FDA TECHNICAL PRODUCTION

Validated by the University of East Anglia

Duration: 2 Years Full-Time
Application Deadline: Aug 18 2025 at 9:00AM

2025/26 Course Fees

Application Fee : Free
2025/26 UK/ROI Course Fee : £10,125 p/a
2025/26 International Students Course Fee : £18,760 p/a
APPLY FOR THIS COURSE

Explore the course:

Course Overview
Course Content
Entry
Fees
Auditions and interviews

Course Overview

Mountview produces over 20 in-house productions each year in our state-of-the-art theatres, giving Technical Production students a vast array of learning experiences.

Our Technical Production training is primarily focussed on sound and lighting, incorporating video and technical stagecraft. Course content includes lighting and sound studio skills, the preparation and management of technical equipment, lighting and sound system design, how to programme and operate desks, video mapping and design, as well as core technical and maintenance skills.

Training includes:

  • Hands-on training with contemporary equipment
  • Technical stagecraft skills including rigging and flying and installation of live productions
  • Sound studio skills including recording and editing technology and techniques
  • Lighting studio skills including computerised drafting and visualisation software
  • Understanding and designing lighting and sound systems
  • Prepping, fitting, and monitoring radio mic systems
  • Planning, prepping and managing lighting equipment for live productions
  • Programming and mixing industry standard sound desks on plays and musicals
  • Programming and operating lighting desks, including working with generic and moving lighting equipment
  • Creating sound, lighting and video designs
  • Technical and maintenance skills such as power distribution, soldering and other skills needed by the modern production professional

Mountview is internationally recognised for the quality of its Musical Theatre training and produces at least 8 large-scale musicals in-house every year, providing Technical Production students with extensive experience of the musical format.

Mountview also offers a one-year BA (Hons) Top-Up in Technical Production, in which students with previous experience can select a specialism and develop a greater depth of understanding.

Read about freelancing as a Production Arts student here.

Course Content

2025/26 Term Dates
Autumn term 8 September – 14 December 2025
Spring term 5 January – 2 April 2026
Summer term 20 April – 17 July 2026

*Please note – All Production Arts students will not have a two week break over Easter. All students will have a two week break but they are scheduled around show roles. All students must speak with their course leader before booking any holidays/travel.

 

Delivery

  • The Technical Production Foundation Degree is a full-time two-year course with 30 contact hours per week over 36 weeks in each year. With continuous assessment across all the compulsory modules, students work alongside professional lighting and sound designers, technicians and programmers.
  • Please note that work on in-house productions requires attendance in the evenings and/or weekends.
  • Students also undertake work placements with external organisations, allowing them to develop a network of professional contacts and gain valuable experience. Previous placement destinations have included Moulin Rouge! The Musical, The Globe, Wiltons Music Hall, National Theatre, Cabaret, Park Theatre and the Barbican.

Foundation Skills

  • Introduction to key practical & research skills

Intro to Production Roles

  • Assistant level role/s on public productions

Applied Technical Production Skills

Masterclasses & advanced technical lessons further developing key lighting production skills

Production Roles

Higher level role/s on public productions

Industry Research

Career development training

Guest practitioners

Our resident team of tutors for this course are supported by industry professionals who work alongside the students on productions. Previous guest tutors have included professionals from:

  • Punchdrunk
  • Hamilton
  • The Globe
  • The National Theatre

Entry Information

Applicants must be aged 18 or turn 18 within the first term of the course.  Entry is based on an interview at which you will be invited to talk about previous experience, interests and inspiration. There are no formal academic entry requirements, however one of the following is desirable:

  • Five GCSE passes and two A-Levels or
  • Four SCE Higher Grade passes
  • BTEC National or Higher National Certificate or Diploma
  • Foundation course
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma

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.

Fees

Application FeeFree
2025/26 UK/ROI Course Fee £10,125 p/a
2025/26 International Students Course Fee£18,760 p/a

Students may apply for a maximum Student Tuition Fee Loan of £6,000. For more information, please refer to our Funding and Scholarships page below.

Additional costs may include a basic tool kit and transport.

Funding and Scholarships

Interview Information

All Production Arts candidates will take part in a first-round interview with senior course tutors, at which you will discuss your interests, influences and production arts experience. You will be required to submit examples of work. This will be either online or, if possible, at Mountview with the opportunity to meet staff and students and tour our building and theatres.

Please note that later applicants may not be received in time to be considered for scholarships and local accommodation spaces as these are allocated from June. For this reason, early application is recommended.

Auditions and Interviews