Three disciplines.
One complete performer.

For the performer who wants to be challenged equally across dance, singing and acting, our Triple Threat programme offers intensive conservatoire training designed to develop genuine versatility across all three disciplines.

Register to Apply for BIRD!

About the BA (Hons) in
Musical Theatre: Triple Threat


Award……………….. BA (Hons)
Duration……………. 3 years, full-time
Start date………….. September 2027
Location……………. BIRD Conservatoire, Sidcup, South-East London
Validation………….. Delivered in partnership with and validated by the University of Greenwich
Application fee….. £45 total; applicants may be considered for up to two of BIRD’s three performing arts degree programmes
Application stage.. Applications open in mid-October 2026; register your interest now

September 2027 Applications Opening Soon

Applications for September 2027 entry will open in mid-October. Register your interest now to receive an update when applications open and start preparing for your audition using our Video Audition Guidelines.

Why apply?

Who is this programme for…

You’ll build strong technical foundations, expand your range across contrasting styles and learn to bring your skills together through storytelling, rehearsal and performance. With dance, singing and acting all central to your development, you’ll be challenged to become a confident, adaptable performer ready for the breadth and physical demands of today’s musical theatre industry.

If you want to train as a dancer, singer and actor – this is your programme.


Course Overview

The BA (Hons) Musical Theatre: Triple Threat is a three-year conservatoire degree designed for aspiring professional performers who want to develop exceptional ability across acting, singing and dance. Equal emphasis is placed on the three disciplines, with rigorous technical training supported by integrated musical theatre practice, collaborative performance projects and industry-focused preparation.

You’ll develop acting craft, vocal technique and musicianship alongside sustained dance training, learning to bring the disciplines together with clarity, storytelling and stylistic versatility. As the programme progresses, you’ll work with increasingly complex material, refine your individual strengths and develop the stamina, adaptability and professional discipline required in contemporary musical theatre.

Performance and professional development sit alongside technique throughout the degree, culminating in major final-year performance work designed to reflect current professional rehearsal, casting and production practices.

This course is changing my approach to performance – I feel so much more confident and have clear goals that I know I am going to achieve

Second Year Student

Why study Musical Theatre: Triple Threat at BIRD?

  • Train equally as a dancer, singer and actor rather than treating one discipline as secondary.
  • Develop strong foundations in acting, individual singing, acting through song, musical theatre technique, technical jazz and ballet from Year 1.
  • Expand your range through tap, commercial/street, contemporary, voice and accents, musicianship and ensemble singing.
  • Apply all three disciplines through musical theatre performance workshops, projects and major production work.
  • Develop professional audition, portfolio, self-presentation and employability skills alongside your artistic training.
  • Complete the degree through advanced Triple Threat technique and a major Capstone Performance process with external creative teams.

What You’ll Study

The Triple Threat curriculum is built around the integration of acting, singing and dance. Technical classes develop each discipline in depth, while musical theatre technique, acting through song, performance projects and production work teach you to bring them together as one performer.

Year 1 – Establish Three Strong Technical Foundations

Year 1 introduces the core technical habits that underpin your development as a Triple Threat performer. You’ll train in acting fundamentals, individual singing, acting through song, musical theatre technique, technical jazz and ballet, alongside expanded work in tap, commercial/street, contemporary, musicianship and ensemble singing, and voice and accents. Performance workshops begin the process of integrating the disciplines in rehearsal and performance.

  • Core Techniques for Triple Threat
  • Expanded Practice for Triple Threat
  • Musical Theatre Performance Workshops
  • Personal Development and Wellbeing

Year 2 – Refine, Integrate and Develop Your Individual Strengths

Year 2 advances your technical work and asks you to integrate acting, singing and dance with greater consistency, independence and stylistic range. Training becomes more demanding, while the Musical Theatre Performance Project places your skills into a sustained creative and rehearsal process. Professional development and reflective study begin to focus your artistic identity and preparation for the industry.

  • Refining Techniques for Triple Threat
  • Developing Practice for Triple Threat
  • Musical Theatre Performance Project
  • Professional Development and Employability
  • Reflective Practice and Research

Year 3 – Prepare For Professional Musical Theatre

In Year 3, advanced Triple Threat training is combined with major performance work and professional preparation. The Capstone Performance is designed to mirror a professional musical theatre production process, from audition and casting through rehearsal, technical production and public performance, working with external creative teams. You’ll consolidate the versatility, stamina, artistry and professional behaviours needed for the transition into industry.

  • Capstone Performance
  • Advanced Techniques for Triple Threat
  • Independent Research Project

BA (Hons) Entry Requirements

BIRD welcomes applications from all sections of the community regardless of ethnicity, religion or gender. The Conservatoire is committed to meeting the requirements of students with special educational needs. The following requirements must be met for entry to BIRD:

  • A minimum of 96 UCAS Tariff points, or an accepted equivalent UK or international qualification
  • GCSE Mathematics at grade 4/C or above, or equivalent
  • GCSE English Language or English Literature at grade 4/C or above, or equivalent
  • Applicants must be aged 18 by the end of the first term of study

Applicants who do not meet the standard academic requirements may still be considered where they can demonstrate relevant experience and/or alternative qualifications. Academic entry requirements may be waived at BIRD’s discretion following individual assessment.

Applicants for whom English is not a first language are normally required to demonstrate an appropriate level of English language proficiency. An overall IELTS score of 6.5 or above is required for entry to the programme.

All applicants must also successfully complete BIRD’s two-stage audition process: 1) first submitting a video audition and; 2) should the candidate be successful, they will be invited to a live audition on our campus in South-East London. Please note: a separate UCAS application will be required.

Overseas Students

BIRD Conservatoire is an approved UKVI Sponsor, with a Private Provider Status, and is able to sponsor international students via the Student Visa Route. Applicants for whom English is not a first language must sit an IELTS (International English Language) test to assess their ability in reading, writing and spoken English at an academic level. An overall result of 6.5 or more is requires for entry to the programme. Applicants should contact their local British Council office for further details.

79% of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.

Data for Professional Dance and Musical Theatre (Full time) at Doreen Bird College of Performing Arts Ltd. For more official course information visit Discover Uni.

Funding for the BA (Hons) Musical Theatre: Triple Threat

UK tuition fees for 2027/28 are to be confirmed. BIRD intends to set the UK tuition fee in line with the tuition fee level supported by the relevant UK undergraduate student finance arrangements for the 2027/28 academic year, subject to applicable regulations. For further information, please visit this link.

Eligible UK students may apply for undergraduate student finance. Further information on eligibility and the support available should be checked through the relevant student finance body.

Overseas Students

International tuition fees for 2027/28 are to be confirmed. For further information, please visit this link.

Other Costs

Course texts and other study resources are available from the Libraries at BIRD and the University of Greenwich (Stockwell Street). You may wish to purchase your own copies.

Students on this course are also required to pay the Conservatoire’s Extra-Curricular Fund (ECF).  The ECF is spread over your three years of study. A range of payment options are available.

The ECF covers multiple resource costs at the Conservatoire, including headshots/publicity photos, in-house theatre tickets, lockers and entry systems. The ECF also contributes towards an individual vocal scheme where the student contribution triggers other funding.

How to Apply For September 2027

Applications for September 2027 entry will open in mid-October 2026. Before applications open, prospective students can register their interest and begin preparing their first-round self-tape.

  • Complete BIRD’s online application when applications open; register your interest here to be notified of when the application portal opens.
  • Pay one £45 application fee. The same £45 fee allows you to be considered for up to two of BIRD’s three performing arts degree programmes.
  • Submit one self-tape link with your application, following the relevant Video Audition Guidelines.
  • If you apply for two programmes, you only need to submit one video link. Include the required sections for both programmes and do not duplicate any sections that are the same.
  • Within four weeks of receiving your application and self-tape, BIRD will let you know whether you have been invited to a live audition at our Sidcup campus.
  • Applicants invited to the second stage will receive full information about their live audition separately.

Self-tape at a glance: a maximum 90-second introduction, a monologue of your choice of no more than 60 seconds, a song of your choice of no more than 60 seconds, and a dance solo in any style of no more than 60 seconds.

Download the full video audition guidelines for BA (Hons) Musical Theatre: Triple Threat here.

About Our Audition Process

For September 2027 entry, BIRD is introducing a two-stage audition process. Stage One is your self-tape, designed to give the panel a quick sense of you as a performer and as a person. We are not looking for a highly produced film: we want to see your potential, personality and performance clearly.

Applicants who are successful at Stage One will be invited to Stage Two: a live audition at BIRD Conservatoire in Sidcup. Live audition dates and full preparation information will be published on the Applications page.

Frequently asked questions

Applications will open in mid-October 2026. You can register your interest now and begin preparing your self-tape using the Video Audition Guidelines.

The application fee is £45. One fee allows you to be considered for up to two of BIRD’s three performing arts degree programmes.

Yes. You may ask to be considered for up to two programmes within the same application and £45 fee. You will submit one self-tape link containing the material required for each programme.

BIRD will review your application and first-round video audition and, within four weeks, let you know whether you have been invited to a live audition at our Sidcup campus.

Yes. Applicants to the BA (Hons) programmes will also be required to submit a UCAS application.

Potentially. Applicants with relevant experience and/or alternative qualifications may be considered individually, and standard academic requirements may be waived at BIRD’s discretion.

You must be aged 18 by the end of the first term of study.