PhD Musical Theatre at University of West London

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.

Duration: 4 years full-time; 6 years part-time; 4 years full-time distance learning; 6 years part-time distance learning  |  Study mode: full-time (part-time available; online/distance option)  |  Intake: September 2027, February 2027  |  Location: London, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

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: support by a supervisor and second supervisor suited to your project.

Career pathways

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. Job roles include: further and higher education lecturer; postdoctoral researcher; freelance performer; session vocalist/performer; touring musical theatre artist; musical director/conductor; composer and arranger; producer.

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