PhD Musical Theatre

About the project

• Research

PhD Musical Theatre

• Overview
• Degree details
• Our students
• Research
• Entry and fees
• Careers
• Facilities
• Supervisors
• Recently viewed
• Related courses

Overview

Our PhD in Musical Theatre is supported by a dedicated team of staff whose expertise includes practice-led research, advanced professional performance and detailed theoretical and technical analysis. The PhD aims to attract those interested in exploring the connections between music, theatre and movement through scholarly research and creative projects.

Musical theatre is a lively and quickly developing field at the London College of Music, which has 140 years of excellence in performing arts education.

Research areas in musical theatre cover a broad range, including modern staging techniques, global musical theatre traditions and collaborative efforts with our esteemed music department.

We invite applications for doctoral study in both traditional and innovative areas of musical theatre, such as:

You can read about their expertise in the " supervisors " section below.

This PhD is available for you to study:

As part of your application, please state whether you are applying for an online PhD.

Select your desired study option, then pick a start date to see relevant course information:

Start date:

If your desired start date is not available, try selecting a different study option.

• musical theatre performance and direction
• choreography and movement for musical theatre
• vocal pedagogy and technique
• musical theatre composition and orchestration
• cultural studies and identity in musical theatre
• gender, diversity and representation on the musical stage
• historical developments in musical theatre
• musical theatre pedagogy
• critical theory and dramaturgy in musical theatre
• cabaret and hybrid musical forms
• collaborative devising and ensemble creation
• new writing and libretto development
• community-based musical theatre initiatives.
• full-time or part-time
• on-campus or online
• starting in September or February.

About your degree

During your PhD in Musical Theatre, you will have a supervisory team made up of a Director of Studies with expertise in your chosen field, a further supervisor and, where appropriate, an additional adviser.

Your research will be judged through the presentation of a thesis or artefact and a viva voce for academic assessment. We provide a stimulating and supportive environment where you will benefit from:

Our online PhD allows you to undertake a postgraduate research degree from a location that fits with your lifestyle and commitments. As part of your application, please state that you are applying for an online PhD. As an online PhD student, you will not be required to visit the campus: all supervision, training, reviews and the viva voce examination are provided online.

An online PhD may not be suitable for all projects, and consideration will be given to the suitability of the research project and whether it can be completed successfully without regular access to campus facilities.

This PhD in Musical Theatre is available for you to study either on a full-time or part-time basis and you have the flexibility to switch should you need to.

A PhD is founded on independent research. You will undertake a systematic and in-depth exploration of your chosen topic to produce a substantial body of knowledge and make an original and important contribution to the subject area.

We offer theoretical PhDs and in addition – requiring submission of a significant practical artefact – both practice-oriented PhDs, and a practice-based DMus pathway designed for candidates with existing professional experience.

The support provided by your supervisory team will be vital to your student experience and scholarly advancement. You and your supervisors will have regular one-to-one meetings which will provide you with opportunities to develop your research topic and discuss your progress.

Most of our subject areas and specialisms can be studied through practice research – where your creative practice is a major part of the research process and is used to answer a research question or objective.

We also have multiple students developing hybrid methods combining practice research with autoethnography and ethnography to provide insights into contemporary practice and using re-enactment in practice research to study historical practice. Please contact one of our supervisors if you would like to discuss the possibilities before you apply.

Based in the heart of Ealing, West London, you can make use of the excellent transport links to travel to the capital or further afield – ideal for attending research meetings and networking events.

If you would like guidance or more information about studying for a PhD in Musical Theatre, please contact Professor Nicholas McKay .

To enable you to enhance your professional profile, we support you throughout your research degree by:

We provide structured research training, expert supervision and an environment where you can discuss your research with other PhD students and researchers.

We run seminars in research methods from the Graduate Centre, as well as an ongoing series of events and activities organised by Schools and Colleges. Specialist help with academic English for students for whom English is not their first language is available.

We contribute to national and international initiatives and promote collaboration and networking opportunities. We also encourage and support you to publish and disseminate your research in academic journals and via presenting papers at conferences.

We run an annual conference for doctoral students, where you are encouraged to present a paper about your research. As well as being an opportunity to discuss your work with other students, the conference is a chance to gain valuable experience in presenting your research and participating in open discussions with academic peers.

You will also find other opportunities such as postgraduate student seminars and forums within your specific subject area.

Once you start a PhD course at UWL, you become part of our research community. You will have access to a postgraduate common room, located at our Ealing campus on St Mary’s Road, where you will meet fellow researchers from other subject disciplines offering scope for collaborations or simply to discuss ideas, allowing you to be part of a vibrant research environment.

• peer feedback and discussion
• a series of masterclasses and lectures from industry figures
• support by a supervisor and second supervisor suited to your project.
• Support
• Networking
• providing research seminars
• organising doctoral events and activities
• facilitating networking and collaboration opportunities
• encouraging and supporting publication and dissemination of your research
• offering opportunities to gain teaching expertise and experience.

What our students say

Drama school training with the benefits of a university lifestyle. Working with teachers with experience in the industry, and teaching across a number of conservatoires and drama schools, the knowledge is invaluable. We have been well-equipped with the skill and direction for post-graduation and how to conduct ourselves in a professional audition environment.

Charlie Ayres

Drama school training with the benefits of a university lifestyle. Working with teachers with experience in the industry, and teaching across a number of conservatoires and drama schools, the knowledge is invaluable. We have been well-equipped with the skill and direction for post-graduation and how to conduct ourselves in a professional audition environment.

Charlie Ayres

Research Repository - Performing arts

The Repository is a digital archive of research output by our academics and research students.

Supporting addiction recovery through arts practice

This research by Dr Cathy Sloan examines how artistic expression can help people who have been affected by addiction, as well as veterans recovering from military service.

Research

Find out more about our research, the impact it has and how to join us as a research student.

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirements for a research degree are:

We look for individuals with:

Applicants should also submit a well-considered and persuasive research proposal, clearly outlining their aims, context and potential contribution to the field.

The minimum entry requirements for a research degree are:

We look for individuals with:

Applicants should also submit a well-considered and persuasive research proposal, clearly outlining their aims, context and potential contribution to the field.

• Requirements: UK
• Requirements: International
• a good first degree (First Class or Upper Second Class), or equivalent qualification in a relevant field
• a Masters degree (MA, MSc, MBA or MRes) with Merit, or equivalent postgraduate or research experience.
• dedication to undertaking rigorous and meaningful research
• enthusiasm for contributing to academic and creative practice
• a genuine passion for their chosen subject area.
• a good first degree (First Class or Upper Second Class), or equivalent qualification in a relevant field
• a Masters Degree (MA, MSc, MBA or MRes) with Merit, or equivalent postgraduate or research experience.
• Competence in written and spoken English is a pre-requisite for entrance to this programme.
• An IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 6.5 (with no element under 6.0).
• dedication to undertaking rigorous and meaningful research
• enthusiasm for contributing to academic and creative practice
• a genuine passion for their chosen subject area.

Fees & funding

Please note that the following writing-up fees apply for the final year of full-time PhD study , a reduced amount from the standard fee per year:

Writing-up fees do not apply for the final year of part-time PhD study. The standard fee applies.

• Funding: UK
• Funding: International
• On campus PhD (Year 4): UK £1,900. International: £6,000
• Online PhD (Year 4): UK £1,000. International: £3,000.
• Fees for the 2027/28 academic year and onwards may be subject to change.
• Tuition fees are charged for each year of your course and you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year, except if otherwise stated.
• If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

Funding your studies

Funding for postgraduate students usually comes from one or more of a range of key sources:

Find out more about funding opportunities .

Examples of most of these types of funding are included on the postgraduate studentships website (except for funding you may be able to obtain from your employer and self-funding).

The PhD Bursary is available to home and international students enrolling on a full-time PhD course in 2026/27. The Bursary consists of a £500 fee reduction in your first year of study and for each subsequent year of study, subject to successful progression, up to a maximum of 4 years.

We offer other generous bursaries and scholarships to make sure your aspirations are your only limit. See our PhD scholarships and bursaries .

Please note that the following writing-up fees apply for the final year of full-time PhD study , a reduced amount from the standard fee per year:

Writing-up fees do not apply for the final year of part-time PhD study. The standard fee applies.

• research councils
• charities and trust funds, including those funded by the UK government
• higher education institutions
• overseas governments (international students only)
• employers
• professional and career development loans
• self-funding (including family funds).
• On campus PhD (Year 4): UK £1,900. International: £6,000
• Online PhD (Year 4): UK £1,000. International: £3,000.
• Fees for the 2027/28 academic year and onwards may be subject to change.
• Tuition fees are charged for each year of your course and you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year, except if otherwise stated.
• If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

Funding your studies

For any overseas students, your first port of call should be grant-awarding bodies in your own country (e.g. The Ministry/Department of Education) and your local (or nearest) office of the British Council.

The British Council manage a small number of international studentship grants in some countries and should be able to tell you what other awards may be available to you - they also produce the sources of funding for international students guide.

The PhD Bursary is available to home and international students enrolling on a full-time PhD course in 2026/27. The Bursary consists of a £500 fee reduction in your first year of study and for each subsequent year of study, subject to successful progression, up to a maximum of 4 years.

Your future career

A PhD in Musical Theatre – the highest academic degree qualification, based on the advanced study and independent research – opens up an array of career opportunities both in academia and within the performing arts industries.

Many students go on to pursue an academic career, following the PhD with postdoctoral study, then a fellowship or lectureship.

During your PhD, you will also be learning transferable core skills that apply to jobs both in and out of academia, including:

By the end of your PhD in Musical Theatre, you will be able to articulately apply these skills to enhance your career path.

• written and oral communication
• research and information management
• public speaking
• project management
• leadership
• critical thinking
• collaboration
• analysis and problem-solving
• conflict resolution
• negotiation.

Job roles

• further and higher education lecturer
• postdoctoral researcher
• freelance performer
• session vocalist/performer
• touring musical theatre artist
• musical director/conductor
• composer and arranger
• producer.

Performance spaces

Our flexible, professionally-equipped performance spaces include Lawrence Hall, a 200-seat black box studio theatre, and Vestry Hall, a classical music performance space featuring a Steinway B Concert Grand piano, concert tuned percussion and seating for up to 150 people.

Media Resource Centre

At our Media Resource Centre you'll find extensive portable audio recording systems, including up to 24 track digital HD recording and portable Focusrite RedNet systems.

Production studios

We have four black box production rooms featuring performance dance floors, ballet barres, wall mirrors and ¾ drapes.

Basement practice rooms

We have 12 instrumental practice rooms with Steinway pianos, three percussion practice and teaching rooms and percussion rooms feature Pearl kits with recording and playback systems.

Music performance, composition and musical theatre facilities

The London College of Music is London's first All-Steinway School and features Steinway pianos in all teaching, performance, practice and recording spaces.

The Graduate School

If you are interested in studying for a PhD or Professional Doctorate, the Graduate School is here to support your research.

Rami Ranger House (Postgraduate Student Centre)

Rami Ranger House is a focal point for the University’s postgraduate and international students, providing dedicated space for social and learning interaction.

This building, which is three storeys high, offers spaces for collaborative working, socialising, supervision and mentoring on the ground floor. The first floor has work spaces for the postgraduate support teams to use, while the second floor provides guest accommodation for visiting scholars.

Dr Gavin Baker

Gavin brings an extensive 30-year teaching career to our University, with expertise spanning various aspects of theatre such as acting, directing, movement, voice, performance and contextual studies. His rich professional background deeply informs his approach, anchoring practice and context as the core pillars of his teaching philosophy.

Performing arts

Our performing arts courses will help you develop the skills you’ll need to meet the highest professional standards of the industry while visiting professionals will enrich your learning experience with masterclasses and mock auditions.

Find out more

Discover seven reasons to study with us and how studying at UWL will support your future career.

Find out about student accommodation and the support for students.

Explore our campus and sites and book onto a campus tour or open day .

Important notes for applicants

Disclaimer

Rankings

• † Fees - the published fee is an annual fee, payable each year, for the duration of the course. Fees are subject to change. Home tuition fees may be subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body. Full-time taught international fees are subject to an annual increase.
• Teaching - your course will primarily be delivered in-person, however it may include delivery of some activities online, either in real-time or recorded.
• Testimonials - quotes are provided by current or former UWL students. These are mostly from the course but quotes from a UWL student on another course may be used if, for example, the course is new.
• Optional modules - where optional modules are offered they will run subject to staff availability and viable student numbers opting to take the module.
• Videos - all videos on our course pages were accurate at the time of filming, however staff and course content may have since changed.
• Availability of placements - if you choose a course with placement/internship route and a placement/internship opportunity does not arise when you are expected to undertake the placement then the University will automatically transfer you to the non-internship route, to ensure you are still successful in being awarded a degree.
• The National Student Survey 2026 result is based on the average of all answers by the taught student populations.
• Modern universities - defined as higher education institutions that were granted university status in, and after, 1992.
• PRES - rank out of 53 institutions.

Research areas