Musical Theatre

SubjectPerforming Arts, Music

LevelUndergraduate

Type of DegreeBA (Hons)

CostEUR 10,460

CountrySpain

Cost non-EUEUR 10,460

More Information-


This is IAB’s three-year degree, a highly intensive course which trains, educates and develops creative performers who can work across a range of acting, dance and musical theatre styles and forms. Upon successful completion of the programme, you will be awarded a BA (Hons) degree from Liverpool John Moores University (UK).

The purely vocational and largely practical programme is led by a team of tutors with enormous experience both in their own performance work and in teaching performing arts, and you will be studying with fellow international students on a unique interdisciplinary campus, where dancers, actors, singers and musicians inspire each other to create fantastic work.

Two paths to choose from

This degree can be studied through one of two paths from the second year onwards. Both offer an exceptional level of skills training as well as a thorough education in Musical Theatre and the performance industry.

The first path, for 'triple threat' performers, gives equal weight to acting, dance and singing. The dance component is especially significant here, and that makes it a route highly suitable for those with a strong background in dance.

The second path also teaches the three elements, but while the dance technique is included the emphasis is more on singing and acting. If your dance background is not as strong this might be the best choice for you.

Whichever path you decide to follow, the BA (Hons) in Musical Theatre develops creative performers who can confidently work across the range of styles the industry is looking for.

Who is this course for?

Students on the Musical Theatre programme need to demonstrate a strong singing voice, dance skills (depending on your route), and an aptitude for acting. As with all fields of performance study, qualities of creativity, imagination and resilience are valued highly, along with an openness to learning and experimentation. 

A dedication to the industry and a passion for intensive study of the craft are sought in potential students.

Intensive and Practical

The programme provides students with the opportunity to learn through doing. Musical theatre students will take a substantial number of intensive practical technique classes each week in groups or sub-groups (dependent on which route is being followed).

As the programme progresses more time will be spent on rehearsal and stage production projects. During the three years of the programme, students will take part in a range of full-scale musical theatre productions.

Recent and upcoming productions have included: Spring Awakening, The Pajama Game, Merrily We Roll Along, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Drowsy Chaperone, Rent, Sister Act, Into the Woods, The Witches of Eastwick, Chicago, Footloose, Bad Girls, A Little Princess, The Addams Family and Bonnie and Clyde.

Year 1

Your first-year work at IAB is focused on learning the basic techniques that sit at the heart of all high-level Musical Theatre performance. The practical teaching will be in groups – with a strong timetable of classes in the essentials of singing, acting and dancing techniques.

Alongside your practice of craft skills, you will learn about the world of musical theatre, examining its history and the social contexts it is made in, and discovering how the industry works. Crucially, we'll teach you how to prepare yourself for employment as a performer.

Your skills will be building quickly during this intensive first year, along with your confidence. You will test yourself in your first live shows, and begin to develop the physical, mental and emotional resilience required for a career in theatre.

Year 2

Your second year of study is centred on personal development and learning by doing. The practical classes continue as you advance your skills and add new dimensions to your range. 

You will spend much more time on rehearsal and stage productions. Your tutors will ask for greater self-reflection on the quality of the work you produce and challenge you to bring more of your own ideas to the table. 

You will continue your programme of professional and contextual studies, learning the critical and evaluative skills your degree requires and the business skills you will be using as soon as you graduate.

Year 3

During year three the focus on you as an individual performer grows even stronger. This is when your own style begins to assert itself, with opportunities to develop your own ideas and devise or interpret work in ways that play to your strengths.

You will perform in full-scale musical productions with professional creative teams from the industry. IAB's industry partners and international talent spotters will be on the guest list to watch your work. This is graduation year, and you will continue to gather the knowledge and practise the skills you need to successfully manage a career as a performer.

Core Studies

  • Individual Singing Technique

  • Group Singing Repertoire and Technique

  • Ensemble Singing

  • Acting Through Song

  • Acting Technique

  • Dance and Movement for Musical Theatre

  • Musical Theatre Repertoire

  • Performance

  • Voice

  • Music Theory

  • Devising Skills

  • Professional Studies

  • Audition Technique

After graduation?

As a graduate from the BA (Hons) Musical Theatre programme you will possess an impressive set of skills. You will be ready to step confidently into a career in musical theatre and the performing arts.

You will have proven your worth on stage in professional theatre and showcase performances gained a strong knowledge of the industry you are about to go into, and understand how to manage the day to day business of being a working performer.  

If your ambition is to continue with your studies, then this degree, recognised around the world, will allow you to progress to further postgraduate/Masters degree studies in Europe, the USA and beyond.

Application process

Our admission process is very straight-forward. It involves an audition where you can demonstrate your talent, creativity and commitment to pursuing a career in performing arts.

The first step is to complete an online application, which is available on our website. You can then choose a date for your audition. We conduct auditions several times per year at multiple locations around the world. To complete the registration process, you need to pay an application fee of €50.

When you arrive at the Institute of the Arts Barcelona for the audition, you should bring a passport photo and all supporting documents such as diplomas, qualifications, and certificates. We will inform you shortly after the audition whether you have been accepted to the Institute.


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A Star Future provides information and guidance to British students looking to pursue their undergraduate studies abroad.

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