MA/MFA MUSIC DIRECTION
Validated by University of East Anglia
Application Deadline: Jan 13 2026 at 12:00AM
2026/27 Course Fees
Interview fee : £20UK/ROI students (Year 1) : £10,365
UK/ROI students (MFA Year 2) : £10,750
International students (Year 1) : £19,510
International students (MFA Year 2) : £10,750
Explore the course:
Course Overview
All September 2026 places have been filled and applications are now closed. Applications for September 2027 will open in Autumn 2026.
This Music Direction course has a 1-year MA or 2-year MFA option, offering students a more in-depth training experience. The course is an intensive for skilled musicians with ambitions to work in music leadership roles within theatre and beyond.
We have a strong reputation in the industry for rigour and quality, and previous students on the course can be found working on a diverse range of musical theatre productions across the West End, UK and internationally. The course is suited to experienced pianists, accompanists and conductors who have worked with singers, actors and instrumentalists, or would like to develop their skills in this area.
Mountview has developed an internationally renowned reputation for its commitment to musical theatre. Our state-of-the-art facilities in South London and the network of industry professionals who contribute to the teaching provide the ideal springboard for a career in music direction.
Teaching and contact time vary at different times of the year and depending on assignments. Each student has a bespoke timetable typically receiving between 15 and 25 hours each week. These comprise of core components and cross-course classes combined with allocated roles on projects and productions.
Across the year students will attend classes and seminars with leading practitioners and industry specialists; receive individual tutorials; assist professional musical directors on in-house and public productions; and lead musically on selected projects.
Assessment is ongoing and based on work throughout the course, culminating in summative assessment points in the second and third terms.
Course Content
Music Direction Practice
Conducting (Baton and Keyboard)
Music Direction
Assistantships on projects and/or productions
Piano & Repertoire Study
Piano Study (Advanced piano technique and keyboard skills)
Musical Theatre Repertoire
Musical Skills
Music Technology (Keyboard programming and track creation)
Musical Theatre Keyboard (playing programmed keyboards)
Musicianship (harmony and counterpoint, score reading and transposition)
Orchestration
Supporting the Performer
Accompanying & Coaching Singers
Vocal Study (Singing technique and application)
Professional Preparation & Praxis (MA only)
Pedagogical Practices
Professional Portfolio
Research Project
Advanced Praxis (MFA only)
Symposium Presentation
Dissertation / Creative Portfolio / Score for Live Performance
Critical Pedagogies (MFA only)
Critical Teaching Philosophy
Teaching Resources Portfolio
Students on the 1-year MA will undertake the Research Project across the first and second terms through a series of seminars and one-to-one tutorials. This will culminate in a presentation of their chosen topic of research in the third term through performance and/or written dissertation options.
Students work on in-house projects and public productions across the year in Assistant Music Director roles and/or as a band member.
At the end of the year, students have the opportunity to compile a filmed showreel of their work and music direction practice with musicians and singers.
Full Module Specifications document: MA-MFA Music Direction (2025) – Module Specifications
Course Dates
2025/26 Term Dates
Autumn term 8 September – 12 December 2025
Spring term 5 January – 2 April 2026
Summer term 20 April – 17 July 2026
2026/27 Term Dates
Autumn term 7 September – 13 December 2026
Spring term 4 January – 4 April 2027
Summer term 19 April – 16 July 2027
Graduates
MA Musical Directing Alumni have gone on to secure work for a variety of West End, UK and touring musicals, including SIX, Aspects of Love, The Wizard of Oz, Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, Strictly Ballroom, An Officer and a Gentleman, I Should Be So Lucky and 42 Balloons.
Read an interview with MA Musical Direction graduate Caitlin Morgan here.
"My time at Mountview has been demanding, exciting, bundles of fun and most importantly extremely rewarding. Every day brought a new challenge, a new person to meet and a new experience."
Entry Information
Admission onto the course is by interview. Candidates are required to have a very high standard of piano playing. Applicants must be aged 21 years or over at the start of the course. Students who do not hold an undergraduate degree will need to undertake an access assignment to establish suitability for undertaking the MA.
If an applicant requires a student visa and their first language is not English, they will need to prove their knowledge of the English language before applying for their student visa. This must be demonstrated by passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider or having a GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English, gained through study at a UK school that they began when they were under 18.
Mountview welcomes applications from people with disabilities and is keen to support all applicants to achieve their best. If applicants have any special requirements or access needs, these should be discussed with the course leader/administrator.
Mountview is committed to a comprehensive policy of equal opportunities for students in which individuals are selected and treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities. No applicant will receive less or more favourable treatment on grounds of sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnic origin, disability, religion and marital/parental status or any comparable grounds.
Upon offer, students must be sure that they are prepared to engage with a wide range of material that may challenge their personal ethical, religious, spiritual or moral beliefs, and present it in a wide range of settings including public production.
A maximum of six places are available each year. Due to the limited number of places available and the high volume of applications, please apply early to avoid disappointment. Interested parties are encouraged to contact the course leader for an informal conversation pre-interview about applying if they have questions, or would like to understand better if they feel it would be suitable pathway for them to undertake.
Fees
| Interview fee | £20 |
| UK/ROI students (Year 1) | £10,365 |
| UK/ROI students (MFA Year 2) | £10,750 |
| International students (Year 1) | £19,510 |
| International students (MFA Year 2) | £10,750 |
Interview information
You will take part in an interview with the course leader at which you will discuss your interests, influences and previous experience. This will take place in-person at Mountview and you may be required to submit a portfolio of work.
For international candidates and those with exceptional circumstances, the option of an online interview is available.
In addition, you will attend an audition at which you will perform two pieces that you have pre-prepared (1 classical and 1 musical theatre), sight-read, coach a singer and conclude with a short interview. More information will be provided once your application has been received.
Auditions and InterviewsStaff
The course is led by Head of Musical Direction Richard Bates alongside a host of guest tutors.
Regular contributors include:
- Gemma Hawkins – Moulin Rouge
- Steve Moss – Les Miserables, Mary Poppins
- Lindsey Miller – Julius Caesar
- Dr Stuart Morley – We Will Rock You, Only Fools & Horses
- Alan Williams – Elf – The Musical
