Course
Overview
Our proven actor training is combined with established first-class instrumental, singing and movement coaching to create actor musicians: multifaceted performers able to satisfy the industry’s increasing demands for actors who can make music as part of their storytelling skills.
You will develop essential technical skills in acting, instrumentation, singing and movement, as you study classic and groundbreaking musical material. In your third year you collaborate with professional theatre makers on two public performances and an industry showcase, while creating digital showreels for your portfolio.
Accredited By:
Will Hammond, Director of the School of Performance, discusses our BA (Hons) Acting (Musicianship) course, including: how you'll train while being part of LIPA's creative community, why Liverpool's a great base for an Actor/Musician and how the course is a response to an industry need.
What You Will
Study
The Actor's Preparation: Acting & Musicianship Principles I
In this module, you examine vital technical principles and practitioner approaches to develop a framework for analysing and realising text. Technical acting sessions contribute to acting through song, as do presenting scene-into-song episodes to peers. Instrumentation tuition, dance and singing studies underpin this module. You are introduced to vocal and physical anatomy and physiology. The module culminates in project work as you reinforce these fundamentals.
The Actor’s Preparation: Acting & Musicianship Principles II
This module advances your technical application when approaching character from a canon of established and respected works in a directed presentation of dramatic musical scenes. Acting through song provides a continuation of scene-into-song studies to reinforce and develop technique. Instrumentation and compositional studies improve and expand your musical knowledge. Dance focuses more closely on ballet technique and you start to explore a variety of musical theatre dance styles, such as ballroom. Singing aims to identify and address technical issues, tone production and resonance; voice sessions also examine accent, speech and text.
The Actor’s Preparation: Acting & Musicianship Principles III
For this module you strengthen and integrate the technical approaches you’ve learned so far in a directed actor-musician workshop presentation to an internal audience. Incorporating independent research and an individual rehearsal approach, you test your ability to engage with psychological, physical and vocal techniques. You also develop your ability to combine musical instrumentation skills, collaboration and legit vocal qualities, including onsets and stylistic singing qualities
Artistic Practice I [Shared Module across all BA Acting courses]
In this module, you will develop the necessary skills to create original work and extend your ability to work as part of a creative ensemble. Narrative and performance sessions include devised, verbatim and site-specific approaches to generating original works. As part of a small group, you create a short staged, digital or audio performance. Alongside creative skills you undertake research and development, understanding cultural perspectives and audience demographics to ensure your work is relevant to a contemporary audience. You are introduced to business and enterprise skills so you are familiar with the practicalities of staging and managing an event.
The Actor's Process: Musicianship Project I
This project provides you with the technical approaches to unearth advanced acting approaches. You begin to adapt and adjust your technical knowledge by working across a variety of performance styles, genres (including Vaudeville and Epic Theatre) and platforms (including digital) to expand your abilities. You are encouraged to consolidate practitioner methodologies, vocal and physical choices, as you explore hybrid technical approaches so you can forge your own personal acting process for actor musicianship. This module includes live workshop presentations to your peers.
The Actor’s Process: Musicianship Project II
This project allows you to test your developing process when applied to classic musical works. You take further responsibility for realising the demands of the material and are expected to identify appropriate methods and techniques for approaching classic works. You work with advanced musicianship by integrating acting and instrumentation, working with greater physical stamina, strength, and flexibility, connecting dynamic vocal qualities and unforced projection. You also create an original musical score or accompaniment for theatre.
The Actor’s Process: Musicianship Project III
This project introduces you to boundary-breaking musical works, unearthing a combination of styles and genres. Beginning now to mirror professional practice, you receive structured direction, musical direction and choreography in the creation and execution of a fully realised work. You undertake independent research in the development of a unique and integrated actor musician theatre work to an audience across a number of performances.
Artistic Practice II [Shared Module across all BA Acting courses]
In this module you develop your creativity by researching and originating a personal performance of your choice. This could be a script submission, micro-musical or play reading, short film or screening. You investigate cultural perspectives around your chosen subject area/theme to discover the technical demands of your piece and adapt it to ensure it is original and inventive. You further your business and industry skills, including project planning and target audiences as well as honing your audition technique.
The Actor’s Performance: Professional Musicianship Production I
In this module you work with professional theatre-makers, including students from other courses, to realise an original live public production. You reach professional standards and expectations, as you work independently to research and prepare for the rehearsal process and meet the vision of your director, musical director, choreographer and creative team. You exercise your ability to demonstrate technical aptitude, professionalism, organisation and time management skills, an understanding of professional profiling and the repetition and recreation of work via performance technique.
The Actor’s Performance: Professional Musicianship Production II
In this module you build on previous experience, assuming full responsibility for your own preparation, process and production of work that meets professional standards. By working in simulated industry scenarios, you are presented with challenging expectations which are representative of the real world. The module follows a similar structure to Production I, culminating in a production of work for a public audience. Your interpersonal skills, independent methodology and professionalism is further tested through self-governed responsibility and engagement with collaborators.
The Actor’s Performance: Professional Musicianship Production III
For this module, you collate a promotional portfolio, containing work in digital media, music and voice recording as well as screen-work. You research and evaluate appropriate industry networks to engage with in preparation for your future career and use your portfolio when contacting industry and employers. You take part in a live industry showcase, generate showreels, voice reels and additional promotional material according to your career plans and employment aspirations. Work produced on this module is public-facing and can be used to secure an agent or present yourself to future employers.
Artistic Practice III [Shared Module across all BA Acting courses]
This module brings together your independent research, creative enterprise skills and professionalism as you advance your ability to develop and create new material. Supervised by a mentor, you adopt both a creative and a production role as you generate a brand-new piece of work for our annual festival of new writing. You may also improve your independent entrepreneurial and project management skills by developing a solo project.
How You Will
Study
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Technical Skills Classes
-
Performances
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Seminars
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Workshops
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Independent study
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Group work
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Masterclasses
How You Will Be
Assessed
Your assessment takes place during practical classes and rehearsals, performances and your reflective tasks. Overall, assessment is based on applications of technique in performance situations, either in front of an audience or in workshops.
The coursework element is focussed on your future career, your working environment and critical life skills. In your third year you undertake an optional practical or written research project. Again, career focussed and chosen by you.
Practical/written work ratio
Approximately 80% practical work / 20% portfolio
Our
Facilities
Rehearsal Rooms
LIPA’s spacious rehearsal rooms are predominantly used for workshop-style teaching and as rehearsal spaces in the lead up to performances. Some of these have their own sound and lighting facilities. The biggest rehearsal room is large enough to enable it to be marked up as the stages will be in LIPA’s theatre spaces, which makes the critical final weeks in the rehearsal process period that much easier.
Dance Studios
LIPA has four dance studios. Three of them have rafter high ceilings, including one with equipment specifically used for aerial dance. They all have top of the line Harlequin sprung floors, barres and full wall mirrors and each has a dedicated sound system with iPad access.
Performance Spaces
LIPA is home to seven licensed performance venues, the largest of which is our Paul McCartney Auditorium (PMA). The PMA is a 400-seater, traditional proscenium arch theatre with flexible seating arrangements and staging configurations. Our George Harrison Workshop Studio (GHWS) seats 100 people and is a fully equipped experimental performance space that offers creatives and performers a ‘blank canvas’ for productions. As well as immersive and promenade performances, it can also host more traditional theatrical productions with a variety of stage and audience configurations.
Alongside these two showcase venues, performances also take place throughout LIPA, including in our bar, café, Sennheiser TV studio, and Hope Place Studio (seating 80). Each year we stage over 50 performances across a wide range of styles and genres – meaning there’s always something going on.
Costume and Wardrobe Department
LIPA’s wardrobe department has an extensive costume store and well configured spaces for design and making. Our design students plan, design and create costumes for around 15 separate productions throughout the year. You will usually experience this area when taking part in fittings for your performances.
Technical Services
LIPA’s Technical Services team can help with general technical queries and booking out equipment for short-term loan. Loan equipment includes musical instruments, microphones, various recording and playback equipment, digital video and stills cameras and AV equipment.
Term-time opening hours allow you access to Technical Services from 9am until 11pm every weekday and 9am until 5pm on Saturday and 11am until 5pm on Sunday. Outside of term time it is open on weekdays from 9am - 5pm.
Learning Resources Centre
LIPA’s Learning Resources Centre (LRC) is a specialist creative and performing arts library with an extensive collection of books, e-books, scores, CDs, DVDs, e-resources, print and electronic journals. Whether you are looking for individual songs or scripts, background research or creative inspiration, the LRC Team will be able to help. The LRC offer support sessions in ICT and study skills through subject specific lectures, as well as one-to-one and drop-in sessions, ensuring you get the most out of your study.
The LRC website provides the gateway to LIPA’s online catalogue and electronic resources and includes links to a wide selection of help sheets and video guides. In addition, LIPA’s virtual learning provision which includes Moodle, holds a variety of subject-specific learning materials, such as lecture notes, useful web links and module information. The majority of these services are available off-campus.
LIPA’s integrated learning environment has a variety of study spaces, including individual and group work areas, and an open-access computer suite. Facilities include printing, copying and scanning, plus binding and laminating equipment. A range of stationery is available for purchase to support your studies.
Opening hours during term time are Monday and Wednesday 9.00am to 6.00pm, Tuesday and Thursday 9.00am to 8.00pm, Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm. The LRC may be closed for some weeks in June and is also closed during July and August.
ICT Services
LIPA's Information, Communications and Technology Department provides the infrastructure and services framework that enable students to exploit the latest information and communication developments.
Industry-standard computer resources are running the latest productivity software on high specification workstations in dedicated computer suites. LIPA also has a colour A0 plotter, ideal for floor plans.
All PCs are installed with Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office & Project as standard. There is also access to a range of additional specialist software installed on selected workstations. These include AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Cloud applications, EarMaster, Sibelius, MindManager, Vectorworks and WYSIWYG.
All workstations have access to the Internet, email and other electronic resources. There is free Wi-Fi access throughout our buildings for students and staff members via the Eduroam network which provides a world-wide roaming access service developed for the international research and education community.
Specialist ICT staff are available to answer questions, give assistance and advise on ICT issues.
LIPA Bar and Canteen
As well as serving food and drink, the bar and canteen are the hub of social activity within LIPA with both spaces licensed for performances.
The canteen is the venue for LIPA’s weekly gig night, The 2ube. Most Fridays the 2ube features live performances, showcasing musicians from LIPA and Liverpool’s music scene. The event is a collaboration between Management, Music, Sound Technology and Theatre & Performance Technology students.
The canteen also hosts open mic and jukebox shuffle nights, and independent student organised performances and benefit nights. The bar hosts regular quiz nights and Student Event Board parties.
The bar is open Monday, Thursday and Friday from 3pm - 11pm, and Tuesday and Wednesday from 3pm - 10pm, with extended hours for special events.
The canteen is open Monday to Friday from 8.30am – 3pm, serving food and drink at student-friendly prices.
LIPA is also home to a 92 Degrees Coffee shop. The popular Liverpool independent has a number of coffee stores and roasteries across the north west. It serves up barista coffee and cakes in the Art School Atrium during term time.
Andrew Waldron
Head of Musical Theatre
Andrew Waldron (he/him) is an experienced practitioner and educator specialising in Musical Theatre. After training at Italia Conti, Andrew progressed into performing within the Musical Theatre sector with work taking him across the world. His performing credits include Mack & Mabel, 9 to 5, Cabaret, Follies, A Chorus Line, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Happy Days – A New Musical, Annie, and The Sound of Music. Andrew’s performing career introduced him to some of the world’s finest and most innovative creatives.
Alongside his performance career, Andrew delivered masterclasses for drama schools and theatre companies, as well as directing and choreographing many projects and productions. He subsequently continued his studies completing a further degree at Middlesex University and an MA in Theatre at University of Surrey. Andrew is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA) and a Fellow of Advanced HE (FHEA).
Andrew has taught at several drama schools including Mountview, Performers College, and Urdang. Prior to his role at LIPA, Andrew worked at Italia Conti for eight years where he was Deputy Head of the School of Musical Theatre and Dance. Here he supported the development of their undergraduate provision including validation of various BA (Hons) and Cert HE courses and producing multiple industry facing performances and events.
Matthew Dudley
Lecturer
Matthew has taught on and led professional training and degree programmes for over 15 years. After studying at Trinity College of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, he performed in the UK and in Europe. Matthew has taught voice, text and singing at several respected training institutions, including Guildford School of Acting and Italia Conti, and has delivered workshops throughout the UK for organisations such as Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and the British Voice Association. He is a certified Associate Teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework and has taught on the certification programme in Los Angeles. His teaching is influenced by his study of classical and contemporary voicework, and incorporates movement work, mindfulness and concepts taken from his study of psychotherapeutic modalities.
What Our
Graduates Do
This is a new course, and with the increased demand for performers who combine high level acting skills with first rate musicianship, we expect our graduates to be equipped to gain sustained work with leading theatre companies, musicals, television, film, radio, emerging digital platforms and as musicians. Some of our graduates may also set up their own independent theatre and production companies.
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Educational qualifications are important but limited in what they can tell us about you.
Your natural ability, your fit with what and how we teach, your growth and your potential are also key factors in our admission process. We can’t evaluate these solely on your educational achievements, so no matter which course you are applying for, we look for the following attributes on your application and at the interview stage.
-
"When I met LIPA students, I was struck by their commitment to continual improvement to develop their craft."
Woody Harrelson
Actor, writer, director, producer
Additional Costs
As part of this course, there are likely to be some additional costs that are not included within your tuition fees. Many of these are optional. We’ve also included information about cost of living expenses in Liverpool in this section. After you accept our offer, we'll send you a list of books and equipment that we'd like you to bring. We recommend that you bring specific clothing and footwear for your practical classes. These are standard items of clothing that you will need as a working actor.
Here are the key course-related costs that we'd expect you to pay during your three years with us, in addition to your tuition fees:
Headshots and joining Spotlight
Headshots are vital marketing tools. In your final year, you need to invest in headshots to present yourself as a professional. We encourage you to undertake research into which photographer to work with. Our students typically pay around £80 to £120 for their headshots. Professionally taken headshots can cost over £300. It is compulsory for you to supply a headshot so you can take part in the showcases which are an assessed part of the course.
Being a member of Spotlight is important for finding work in the UK, so you will need to join in your final year. (the Actors Spotlight Membership fee costs just over £150).
Showcase
The majority of the costs for your final year London showcase are included in your tuition fee. We provide you with both a travel allowance and food allowance for your showcases, but we don't pay for overnight accommodation costs. Most of our students stay with friends or alumni. The showcase is an assessed part of the course so taking part in the showcase is compulsory.
Seeing shows
You should go to the theatre as often as you can. This is not compulsory, but it will help your development as an actor. Theatre visits are not covered by your tuition fees, so you'll need to cover these costs yourself. Most theatres offer student discounts and we are occasionally offered a limited number of free or discounted tickets for shows in the city. We also encourage you to see other actors performing in our shows. We offer discounted student tickets to make this as affordable as possible.
Optional stage combat training
During one of the vacations we usually bring in a stage combat tutor for those of you that want to put yourselves forward for a qualification in this to add to your CV. You have to pay an examination fee and the cost for the training is shared between all of the students who undertake it. This is not a compulsory part of the course.
Physiotherapy
We work with an external organisation to provide specialist sports physiotherapy and massage to students throughout the year. Sports massage therapy can relieve over-worked muscles and help to maintain a good range of motion and flexibility in the body. This is optional and comes with a cost of around £115 (this was for the fee for 2024 entry and may be subject to an inflationary increase for 2025 and 2026 entry).
Cost of living
Wherever you choose to study, you'll have to budget for accommodation and other everyday living expenses, such as food and bills.
Accommodation costs are relatively low in Liverpool, particularly compared to the south east of England, and the city's shops and entertainment venues also have lots of student discounts.
We’d recommend completing a simple budget plan to predict your income and outgoings. This should include accommodation, bills, insurance, TV licence, food, laundry, clothes, books, travel and socialising. How much you'll want to spend on a lot of these is completely personal.
There is lots of advice available online about budgeting:
- UCAS budget calculator is a great tool to help you balance your in-comings and out-goings.
- SaveTheStudent provides useful information on student money resources, including loans, budgeting, and scholarship sources.
Most UK students will be able to take out a maintenance loan to assist with living costs and there are some grants available. We also offer some bursaries. To find out more, please see Student Finance and bursaries.
Because our courses are intensive and we have a busy season of student performances, options for part-time work during our teaching periods can be limited. However, many of our students gain flexible part-time work, in performance venues, shops, restaurants and bars. We also provide casual work opportunities for our students ranging from stewarding work on our productions to working with young people to help us widen access to our courses. The long summer break is when many of our students choose to work.
Additional Costs
As part of this course, there are likely to be some additional costs that are not included within your tuition fees. Many of these are optional. We’ve also included information about cost of living expenses in Liverpool in this section. After you accept our offer, we'll send you a list of books and equipment that we'd like you to bring. We recommend that you bring specific clothing and footwear for your practical classes. These are standard items of clothing that you will need as a working actor.
Here are the key course-related costs that we'd expect you to pay during your three years with us, in addition to your tuition fees:
Headshots and joining Spotlight
Headshots are vital marketing tools. In your final year, you need to invest in headshots to present yourself as a professional. We encourage you to undertake research into which photographer to work with. Our students typically pay around £80 to £120 for their headshots. Professionally taken headshots can cost over £300. It is compulsory for you to supply a headshot so you can take part in the showcases which are an assessed part of the course.
Being a member of Spotlight is important for finding work in the UK, so you will need to join in your final year. (the Actors Spotlight Membership fee costs just over £150).
Showcase
The majority of the costs for your final year London showcase are included in your tuition fee. We provide you with both a travel allowance and food allowance for your showcases, but we don't pay for overnight accommodation costs. Most of our students stay with friends or alumni. The showcase is an assessed part of the course so taking part in the showcase is compulsory.
Seeing shows
You should go to the theatre as often as you can. This is not compulsory, but it will help your development as an actor. Theatre visits are not covered by your tuition fees, so you'll need to cover these costs yourself. Most theatres offer student discounts and we are occasionally offered a limited number of free or discounted tickets for shows in the city. We also encourage you to see other actors performing in our shows. We offer discounted student tickets to make this as affordable as possible.
Optional stage combat training
During one of the vacations we usually bring in a stage combat tutor for those of you that want to put yourselves forward for a qualification in this to add to your CV. You have to pay an examination fee and the cost for the training is shared between all of the students who undertake it. This is not a compulsory part of the course.
Physiotherapy
We work with an external organisation to provide specialist sports physiotherapy and massage to students throughout the year. Sports massage therapy can relieve over-worked muscles and help to maintain a good range of motion and flexibility in the body. This is optional and comes with a cost of around £115 (this was for the fee for 2024 entry and may be subject to an inflationary increase for 2025 and 2026 entry).
Cost of living
Wherever you choose to study, you'll have to budget for accommodation and other everyday living expenses, such as food and bills.
Accommodation costs are relatively low in Liverpool, particularly compared to the south east of England, and the city's shops and entertainment venues also have lots of student discounts.
We’d recommend completing a simple budget plan to predict your income and outgoings. This should include accommodation, bills, insurance, TV licence, food, laundry, clothes, books, travel and socialising. How much you'll want to spend on a lot of these is completely personal.
There is lots of advice available online about budgeting:
- UCAS budget calculator is a great tool to help you balance your in-comings and out-goings.
- SaveTheStudent provides useful information on student money resources, including loans, budgeting, and scholarship sources.
Most UK students will be able to take out a maintenance loan to assist with living costs and there are some grants available. We also offer some bursaries. To find out more, please see Student Finance and bursaries.
Because our courses are intensive and we have a busy season of student performances, options for part-time work during our teaching periods can be limited. However, many of our students gain flexible part-time work, in performance venues, shops, restaurants and bars. We also provide casual work opportunities for our students ranging from stewarding work on our productions to working with young people to help us widen access to our courses. The long summer break is when many of our students choose to work.
Additional International student costs
UKVI English language requirements
If you are not from a majority English speaking country (as determined by UKVI), you will be required to establish to LIPA that you meet UVKI minimum standards for English language before getting a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number. The CAS number we issue you allows you to begin the visa application process. There is no requirement for a student to evidence their English language qualification at the point of application, audition or interview.
Students who accept a place on Certificate of HE Foundation Acting (Musical Theatre) or Certificate of HE Foundation Acting (Stage & Screen) must sit a UKVI-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT). The cost of a SELT can range from approximately £180 - £250. You may also incur travel costs to your closest test centre.
Students who accept a place on an undergraduate or postgraduate course may have the opportunity to evidence their English language through a qualification from another country which meets LIPA’s assessment of its academic suitability, take a UKVI-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT), or completing and passing a LIPA Institutional Assessment of English. The cost of a SELT can range from approximately £180 - £250. You may also incur travel costs to your closest test centre. A LIPA Institutional Assessment of English is free of charge.
Student visa
All international students who do not hold a United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland passport; a Republic of Ireland passport; or EU Settled Status (EUSS), will require a Student visa to study in the UK.
The Student visa application fee in 2025 was £490. Some students will need to have their biometrics taken as part of the visa application process and this may incur additional costs, notably travel costs to your nearest Visa Application Centre.
In addition to the application fee, you are required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, which gives you access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). Once your course starts, any medical treatment you require in the UK will be free of any further charges if you use the NHS, just as it is for UK nationals. The surcharge is compulsory, even if you hold private healthcare insurance. 2025 surcharge costs were as follows:
- Foundation and Certificate of HE programmes: £776
- Undergraduate (BA) programmes: £2,716
- Postgraduate (MA) programmes: £1,164
The surcharge will give access to NHS healthcare services from your arrival in the UK until the date your visa expires.
Accommodation
Some accommodation providers may require international students to pay a larger deposit, or pay for their accommodation in fewer, larger instalments. This is something individual students will need to discuss with their accommodation provider.
View the programme specification on LIPA's course catalogue