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Bird College

Sidcup, England

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Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Program

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Browse programs

Quick links

BA (Hons) Professional Dance and Musical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Program Recognition

Ofsted "Outstanding" rating (2024)

Validated by University of Greenwich, accredited by CDET

Member of the Alliance of Musical Theatre Conservatoires (AMTC)

Founded in 1946, nearly 80 years of training excellence

Training

32-35 contact hours per week across dance, musical theatre, and performance

Dance: ballet, tap, jazz (technical and commercial), contemporary, body conditioning, pas de deux

Musical theatre: acting technique, singing (individual weekly sessions), acting through song, voice, accents and dialects

Agent Showcase (filmed) and in-house productions in final year

Notable Alumni

Warren Carlyle — Broadway choreographer and director (The Music Man, Kiss Me Kate, Hello Dolly!)

Gavin Lee — two-time Tony-nominated actor (Mary Poppins, SpongeBob SquarePants)

Lara Pulver — Olivier-nominated actor (Sherlock, Gypsy)

John Partridge — West End and television actor (EastEnders, Cats)

Melanie C — singer and performer (Spice Girls)

Facilities

Single-site campus with 13 dance studios, 4 acting studios, 12 singing rooms

120-seat Doreen Bird Foundation Theatre with full production block

30 minutes from London's West End via Sidcup Railway Station

Leadership

President: Stephen Mear, award-winning choreographer and director

School Info

Snapshot

94%

Grad Rate

£24k

Earnings

5yr after

Costs & Aid

Home Tuition

£9,790

UK/EU students

International Tuition

£17,975

overseas students

Discover Uni

Program info updated Aug 20, 2:54 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Ofsted "Outstanding" rating (2024)

Validated by University of Greenwich, accredited by CDET

Member of the Alliance of Musical Theatre Conservatoires (AMTC)

Founded in 1946, nearly 80 years of training excellence

Training

32-35 contact hours per week across dance, musical theatre, and performance

Dance: ballet, tap, jazz (technical and commercial), contemporary, body conditioning, pas de deux

Musical theatre: acting technique, singing (individual weekly sessions), acting through song, voice, accents and dialects

Agent Showcase (filmed) and in-house productions in final year

Notable Alumni

Warren Carlyle — Broadway choreographer and director (The Music Man, Kiss Me Kate, Hello Dolly!)

Gavin Lee — two-time Tony-nominated actor (Mary Poppins, SpongeBob SquarePants)

Lara Pulver — Olivier-nominated actor (Sherlock, Gypsy)

John Partridge — West End and television actor (EastEnders, Cats)

Melanie C — singer and performer (Spice Girls)

Facilities

Single-site campus with 13 dance studios, 4 acting studios, 12 singing rooms

120-seat Doreen Bird Foundation Theatre with full production block

30 minutes from London's West End via Sidcup Railway Station

Leadership

President: Stephen Mear, award-winning choreographer and director

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Ofsted "Outstanding" rating (2024)

Validated by University of Greenwich, accredited by CDET

Member of the Alliance of Musical Theatre Conservatoires (AMTC)

Founded in 1946, nearly 80 years of training excellence

Training

32-35 contact hours per week across dance, musical theatre, and performance

Dance: ballet, tap, jazz (technical and commercial), contemporary, body conditioning, pas de deux

Musical theatre: acting technique, singing (individual weekly sessions), acting through song, voice, accents and dialects

Agent Showcase (filmed) and in-house productions in final year

Notable Alumni

Warren Carlyle — Broadway choreographer and director (The Music Man, Kiss Me Kate, Hello Dolly!)

Gavin Lee — two-time Tony-nominated actor (Mary Poppins, SpongeBob SquarePants)

Lara Pulver — Olivier-nominated actor (Sherlock, Gypsy)

John Partridge — West End and television actor (EastEnders, Cats)

Melanie C — singer and performer (Spice Girls)

Facilities

Single-site campus with 13 dance studios, 4 acting studios, 12 singing rooms

120-seat Doreen Bird Foundation Theatre with full production block

30 minutes from London's West End via Sidcup Railway Station

Leadership

President: Stephen Mear, award-winning choreographer and director

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2026

These Fall 2026 enrollment dates have passed — dates for the next cycle aren't available yet.

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Deadline

Regular DecisionRolling

Official page · bird.ac.uk

Program AppApplication

Apply

UCAS

Deadline

UCAS equal considerationJan 14, 2026

Professional Dance And Musical Theatre · ucas.com

Audition Requirements

These requirements are from the Fall 2026 entry cycle. Fall 2027 requirements are typically posted between August and October and usually change only slightly — confirm on the official source before submitting.

Headshot (Required)

Recent passport-style photograph

Headshot file must be JPEG format and include your full name in the filename

Ba Hons In Professional Dance And Musical Theatre · bird.ac.uk

Good to Know

Admissions Status

Applications for September 2026 entry are now closed

The admissions window for September 2027 entry opens Autumn 2026; the 2027 audition fee will be announced at that time

Application Process

Both a direct BIRD Conservatoire application and a separate UCAS application are required

Submit UCAS application under University of Greenwich (course code WW53)

Entry Requirements

Minimum 64 UCAS points (2 'C' grades at A2 level or equivalent Level 3 qualifications)

Prior dance training expected, ideally to ISTD Intermediate 1 standard

International applicants: IELTS 6.5 overall required

Additional Costs

Extra-Curricular Fund (ECF): 1,000 GBP total spread over 3 years

Covers headshots, in-house theatre tickets, lockers, and individual vocal scheme

Visa Sponsorship

BIRD Conservatoire is an approved UKVI Student Visa sponsor

Transfer Pathway

UCAS publishes Year 1, Year 2, and Year 3 entry points for the BA (Hons) Professional Dance and Musical Theatre. University of Greenwich recognition of prior learning can support module exemptions or direct entry, subject to academic assessment, and the Bird audition remains required.

Professional Dance And Musical Theatre · ucas.com

What's The Process

Audition Format

Single live audition at the BIRD Conservatoire campus in Sidcup

Auditions take place between November and May

Assesses dance, singing, and drama skills plus career suitability

Interview

Individual interview during audition day

Assesses motivation, communication, flexibility, and career aspirations

Audition Day

Introduction by the Principal and audition panel (parents/guardians welcome for this portion)

Full audition details and preparation material sent by email after application

Results communicated the day after audition

Overseas Applicants

May audition by video submission; contact the Conservatoire for details

Scholarship Info

University of Greenwich Support

The course page lists a £700 Greenwich Bursary for eligible new undergraduates with low household income entering Year 0 or Year 1

An EU bursary may provide a fee reduction for eligible EU students

Check the validating university's current eligibility rules before applying

School Info

Snapshot

94%

Grad Rate

£24k

Earnings

5yr after

Costs & Aid

Home Tuition

£9,790

UK/EU students

International Tuition

£17,975

overseas students

Discover Uni

Program Recognition

Ofsted "Outstanding" rating (2024)

Validated by University of Greenwich, accredited by CDET

Member of the Alliance of Musical Theatre Conservatoires (AMTC)

Founded in 1946, nearly 80 years of training excellence

Training

32-35 contact hours per week across dance, musical theatre, and performance

Dance: ballet, tap, jazz (technical and commercial), contemporary, body conditioning, pas de deux

Musical theatre: acting technique, singing (individual weekly sessions), acting through song, voice, accents and dialects

Agent Showcase (filmed) and in-house productions in final year

Notable Alumni

Warren Carlyle — Broadway choreographer and director (The Music Man, Kiss Me Kate, Hello Dolly!)

Gavin Lee — two-time Tony-nominated actor (Mary Poppins, SpongeBob SquarePants)

Lara Pulver — Olivier-nominated actor (Sherlock, Gypsy)

John Partridge — West End and television actor (EastEnders, Cats)

Melanie C — singer and performer (Spice Girls)

Facilities

Single-site campus with 13 dance studios, 4 acting studios, 12 singing rooms

120-seat Doreen Bird Foundation Theatre with full production block

30 minutes from London's West End via Sidcup Railway Station

Leadership

President: Stephen Mear, award-winning choreographer and director

Updated Aug 20, 2:54 PM