Overview
At the heart of every Arden Musical Theatre student’s journey is the student themselves. This three-year course is led by industry professionals, dedicated to nurturing each individual's potential. Our student-focused approach goes beyond standard training, helping you become the performer you aspire to be.
Over three years, you will train as a triple-threat performer, mastering acting, singing, and dancing. With an average of 30 weekly study hours, you’ll gain the skills to excel in musical theatre. Each student also receives 1:1 personal singing tuition, ensuring tailored vocal development.
Year One: Skills
Your first year focuses on building a strong foundation across acting, dancing, and singing. Through performance projects and text-based work, you’ll establish techniques, sound practices, and explore your creative process.
Year Two: Challenges
In the second year, you’ll tackle diverse projects, including historical and contemporary repertoire, various dance styles, and a swing project. You’ll even write and stage a full-scale musical. This year refines your core skills, fosters experimentation, and offers collaboration with industry professionals.
Year Three: Professional Year
Your final year prepares you for the industry with a focus on audition repertoire, professional development, and external creative collaborations. You’ll perform in two full-scale productions, an industry showcase in Manchester and London, and produce a professional voice reel.
Manchester offers an inspiring base with a vibrant theatre scene, northern-based agents, and a rich cultural life. From theatres and museums to a diverse nightlife, it’s the ideal place for aspiring performers.
This programme transforms passion into professionalism, helping you realise your potential as a versatile performer.
- City Campus Manchester
- Full Time
- 3 years
- September 2025
Awarding Partner:
Staff profile
Graham Lappin - Programme Leader
Acting:
Michael Peavoy - Acting Teacher / Director / Personal Tutor
Julia Maden - Acting Teacher
Alan French - Acting Teacher / Director
Shaun Chambers – Context Teacher
Will Nelson - Context Teacher
Dance Team:
Leonie Alcock - Dance Teacher / Personal Tutor
Natalie Maloney - Dance Teacher
Jason Tinney - Dance Teacher
Paula del la Puente - Dance Teacher
Adele Inglis - Dance Teacher
Voice and Singing team:
Lily MacKenzie - Voice Teacher
Robert Purvis - Musical Director
Carrie Birmingham - Singing Teacher
Sam Chambers - Singing Teacher
Joeseph Keegan - Singing Teacher
Academic Entry Requirements
• 96 UCAS tariff points
• We strongly recommend that all applicants have GCSE English Language and Mathematics grades A*-C or level 9-4.
• Full level 3 qualification.
• If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent.
Non-Academic Entry Requirements
In order to assess your potential as a performer all applicants at The Arden are required to audition. Each course has its own unique way of auditioning in order to ensure we see your full potential. For a more detailed overview of our audition processes on our programmes please visit www.thearden.ucenmanchester.ac.uk/about/auditioning.
UCEN Manchester is unable to consider international applications due to UKVI regulations.
What will I be studying
Year 1: Acting Methodologies (20 credits)
This module is intended to introduce techniques and skills for the development of an acting process. Students will largely work through the methodology of Stanislavsky but they will also be introduced to other practitioners such as Laban and Meisner. Voice and Movement will be explored in order to foster a holistic approach that promotes attention to the psychological and physical demands of acting.
Year 1: Acting Through Song (20 credits)
The modules aims to further develop and strengthen subject knowledge and provide a process for revealing the dramatic shape of a song. Intensify the characters needs and establishing character relationships and develop and use objectives as part of the through line of the narrative.
Year 1: Dance Techniques into Performance (20 credits)
The module aims to introduce and develop a range of dance techniques and skills that students will need in order to work in musical theatre. Develop their fundamental skills including; posture, alignment, core stability, musicality and movement memory.
Year 1: Ensemble and Solo Singing Techniques (20 credits)
The module aims to introduce students to the key components that underpin vocal technique. Develop an appreciation of vocal and instrumental composition individually and as part of an ensemble. Introduce the principals of general musicianship through music theory and sight singing.
Year 1: Musical Theatre: Context and Guidance (20 credits)
The module aims to further develop and strengthen subject knowledge and encourage students to identify and examine their own practice in the wider context of the history of musical theatre.
Year 1: The Epic and Heightened Form (20 credits)
This module aims to provide a process for revealing the dramatic shape of a song, intensifying the characters needs and establishing character relationships and objectives as part of the through line of the narrative.
How will I be assessed?
Throughout your entire degree, you’ll participate in a wide variety of performance projects and workshop sessions, and we’ll give you regular, constructive feedback on all of these.
Alongside the practical assessments of your singing, dancing and acting skills you’ll also evaluate your own development through some written reflections and be responsible for your own research project in your third year, which can be a written or performance piece.
Fees, Finance and Funding
There are two main costs you will have whilst studying and if you are a home student studying on a full-time course, you can apply for student finance to cover both of these:
• Your tuition fees for each year of your course.
• Help with your living costs e.g. rent, food, clothing, course materials, entertainment.
You can find more details, including the actual tuition fee charged on our Fees, Funding and Finance Page.
Course Associated Costs
All of the books required for the course are available from the library. However, many students choose to buy some of the core textbooks for the course and/or a laptop. Students may also need to print their assignments and other documents. Campus printing costs start from 5p per page.
Estimated costs are £300 for a laptop up to £100 each year for books and printing.
Dancewear (depending on existing kit) approx. £120
Travel/Accommodation contribution for 3rd Year London Showcase: Approx £75
All students are subject to UCEN Manchester’s Terms and Conditions from the date they accept an offer to study here. The UCEN Manchester Admissions Policy and Procedure can be found here.