Programme Overview
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Qualification
NFQ Level
Duration |
CAO Code Application Deadline
Entrance Test Audition Video Submission Deadline |
Course Fees (EU) Course Fees (non-EU)
Places |
Applications
Applications should be made to:
- the Central Applications Office (CAO) if an Irish, EU or UK applicant;
- the MTU International Office if a non-EU applicant.
CAO code for this programme:
MT938 BA (Hons) in Musical Theatre
Please note that applications for first-year entry close at 5.00pm on 1 February 2027. Late applications cannot be accepted. This deadline applies to all applicants both domestic and international. Information on Advanced Entry pathways is available below.
Admission Requirements
For admission to the programme, standard applicants must:
- meet the minimum entry requirements;
- sit the Entrance Test; and
- complete Garda Vetting (to be completed as part of registration process if offered a place)
Minimum Entry Requirements
Leaving Certificate in at least six subjects (i.e. H5 in two subjects, and O6/H7 in four other subjects); one of the subjects must be English or Irish. There is no specific requirement for Maths (a grade F2 or higher in foundation level Maths is recognised as one of the subjects for entry).
In addition to the Leaving Certificate, academic qualification can also be considered from:
- UK A-Levels and similar European / international examinations;
- those holding relevant FETAC Level 5 & 6 qualifications;
- mature applicants with relevant subject experience.
Non-EU minimum entry requirements are available through the MTU International Office.
If your first language is not English, you must provide evidence of English language proficiency, see more info at the MTU International Office website.
Where qualifications other than the Irish Leaving Certificate are being presented, applicants must comply with all CAO and/or MTU International Office documentation requirements and deadlines. Failure to submit the required supporting documentation by the relevant deadline will result in the application being deemed ineligible for consideration.
Entrance Test
This is a Restricted Access Course, and all applicants must audition in the three disciplines of dance, acting, and singing. Assessments are conducted through a combination of video submissions and in-person auditions. Overseas applicants are encouraged to attend in-person.
The Entrance Test is marked out of 600 points and consists of:
- Acting: 200 points
- Singing: 200 points
- Dance: 200 points
Applicants must achieve a minimum overall score of 300 points out of 600 to be eligible for consideration. In addition, candidates must achieve a minimum score of 40% in each of the three disciplines (Acting, Singing, and Dance). Candidates who do not achieve the minimum 40% threshold in any one discipline will not be considered eligible for entry, regardless of their overall score.
Applicants who meet these minimum requirements are then ranked according to their overall Entrance Test score, and places are offered on the basis of this ranking. Leaving Certificate points are not used for ranking purposes.
Applicants are not permitted to defer the results of the Entrance Test.
Audition Application Form
Applicants who have applied through the CAO by the closing date will receive an email by Friday, 5 February 2027 containing a link to the BAMT Audition Application Form & inviting them to audition.
The Audition Application Form, together with all required supporting materials and video submission links, must be submitted by 5.00pm on Wednesday, 17 February 2027. Late submissions cannot be accepted. The completed and submitted form is required for your audition to be scheduled.
All audition materials must be submitted through the BAMT Audition Application Form. Videos or supporting documents sent directly by email cannot be accepted. Please see video submission details below for more information.
Video Submissions
Please upload your videos as a single video or playlist to YouTube. Choose the setting "unlisted" under the visibility menu. If you are having issues with YouTube, you may use Vimeo. However, please be aware that the privacy setting on Vimeo must be "public" for us to be able to watch the submission, which means your video is searchable by anyone on the site.
Email csm.fulltimecoursescork@mtu.ie if you have any queries or problems with the video upload.
Self-Tape Guidelines
- Please give yourself plenty of time to prepare, record, and upload your video files. You can do this in advance, before submitting your links via your audition application form.
- Record in a quiet, well-lit environment and use a plain or uncluttered background where possible.
- Position the camera in landscape orientation and ensure you are clearly visible throughout the recording.
- Frame yourself from approximately mid-thigh upwards, allowing sufficient space for movement.
- Use a stable surface or tripod and check audio levels before recording.
- Smartphone recordings are acceptable provided the audio and video quality are clear.
- Begin your recording by introducing yourself and stating your name and CAO number (where applicable).
- Before each performance, briefly introduce the material you are presenting, including the title of the work and the relevant composer, lyricist or playwright.
- Audition materials must be an authentic representation of the applicant's own work and performance ability. The use of artificial intelligence (AI), digital performance-enhancement tools, altered audio, or other technologies that misrepresent an applicant's abilities is not permitted.
Applicants are assessed on performance potential rather than production quality. Simple, clear recordings are preferred over heavily edited or professionally produced videos.
- Acting: Applicants must submit a self-tape video of a three-to-four-minute classical or contemporary monologue from a published play or musical. The focus is on the applicant's acting ability, communication skills, imagination, and connection to the text. Applicants should perform directly to the camera. The performance must be from memory, in one take and following the self-tape guidelines (see above).
- Singing: Applicants must submit a self-tape video of two contrasting songs, one of which must be musical theatre with accompaniment (live accompaniment or backing track). Chosen repertoire must show contrasting vocal qualities, with one demonstrating the more legit classical style associated with musical theatre. Pieces should be no longer than two minutes covering the full journey of the song, with priority given to the singing voice over the volume of the music and following self-tape guidelines (see above). Applicants should perform without vocal effects or enhancement. Audition recordings should allow the panel to assess vocal technique, musicality, communication, and performance potential based on the natural voice.
The volumes of The Singer's Musical Theatre Anthology, Musical Theatre Practice Tracks and The Audition Cut provide excellent selections that can be used for free, but you may choose pieces from any musical.
Live Audition
Applicants will also be invited to an in-person audition on 5 & 6 March 2027 at MTU Cork School of Music, where they attend auditions in dance, acting & a short singing test along with an interview.
- Dance: Applicants will be taught a routine and asked to perform it in small groups at the end of the session. Appropriate fitted dance or gym wear should be worn with jazz shoes or bare feet.
- Acting: Applicants will take part in a group drama workshop with other applicants and will be assessed on participation and engagement as part of an ensemble.
- Singing: Applicants will be assessed individually on their singing voice and will need to perform one of their two prepared contrasting songs and some brief technical exercises/scales.
- Interview: Applicants will be asked about their experience of performance and their knowledge & interest in musical theatre and the BAMT course. They will also get the opportunity to ask questions about the programme.
Garda Vetting
Vetting is conducted by the National Vetting Bureau (formerly known as the Garda Central Vetting Unit). The National Vetting Bureau (NVB) helps to assess the suitability of all applicants on this programme. It is important to note that participation in or completion of this programme may be affected by subsequent disclosure/discovery.
Advanced Entry
Applicants with relevant prior learning, including Higher Education qualifications, Further Education awards, recognised prior learning or significant professional experience, may apply for Advanced Entry to Year 2, 3 or 4 of the programme, subject to the availability of places in the relevant year of entry.
All Advanced Entry applicants must apply through the CAO Advanced Entry process. Prospective Advanced Entry applicants are strongly advised to contact the programme team first at csm.fulltimecoursescork@mtu.ie before applying via the CAO. This allows us to discuss your previous study and advise on the most appropriate entry point.
Applicants are also strongly encouraged to apply for Year 1 entry via the CAO (deadline: 1 February 2027). Applicants who do not meet the requirements for their requested Advanced Entry year may still be suitable for Year 1 entry; however, consideration for a Year 1 place is only possible where a separate Year 1 CAO application has been submitted.
As the number of Advanced Entry places is limited and subject to availability within each year of the programme, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by the Round 1 deadline. Applications received in Round 1 will be considered first, and availability for later rounds may be significantly reduced. Early application is strongly recommended.
Round 1 Deadline: 1 February 2027
Applicants who apply by the Round 1 deadline will be assessed on 5/6 of March 2027. Please note that there may be additional assessment requirements depending on the year of application.
Round 2 Deadline: Friday, 28 May 2027
Applications received by the Round 2 deadline will be assessed during week ending 13 June 2027.
Applicants seeking to apply after the Round 2 deadline should contact the MTU Cork School of Music at csm.fulltimecourseCork@mtu.ie
To apply via advanced entry please click HERE.
When will I receive a decision?
Following completion of the Entrance Test process, results are reviewed and ranked by the admissions panel. Entrance test results will be communicated to candidates by Friday 7 May 2027.
Offers are issued through the CAO in accordance with the national offers schedule. International and Advanced Entry applicants will be notified directly by MTU once the assessment process is complete.
Course Information
This is a specialist degree course aimed at 'triple-threat' performers: in other words, centered on the three disciplines of singing, dancing and acting.
Across all four years (eight semesters, 240 credits) you'll train in five core strands every semester: Acting for Musical Theatre, Musical Theatre Dance, Musical Theatre Ensemble, Musical Theatre Rep Studies and Musical Theatre Singing. Individual singing training, in both legitimate and contemporary styles, sits alongside chorus and ensemble work; your core studies in tap, ballet and jazz are supplemented with weekly workshops by visiting professionals; and acting, drama and the spoken voice round out the third core skill. These disciplines are brought together in weekly ensemble rehearsal, integrating staged scenes and musical numbers. All students take the Stagepass training course, which allows them to intern and get casual work in professional theatres, and graduates can avail of a Graduate Profile with Spotlight.
Based in the heart of Cork City, MTU Cork School of Music occupies a purpose-built conservatory building, regarded as one of the best facilities in the world for creative and performing arts education with an amazing technological infrastructure.
Programme Structure
Year 1 lays the foundation across the five core strands, alongside My Toolkit for University in Semester 1 and Technical Theatre in Semester 2.
From Year 2 onward, alongside the five core strands, you choose one elective module each semester from a menu that broadens each year (see Elective Studies, below).
Year 4 Semester 1 adds Professional Portfolio, preparing you for the transition into the profession. Year 4 Semester 2 culminates in Musical Theatre Production and the Musical Theatre Final Showcase — your final public performance on the course.
Elective Studies
In addition to your core studies, from second year onward, you choose one elective module each semester from a menu that includes Acting in the Media, Advanced Dance Practice, Costume Design & Make-Up, Directing, Scriptwriting, Set Design and Props, Stage Management and Theatre Producing, and, in Year 4, MT Spotlight Performance.
Professional Visits
Central to our course philosophy is to have regular contact and workshop experience with as wide a variety of professional practitioners as possible. Visiting professionals have included Killian Donnelly, David Shannon, Molly Lynch, Alex Blake and Brian Murray – all first-class superstars of the West End and Broadway and wonderfully inspiring teachers. Students and staff also regularly workshop with musical theatre writers who have new work in the development phase.
Public Performances
Students participate in public performances every year, both in the university and in external venues. Final year productions take place every year at the Everyman Theatre - Legally Blonde (2027), Come from Away (2026), 9 to 5 (2025), Our House (2024) and The Addams Family (2023) and the showcase Steppin' Out, performed to great acclaim at Cork Opera House in June 2022.
Programme Team
The BA (Honours) in Musical Theatre is led by Deirdre Collins, Head of Department, and Course Coordinators David Hayes and Alex Glennon. The programme is delivered by a specialist team of performers, directors, choreographers, musical directors, and educators with extensive professional and industry experience.
Teaching staff include Deirdre Collins, David Hayes, Alex Glennon, Ciaran Bermingham, Aisling Byrne-Gaughan, Clodagh Long, Majella Cullagh, Dearbhaile Maclean, Dr. Ryan Morgan, Maria Mulcahy, Emma Nash, Muirgen O'Mahony, Irene O'Mara, Thérèse O'Sullivan, Kelley Petcu, Roman Postolatij, Kieran Prendergast, Ross Scanlon, Christine Scarry, Cathal Synnott & Dr. Aideen Wylde.
Further course information on modules offered HERE.
Further Information
Email csm.fulltimecoursescork@mtu.ie or phone +353 (0)21 4807309 / +353 (0)21 4807310.
Posters from previous public productions can be found below.
