3 Year Musical Theatre Course

Course Duration 3 Years Full-Time
Course Hours Up to 35
Course Places 20-30 each year

Arts1 is located in Milton Keynes, just 30 minutes from London Euston
Course Structure: Year 1 – Higher National Certificate, Year 2 – Higher National Diploma & Year 3 – BA (Hons) Top Up*
*subject to validation

Course overview

Our intensive and practical 3 year course in Musical Theatre aims to create highly skilled triple-threat performers who through our professional training programme will develop a high level of skill in Dance, Singing and Acting. Our course consists of a 2 Year HND, followed by a 1 Year BA (Hons) Top Up Degree in Musical Theatre. Working across Contemporary and Classic styles you will leave equipped with the skillsets to perform in a wide range of productions on the West-End, Broadway and around the globe.

The courses development is a response to the changing landscape of full-time training in performing arts and the need for a more individualised approach. It has been developed using our 15 year experience of creating programmes for performers to thrive and grow into the very best version of themselves through access to some of the UK’s leading coaches and Industry figures. Our Signature Masterclass programme provides hands on access to world class educational experiences with industry professionals who hold international reputation.

The training is delivered through an equally balanced timetable of lessons and workshops across the three key skill areas. This course has the highest intensity of course hours in the UK with up to 35 contact hours per week. This intensive contact hour requirement provides the time for maximum skill and mindset growth in our aspirational environment. Through our programme we work with you to develop your individuality and voice as an artist and how to translate that into a career. Working with a small group of students in each year group means you can train for the industry, not just take class in a big institution.

In the final year alongside your training, you will collaborate with industry creatives, choreographers, directors and musical directors in three productions: A full-scale Musical, a London Showcase and a Bespoke Digital Portfolio – this season of work provides you with a platform to develop your brand and content to launch your career into the industry.

Please note: we are unable to accept applications from international students at this moment in time.

What You'll Study

Arts1 School of Performance: Degree

ESTILL EDUCATION AFFILIATE

Arts1 will be the only Estill Education Affiliated Musical Theatre Degree in the UK.

As well as providing world-class voice training in both spoken and sung, students will gain an additional qualification upon leaving.

Every student will have 2 x 30 minute 1-to-1 singing lessons each week consisting of 1 technique class and 1 repertoire class.

The Qualification

The 3 Year Musical Theatre course at Arts1 has several qualifications nested within it as part of the study programme.

1

Year 1 & 2

Higher National Diploma

1

Year 3

BA (Hons) Degree Top Up*
*subject to validation

This is an industry standard approach to a degree qualification.  We want our students to get into professional work at the earliest opportunity, this structure means a student could take a professional job whilst studying on the programme and be able to leave with the qualifications completed so far and return at a later date to complete the course. When enrolling onto Year 1, you will enrol onto the Level 5 HND, which houses all of Level 4's modules and assessments.

We are proudly partnered with USP College for our level 4 and 5 Diploma. We are in the process of designing and writing the 3rd year of our programme for delivery in 2026 and will be announcing our validation partner for this shortly - watch this space.

Arts1 School of Performance: Degree

Meet Sylvia Lane

Arts1 is delighted to be working with Sylvia Lane on the development of our new Higher Education Provision.

Sylvia is a seasoned performer and educator with over 20 years of professional experience in the industry. Originally from Munich, Germany, she began her career as a child performer with the Munich National Opera. She later pursued advanced training, earning a Graduate Diploma in Musical Theatre from the London Studio Centre, which launched her into a dynamic and varied performance career.

+ More About Sylvia

Degree Open Days

We offer in-person Open Days throughout the year, as well as a 45-minute on-demand Virtual Open Day. These events provide an opportunity to learn all about Arts1, explore our training programs, meet our team, and discover our school ethos.

Meet your teachers, current students
and view the facilities

Book an open day

Signature masterclasses

Our signature Masterclass Programme is at the heart of our course and creates the connection between training and industry. Working with some of the world’s most renown figures, you will explore and innovate in the areas of our industry that are ready for your impact.

Our facilities

Arts1 is launching an incredible studio complex in 2024 for all our students to enjoy. Featuring a studio theatre, air conditioned dance studios, coffee shop and arts library in a performing arts facility that has been designed for the next generation of theatre training.

Rehearsal Rooms
Studio Theatre
Dance Studios
Singing Studios
Library
Grub
Arts1 School of Performance: Degree

Rehearsal Rooms

At Arts1, we have 8 large spacious rehearsal rooms that serve as dynamic spaces for preparation and performance. Many of these rooms are equipped with their own sound and lighting setups. Our largest rehearsal space is generously sized, allowing us to replicate the stage setups you'll find in theatre spaces in MK and at Arts1.

Love MK

Milton Keynes is a thriving and growing city, with London’s West End just over 30 minutes away on the train which is perfect for industry connections, trips to the theatre or in Year 3 when you have professional auditions.

About Milton Keynes

Meet the staff

Allyson Ava-Brown

Allyson Ava-Brown, born in the UK, is a reputed singer and actress, and is best known for her role of Beatrice in Bear Behaving Badly. More recently, she has been Angelica Schuyler in the West End production of Hamilton.

Theatre credits include: Baby Shelduck in Julia McKenzie’s Honk! The Ugly Duckling at the National Theatre; Mimi Marquez in Phil Wilmott’s Rent; Eponine in Matthew Ryan’s Les Miserables; title role in Joyce Brannagh’s Cinderella at the Watford Palace Theatre; Liz de Souza in Graham Devlin’s Passports to the Promised Land (Nitro Theatre Company); Georgina Big in Tim Supple’s The Villains Opera at the National Theatre; Joyce Lane in Josette Bushell-Mingo’s Simply Heavenly at the Trafalgar Studios/ATG; Bunny in Karl Howman’s Hairy Fairies (Fick Productions); Habibah/understudy Iras in Gregory Doran’s Anthony and Cleopatra at the RSC/West End/Tour; Goddess/understudy Francisco in Rupert Goold’s The Tempest at the RSC/West End/Tour; Caesar’s Servant/Calpurnia/understudy Portia in Sean Holmes’ Julius Caesar at the RSC/West End/Tour; Fantine in Trevor Nunn’s Les Miserables at the Queen’s Theatre/Cameron Mackintosh; Reno in Terry Johnson’s Reno (CMP Limited); Evilene/Glinda in Jossette Bushell Mingo’s The Wiz at the West Yorkshire Playhouse/Birmingham Rep; Monsa/Martha in Paul Robinson’s The Swallowing Dark at the Theatre 503/Liverpool Playhouse.

Meet the staff

Degree Entry Requirements

Applications to Arts1 will be done on an audition basis. Your audition day will give you the chance to show us your talent and get comfortable at our Milton Keynes home. The day will include a tour of our facilities and a chance to meet staff and students.

Applicants must be aged 18 or due to have turned 18 by the time the course commences.

Standard Entry Requirements

Applicants typically need to meet the following academic qualifications:

  • Completion of two A-level subjects or a BTEC ND
  • Completion of three GCSE subjects or equivalent qualifications
  • For non-native English speakers, proof of English proficiency is required, such as an ELTS overall score of 7, a TOEFL score of 100, an IELTS score of 6, or equivalent qualifications
  • A minimum of 96 UCAS Tariff Points

Exemptions for Non-Traditional Applicants

While meeting the audition criteria is essential for all applicants, individuals with non-traditional academic backgrounds may be exempted from the usual academic prerequisites. However, proficiency in spoken English remains a mandatory requirement for all courses.

Mature Applicants (Aged 21+)

If you lack the listed qualifications but have relevant work experience, you are encouraged to apply. Your application will be considered on an individual basis.

Auditions Process

Singing

Please prepare two songs:

1 x Musical Theatre
This could be a classical legit type ballad, or a more contemporary musical theatre song. Something that gives you a chance to showcase your acting through song.

1 x Pop or Contrasting Musical Theatre
We'd really like to see either a Pop here or a contrasting song to your MT one – we want to hear your voice. Our training provides full training in both Pop technique and Musical Theatre technique, so this is just to give us an idea on where your voice naturally sits.

Dance

All auditionees will take part in a group Jazz class which will contain technical exercises and a routine.

Whilst allowing experienced dance applicants to demonstrate their technical proficiency, the focus of this session will be on connection to movement, storytelling and individual expression

Acting

For your Acting audition, you should prepare 1 monologue from a play, modern or classical.

We will workshop your monologue with you on the day to see how you react to direction and different feedback.

Interview

As a way of getting to know you, your experience, and your aspirations, we will be sitting down with you for a short and informal interview. This could be with anybody from the Arts1 staff.

Degree Fees & Scolarships

£9,250

Degree Cost

(Per year)

£500

Deposit

(Upon successful admission)

Free

Audition Fee

Breakdown of Fees for 2025/2026 Academic Year

Total Course Cost: £9,250 p.a

Qualification Cost: £6,000 p.a

(unless you are self funding, your student fee loan will be paid directly to the awarding institution)

Arts1 Vocational Fees: £3,250 p.a
(paid directly to Arts1)

Qualification Costs Explained

These are all the costs directly related to your qualification over the 3 years. They cover the assessed classes and units that contribute to achieving your final qualification. As Arts1 is an independent establishment that offers full-time courses in performing arts in partnership with colleges and universities, Student Loans only cover the cost of the qualification, which in this case is £6000.

Vocational Fees Explained

At Arts1, we provide specialist performance training that goes beyond the standard qualification. Our 3-year program includes additional opportunities not covered within the qualification itself. This includes two 30-minute singing lessons per week, industry masterclasses led by top professionals, and up to 35 contact hours per week. These extra opportunities offer students unrivalled access to experiences not typically available at other institutions or universities. Arts1 reserves the right to review fees at any time.

&Juliet

Waitress

Come from away

Celestial

Six

OUR GRADUATES

Arts1 School of Performance: Degree

Ivano Turco

is Jamie New in Everybody Loves Jamie

Graduating in 2020 Ivano debuted in the Original West End cast of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cinderella starring as Prince Sebastian (Gillian Lynne Theatre). He was a part of ALW's Cinderella Original Album Cast Recording which received a GRAMMY Nomination as a ‘Featured Artist' for Best Musical Theatre Album in 2021. In 2021 he was the winner of the Black British Theatre award for Best Male Actor in a Musical for Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cinderella. In 2021 he starred as Mordred in Lambert Jackson's CAMELOT: In Concert (London Palladium); and was part of the original London workshop cast of ‘FANGIRLS' as Salty and Dance captain. He also appears on the studio album of Footballer's Wives as Salvo, featuring on the singles ‘Lonely Moon' and ‘Let's Dance'. And went on to alternate in the role of Bob Marley in the closing cast of ‘Get Up! Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical.' (Lyric Theatre).

Arts1 School of Performance: Degree
Sarah Ikumu
Arts1 School of Performance: Degree
Alex Black
Arts1 School of Performance: Degree
Benjy Stevens
Arts1 School of Performance: Degree
Daisy Ward
Arts1 School of Performance: Degree
Eleanor Fransch
Arts1 School of Performance: Degree
Matteo Johnson
Arts1 School of Performance: Degree
Myles Waby
Arts1 School of Performance: Degree
Tia Antoine-Charles

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