Overview
The course offers high quality practical and intensive training to expand, unleash and develop musical theatre skills providing students with the core skills required to be successful within this exciting industry.
The course aims to give students of all ages, backgrounds and experience the tools to excel as musical theatre performers exploring a range of genres and practitioners. This exciting and career focused course will introduce you to all aspects of musical theatre in the performing arts industry.
You will refine your technique in a variety of dance such as ballet, jazz and tap, and you will develop the employability skills that are an essential part of being in this industry.
In acting there is a strong focus on naturalism and allowing the students to build their own tool box of skills and techniques to draw upon when they perform. This will include studying practitioners such as Stanislavski, Strasberg,and Uta Hagen. There is a strong focus on text analysis and how the actor creates a life by mining the text and drawing out the clues within to develop a role which is detailed.
In singing, you will focus on the Estill Method which is universally taught in Higher Education. Lessons will focus on audition preparation, ensemble work, building repertoire, acting through song and application of technique.
Additionally the course provides guidance on audition technique both industry based and preparation for Drama School. Students will learn how to market themselves as a performer and be given guidance on Equity, Spotlight etc from industry professionals.
- City Campus Manchester
- Full Time
- 1 year
- September 2025
Staff profile
Kerry Kawai – Programme Lead
Experienced and highly skilled actor with a wealth of experience internationally
Professional director and producer creating and touring new work via own theatre company
Extensive experience as a lecturer and dramaturg with a proven track record of successfully progressing students either on to Drama School or directly in to industry.
Cameron Ashall – Singing lecturer
Over 8 years of teaching experience, specialising in vocal techniques that empower students to excel in both theatre and film.
Student destinations include high profile west end job including Wicked (2024), Better Man (2024), Love Never Dies (Tour), Gypsy (The Royal Exchange), Oliver! (Leeds Playhouse), Identical the Musical (The Lowry), and A Christmas Carol (The Lowry), while others have successfully transitioned to top drama schools.
Focuses on developing performance confidence and artistic expression, ensuring students are well-prepared for diverse and demanding roles.
Academic Entry Requirements
• GCSE English Language and Mathematics A* to C or 9 to 4 where numeric grades are being awarded
• Ideally you will have a Level 3 Extended Diploma at grade Pass, Merit, Merit in a performing arts-related area
• Prior practical experience in all disciplines essential
• 48 UCAS points
Non-Academic Entry Requirements
Applicants are required to attend an interview and audition consisting of a practical class participation and solo performance.
You will also be required to submit a short written task.
Mature applicants (aged 21 or over) who are able to demonstrate relevant skills or knowledge gained in employment or vocational activity will be considered and may be invited to interview.
UCEN Manchester is unable to consider international applications due to UKVI regulations.
What will I be studying
Unit 1 The Performing Arts Industry (15 credits)
Unit 12 Singing 1 (15 credits)
Unit 13 Acting 1 (15 credits)
Unit 15: Ensemble Singing (15 credits)
Unit 16 Vocal Repertoire (15 credits)
Unit 2 Professional Development (15 credits)
Unit 3 Jazz dance 1 (15 credits)
Unit 7 Tap 1 (15 credits)
How will I be assessed?
You will be assessed in a variety of ways and may be asked to research theatre companies, practitioners, choreographer, and employment methods and present your work in ether written format or presentations.
Additionally, you will be assessed in performance / demonstration of your practical skills.
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.
Learn moreCourse 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.
• Theatre Blacks £50
• Core Textbooks for Acting & Voice- £100 (world of books online website)
• Maximum of £250 Professional dancewear kit list provided in advance
• Approx £100 for theatre tickets- discounted Lowry and Manchester fringe theatre tickets
• You will need to purchase digital storage device up to 1TB at an approximate cost of £20-50
• Optional participation in residential trips for an addition costs theatre trip to West End London
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.