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Our Partners
Academic Partnerships
This page provides clear information about the organisations we work with, including who teaches your course, who awards your qualification, and how academic standards and student support are maintained.
University of Chichester
Italia Conti is an Associate College of the University of Chichester, working in close academic partnership to deliver a range of higher education degree programmes.
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As an Associate College, Italia Conti forms part of the University’s wider academic framework. Students are registered with the University of Chichester, and all degrees are validated and awarded by the University.
This partnership is highly integrated. In practice:
- The University of Chichester approves and validates all programmes, including curriculum design and assessment frameworks
- Students are enrolled as University of Chichester students, with access to its academic systems and regulations
- Italia Conti delivers teaching and conservatoire training on a day-to-day basis
- Academic standards are maintained through University-led quality assurance processes, including external examiners appointed by the University and reporting to its academic boards
- Ongoing oversight is supported through Link Tutor engagement, moderation, and periodic review
This model ensures that students benefit from intensive, industry-led conservatoire training alongside the assurance of a university-awarded degree aligned to UK higher education standards.
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to academic excellence, professional training, and graduate success, combining the strengths of a specialist conservatoire with the governance and quality frameworks of a university.
University of East London
Italia Conti has previously worked in academic partnership with the University of East London as a validating partner for higher education degree programmes.
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This partnership supported the development and delivery of degree-level training, with the University responsible for validation, academic standards, and the award of qualifications, and Italia Conti delivering teaching and conservatoire-based training.
The partnership is now in a teach-out phase. This means that:
- No new students are being enrolled onto University of East London–validated programmes
- Current students continue their studies under the existing arrangements
- The University of East London retains responsibility for validation, academic standards, and the award of qualifications for those students
- Italia Conti continues to deliver teaching and support students through to completion of their courses
All students within teach-out arrangements are supported to complete their studies as planned, with full academic oversight and quality assurance maintained throughout.
This partnership has played an important role in the development of Italia Conti’s higher education provision and continues to support students currently completing their training.
Trinity College London
Trinity College London is an international awarding organisation specialising in performing arts and music qualifications.
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Within Italia Conti’s provision, Trinity operates as the awarding body for Professional Performing Arts Diplomas.
This means that:
- Trinity College London sets the qualification framework, including assessment criteria and grading standards
- Italia Conti delivers the training programme and prepares students for assessment
- Trinity awards the final diploma following successful completion and external moderation
Italia Conti offers Trinity’s Level 6 Diplomas in Professional Musical Theatre and Professional Dance, which are positioned at Level 6 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) and are regulated by Ofqual. These qualifications are academically comparable to degree-level study and are widely recognised across the performing arts sector.
Courses leading to Trinity qualifications are delivered by approved providers and are subject to external moderation and quality assurance, ensuring consistency of standards across institutions.
Students benefit from:
- A conservatoire-style, industry-led training environment
- Structured assessment aligned to professional performance standards
- External oversight and final award by Trinity College London
- A qualification recognised as a professional benchmark within the industry
Trinity diplomas support progression into employment, further professional training, and, where appropriate, degree-level study.
Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre (CDMT)
The Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre (CDMT) is the UK’s leading quality assurance and membership organisation for professional training in the performing arts.
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CDMT operates as an accrediting body, rather than a validating or awarding organisation. Its role is to assess and recognise institutions that meet the highest standards of professional training across dance, drama, and musical theatre.
Accreditation by CDMT is achieved through a rigorous process of institutional review, including detailed scrutiny of:
- Curriculum design and training provision
- Teaching standards and faculty expertise
- Student experience and progression
- Industry relevance and graduate outcomes
- Facilities, resources, and organisational governance
Courses that are CDMT-accredited are recognised across the sector as meeting industry benchmark standards for professional training.
In addition to accreditation, CDMT:
- Works with government and sector bodies on education policy and funding
- Supports national schemes such as the Dance and Drama Awards (DaDA)
- Provides authoritative guidance for students, parents, and industry professionals
- Maintains the UK's definitive directory of professional performing arts training
Through its relationship with CDMT, Italia Conti demonstrates its commitment to maintaining high-quality training aligned with industry expectations and professional standards.
Federation of Drama Schools (FDS)
The Federation of Drama Schools (FDS) is a collective of the UK’s leading conservatoires and vocational training institutions in acting, musical theatre, and related disciplines.
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FDS is a membership body, rather than a validating or accrediting organisation. Its role is to represent the sector, support collaboration, and promote high standards in professional training.
Member institutions are recognised for delivering intensive, industry-focused conservatoire training and operate within robust frameworks of external quality assurance, including university validation, awarding organisations, and external examining.
Through its work, FDS:
- Represents member schools in national policy and sector discussions
- Promotes best practice in training, governance, and student experience
- Supports collaboration and knowledge-sharing across leading institutions
- Advocates for the value of specialist performing arts training within higher education and the wider industry
Membership of FDS signals that an institution is part of a network of established, high-quality training providers, committed to preparing students for sustainable careers in the performing arts.
As a member, Italia Conti contributes to and benefits from this shared commitment to excellence, innovation, and sector leadership.
Independent Higher Education (IHE)
Independent Higher Education (IHE) is the UK’s representative body for independent providers of higher education, professional training, and specialist institutions.
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IHE operates as a membership organisation, rather than a validating, awarding, or accrediting body. Its role is to advocate for the independent higher education sector and support institutions in delivering high-quality, student-focused provision.
Membership of IHE is selective and subject to a formal application process. Institutions are required to demonstrate the quality of their provision, governance, and alignment with sector expectations, with applications reviewed by IHE’s Board. All members commit to upholding IHE’s values and operating in accordance with its membership framework.
Through its work, IHE:
- Represents member providers in engagement with government, regulators, and sector bodies, including the Office for Students
- Supports policy development relating to higher education regulation, quality, and funding
- Promotes innovation, flexibility, and diversity within the higher education landscape
- Provides guidance and professional development aligned to regulatory requirements and sector best practice
Through its membership of Independent Higher Education, Italia Conti demonstrates its engagement with national policy, regulatory frameworks, and sector-wide standards, and contributes to a network of established independent providers delivering specialist higher education and professional training.
How These Partnerships Work in Practice
Our courses are delivered through a combination of academic partnerships, awarding organisations, and sector bodies. Each plays a distinct role in ensuring quality, clarity, and professional relevance.
In simple terms:
Italia Conti
Delivers all teaching, training, and the day-to-day student experience within a conservatoire environment.
University of Chichester (Current Sub-contractual Partner)
Approves courses, oversees academic standards, and awards degrees. Students on these programmes are registered with the University.
University of East London (Teach-out Partner)
Continues to award award degrees for existing students only, with full academic oversight maintained through to completion.
Trinity College London (Awarding Body)
Sets assessment frameworks and awards professional diplomas (e.g. Level 6 Diplomas in Musical Theatre and Dance).
CDMT (Accrediting Body)
Independently reviews and accredits professional training, confirming that courses meet industry benchmark standards.
Federation of Drama Schools (Membership Body)
Represents leading conservatoires and promotes best practice, collaboration, and sector standards.
Independent Higher Education (Membership Body)
Advocates for independent higher education providers and supports engagement with regulators, policy development, and sector best practice.
What this means for you:
- You will train at Italia Conti, with specialist, industry-led teaching
- Your qualification will be awarded by a university or awarding organisation, depending on your course
- All courses are subject to external quality assurance and sector benchmarking
- You benefit from a training model that combines professional practice with recognised academic standards
Full details of student contracts, policies, and responsibilities can be found in our Policies and Terms, including information on complaints procedures and escalation to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator.
Excellence Through Training
Industry-Led Training, University-Backed Degrees
Train in a professional conservatoire environment at Italia Conti, while working towards a degree awarded by the University of Chichester or a professional diploma awarded by Trinity College London.
This dual model combines intensive, industry-focused training with the assurance of recognised academic qualifications, giving you both creative and professional credibility as you enter the industry.
Quality Assured to the Highest Standards
Your training is supported by multiple layers of external oversight, including university validation and accreditation from the Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre.
This ensures your course meets national academic standards and industry benchmarks, with regular review, external examining, and ongoing quality assurance embedded throughout your training.
Connected to the Conservatoire Sector
As a member of the Federation of Drama Schools, Italia Conti sits within a network of the UK’s leading drama schools and conservatoires.
This connection supports collaboration, best practice, and industry alignment, ensuring your training reflects the expectations of the professional sector and prepares you for a sustainable career.
