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MA Musical Theatre
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Why study MA Musical Theatre at Goldsmiths
This unique Masters will enhance your critical understanding of musical theatre as a popular entertainment genre, and will train you as a performer, composer, writer or producer.
- This programme will help you to sharpen your practical skills as a creative artist. On a practical level, it will assist you in working as a performer, freelance writer, composer or producer of musical theatre.
- You'll follow one of the three pathways:
- Producer
- Writer or composer
- Performer - You'll take specialist classes in relation to your chosen pathway.
- You will work with trained professionals and will thus be linked directly with the industry in a range of ways.
- The MA focuses on the dramaturgy of the musical as a key factor in the future development of the genre.
- The programme culminates with a sharing of your creative work as part of our graduate festival. This will include a short original musical (for writers and composers), a performer showcase (for performers) and the organisation and production of all works in the festival (for producers).
Contact
If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Annie Guo , Pamela Karantonis .
Length
1 year full-time or 2 years part-time
Entry requirements
You should have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least 2:2 standard in a relevant subject. You might also be considered if you have relevant experience and can show you have the ability to work at postgraduate level.
School
Subject
What you'll study
You'll take the following compulsory modules:
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Genre Study | 30 credits |
| Creative Workshop | 60 credits |
| Musicals in Adaptation | 30 credits |
| Creative Production | 60 credits |
The modules Creative Workshop and Creative Production centre on specialist classes in relation to your chosen pathway. Creative Workshop, for example, has classes in singing, acting and dance (for performers), book and lyric writing and composition (for writers and composers), and the key fundamentals of musical theatre production (for producers).
In addition, you will undertake staff-led and/or staff-supervised rehearsals as well as lectures and seminars to develop critical awareness and knowledge of both the historical development of musical theatre as a distinct genre and the economic, social, political and aesthetic factors that continue to shape it.
Teaching
Workshops, practical sessions, lectures, seminars and tutorials are led by established teaching staff and from specialist visiting tutors with expert knowledge of specific fields and topics.
You will be taught on campus through face-to-face teaching, supported by leading researchers, practitioners, and technicians. You will work in a range of contexts that are relevant to your chosen pathway, including: workshops, practical sessions, rehearsed supervisions, lectures, seminars, one-to-one and small group tutorials.
A significant amount of learning will be achieved in group practical projects, while activities such as placements are designed to develop your individual communication skills and to model the experience of the workplace environment.
Facilities
As a Goldsmiths theatre student, your teaching will take place in five theatre studios and our fully equipped George Wood Theatre. Further facilities include a voice recording booth, media editing suite, scenographic workshop areas and a costume design studio.
George Wood Theatre
Set and prop workshop
Entry requirements
You should have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least second class standard in a relevant/related subject.
You might also be considered for some programmes if you aren’t a graduate or your degree is in an unrelated field, but have relevant experience and can show that you have the ability to work at postgraduate level.
International qualifications
We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.
If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.5 with a 6.5 in writing and no element lower than 6.0 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate-level study.
How to apply
Apply directly to Goldsmiths using our online application system
You apply directly to Goldsmiths using our online application system.
Before submitting your application you’ll need to have:
- Details of your academic qualifications
- The email address of your referee who we can request a reference from, or alternatively a copy of your academic reference
- Copies of your educational transcripts or certificates
- A personal statement – this can either be uploaded as a Word Document or PDF, or completed online. Please see our guidance on writing a postgraduate statement
- Self-tape of yourself performing (for Performer Pathway only)
You'll be able to save your progress at any point and return to your application by logging in using your username/email and password.
If you choose to follow the performers’ pathway, you will be invited to audition either in person or via online platforms/performance tapes.
When to apply
We accept applications from 1 October to 30 June for students wanting to start the following September.
Late applications will only be considered if there are spaces available.
If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an earlier application deadline.
Self-tape requirements for the Performer Pathway
As part of the application portfolio, all musical theatre performers are required to submit a self-tape performance no longer than 3 minutes in duration. Please use a head-to-chest shot, film in landscape, and focus on clear audio and a simple background.
Actors should slate naturally, wear comfortable, appropriate clothing, and perform for the character, not the camera, remembering to use your natural voice and avoiding props.
Remember, we are looking for potential, creativity, and authentic commitment, not perfection. Let your passion and individuality come through.
Guidance for the self-tape requirement:
- Slate (introduction) - Start with a slate to introduce yourself:
- Your full name
- The pieces you will be performing (title, character, and show)
- One or two Contrasting Songs:
- Each song should be 16–32 bars (or as requested)
- Be memorised and performed in character
- Be accompanied by live piano/keyboard or a backing track (no a cappella)
- Monologue (optional):
- A no more then 1-minute monologue
- Dance Component (optional/as requested) as part of the self-tape or submit a separate dance call video.
Please note, our application system can only accept files below 20MB. Alternatively, you can upload the video on a video hosting site and provide a link to it as part of your application.
Selection process
Admission to many programmes is by interview, unless you live outside the UK. Occasionally, we'll make candidates an offer of a place on the basis of their application and qualifications alone.
Find out more about applying.
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees
These are the PG fees for students starting their programme in the 2026/2027 academic year.
- Home - full-time: £11800
- Home - part-time: £5900
- International - full-time: £25500
If your fees are not listed here, please check our postgraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office, who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.
It’s not currently possible for international students to study part-time under a student visa. If you think you might be eligible to study part-time while being on another visa type, please contact our Admissions Team for more information.
If you are looking to pay your fees please see our guide to making a payment.
Funding opportunities
Find out more about postgraduate fees and explore funding opportunities. If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an application deadline.
Additional costs
In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page.
There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments. Please check the programme specification for more information.
Careers
Skills
You will develop a critical understanding of the collaborative processes involved in the creation of musical theatre across the world, with a particular focus on the UK and USA.
Composers and librettists/lyricists will achieve an enhanced ability to engage with the integration of dramaturgical and musical components of musical theatre writing, and a comprehension of the various factors involved in working within the industry.
Producers will acquire an overall perspective on the industrial and organisational factors involved in musical theatre production, including methods of theatre marketing, systems of arts funding and policy, and a working knowledge of the strategies involved in producing a small-scale musical.
Producers will also develop skills of leadership and teamwork and the ability to develop and critique their own approaches to working in musical theatre production.
The performers pathway will prepare you for performance opportunities in an expanded global practice of stage musical performance. You will develop your skills in the three core disciplines of acting, singing and dancing/movement. Your teaching will also explore creative practice, practice-based theory, and research.
Where your degree can take you
Typical careers for graduates of this MA include:
- Musical theatre composer
- Librettist
- Lyricist
- Producer
- Musical theatre performer
- Marketing manager
- Production assistant
Find out more about employability at Goldsmiths.
