Bachelor of Arts in​ Musical Theatre

The BA Musical Theatre Programme focuses on excellence, creating highly-skilled, versatile, entrepreneurial, and professional performers who are creative global citizens and are equipped to navigate a fruitful and diverse career in the performing arts.

Combining world-class facilities and curriculums, SPAA offers a wealth of knowledge and experience, delivered by a faculty comprising of industry professionals. Their experience merges the Western lens of Broadway and the West End with the exciting developmental elements of theatre in the Middle East and internationally.

The full-time, four-year Musical Theatre degree offers students intensive and thorough training in the key disciplines of acting, singing, and dance, incorporating practical learning with an individual focus and multiple performance opportunities.

Step into Musical Theatre

Students will extensively study the existing Musical Theatre canon and have the opportunity to work with world-renowned creative teams on new, contemporary material, enabling them to become collaborative artists and leaders in their own right. We actively seek students who are passionate and enthusiastic about the art form and who are willing to be curious and ambitious about their artistic development.

Curriculum includes:

• Acting – live performance, television, and film
• Singing – 1-2-1 technique and repertoire sessions, ensemble and acting through song
• Dance – Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary and Commercial
• Body Conditioning and Fitness
• Masterclasses with guest tutors
• Workshops and productions
• Wellbeing

Why study with us?

• Situated within the ‘Cultural Capital’ of the Arab World
• Epicentre of inspiration, creativity and innovation
• Exclusive masterclasses with international artists
• Become the next generation of leaders and change-makers of the performing arts world

Programme Information

• Start Date: September 2024
• Programme Length: 4 years full-time
• Contact Hours: 30 hours per week

Admissions Requirements

General Requirements:

• Applicants must be at least 17 years of age at the time of commencement/enrolment for a Bachelor of Arts undergraduate programme at SPAA.
• UAE Secondary School Completion Certificate or equivalent approved by the UAE Ministry of Education.
• Candidates for performance programmes (e.g., Acting and Musical Theatre) must pass the audition process.
• Candidates for the Production Arts Programme must pass the interview process.

English Language Proficiency Requirement:

• EmSAT English: Minimum score of 1100.
• TOEFL: Minimum score of 500 (paper-based), 61 (iBT), or 173 (CBT).
• IELTS (Academic): Band 5.
• IELTS (General): Band 5.5.

Certificate of Equivalency:

• All enrolled students must obtain an Equivalency Certificate for their Secondary/BA Certificate from the UAE Ministry of Education, except those from the UAE Ministry of Education Curriculum.

Conditional Admission:

• Applicants who do not meet the minimum English exam scores must take the SPAA English Placement Test and complete a remedial English course.
• Applicants who have not concluded the equivalency process may register for the foundational year by signing a Conditional Admission Contract.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

• RPL allows students to enter at an advanced stage based on prior learning, provided they meet 80% of course learning outcomes.
• Up to 30 credit hours may be awarded for prior learning, with a minimum course grade of “B” for undergraduate level courses.

Credit Transfer:

• Transfer credits from recognized postsecondary institutions are generally accepted where the course content is equivalent to the SPAA course.

How to Apply?

To be considered for the BA Musical Theatre programme, all applicants must register their details by completing the following form.

A member of our Admissions Team will be in touch shortly (please allow 3-4 working days).

All applicants will be required to attend an online or in-person audition/interview with the Programme Leader or a Faculty panel.

Optional: During the application process, you may also submit a short video (max. 3 mins) of yourself performing one (1) song from a musical. We’ve created an easy, step-by-step guide to help you prepare for and present your audition video, if you wish to do so: https://youtu.be/Leu_HBxwK8I.

You may also send us a 1-minute video of another skill you have; for example, movement, monologue, or any other relevant skill you would like to share with us.

For any urgent admissions-related enquiries, feel free to contact us via the following methods:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +971 (0) 6 502 9999 (7.30 AM – 4.30 PM or 8 AM – 1 PM during Term Holidays)

Programme Fees

• Year 1: 63,000 AED
• Year 2: 66,150 AED
• Year 3: 67,252.5 AED
• Year 4: 69,457.5 AED

Full and Part Scholarships:

Eligible full-time undergraduate students may apply for a SPAA scholarship upon acceptance into their chosen discipline.

For more information, email [email protected].