Musical Theatre BA (Hons) - 2025/6

Awarding body

University of Surrey

Teaching institute

University of Surrey

Framework

FHEQ Level 6

Final award and programme/pathway title

BA (Hons) Musical Theatre

Subsidiary award(s)

Award Title
Ord Musical Theatre
DipHE Musical Theatre
CertHE Musical Theatre

Modes of study

Route code Credits and ECTS Credits
Full-time URC13002 360 credits and 180 ECTS credits

QAA Subject benchmark statement (if applicable)

Dance, Drama and Performance

Other internal and / or external reference points

N/A

Faculty and Department / School

Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences - Guildford School of Acting

Programme Leader

NICHOLLS Stewart (GSA)

Date of production/revision of spec

13/11/2024

Educational aims of the programme

  • To understand the shared responsibility of sustainability within the Creative Industries in personal and collective practice
  • To empower the student to pursuit of a wide range of employment opportunities in Actor-Musicianship and other areas of the creative industries
  • To develop a critical understanding of Musical Theatre and Creative Industries
  • To develop and demonstrate Digital capabilities to enhance understanding, employability and creativity in Musical Theatre and other areas of the Creative Industries.
  • To develop individual resourcefulness and resilience in Musical Theatre and other areas of the Creative Industries
  • To evidence an advanced knowledge of context, style and genre within the practice of Musical Theatre
  • To develop professional level technical skills through a blend of practical, theoretical and reflective Musical Theatre practice
  • To foster an appreciation and understanding of diverse cultural experiences through the study of Musical Theatre with a global view

Programme learning outcomes

Attributes Developed Awards Ref.
Discover and Demonstrate integrated skills in Acting, Singing and Dancing to a professional standard KP CertHE, DipHE
Evidence knowledge and understanding of historical and contemporary practitioners, theories, and practices KC CertHE, DipHE, Ord
Build a knowledge and understanding of a range of performance texts, musical genres and their influences KC CertHE, DipHE, Ord
Develop a range of rehearsal and performance techniques in live and recorded formats KPT CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BA (Hons)
Critically analyse, reflect and evaluate own and other's work KCPT CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BA (Hons)
Evaluate the relationship between the performer, the narrative, the rehearsal and the performance KCP CertHE, DipHE, Ord
Develop performance skills that demonstrate imagination, creativity originality and understanding of style and genre KCPT CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BA (Hons)
Develop and apply discipline and consistency in a professional context PT CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BA (Hons)
Develop a detailed approach to the choice, preparation and performance of material KCP CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BA (Hons)
Communicate effectively in physical, verbal, written and digital formats KCPT CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BA (Hons)
Demonstrate effective collaborative skills within a creative process PT CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BA (Hons)
Develop intercultural awareness and informed views on sustainable practice and global, social and ethical issues within the Creative Industries KCPT CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BA (Hons)
Develop a resourceful and resilient approach to problem solving with the application of creative thinking and solutions CPT CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BA (Hons)
Establish an understanding of the individual's professional profile within Musical Theatre and the Creative Industries KCPT CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BA (Hons)

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Programme structure

Full-time

This Bachelor's Degree (Honours) programme is studied full-time over three academic years, consisting of 360 credits (120 credits at FHEQ levels 4, 5 and 6). All modules are 15, 30, 45 or 60 credits and are either semester based or year-long. GSA delivers its provision across three teaching blocks, within the University of Surrey’s existing semester structure.
Possible exit awards include:
- Bachelor's Degree (Ordinary) (300 credits)
- Diploma of Higher Education (240 credits)
- Certificate of Higher Education (120 credits)

Programme Adjustments (if applicable)

N/A

Modules

Year 1 - FHEQ Level 4

Module Selection for Year 1 - FHEQ Level 4

N/A

Year 2 - FHEQ Level 5

Module Selection for Year 2 - FHEQ Level 5

N/A

Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6

Module Selection for Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6

N/A

Opportunities for placements / work related learning / collaborative activity

Associate Tutor(s) / Guest Speakers / Visiting Academics Y
Professional Training Year (PTY) N
Placement(s) (study or work that are not part of PTY) N
Clinical Placement(s) (that are not part of the PTY scheme) N
Study exchange (Level 5) N
Dual degree N

Other information

Digital Capabilities

Throughout the programme students will be required to engage with digital technologies to develop their digital literacy, to support their learning journey, and to explore and secure employment opportunities with Musical Theatre and the creative industries. Students will engage with audio and visual reference material throughout their training. Students will use specialist software to create digital and promotional content. They will use a range of sharing platforms and social media to share this content with industry professionals and creative peers as appropriate. Students will also use traditional software and other digital technologies to undertake communication, administration, and planning.


Employability

The focus on employability is embedded in the teaching, learning and assessment activities throughout this programme to nurture career ready graduates that will be sought after by employers in the creative industries. Expert staff with practitioner backgrounds deliver authentic and practical modes of working from the studio to rehearsal, to public performance mirroring professional practice. Students develop transferable skills including independent and collaborative working, creative, critical and reflective thinking, and problem solving. Students will engage with a range of industry stakeholders who are invited to observe classes and attend performances.


Global & Cultural Capabilities

Students will develop their global, social, historical, and cultural awareness, share experiences and knowledge from their own backgrounds and cultures, and appreciate, recognise and interpret diverse perspectives. With an open mind and a willingness to engage in discussion, students will develop awareness and appreciate, recognise and interpret diverse perspectives in the characters and communities they will be portraying as actors-in-training. Students will be able to make informed contributions to the current debates in the creative industries.


Resourcefulness & Resilience

In this programme the learning journey is carefully structured so that performance and rehearsal skills can be learned, developed, and integrated resulting in the student acquiring a broad range of resources which they can continue to use throughout the rest of their training and in future employment settings. The nature of the work means the student will learn to navigate uncertainty, to deal with risks and challenges, and to take on board personal and professional responsibilities. The use of formative and summative feedback will enable the students to build a thorough overview of their individual process and progress. The training features independent and collaborative learning, problem solving, communication, perseverance, stamina, critical thinking, self-management, and an understanding of self-value. Mirroring industry standards students will undertake classes, rehearsals and performance schedules which are in line with expectations for a successful Musical Theatre career.


Sustainability

Throughout the programme, students are encouraged to reflect on the social, cultural, ethical, political, economic, and environmental impact of the work they do as individuals and collectively, and to recognise their shared responsibilities. Students will understand the impact on audiences of the values, perceptions, and actions of their own, of others and of characters they are portraying in rehearsal and performance. Students will be nurtured as future leaders in sustainability thinking and empowered to take informed decisions and responsible actions that promote the wellbeing of present and future generations. GSA has a strong commitment to working from the studio, to rehearsal, to public performance in the most sustainable way possible. The training on the programme allows students to work in sustained vocal and physical manner commensurate with the rigors of professional delivery.

Quality assurance

The Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programmes can be found at:

https://www.surrey.ac.uk/quality-enhancement-standards

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2025/6 academic year.