Applications for this course are now closed.
The Musical Direction MA is a one-year, intensive course for skilled musicians with ambitions to work in music leadership roles within theatre and beyond.
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 musical direction.
The Musical Direction course has 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 and UK.
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.
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.
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.
The course is led by Head of Musical Direction Richard Bates alongside a host of guest tutors.
Regular contributors include:
The MA is delivered over one year (42 weeks over 3 terms) on 5 days a week.*
Course components are individually timetabled for each student.
Across the year you will attend 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 performances.
Assessment is ongoing and based on work throughout the course. You will prepare for an MA project through a series of seminars and tutorials.
(*Exact dates will depend on practical show assignments.)
Students work on public and in-house productions and at the end of the year a showreel is created of their work.
2023/24 Term Dates
Autumn term 4 September – 15 December 2023
Spring term 8 January – 28 March 2024
Summer term 15 April – 12 July 2024
Writing up period (MA only) 13 July – 26 August 2024
2024/25 Term Dates
Autumn term 9 September – 13 December 2024
Spring term 6 January – 4 April 2025
Summer term 22 April – 18 July 2025
2023/24 Term Dates
Autumn term 4 September – 15 December 2023
Spring term 8 January – 28 March 2024
Summer term 15 April – 12 July 2024
Writing up period (MA only) 13 July – 26 August 2024
2023/24 Term Dates
Autumn term 4 September – 15 December 2023
Spring term 8 January – 28 March 2024
Summer term 15 April – 12 July 2024
Writing up period (MA only) 13 July – 26 August 2024
| Interview fee | £20 |
| 2024/25 UK/Republic of Ireland Students Course Fee | £10,265 |
| 2024/25 International Students Course Fee | £18,945 |
| Additional Costs (e.g. cultural trips) | £100 |
Fees are subject to annual review. One term’s notice will be given of any increases.
Limited interview fee waivers and reductions are available for candidates with a household income of less than £21,000.
There are a number of student scholarships available.
Funding and ScholarshipsAdmission 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.
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 Interviews"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."
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