Italia Conti’s CertHE Musical Theatre Performance is designed to train students in the triple threat skills needed to embark on a full-time degree course in musical theatre and the performing arts.
Our one-year (two terms) full-time course delivers an intensive skills training in the disciplines of Singing, Dance and Acting, alongside rigorous audition technique training in all three disciplines, designed to fully prepare students for drama school applications and auditions, and a range of Musical Theatre rehearsal and performance opportunities.
Students will be trained in improving performance and audition confidence, audition etiquette, how to prepare for online auditions (including self-taping) and rehearsal and performance practice, ready to face the challenges of a variety of performing arts school auditions, and to embark upon their three-year training. Students will train with the same core faculty that also teach on our degree and diploma courses, and benefit from the wealth of knowledge brought by a world-renowned performing arts school that has been training successful artists since 1911.
CertHE Musical Theatre (Foundation)
CertHE Musical Theatre is a one-year, full-time course for students aged 18+ who want focused musical theatre training and preparation for further study or early professional work across stage, screen and multi-platform performance. You build core skills in acting, singing and dance, with acting through song, ensemble singing, musicianship and voice, plus ballet, jazz, contemporary and tap. Contextual practice and rehearsal projects help you apply these skills in performance. Validated by the University of Chichester. Eligible Home students can access full government funding through Student Finance England. Designed as a foundation for entry to three-year musical theatre training at drama school or university, with targeted audition preparation.
As an Associate College of The University of Chichester, Italia Conti delivers the Certificate of Higher Education Acting (Foundation).
This one-year (two terms), full-time vocational course is for anyone aged 18+. The course is organised into modules with various modes of assessment.
Full government funding is available through Student Finance England for Home students.
Degree Tuition Fees | £9535 per academic year, (paid in advanced termly instalments). Student finance is available, which includes access to a Tuition Fee Loan and Student Maintenance Loan. These payments are made to directly to the University of Chichester. Scholarships and Bursaries | Available for our AVT fees. Scholarships are awarded upon outcome of audition. You may apply for a bursary here by contact admissions@italiaconti.co.uk
Audition Fee | £45 (non-refundable) Deposit | £275 (The deposit is refundable within 14 calendar days of the payment being received by Italia Conti but will not be refunded thereafter for non-enrolment. It will be held by Italia Conti and will be refundable on completion of the course, without interest, less any outstanding sums owed by the student to Italia Conti.)
For further information, please see our International Applications page.
Italia Conti welcomes applications for audition fee waivers for those who are eligible.
Terms and conditions apply upon acceptance to Italia Conti.
HE & AVT Terms & Conditions
“The building and staff inside welcome you with open arms, guide you through your training and proudly push you, prepped with the best tools for the job.”
“I feel as if I have already made so much improvement in a short space of time. I love how equally balanced the course is, as I know with some musical theatre courses it’s hard to find a balance between all three disciplines, but this course really delivers.”
“italia conti is such an inclusive place for everyone. The diversity on the first intake of students for the cert he course is incredible and I cannot wait to see how this course betters students in the years to come!”
“The influx of inspiring people flowing through the building creates an atmosphere for greatness and I am honoured to be a part of that.”
Applications to Italia Conti are made by direct application via the link below only.
Applicants DO NOT need to complete a UCAS application for Italia Conti.
Applicants must complete the application form and pay the audition fee (£45) in order to be considered.
Audition fees are non-refundable. These fees act as both an administration fee for processing your application as well as a non-refundable deposit for a place on an audition day.
Applicants are encouraged to express on the form interest in any other courses/streams they would like to be considered for e.g. Three Year Acting (Musical Theatre), in addition to the course directly being applied for.
All applicants are considered for the respective Three Year Courses, by standard.
In line with our admissions policy, Italia Conti reserves the right to alter or withdraw offers at any point. Places on our courses are limited; it is usual for drama schools to make more offers than there are places. Acceptances are dealt with on a first come first serve basis and so early acceptance is advised.
After completing the application process, you will be invited to submit an audition tape where auditionees will be required to demonstrate a variety of skills. Successful applicants will be invited to a recall audition on site. Information about auditions can be found below.
If there’s something that might shape your experience with us – such as access requirements, a disability, being neurodivergent, something related to a protected characteristic, or anything else you’d like to share – please let us know. This kind of information isn’t always obvious from an application.
You can contact:
We’re here to listen and discuss what support or reasonable adjustments could help you feel confident and supported throughout the process.
CertHE Musical Theatre(Foundation)
First round applicants will receive the result from their audition submission within 3-4 weeks of receipt. This is to ensure that every submission deserves our full time and attention.
Auditionees should prepare one speech, no longer than one and a half minutes in length, from a Contemporary British Play written after 1990.
Auditionees should prepare a song, no longer than one and a half minutes in length, that they enjoy singing and can sing well.
Please ensure that the recording is a true reflection of your acoustic singing voice. Do not edit the audio or add any effects to the recording in any way. Please record the audio using the video camera device so you capture an accurate and unaltered recording of how the voice sounds in a room.
Please record yourself performing the following Kicks and Pirouette combination & Jump combination exercises as taught on the video.
Auditionees should prepare one dance piece in your preferred style, no longer than one minute. This should showcase your strengths and highlight any special skills.
Please wear tight fitting clothing to allow the panel to see your movement fully.
Recall auditions will take place at our Woking campus.
Auditionees should prepare an additional speech that is contrasting to their first audition piece. Both pieces will be seen at recall. This second speech could be contemporary (after 1990) or classical. Again, this speech should be no longer than one and a half minutes:
Auditionees should prepare two musical theatre songs, each cut to one and a half minutes in length, that they enjoy singing and can sing well:
Suggested composers/lyricists can include: Rodgers and Hammerstein, Rodgers and Hart, Cole Porter, Learner and Leowe, Leonard Bernstein, Kurt Weill, Jerome Kern, Frank Loesser, George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin.
Suggested composers/lyricists can include; Stephen Schwartz, Stephen Sondheim, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Alan Menken, Boubil and Schonberg, Jason Robert Brown, Lin Manuel-Miranda, Kander and Ebb, Jule Styne, Cy Coleman, Marvin Hamlisch, Tom Kitt, Laurence O’Keefe, Jerry Bock.
You will be required to participate in three dance classes at your recall; Ballet, Technical Centre Practice and a class where a set piece of Jazz choreography will be taught. Each class will last 30 minutes.
Required dress: Jazz shoes or trainers that are suitable for dance (i.e. no Converse or similar fashion shoes that are not designed for dance). No loose clothing or jewellery is permitted.
During the day you will be invited for a short interview with a member of the Senior Leadership/Course Management team.
Graduates of Italia Conti’s CertHE Musical Theatre course either continue their musical theatre training at Italia Conti or other established drama schools, change performance course and pursue Acting or Dance, or move into other creative fields such as musical direction, choreography, directing, producing, and production roles. Some graduates pursue more formal academic routes within their chosen disciplines, and some graduates change course completely and take up other subjects and pursuits, but still continue to utilise the transferable skills gained on this course.
Qualification | Foundation Degree (FdA)
Course Leader | TBC
Validated by | University of Chichester
Location | Woking
Course Length | 2 Years, Full-Time (with top-up to Degree in third year)
Start Date | September 2025
Qualification | Degree
Course Leader | Dan Fulham
Course Length | 3 Years, Full-Time