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COURSE OVERVIEW

DIPLOMA COURSE

COHORT SIZE

COURSE AWARD

INDEPENDENT DIPLOMA

COURSE DURATION

3 YEARS FULL TIME

CONTACT HOURS

30/ WEEK (average)

20/ YEAR GROUP*

Year One

EXPANDING FOUNDATIONS

In your first year on the Professional Diploma, you’ll build on your existing training and adjust to the intensity of conservatoire-style study. The focus is on strengthening technique, enhancing versatility, and developing the discipline required of a professional performer. Alongside your technical work, you’ll take part in reflective practice and gain your first public performance experiences.

Modules include:

Dance Technique 1 – Jazz (the only summatively assessed genre), supported by Ballet & Tap to develop placement, rhythm, and versatility
Singing & Acting 1 – Foundations in vocal health, diction, improvisation, text, and character development
Musical Theatre Practice (Ensemble Skills) – Ensemble performance through singing, text, and movement
Ensemble Singing 1 – Harmony, diction, phrasing, and score reading
Creative Workshop (Theatre in Education) – Devise and perform an original TIE piece for local schools
Book Musical 1 – Take part in your first fully staged musical theatre production
Historical Perspectives & Music Theory – Introduction to musical theatre history and musicianship skills
Independent Learning Project – Reflect on your progress, evaluate strengths, and set goals for future development

Fees

Tuition Fees

Diploma : £9990 per year

Associated Fees: approx. £1500 per year

We aim to make these fees as transparent as possible and to ensure they directly support your training and professional development.

At ROM, associated fees cover a wide range of additional training essentials and professional resources not included in tuition. These typically include things like:

Professional headshots in years 1&2 (digital copies provided)
Branded training apparel and conditioning equipment
Production support (costume, props, technical services)
Student setup resources (ID, diary, water bottle, locker access)
Contribution towards production recordings and digital copies
Access to student social events

Scholarships & Support

ROM is committed to making training accessible.

Scholarships are available for exceptionally talented students, which may cover tuition and/or associated fees.

We can also offer payment plans and provide guidance on funding pots and grant applications to help support your training journey.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Requirements

GCSEs: English Language and Maths at Grade 4 or above (or equivalent) – required
Level 3 training in Performing Arts, Dance or Drama – preferred, but not essential
UCAS points: Not required (applications are made directly to ROM)

Applicants with significant prior training or professional experience may be considered through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathway.

Audition

All applicants are required to attend an audition, demonstrating ability across dance, singing, and acting.

Dance/ Movement Workshop: Jazz-based technique and routine (75–90 mins)
Solo Song: Musical Theatre style, max 90 seconds
One monologue: Any Style, max 90 seconds
Optional: One solo dance routine, 90 seconds

Applicants showing high levels of performance skill may be considered for entry even if they do not fully meet academic requirements.

Year TWO

In your second year, you’ll refine the skills established in Year One and extend your technical and creative range. The training is more demanding, with higher expectations of artistry, stamina, and adaptability. You’ll take on greater responsibility within productions, from featured roles to swing/understudy preparation, and collaborate with professional writers to develop new musical theatre work.

Modules include:

Dance Technique – Advanced Jazz (summatively assessed), with Ballet & Tap to strengthen technical range and versatility
Singing & Acting – Broader repertoire, deeper character exploration, and integration of acting through song
Musical Theatre Practice (Principal Skills) – Focus on featured and principal roles, with training in swing/understudy responsibilities
Ensemble Singing – More complex harmonies, stylistic interpretation, and advanced ensemble discipline
Creative Project (New Writing) – Collaborate with a professional writer to devise and perform an original musical theatre piece
Book Musical – Take part in your second fully staged production, with opportunities for greater role responsibility
Contemporary Musical Theatre & Analysis – Explore contemporary repertoire and critical perspectives on the art form
Professional Development Study – Develop audition skills, career strategy, and your own artistic identity

DEEPENING PRACTICES

YEAR THREE

In your final year, the emphasis shifts to industry readiness. Training mirrors the demands of the professional world, with advanced technique, intensive performance projects, and opportunities to work directly with industry creatives. You’ll refine audition skills, build your professional portfolio, and graduate with the experience and confidence to step into the performing arts industry.

Modules include:

Dance Technique – Audition-focused Jazz (summatively assessed), with continued Ballet & Tap for stamina and versatility
Singing & Acting – Development of a professional audition portfolio, including mock auditions, sight-reading, and advanced acting through song
Creative Professional Performance – Collaborate on a new devised piece of musical theatre, created and staged with professional support
Book Musical – Final musical theatre production, demonstrating your versatility and performance maturity
Independent Project – A reflective or practice-based project that showcases your individuality as a performer
Agent Introductions – Present yourself to casting directors and agents for professional representation
Additional Performances – Opportunities throughout the year, including pantomime, Actor’s Church performances, sharings, and open mic nights

PROFESSIOANL LAUNCH

Our Professional Diploma in Musical Theatre embodies over a decade of ROM’s commitment to delivering exceptional conservatoire training for students who want an alternative to a traditional academic degree.

As the landscape of higher education and the professional theatre industry evolves, our Diploma prioritises adaptability, inclusivity, and innovation. Students benefit from 30+ contact hours each week, intensive triple-threat training, and small group learning that ensures personal attention and individual growth.

What Makes the Diploma Distinct?

A fully vocational programme — no academic assessment
Train alongside BA (Hons) students in the same studios, with the same faculty and performance opportunities
Triple-threat focus – Acting, Singing, and Dance in equal balance, with Jazz as the core assessed dance discipline supported by Ballet, Tap, Commercial, Lyrical, Contemporary and Hip Hop
Weekly 1-to-1 singing lessons plus ensemble and repertoire coaching
Small cohorts that create a close, supportive community

Industry Integration

ROM’s Associate Workshops connect Diploma students with leading UK creatives, choreographers, and directors. These industry-led sessions enrich training with real-world insights and help students build professional networks before graduation.

Performance Opportunities

Performance is central to the Diploma. Students take part in:

Book Musical productions
Agent showcases in London
Original writing collaborations with professional writers
Choreographic sharings, open mic nights, and variety showcases
Annual pantomime and Actor’s Church performances

Your Future

The Diploma is ideal for performers who want the intensity of conservatoire training without the academic framework of a degree. Our graduates leave with the skills, versatility, and confidence to succeed in the performing arts industry, supported by three years of world-class training and a portfolio of performance experience.

At ROM Theatre Arts, we don’t just provide training — we create a launchpad for sustainable careers in Musical Theatre.