A two-year conservatoire-style BA degree in musical theatre, believed to be the first course of its kind, has been launched to make the profession more accessible. 

The accelerated degree will be delivered by the International College of Musical Theatre from the organisation’s campus in London and validated by Coventry University. 

It cuts the cost of studying by reducing the course from three years to two years, aiming to enable more people from underrepresented backgrounds to enter the profession with a degree. 

Principal and the ICMT co-founder Kenneth Avery-Clark said: "We attract many students who have completed a three-year degree programme and then come to us for an additional practical year to become industry-ready. 

"When they eventually reach their goals, they have studied for four years and have spent a lot of money on living and tuition fees. Now, they can come to us first, start an intensive programme from day one, save money and get a full degree on top."

Avery-Clark added that the accelerated degree will make a career in the performing arts more accessible to young people with financial constraints. 

While other two-year musical theatre courses exist, including the Musical Theatre Academy’s two-year diploma in musical theatre, these do not offer participants a degree qualification at the end.

More information: https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/news/two-year-musical-theatre-degree-launched-in-bid-to-widen-access