- Musical Theatre
MFA — 2025 entry Musical Theatre
Building on our international reputation in musical theatre, this is the only two-year postgraduate programme in Europe. It is unique in the way it combines practical training with professional opportunities to launch your career.
Why choose
this course?
- This unique and innovative two-year Musical Theatre MFA course trains future generations of internationally renowned performers and professionals.
- 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.
- 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. Particularly, you will get to perfrom in a new musical, allowing you to further develop skills through the challenges of creating original characters without reference to previous productions.
- 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!
- Successful entry onto GSA’s MFA Musical Theatre means you’ll be part of a carefully selected and committed ensemble of performers-in-training, equipped with the self-discipline and motivation to master new skills and refine existing capabilities.
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)
Top 20 in UK
Surrey is ranked in the top 20 for the quality of our research outputs (Research Excellence Framework 2021)
What you will study
On our MFA Musical Theatre, you’ll gain a broad range of musical theatre knowledge and skills while performing in a variety of outstanding productions.
Supported by first-class teaching, your learning will involve a working knowledge of historical, critical and theoretical content, and the creation of performances that will be presented to agents and professionals for maximum industry exposure.
You will take skills classes in acting, singing and dancing, and will have professional development sessions where you will learn how the industry works and how you fit within it. Rehearsal projects of excerpts of musicals will integrate your skills and your first year culminates in a public performance with your peers.
In the second year you will undertake a Pedagogies module and will appear in a joint public performance with the MA actors before a production of a new musical. The programme culminates in a sustained independent project.
The Guildford School of Acting (GSA) delivers its provision across three teaching blocks, within the University of Surrey’s existing semester structure.
This MFA Musical Theatre course comprises of four 15-credit modules and two 30-credit modules within the first year. In the second year, the course comprises of three 15-credit modules, one 30-credit module and one 45-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 detailsYear 2
Semester 1 & 2
Compulsory
This module introduces students to key principles, skills and techniques required to facilitate actor training in a variety of teaching and learning contexts, including, but not limited to schools, community groups, professional training, education outreach activities and online learning across diverse communities. Learning and Teaching processes will be examined through the lenses of acting, voice and movement.
View full module detailsThis module extends learning undertaken in 1st Year of the programme. In this module students undertake a coordinated series of technique classes, workshops and master classes that aim to encourage and foster the skills needed for continuing professional practice within the industry. Classes will be responsive to the needs of specific cohorts of students. The module includes technical classes in Acting, Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Commercial, Audition Technique, 121 Singing and Repertoire. The Dance classes are streamed by ability to ensure appropriate learning contexts for all levels of competence. The aims of this compulsory module are to develop and extend existing knowledge and to develop secure and consistent techniques. It will focus on the physical and intellectual requirements of individual disciplines, the understanding and application of terminology, and the ability to incorporate a sense of performance. The work will be influenced by the creations and processes of a diverse range of renowned practitioners. All classes will concentrate on the development of technique, presentation, style, reflection, theory, opinion, imagination and the vocabulary required in the study and performance of Musical Theatre. This module encourages students to comprehend healthy diet, sleep, exercise, appropriate screen time, appropriate working hours and promotes Equity Safe spaces. The module promotes positive working ethics: collaboration, kindness, support, understanding, listening and integrity. Care is given to understand the cultural, physical, social and individual differences of learners. The lineage of the dance and singing styles is understood to be complex and care is given that each class is taught from an inclusive perspective.
View full module detailsStudents will be cast and directed in a new musical commissioned by GSA. There will be developmental workshops with the writing team and four or five weeks of full-time rehearsals followed by a performance week of dress rehearsals and performances. The New Musical will be supported by a production creative team of appropriate professionals who will give continuous feedback on student progress throughout the course of rehearsals. The commissioned writers and subject matter will be chosen with an awareness and comprehension of the continually developing Global perspective within the industry. Directors and production staff are selected from members of the faculty, the production courses and from a pool of professional working directors and technicians. Students will develop skills acquired in Year 1 of the programme and in all prior training by applying them to a new writing, providing challenges of creating original characters without reference to previous productions. Guidance on appropriate methodologies and the determining of appropriate goals will be given by the Director, Choreographer/Movement Director and Musical Director.
View full module detailsThis module extends learning undertaken in 1st Year of the programme. The module is designed to facilitate entry into the profession. This module caters to the specific professional and creative interests of the student; ensuring preparation for and engagement with the musical theatre industry, at the requisite skill level, and demonstrating appropriate skills and reflection through practical and written methods. Agent Feedback Forum The student will choose audition material which is presented in Agent Feedback Forum. This consists of a panel of industry professionals assembled to advise students on their choice of audition material, presentation and associated materials. Industry Showcase Students will research and select appropriate materials, followed by an intensive rehearsal period culminating in a (filmed or live) Industry Showcase which agents and casting directors are invited to view. Critical Analysis of Practice A 2,000 word written Critical Analysis of Practice essay, will be undertaken to evaluate own practice and to consider contrasting ways of performative or pedagogic methods. Sustained Independent Project (SIP) A Sustained Independent Project (SIP) empowers the student to choose an assessment option which most suits their needs and creative/professional goals, during which they will receive guidance and supervision from staff according to expertise. Students may choose one of 4 options: A solo live performance (40 minutes), The creation of a short film (25 minutes), A Teaching Portfolio, or an Essay. The briefs for each of these projects are in a Briefing document on SurreyLearn. Care is given to understand the cultural, physical, social and individual differences of learners.
View full module detailsStudents will be cast and directed in a Performance selected by GSA. This piece will be rehearsed and performed by an Ensemble which may comprise both MFA Actors and MFA Musical Theatre students. The selection of the Performance Piece will be determined by the skills and dynamics available in the student group(s) and will be chosen with an awareness and comprehension of the continually developing Global perspective within the industry. There will be four or five weeks of full-time rehearsals followed by a performance week of dress rehearsals and performances. The Collaborative Ensemble Performance Piece will be supported by a production creative team of appropriate professionals who will give continuous feedback on student progress throughout the course of rehearsals. Directors and production staff are selected from members of the faculty, the production courses and from a pool of professional working directors and technicians
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
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.
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, and the Graduate Outcomes 2024, HESA showed that 94 per cent of our Guildford School of Acting postgraduate students go on to employment or further study.
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.
Asya Toney
Student - Musical Theatre MFA
"I really loved the fact that no matter what your skill level was, the instructors tried to find the best ways to teach us all individually."
Tom White
Student - Musical Theatre MFA
"The confidence I have gained in myself and my abilities throughout my time at GSA has developed so much. I feel ready to take the next step in my life and make the transition into industry."
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 - 2 years
- UK
- £20,700
- Overseas
- £24,000
- The annual fee for this two-year full-time MFA, is payable in Year 1 and Year 2 of the programme
- 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.
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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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