned to be accessible for all students.
View full module detailsThis year long module introduces students to the context of Musical Theatre within the Creative Industries and enables students to engage with and create work for personal professional engagement. In a series of seminars, reflective tutorials, showcase rehearsals and performances the groundwork is laid for a sustainable and robust approach to entering Musical Theatre and the wider Creative Industries. The module also contains the major summer term written project which draws on critical and reflective skills to look back upon the training and reach conclusions about Musical Theatre and the wider Creative Industries. A Digital Portfolio Reel is also submitted, ensuring that students complete the course of study with an industry facing ¿calling card¿ that can be used beyond graduation.
View full module detailsGeneral course information
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Timetable
Course timetables are normally available one month before the start of the semester.
Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday – Friday) between 8am and 7pm – additionally, public production modules may require evening and weekend attendance depending on the production schedules.
View our code of practice for the scheduling of teaching and assessment (PDF).
Location
Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.
94 per cent of our Guildford School of Acting postgraduate students go on to employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2024, HESA).
GSA has an excellent reputation as a conservatoire, and graduates are sought for a variety of roles in the performing arts, as performers, creatives and as production staff. We consistently nurture students to become highly employable and resilient graduates, with a sophisticated toolkit of transferable skills. GSA offers careers advice throughout your study course and fully supports students with their first steps into the profession. We strive to ensure that our graduates develop the skills to help them enter the profession industry-ready.
GSA is part of the Federation of Drama Schools (FDS), the Alliance of Musical Theatre Conservatoires (AMTC) and the Global Conservatoire Alliance (GCA).
Students at GSA have access to purpose-built studios and tutorial rooms within the GSA building and across the University campus. The fully-equipped studio spaces are fitted with sprung floors and ballet barres.
Students will have the opportunity to train, practise and perform within the Ivy Arts Centre and Performing Arts Technology Studios on campus, which include the following:
- 190-seat Bellairs Theatre
- 80-seat Rex Doyle Studio Theatre
- 128-seat Performing Arts Technology Studios (PATS) theatre
- Founders Studio with a 128-capacity studio space
- 15 dance and rehearsal studios (facilities include sound system, ballet barres, sprung floors, keyboard/piano)
- 10 tutorial/practice rooms
- Foyer area with café.
GSA productions are also presented in theatres and venues in and around Guildford and London.
UK qualifications
A minimum of a 2:2 UK honours degree, or a recognised equivalent international qualification.
Applicants who can demonstrate exceptional talent, and can satisfy the panel of their ability to successfully complete the course, may also be considered.
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each element.
These are the English language qualifications and levels that we can accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Selection process
Offers are made following successful audition and interview.
Recognition of prior learning
We recognise that many students enter their course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of ways.
If this applies to you, the recognition of prior learning process may mean you can join a course without the formal entry requirements, or at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience.
There are restrictions for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims. Please contact the Admissions team with any queries.
Scholarships and bursaries
Discover what scholarships and bursaries are available to support your studies.
Fees per year
Explore UKCISA’s website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the list of fees for all postgraduate courses.
September 2025 - Full-time - 1 year
- UK
- £20,700
- Overseas
- £24,000
- These fees apply to students commencing study in the academic year 2025-26 only. Fees for new starters are reviewed annually.
Payment schedule
- Students with Tuition Fee Loan: the Student Loans Company pay fees in line with their schedule (students on an unstructured self-paced part-time course are not eligible for a Tuition Fee Loan).
- Students without a Tuition Fee Loan: pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
- 50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be October/November of each academic year)
- 50% in January of the same academic year.
- Students on part-time programmes where fees are paid on a modular basis: cannot pay fees by instalment.
- Sponsored students: must provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of study.
The exact date(s) will be on invoices.
Additional costs
- General/programme additional costs: £50 score hire deposit for library
- Commuting (local travel expenses): £175 - Travel to and from London for Agent Feedback Forum and potential audition experience sessions
- Headshots: £175-350
- Safety equipment and/or uniform: £180 - Uniform including specialist footwear and boneprop
- Books/ stationery/ admin: £60.
Grand total: £740 - £850.
Optional expenses
Theatre trips and masterclasses: £150 approximately. Students should aim to see some live theatre throughout the course of their programme and will have the opportunity to attend optional masterclasses.
Students may wish to apply for Spotlight (including graduates casting list) and Equity membership - £200 approximately.
You will be offered a week’s training in Stage Combat leading to Actors Combat Theatrical Training (ACTT) Standard-level exam. Opportunities for advanced training may also be available to students. These are extra-curricular courses so additional charges apply.
Additional Dance classes: classes are normally scheduled in the evenings and are open to all GSA students. These are extra-curricular, so additional charges apply.
All students at GSA are encouraged to attend productions of their fellow students’ work to enrich their learning experience and give opportunities for critical analysis. These are public events for which students will be charged a reduced ticket price of £5. Some productions will be free to attend. Within the course of an academic year a student might expect to attend around 25 productions.
You may also wish to join the GSA Student Society – estimated £5 per annum.
Funding
You may be able to borrow money to help pay your tuition fees and support you with your living costs. Find out more about postgraduate student finance.
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Our code of practice for postgraduate admissions policy explains how the Admissions team considers applications and admits students. Read our postgraduate applicant guidance for more information on applying.
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View our generic registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2023/24 academic year, as a guide on what to expect.
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Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate, some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.
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