Course summary

The Cert HE in Musical Theatre and Dance is an intensive one-year course designed to equip you for entry into professional level undergraduate vocational training in Musical Theatre, Dance, or related fields. Delivered at Performers College Essex, the course offers high-contact, practice-led training that mirrors the rhythm and demands of the professional world at a foundation level. With a minimum of 25 contact hours per week, you will train intensively within a small cohort, working closely with expert practitioners to refine your technical foundation, broaden your performance vocabulary, and start shaping your professional identity. The course follows a clear progression across two semesters embedding key techniques in the core subject areas of singing, acting and dance. In addition, you will explore best audition practices, develop research skills, and understand sustainable healthy practices, with the course culminating in a fully staged showcase production. This carefully designed pathway allows you to gain the fundamental skills and resilience needed to navigate the next steps of vocational training in the field. The course is enriched by industry mentors, artists, and tutors who bring current insights from across the creative industries—ensuring you are audition-ready and fully prepared to embark on the next stage of your training, while graduating with a Level 4 qualification. Successful completion of the CertHE Musical Theatre and Dance course does not permit entry onto the second year our undergraduate courses.