The Musical Theatre programme is taught by a team of professional practitioners with industry experience and is designed to inspire you through the three disciplines of musical theatre. This performance-orientated course combines intensive practical training in singing, acting and dance with academic study of history, styles and genre. The combination of technique classes and lectures, highly experienced staff and guest workshop facilitators will ensure that you become multi-skilled and a confident triple-threat performer. The programme also focuses on industry preparation and will equip you with the skills needed to enter the profession or other careers such as teaching and the wider leisure industry.
We provide the opportunity to perform and experience musical theatre in a variety of venues. Previous tours have included New York, Holland, London and Bristol.
The Musical Theatre programme is a three-year BA Honours degree, comprising a two-year FdA (Levels 4 and 5), followed by a BA (Hons) Top-Up (Level 6). This structure allows for maximum flexibility, enabling you to achieve a qualification after two years, to continue for the full Honours degree or to join us from another institute for your final (top-up) year only.
In the second year of the course you will continue to build on and implement the technical skills acquired in the first year and develop solo and role based performance artistry. Regular technique classes, including ensemble and 1:1 singing, dance and acting will continue to strengthen and develop your performance mastery and will be accompanied by guest lecturers and specialists within the industry.
You will work in a variety of performance contexts including small scale children's theatre tours, international touring and large scale musical theatre productions in our 250 seat Olympus Theatre.
Year 3 consists of strategic performance opportunities where you will be expected to meet professional standards of performance to create an industry ready musical theatre performer and practitioner.
Showcases and other public performance projects will highlight your professional profile and be supported by classes and workshops that will ensure you are equipped with vital skills and material to begin your journey as a musical theatre performer.
The third year of the course is developed with your future at the forefront, collaborative and solo performance work will be accompanied by production and project management tasks to develop a sustainable creative graduate.
FdA - 96 UCAS points from a range of Level 3 qualifications (a-level, ual, btec), the expectation is that one of these qualifications would be from a creative subject and English 4/C. If you're over 21 and do not meet the standard entry requirements we will consider your application based on your previous experiences. All applicants are required to attend a FREE audition and interview. BA (Hons) - applicants are required to have successfully completed a HND or Foundation Degree.
A UAL Extended Diploma takes two years to complete. Upon successful completion this qualification is the equivalent of three A-Levels.
Part-time is only available on selected programmes, please contact admissions for further information.
An FdA qualification takes 2 years full-time to complete. A BA (Hons) qualification takes 3 years to complete full-time.
Part-time is only available on selected programmes, please contact admissions for further information.
We believe training should be affordable and accessible for all. That's why our audition and interview process is completely FREE.
We've designed our audition and interview process to be as relaxed as possible, we want to see the best version of you, in an environment you feel comfortable and supported to achieve your best.
To apply for a degree or university course you must apply via UCAS. If you'd like to talk through your application before submitting, please contact our admissions team.
Once you've successfully submitted your application our admissions coordinator will be in touch, you will then be allocated the next available audition/interview date.
University level admissions are coordinated centrally by the SGS Degree and University Student Experience and Recruitment Team.
Once you're happy that you've chosen the right course, you need to apply. You can either do this online, by selecting 'apply online' at the top of this page, this will launch the SGS online applications portal, or by downloading and printing out an application form.
If you'd prefer to apply by paper please contact our admissions team.
The Bristol Institute of Performing Arts is part of SGS College and our level 1-3 admissions are coordinated by the SGS College Admissions team.
Due to the unprecedented situation the country is facing with the Covid-19 pandemic, SGS is providing all students who have applied for a place on a college course with an automatic offer for September 2021. In early 2021, we will invite you to start our PreparED programme, this will ensure you're on the correct course and provide you with materials so you feel better equipped for studying with us next year. In addition, you will also get to meet your tutors and others on the course.
The FdA qualifications take two years to complete full-time or four years part-time. Upon successfully completing a FdA or HND programme you can progress onto a "top-up" level 6 bachelors qualification. This additional top-up course would allow you to achieve a BA (Hons) qualification in one year full-time or two years part-time.
Part-time is only available on selected programmes, please contact admissions for further information.
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All our Further Education (FE) college courses are FREE to UK residents who are under 19 years old on the 31st August. You will be expected to contribute towards the cost of specialist materials and resources (material fee). However, depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for financial help to cover part or all of your material fee from SGS College's Money Management Service. You should apply for financial support as possible. If you are aged 19 or over on 31st August 2019 and you are a UK/EU resident you will normally be required to pay a course fee. If you're over 19 years of age, please contact admissions for full fee information.
Don't let the cost of funding your future put you off. All our university level programmes are eligible for Student Finance England, Wales or Scotland. If eligible Student Finance will cover the full tuition cost of your university programme, you may also be eligible for a maintenance loan to support your living/travel expenses. Part-time course fees are reduced by 50% of the full-time fee per academic year.
> College Level | Bursaries (SGS College Money Management Service)> University Level | Bursaries & Scholarships
FdA - A foundation degree is a degree level qualification, which combines academic study with work place learning. Designed in association with employers, they are qualifications to equip people with the relevant skills, knowledge and understanding to achieve academic results as well as improve performance and entry into the profession. You can "top-up" an FdA qualification to a Bachelors degree by studying an additional year on either on of our "top-up" programmes or one at another institution. This is known as a 2+1 study mode.
FdA - A foundation degree is a degree level qualification, which combines academic study with work place learning. Designed in association with employers, they are qualifications to equip people with the relevant skills, knowledge and understanding to achieve academic results as well as improve performance and entry into the profession. You can "top-up" an FdA qualification to a Bachelors degree by studying an additional year on either our "top-up" or at another institution. This is known as a 2+1 study mode.
BA (Hons) - Our BA (Hons) courses are the typical three year degree programmes.
HND - An HND is equivalent to the second year of a Bachelors degree. It takes two years of full-time study to complete, or three to four years part time, and is designed to equip you with skills relevant to your chosen career
The Bristol Institute of Performing Arts is proud to be part of South Gloucestershire and Stroud College.
The Bristol Institute of Performing Arts was previously known as the South West Academy of Dramatic Arts (SWADA) at Filton College.
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Singing
Ensemble and 1:1 singing lessons run throughout the first year of the course to develop both artistry and technical skill whilst building a vital knowledge of the anatomy of voice and musical theatre repertoire.
Dance
You will take part in a wide variety of technique classes that support the development of musical theatre dance including jazz, ballet, tap and choreography. The classes are streamed according to level, so you will be placed in a class that reflects your ability.
Acting
Lessons during the first year will cover vocal technique, characterisation and physical theatre. You will study scripts and scores to develop an understanding and experience of performing in a wide variety of acting and musical styles.
Performance
Public performance opportunities will be present throughout the first year of the course and you will participate in major musical theatre productions in our 250 seat Olympus Theatre and 90 seat Studio 22 venue.