BA Musical Theatre (top-up)
Award
BA
Start Date
To be confirmed
Duration
1 year
Mode
Full-time
Location
Shockout
UCAS Code
P422
Build on a relevant foundation degree, HND or equivalent Level 5 qualification with our BA (Hons) Musical Theatre (top-up). Develop your acting, singing and dance at honours level while exploring production, creative enterprise and professional practice. Live and digital performance opportunities, industry-led learning and independent inquiry help you refine your artistic identity and prepare for a sustainable career. You will study and train in Shockout’s purpose-built studios in Manchester.
Course Overview
This course is taught by Shockout under a franchise delivery partnership with the University of Greater Manchester. Students will enrol directly with the University of Greater Manchester and will be taught by Shockout.Our intensive final-year BA (Hons) Musical Theatre (top-up) builds on your existing performance-related foundation degree, HND or equivalent qualification. The programme develops advanced technical and artistic skills in acting, singing and dance, alongside the critical understanding and professional confidence needed for contemporary musical theatre practice. Creative and innovative programme development connects studio training with production, digital performance and enterprise, helping you develop your individual artistic identity and the ability to create and produce original work.
You will develop your practice through live and digital performance, collaborative rehearsal and production work with Shockout Arts’ in-house production company. Simulated professional environments help you understand how performance is created, realised, managed and documented, while industry-relevant showcases support your transition into professional practice.
Specialist practitioners and industry partners contribute to workshops, masterclasses and work-based learning. During your Level 6 studies, Industry Weeks offer intensive learning and networking with leading practitioners. These experiences develop professional discipline, resilience and adaptability while connecting your learning with current industry expectations.
Technical training is balanced with academic inquiry and reflection. You will explore the historical, cultural, political and social contexts of musical theatre, apply research to your creative practice and engage with ethical, inclusive and sustainable approaches to performance. Creative digital tools and emerging technologies support critical exploration and professional development.
Teaching is designed to support different learner needs and encourage collaboration. You will train and create in industry-standard, accessible studios equipped for technical development, performance and digital documentation. Successfully completing the top-up leads to a BA (Hons) and can support progression into employment or postgraduate study.
For full details about Shockout, open days and accommodation, visit www.weareshockout.com.
Course venue
Shockout Arts
Valo Building
Brian Statham Way
Old Trafford
Manchester, M16 0PU
Highlights
- Develop honours-level acting, singing and dance skills through a programme that connects studio training with production and professional practice.
- Gain regular live and digital performance experience, working collaboratively with Shockout Arts’ in-house production company.
- Learn from professional artists and industry partners through workshops, masterclasses and Industry Weeks that support professional readiness and networking.
- Prepare for current musical theatre practice through industry-relevant showcases, simulated professional projects and creative enterprise.
- Train in purpose-built, accessible performing arts studios in Manchester, with facilities supporting performance and digital documentation.
Key Features
- Develop and apply singing, acting, jazz, ballet and commercial dance techniques within musical theatre performance and creative production.
- Explore the histories, practitioners and cultural contexts of musical theatre, using critical inquiry and reflection to inform your own practice.
- Build professional skills through rehearsal, performance, industry engagement and project work that reflects contemporary working environments.
- Use creative digital tools and emerging technologies, including AI and digital media, with critical reflection on their contribution to creativity and professional readiness.
- Develop entrepreneurial and transferable skills in communication, collaboration, project planning, digital literacy, problem-solving and self-management.
- Engage with inclusive, ethical and sustainable approaches to performance-making and socially engaged practice, recognising the needs of collaborators and audiences.
Entry Requirements
-
Normally, you should have a relevant Level HE5 qualification, such as a foundation degree or HND, for example FdA Musical Theatre, or a relevant professional qualification at an equivalent level.
- You will be required to attend an audition and interview at Shockout Arts. Email admissions@weareshockout.com to receive an audition date.
- Applications from mature students without the standard entry qualifications will be considered. Applicants will be interviewed and required to complete a diagnostic assessment. Equivalent qualifications and relevant experience may be considered, and a portfolio or other assessment may be requested.
- All applicants must apply to both the University of Greater Manchester and Shockout Arts. The Shockout Arts application form can be accessed at www.weareshockout.com. For details of how to apply to the University of Greater Manchester, please see the How to Apply section of this web page.
- All students undertaking undergraduate or postgraduate dance programmes must provide a medical certificate, signed and stamped by a registered medical practitioner, confirming their fitness to participate safely in the programme's practical dance activities, taking account of any reasonable adjustments required.
- If English is not your first language, you will also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
- This course is open to Home students only. Applications from International and EU students cannot usually be accepted because the study location for this course is not licenced by UKVI to sponsor students. Therefore, if you require sponsorship under the Student Visa Route to study in the UK, then, unfortunately, we'll be unable to consider your application for this course. Some EU students are eligible to study this course under the EU Settlement Scheme or Common Travel Area arrangement – for details, please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/studying-in-the-uk-guidance-for-eu-students.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
Career Opportunities
Our BA (Hons) Musical Theatre (top-up) prepares you for professional practice through advanced performance skills, versatility and an informed understanding of musical theatre. Live and digital performance, production work and industry engagement help you develop the confidence, adaptability and artistic agency needed to navigate the performing arts and wider creative industries.
You will develop skills in self-presentation, communication, teamwork, critical thinking and reflective practice. Independent and collaborative projects strengthen your ability to plan work, solve creative problems, respond constructively to feedback and use digital tools appropriately. Entrepreneurial learning supports you in taking ownership of your career and identifying opportunities to create and produce your own work.
What can I do with this qualification?
You may combine performance with teaching or devising and presenting your own work, or establish a performance-related business. The qualification also supports progression to relevant postgraduate study or teacher training, subject to the entry requirements of the chosen programme.
Alternative career options
Graduates can also use the qualification to progress into other careers. Relevant experience, professional training and/or postgraduate study may be required for some roles. Possible areas include:
- Teaching and education
- Community arts
- Modelling
- Journalism and writing
- Dance, Musical theatre, film or television criticism
- Dance or drama therapy
- Arts administration
- Agent work
- Casting
- Marketing and PR
Fees & Funding
Funding your studies: From January 2027, eligible students may be able to use the new Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) to access tuition fee loan funding for this course. The LLE is designed to make student finance more flexible and support people to study, retrain or develop their skills at different stages of life. Find out more about the LLE and eligibility Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) | Skills for Careers
Home/EU Fees
| Year of study | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Year | 2026/27 | 2027/28 | |
| 2026-27 | £9,790 | - | £9,790 |
| 2027-28 | - | ||
International Fees
International applications are not possible for this course
As an international student you are not allowed to study this course because of the restrictions on your visa.
We offer a wide range of full-time courses in lots of different subjects, many of our courses start in September and January. If you would like to see what courses are available please visit our Course Search.
Bursaries
Important note regarding tuition fees: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
Home Undergraduate Tuition Fee Adjustment
The tuition fee applicable to the first year of your programme of study is confirmed in your offer letter. The tuition fee set is based on the regulations and guidance in force at the time of offer but remains subject to adjustment in accordance with any government-approved inflationary increase. The University reserves the right to amend tuition fees for all years of study, including the first year, by no more than the maximum increase permitted under legislation and regulatory guidance issued by the UK Government and the Office for Students.
Where such increases are approved, they will not exceed the rate of inflation, as measured by an appropriate index such as the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), or any successor measure specified by government. The University will apply any adjustment consistently across affected student cohorts and will give reasonable notice to students of any confirmed change to the published fee before the start of the relevant academic year.
This approach ensures that tuition fees remain compliant with applicable legislation, proportionate to inflationary changes, and consistent with government policy linking permitted fee uplifts to the maintenance of high-quality education and outcomes. For more information, please refer to the government guidance at: gov.uk – Universities to deliver better outcomes in return for full fees.
Postgraduate and International Tuition Fee Adjustment
The tuition fee applicable to the first year of your programme of study is confirmed in your offer letter. The University reserves the right to amend tuition fees for subsequent years of study in accordance with its Course Fees Policy. Where such increases are approved, they will not exceed the rate of inflation, as measured by an appropriate index such as the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), or any successor measure specified by government. The University will apply any adjustment consistently across affected student cohorts and will give reasonable notice to students of any confirmed change to the published fee before the start of the relevant academic year.
Additional costs
Medical Fitness Certificate: As a condition of enrolment, students must provide a medical fitness certificate, signed and stamped by a registered medical practitioner, confirming their fitness to participate safely in practical dance activities. Medical practitioners may charge for the provision of this certificate, and any associated costs are the responsibility of the student.
Enrichment Fee: You will be required to pay a one-off enrichment fee. The enrichment fee is refundable if you do not gain the qualifications required for entry to the course or a satisfactory medical report.
Dance Attire: Successful applicants and students must wear suitable dance attire; a list will be provided. You may already have many items. Contact Shockout Admissions for an estimate if you need to buy them new.
How to apply
Home Applicants
Multiple courses or institutions (September entry):
Apply via UCAS (www.ucas.com), where you can select up to 5 courses for a fee of £28.95.
Institution: University of Greater Manchester
Code Name: UGM
Code Number: B44
Tel: 0870 1122211
Single course applications (any intake):
You can apply directly to the University using our online application form. This route is:
Free, secure, and straightforward
Supported by direct contact with Admissions
Includes regular application updates
Provides access to offer-holder events and taster sessions
Important:
You cannot apply both via UCAS and directly in the same academic year — a UCAS application will invalidate any direct application.
For September entry, accepted direct applicants will have a simplified UCAS record created and shared on their behalf. By applying directly, you agreed to these terms.
Before you apply:
Check the entry requirements and ensure you select the correct start date/location.
Prepare the following:
Education history and dates
Qualification certificates (image files for upload)
Employment history (if applicable)
Personal statement (to enter or upload
Contact details for two referees (including at least one academic)
Document formats: PDF or JPEG (Word accepted for personal statements). Ensure all information is accurate before submitting.
Need Help?
Undergraduate Admissions Team
Phone: 01204 903394
Email: admissions-team@greatermanchester.ac.uk
International Applicants
International applications are not possible for this course
As an international student you are not allowed to study this course because of the restrictions on your visa.
We offer a wide range of full-time courses in lots of different subjects, many of our courses start in September and January. If you would like to see what courses are available please visit our Course Search.
Partner Organisation Applicants
University of Greater Manchester Group Partners
Bolton College
University Collegiate School
Alliance Learning
University of Greater Manchester
For valued members of the University of Greater Manchester Group and progressing students, we try to make our application process as simple and as fast as possible.
If you have carefully considered your course and institution choices and decided that this course is the best option for you, you may apply free of charge to the University. By selecting the appropriate link from the list shown below, you will be taken directly to our online application form. Please read the user guidance before completing this, and ensure you upload all supporting documents such as certificates and your personal statement when you apply.
When you are asked to add a contact email address, please ensure you add your college/university email account address as well as your personal address. If you do not add your college address as your contact address, we will be unable to identify you as a partner and offer you the benefits of being part of our group.
NOTE: You cannot apply both through UCAS and directly to the University of Greater Manchester. Submitting an application to any university through UCAS during the same academic year will void any direct application you make to the University of Greater Manchester.
For courses starting in September, please be aware that we are required to share your information with UCAS if we accept you on this course. We will create a simplified UCAS acceptance record on your behalf and return this to UCAS. By submitting your application directly to the University of Greater Manchester, you agree to these terms.
If you are ready to apply directly, please select your chosen start date from the list below.
Before applying, please read the entry requirements section of this page.
If your course runs at multiple locations or has various start dates, please be sure to select the correct application link from the list below.
Before beginning your application, you should have the following information to hand:
Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates
Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course – you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies
Details of any employment history, including name, address, dates and role
Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately
Details including email addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be someone who can provide an academic reference
Please make sure any documents you wish to upload in support of your application are in pdf or jpeg format. Personal statements may be word documents.
Please ensure your data is correct at each stage of the application before you proceed to the next page. If you use the back button at any time during the application, you should check the validity of the data you have already inputted.
If you experience difficulties during the application process, contact the Undergraduate Admissions Team on 01204 903394 or admissions-team@greatermanchester.ac.uk
We look forward to receiving your application and you continuing your academic journey with us!
Teaching & Assessment
Learning combines tutor-led classes, industry-led workshops and simulated work-based projects. Practical sessions develop acting, singing and dance techniques, supported by the Virtual Learning Environment and creative digital tools. Guided independent study includes rehearsal, practice, research, background reading, preparation for seminars and assignments.
Teaching prioritises accessibility, sustainability and industry relevance. You will engage with emerging technologies, including AI and digital media, through critical reflection. Blended learning includes online delivery and engagement where appropriate, alongside studio practice, lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials.
Assessment includes in-studio technical assessments, practical skills assessments, performances, practical project reports, portfolios, oral presentations, written coursework and a major research project. Formative tasks support your learning and provide feedback without contributing to the final module grade. Summative assessments contribute to your module results. Feedback on both helps you recognise strengths and identify areas for development.
Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
- Studio to Stage
- Musical Theatre Industry Development
- The Company, Major Project
- Teaching and Applied Dance Practice
- Independent Research or Practice-Based Dissertation
Assessment methods
| Level | Assessment method |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Coursework 40% Practical exams 60% |
Learning Activities
| Level | Activity |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Guided independent study 58% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 42% |
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
Postgraduate Options
Programme Contacts
Disclaimer: The “Greater Manchester Way” represents our preferred teaching and learning approach; however, not all courses follow a block-teaching model. While course structures and delivery patterns may vary to meet Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) requirements, all courses benefit from the GM Way approach to curriculum design and assessment. Applicants and students should refer to individual course specifications for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
