students performing on stage

Course Summary

On this course, students are provided with the opportunity to develop technical, artistic, creative, theoretical and critical understanding of musical theatre performance. Students will focus on three main areas of study within the discipline of musical theatre: singing, acting and dance, with singing and vocal technique underpinning acting and dance. This course aims to produce imaginative, intelligent and employable practitioners able to demonstrate creativity through their discipline and beyond. The modules provide an extensive curriculum with strong vocational elements and a contemporary outlook, incorporating technological skills for both practical and artistic purposes.

The course aims to:

  • Foster the development of intelligent performers by providing opportunities for the acquisition, application and improvement of technical, artistic and creative skills.
  • Encourage the development of knowledgeable performers with an awareness of the historic, cultural and social context of the profession they are entering by engagement with academic theoretical studies.
  • Promote the development of reflective performers by providing opportunities for students to engage with analysis, evaluative practices and critical thinking.
  • Produce responsible performers and promote career longevity by instilling the principles of health, fitness and safe practice as a foundation for maximising physical efficiency.
  • Produce independent performers by facilitating increasing learner autonomy throughout the course.
  • Produce professional performers by providing extensive experience of public performance.

What Our Students Think

What You'll Study

As an Apprentice Performer in Year 1, you will gain familiarity with established technical, creative and artistic concepts and practical competencies in singing, acting and dance.

Modules

This module introduces students to the historical, social and cultural development of Musical Theatre.  Students will explore developments in the genre and the historical, political and social issues that were prevalent at the time. The focus will explore key practitioners and musicals that defined the genre and inspired future composers, librettists and choreographers. This module will facilitate awareness of key technical concepts and methods in the genres studied and will outline some of the key concepts applicable to the origins and traditions of musical theatre performance, offering an overview of cultural, social and political contextualisation through investigation of exemplar practitioners.

The module will explore music theory to underpin the knowledge gained and inform the students’ understanding of the creative industry and the skills required to perform.

It will also establish the research and study skills required for self-directed learning. This will include research methodology along with academic writing and referencing skills.

This module introduces students to core vocal foundations in musical theatre.

This module provides a core of key technical concepts underlying voice in both a singing and spoken context relevant to musical theatre, and will enable students to establish a firm technical skill base, supported by safe practice.

It begins the student’s technical and artistic development in musical theatre performance and provides a broad-based foundation for future training, including a focus on vocal anatomy and function.

Students will expand their awareness of voice use and skills through regular practice, application of feedback and reflection, and by reflecting on and analysing exemplary practitioners and their contribution to musical theatre. 

This module introduces students to the principles underlying various dance/movement techniques and styles relevant to musical theatre.

Students will establish a firm technical base supported by safe dance practice which includes both physical and emotional health, and will expand their awareness of physical and artistic skills through practical participation, personal practice and application of feedback and reflection. Students will develop an understanding of posture, placement and alignment, the importance of effective and safe warm up, artistic awareness of co-ordination, musicality, dynamic energy and performance expression projection. The module will support an understanding of the key technical concepts and methods in dance genres, outlining key concepts applicable to the origins and traditions of musical theatre performance through investigation of exemplary practitioners and assessing their contributions to musical theatre.

This module introduces students to acting principles relevant to musical theatre. 

Through tutor-led workshops, students will develop understanding and skills of key technical concepts and artistic development in musical theatre performance and a broad-based foundation for future training, including analysis of exemplar practitioners and their contributions. Students will expand their awareness of acting techniques, methodologies and relevant practitioners through regular practice and reflective application, including the exploration of devised work, improvisation and textual analysis, and will demonstrate a developed understanding of the origins of musical theatre. 

This module introduces students to the essential skills and knowledge of an apprentice performer.

The module develops understanding of professional ways of working and skills for future employment. Students will be involved in all aspects of theatre performance including performance skills and technical skills. Students will review practices and processes by which a professional performance is created and realised 

This module aims to provide the opportunity for students to experience the processes involved in the realisation of a rehearsed performance, enabling students to encounter the demands of the profession through rehearsing and producing practical work. 

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

In Year 2, as an Evolving Performer, you will apply and develop technical skills, creative methodologies, artistic performance strategies and contextual theories.

Modules

In this module, you will engage in the creative process and delivery of a new performance.  You will consider the place and impact of this new performance in society through relevant research.  You will critically examine and analyse theoretical debates that are central to the study of musical theatre and will use this study to inform the new performance piece.  You will learn to apply the research and study skills required for self-directed learning and will include academic writing and referencing skills.

This module facilitates student analysis of the principles underlying voice in both a singing and spoken context relevant to musical theatre.

Students will expand and apply their technical skill base and knowledge of the voice’s capabilities supported by their own safe practice and continue to apply these in performance. Students will expand their knowledge of musical theatre repertoire by examining exemplary practitioners whilst developing their skills as a performer, by evaluating a wide range of vocal setups and styles leading to mastery of musical theatre repertoire. 

This module enables students to explore the variety of dance repertoire in musical theatre.

The module enhances knowledge and performance skills and builds understanding of what is required in the creative industries by developing and applying technical concepts and processes. 

Students will advance their technical and artistic skills in dance to enable versatility and adaptation of style, including analysis of musical theatre repertoire and exemplary practitioners and their contributions, sophisticated artistry and performance skills. Students will expand their knowledge of dancing through application of feedback, reflection and independent practice.

This module develops advanced application of the principles underpinning acting.

Students will expand and apply their technical skill base in mind, body and voice and learn to apply these in performance. The module will facilitate evaluation of acting techniques, methodologies and relevant, exemplary practitioners through intensive practice and reflective application, including the critical analysis of naturalism, character development, text work, and acting for camera.

 Students will analyse and debate practices and processes by which a professional performance is created and realised.

This module develops and enhances students’ knowledge and critical understanding of the principles of performance.

The module advances student understanding of professional ways of working, creating a clear benchmark for standards required in the professional world of performance. Students will analyse and debate practices and processes by which a professional performance is created and realised, including the explication of critical theories and contextualisation relating to musical theatre. 

Students will be involved in the rehearsal, performance and evaluation of practical work. Students are required to take greater independent responsibility for rehearsals and creative and technical direction, and will critically evaluate their technical, artistic, and reflective skills.  

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

In Year 3, as a Professional Performer you will take a high degree of responsibility for the planning, direction and management of your own development.

Modules

In this module, you will focus on your post-graduate interests and career trajectory to prepare you for life after your degree.   You will explore the world of the professional performer, engaging in audition processes, mock auditions and analysis of the ever-changing world of performance.  You will also explore the performing arts studio and working as a facilitator in the Creative Arts.   

You will be guided to create a personal portfolio, developing a collection of work that represents your abilities and skills for your intended career.  This will also include understanding of the importance of business acumen, as well as self-promotion and communication skills.  You will take responsibility for identifying and planning for your personal and professional development, applying research and study skills required for self-directed learning.  You will critically evaluate established methods and techniques and evaluate critical theories and contextualisation in your research.   

The module is designed to facilitate confident, self-aware and reflective practitioners ready to embark on a range of careers.   

The aims of the module are as follows:  

- To analyse and develop critical awareness of relevant professional skills, leading to proficiency of understanding of the professional world.   

- To facilitate autonomous student development and reflection. 

- To utilise transferable skills of the professional world and to evaluate the application of them.   

This self directed module allows students to initiate and develop their own performance based ideas and research skills appropriate to their area of study.  The initial lectures help students understand the research methods and skills needed to achieve the learning outcomes.  After the initial lectures, the focus is on the student to decide on the content and nature of their module, students will propose study and research areas to tutors and will then receive tutorial feedback throughout the process.  

Throughout the research stage, students will critically evaluate personal application of established methods and techniques, and will evaluate the social, cultural and political context, including evaluation of key exemplar practitioners.  

Content for this module will be based on each student's main interests, knowledge and skills.  Location and numbers involved will be determined by an agreed topic. 

The aims of the module are as follows:-

 - To accept accountability for the development of personal discourse and its practice.

 - To critically evaluate concepts of professional practice, underpinned by a strong theoretical framework.

 - To apply evaluative research skills and methodologies to study.

 - To utilise specialist skills in emulating professional practice in taking small scale projects from conception to realisation.  

This module gives the student the opportunity to research in depth and write at length about a topic of their own choice which is related to musical theatre.  Students will critically evaluate personal application of established methods and techniques, analysing and evaluating cultural, social and political contextualisation and will offer a personal critical reflection of the contribution of exemplar practitioners.  

The aims of the module are:-

 - To identify a suitable research topic, derived from the content of the programme of study, and critically review it.

 - To utilise specialist skills to apply appropriate methods and theories to the selected topic under consideration.  

 - To apply detailed articulation and evaluation in method of judgement making.  

This module creates the opportunity for students to advance their knowledge, critical and analytical understanding of the principles of performance, building on the skills and experience developed in the Performance Practice 1 & 2 modules. It provides the essential opportunity to understand the context within which performers work in the professional world.

The module demands a mature understanding of professional ways of working and students will gain experience of developing their leadership skills through being involved in the rehearsal, performance and evaluation of practical work. Students will critically evaluate personal application of established methods and techniques, and will offer a personal critical perspective on the contributions of exemplary practitioners. 

The module will facilitate student development of technical and artistic skills, sophisticated evaluation of the rehearsal process,  evaluative, reflective and research skills.

In this module, you will focus on strengthening your technical skills in acting, voice and dance to become a confident and skilled performer ready to embark on a professional performance career. 

You will expand and hone your technical skills in all three disciplines, utilising these skills in performance with consideration of safe practices.  You will work on integrating your disciplines and building stamina to produce industry-ready performances.  

The aims of the module are as follows:

-           To strengthen technical skills in acting, voice and dance. 

-           To foster confidence in you to take risks in performance. 

-           To further develop artistry, musicality and versatility in performance across the disciplines. 

-           To consider individual performer brand and select appropriate repertoire and style.

-           To integrate disciplines and build stamina for performance.  

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

How You'll Learn

You will be taught via tutor-led studio-based practical classes, lectures, seminars, tutorials and directed study. Guided learning through workshops, theatre trips and rehearsals and independent work on projects, encourages increasing independence as a practitioner. You will be assessed in a variety of ways, including: performance work in singing, acting and dance; studio and theatre performances; submission of essays and reflective journals; presentations; and oral assessments.

All teaching is delivered by experienced academics and practitioners, with the fundamental principles of the Chester Future Skills Curriculum at its core - building your subject competence, confidence, and key transferable skills to shape you into a world-ready Chester graduate.

Entry Requirements

104UCAS Points

UCAS Tariff

104 points

GCE A Level

104 UCAS points from GCE A Levels or equivalent. Typical offer: BCC/CCC. Specific subjects required: Drama, Drama and Theatre Studies, Performing Arts, Performance Studies

BTEC

BTEC Performing Arts. Typical offer DMM

International Baccalaureate

28 points, including 5 in HL Theatre Arts

Irish / Scottish Highers

Irish Highers - H3 H3 H3 H3 H4 including one of the subjects stated above

Scottish Highers - BBBB including one of the subjects stated above

Access requirements

Access to HE Diploma, to include 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 must be at Merit or above

T Level

T Level - Pass (C or above on the core).

Extra Information

Please note that we accept a maximum of 8 points from GCE AS Levels and that the Welsh Baccalaureate (core) and General Studies A Level will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs.

Applicants will be required to attend an audition and interview.

It is beneficial but not necessary to have studied Drama or Performance at A Level or equivalent. However, some level of dance is essential and will be part of the audition process.

Study the final year of an undergraduate degree

If you have successfully completed a Level 5 qualification, e.g. a Higher National Diploma (HND) or Foundation Degree in a relevant subject, then we may be able to consider you for the final year (Level 6) of one of our degrees. Topping up your HND or Foundation Degree will typically take one further year of study and will lead to a full BA (Honours) degree.

To apply for the final year of a degree on a full-time basis you will need to submit an application through UCAS.

For international applicants, please refer to the entry requirements listed on the "Your Country/Region" pages. To be considered for advanced entry into relevant degree programmes, you must have completed a qualification equivalent to a Level 5 or Level 6 in the UK, in a related subject area

Fees and Funding

£9,535per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

Our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for Home students entering University in 2025/26 are £9,535 a year, or £1,590 per 20-credit module for part-time study.

You can find more information about undergraduate fees on our Fees and Finance pages.

Students from the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey and the Republic of Ireland are treated as Home students for tuition fee purposes.

Students from countries in the European Economic Area and the EU will pay International Tuition Fees.

Students who have been granted Settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans.

Students who have been granted Pre-settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans.

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees. 

If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills.

Course specific additional costs

Non-compulsory theatre trips cost approximately £40-£50 each including coach travel. 

The uniform leotard is £36.99, the Hammond/university hoodie is £39.99 and the Hammond/uni polo shirt is £13.99. Other than the leotard, no item is compulsory and students can use their existing black dance clothing for practical sessions.

The University of Chester supports fair access for students who may need additional support through a range of bursaries and scholarships. 

Full details, as well as terms and conditions for all bursaries and scholarships can be found on the Fees and Finance section of our website.

Where You'll Study The Hammond

Your Future Career

Job Prospects

Graduates will be equipped with a collection of specialist and transferable skills enabling them to gain employment in a range of professional contexts, including other areas away from performing arts. 

Careers service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study

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