Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: £10,050 per year
International/EU: £18,900 per year -
How long will I study?
3 / 4 Years
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Where will I study?
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What is the UCAS code?
BB31
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When do I start?
September 2027
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Placement year available?
Yes
Course summary
- Study on a course in association with Sheffield Theatres.
- Develop expertise in musical theatre making in a supportive environment.
- Showcase and refine your skills in acting, singing and dance.
- Develop new practices in songwriting, choreography, production and direction.
- Collaborate with peers and industry professionals and present your work.
- Consider a diverse range of new and existing audiences for musical theatre.
On this course you’ll study the history of musical theatre while building your place in its future – preparing you for a successful career in musical theatre, the creative industries and beyond. Under the guidance of expert staff, this comprehensive programme offers a wide variety of modules and experiences to develop your skills, knowledge and artistic voice.
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How you learn
On the Musical Theatre programme, you’ll gain a comprehensive foundation in acting, voice and dance, alongside a wide range of making and production skills – plus an understanding of the historical, social, cultural and political dimensions of musical theatre and the performing arts.
With collaboration at the heart of the programme, you’ll engage in group work and learn from your peers. You’ll create a sense of support, inclusivity and shared responsibility – working together on projects, self-authored works and group performances, and bringing your collective visions to life. You’ll also enhance your understanding of the technical aspects of performance by working with technical theatre support.
You learn through:
- practical workshops to develop and refine your skills
- group projects, self-authored works and group performances
- industry guest lectures from active practitioners
- reflective practice, and journals
- critical writing and essays
- performed essays and presentations
Key themes
Throughout the course, you’ll delve into the actor's toolkit, learning essential techniques and approaches to body, voice, space and text. Meanwhile, you’ll develop core skills in voice/singing and dance on a module that’s unique to your programme.
You’ll then expand your skills in acting, voice and dance across the three years of the course, progressing to become makers – such as songwriters, choreographers, producers and directors – and performers.
The course emphasises critical reflection, encouraging you to document your growth and learn through reflective practice. This enhances your understanding of your own artistic process, deepens your engagement with the wider world of performance, and helps you refine your artistic voice.
By the end of the degree, you’ll have the ability to make meaningful contributions to the performing arts industry and other educational, cultural and creative sectors.
Course support
Our experienced professionals bring expertise and ongoing research into the classroom, providing insights into the latest developments and trends in musical theatre. They’ll support your academic and personal development by providing guidance, feedback and mentorship throughout your journey.
We also offer a range of support services – including academic advisers, library resources, and career guidance.
Applied learning
Work placements
You'll have the opportunity to arrange a year-long work placement in between your second and third years. This gives you valuable work experience to prepare you for your future career – as well as an Applied Professional Diploma to add to your CV.
The year-long work placement allows you to immerse yourself in a professional environment, applying your musical theatre and transferable skills in a real-world context. Through placements with industry-leading organisations, you’ll gain hands-on experience, develop industry contacts, and refine your skills under the guidance of experienced professionals.
Live projects
These enable you to work collaboratively with peers and industry professionals on creative productions, performances and events.
Working in groups on an Applied Brief from Sheffield Theatres, you’ll create and develop a short piece of new musical theatre. You may be asked to create a piece from your own ideas, or to work on a piece the theatre has in development.
In the Say it in Song: Musical Theatre Writing module, you’ll work individually or in small groups to respond to an Applied Brief from Sheffield Theatres. You’ll write an original musical theatre song, which is entered into a yearly competition, judged by the theatres.
Field trips
Throughout the course you'll have the opportunity to go on a wide range of trips. We're ideally located close to Sheffield Theatres and regularly see performances there.
You'll also travel to see work in other cities in the north, nationwide and where possible internationally. In previous years students have attended international theatre festivals in Prague, Venice, Berlin and Paris.
Networking opportunities
We invite industry professionals from Sheffield Theatres and beyond to deliver guest lectures and workshops, providing you with firsthand insights into the industry. We offer numerous networking opportunities, including industry events and showcases. These bring together professionals, peers and potential employers – great chances to establish valuable connections and expand your professional network.
We also encourage you to take part in national and international festivals to showcase your talent. These offer exposure to industry figures, talent scouts and agents, increasing your visibility and potential career opportunities.
As well as Sheffield Theatres, we have established partnerships with Screen Yorkshire, Theatre Delicatessen, Forced Entertainment, Stand and Be Counted, Doppelgangster, the Prague Fringe, Off the Shelf and the Migration Matters festival. We also work with a wide range of production companies, casting agencies and cultural organisations – all valuable industry connections you can benefit from.
Modules
Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
Module Aim
In this module, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles of musical theatre. You will develop skills in vocal and dance training and presentation, alongside contextual knowledge and understanding of the historical development of stage and screen musicals. Each week, you will focus on a seminal example of the genre, discussing its historical and global significance and learning an ensemble routine to build towards an end of term showcase.
Indicative Content
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Practical voice/singing and dance workshops.
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Lectures introducing the global histories of musical theatre.
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Individual and group tasks and training exercises designed to enhance dance and vocal technique.
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Experience of rehearsal room practice.
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Creation of an ensemble showcase.
Module Aim:
Through this module you develop a deeper understanding of the social and cultural implications of acting, theatre and performance by examining real-world case studies and exploring global perspectives. This module supports you to articulate your own personal motivations and connect these with the political contexts and motivations of established practitioners. The module places an emphasis on equality, diversity and inclusion, enabling you to find your unique voice and thrive as actors and performers in a changing world.
Indicative Content:
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Engagement with real world case studies including a range of diverse performance practices
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Group discussions about current debates
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Exploration of personal motivations
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Collaborative and individual research
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Development and delivery of individual presentations
Module Aim
In this module, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles of acting and performance. You will develop knowledge and skills in vocal and physical techniques, spatial awareness and staging conventions, and the ability to analyse texts. You will gain basic experience of technical theatre operations and learn how to work collaboratively and inclusively in the creation of performance for an audience.
Indicative Content:
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Practical voice, movement, staging and text analysis workshops
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Lectures introducing the global histories of acting and performance, diverse acting techniques, approaches to character development, use of space in performance, and dramatic structure
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Individual and group tasks and training exercises designed to enhance physicality, vocal technique, spatial awareness and text analysis skills
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Experience of rehearsal room practice
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Introduction to basic technical theatre operations
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Flexibility for guest lectures, collaborative projects, and global perspectives
Module Aim:
You will be introduced to models for collective creation that place an emphasis on devising, self-authored group work, and writing for performance. You are enabled to generate innovative ideas, and demonstrate effective teamwork skills as you collaboratively create performances from a range of starting points. The module fosters peer working through technical theatre support, and encourages students to think about ways of making performances that are accessible to different audiences.
Indicative Content:
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Practical workshops exploring techniques for collective creation
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Specialist training, research and tasks supporting skill development
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Lectures exploring diverse global approaches to making
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Guest workshops and theatre visits
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Guided devising processes leading to performance for an audience
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Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration
Year 2
Compulsory modules
Module Aim:
You will build on prior learning as you explore ancient, classic, contemporary, non-western, and self-authored texts, and apply text analysis and advanced acting techniques to bring them to life in performance. Collaborative working also includes peer technical support and attention to other creative production practices.
Indicative Content:
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Practical workshops and text analysis
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Creation of monologues and group performances
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Lectures exploring the theory, history and context of global acting techniques
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Individual tasks, including research, character development, and rehearsal
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Design and application of technical and creative production processes
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Group rehearsal and performance
Module Aim:
You will explore diverse contemporary performance theory and practice and draw from their discoveries as you create individual or group performances that enable you to refine your artistic voice and showcase your creativity. You will develop a deeper understanding of your own practice and contemporary performance by maintaining a critical reflective journal as you work collaboratively to create innovative new work.
Indicative Content:
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Practical workshops exploring contemporary performance techniques.
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Theoretical lectures on contemporary performance.
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Creation and presentation of a project pitch.
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Completion of a festival application.
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Devising, rehearsal, and presentation of performance to an audience
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Peer support through technical theatre operations.
Module Aim
You will build on prior learning as you expand your skills and knowledge of musical theatre practice. You will further develop skills in vocal and dance training and presentation, choosing to specialise in one or both of these areas. You will develop your solo and/or small group practice, through the preparation of material for an end of term showcase.
Indicative Content
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Practical voice/singing and dance workshops.
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Individual and group tasks and training exercises designed to enhance dance and vocal technique.
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Experience of rehearsal room practice.
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Creation of a showcase of solo and small group numbers.
Module Aim:
You will build on the skills and knowledge acquired across your musical theatre making modules to develop specific song/lyric and book (script) writing skills. Analysis of key global examples of these forms and practical writing exercises will stimulate and develop your own creative practice.
Indicative content:
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Song/lyric writing
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Book (script) writing for musical theatre
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Close study of existing practices
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Practical writing exercises
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Workshopping and discussion of your work with peers and tutors
Elective modules
This module is for undergraduate students to study abroad in their second year, Semester 2 (only for courses that offer this option). With this module, you can spend a semester at one of the University’s approved partner institutions worldwide – from Europe to the Americas, Asia Australia or Canada.
Study Abroad plays an important role in the University's commitment to an engaging, challenging, and thriving learning culture. It offers opportunities to experience other academic cultures and foster intellectual maturity while enhancing co-curricular skills and students' long-term employability.
Study abroad for credit is permitted on existing university-approved courses only. Students are awarded credits and grades at the partner institution, which are converted into Sheffield Hallam credits and grades on return and included in the Sheffield Hallam degree classification.
Please check and refer to the webpage How study abroad works. You must submit a Learning Agreement outlining the modules you will be taking at the partner institution. The Learning Agreement will be signed off by your academic tutor to ensure that the Learning broadly covers the Learning Outcomes set out in your course curriculum during your study abroad.
Year 3
Compulsory modules
Module aim:
The aim of this module is to enhance students’ professional development through the completion of and reflection on meaningful work placement(s).
A work placement will provide students with opportunities to experience the realities of professional employment and experience how their course can be applied within their chosen industry setting. The placement will:
- Allow student to apply the skills, theories and behaviours relevant and in addition to their course
- Enable students to enhance their interpersonal skills in demand by graduate employers – communication, problem-solving, creativity, resilience, team work etc.
- Grow their student network and relationship building skills.
- Provide student with insights into the industry and sector in which their placement occurs
- Help student make informed graduate careers choices.
Indicative Content:
In this module students undertake a sandwich placement (min 24 weeks / min 21 hours per week) which is integrated, assessed and aligned to their studies.
Their personal Placement Academic Supervisor (PAS) will be their key point of contact during their placement and will encourage and support students to reflect on their experience, learning and contribution to the organisation they work for.
To demonstrate gains in professional development, students will be required to share their progress, learning and achievements with their Placement Academic Supervisor and reflect on these for the summative piece of work.
Final year
Compulsory modules
Module Aim:
You will work independently or in groups to develop a major self-created performance for an industry showcase. Through the process of pitching, funding applications, research and development, rehearsal, and by attending to all aspects of production (including design, technical theatre, and marketing), you will demonstrate your capacity to operate independently and collaboratively within the performance industry. You will ensure your work is future-ready by preparing a funding application for its future development and/or presentation.
Indicative Content:
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Practical workshops focussed on the creation of new work from diverse starting points
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Lectures on creation of work for presentation in professional festival contexts
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Developing and pitching ideas
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Writing funding applications
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Research and Development
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Creation of marketing materials
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Attention to all aspects of production (including peer technical support)
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Rehearsal and presentation to an audience
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Maintaining a critical reflective journal
Module Aim
You will develop and refine your skills in all aspects of musical theatre as you prepare performances for presentation as part of an industry-facing showcase. You are challenged to explore and apply diverse acting, voice and dance techniques to musical theatre from different cultures, time periods and genres. Through performance, critical reflection, and peer technical support, you will demonstrate your ability to contribute to the musical theatre and broader performing arts industries as fully rounded performers.
Indicative Content
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Practical workshops exploring and applying diverse acting, voice and dance techniques.
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Individual training to achieve high levels of physical and vocal technique, and text analysis.
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Rehearsal.
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Application of production processes.
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Peer technical theatre support for production.
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Performance to an audience.
Module Aim:
You will prepare for careers in the performance industries and beyond by developing career plans and digital portfolios that reflect your professional intentions. You are encouraged to align your academic learning with future professional goals as you create comprehensive professional websites that draw from your experiences across the degree to showcase your skills, experiences, and readiness for professional work or postgraduate training.
Indicative Content:
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Lectures exploring industry practice
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Guest speakers offering insights into professional contexts
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Analysis of professional digital portfolios
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Creation of unique website portfolios
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Career planning and postgraduate planning
Future careers
his course prepares you for a career in:
- musical theatre performance
- theatre production and management
- writing, directing or choreography
- drama education and community facilitation
- teaching
- arts programming and festival curation
- public communication and marketing
- arts administration
Equipment and facilities
We’re equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including spacious and well-equipped rehearsal and performance spaces at our Performance Lab.
Our dedicated technical team makes sure you can access and make the most of our teaching and learning facilities throughout your studies. These include:
- industry-standard lighting and sound systems
- a costume and prop store
- Green Room social space, with kitchenette and showers
- a comprehensive library of plays, scripts and performance materials
- the Sheffield Theatres Archive
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Explore the libraryEntry requirements
All students
We are currently updating our entry requirements. Full details will be published by the end of May 2026.Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students on full-time undergraduate courses in 2027/28 is £10,050 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year). These fees are regulated by the UK government and therefore subject to change in future years.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2027/28 is £18,900 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year)
Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Sheffield Creative Industries Institute (PDF, 277.1KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
