Performers College and ICTheatre merge to create unified brand in performing arts education
We’re thrilled to announce that Performers College has joined forces with the Institute of Contemporary Theatre (ICTheatre). From September 2025, both schools will unite as Performers College, taking our commitment to world-class performing arts education to the next level.
ICTheatre is renowned for its contemporary, innovative approach to acting and theatre, while Performers College is an established power in the dance and musical theatre scene. Spanning campuses in Birmingham, Brighton, Essex, and Manchester, this merger will create a unified performing arts school that is perfectly geared to meet the demands of today’s industry.
What does this mean for students?
The merger is designed to combine the unique strengths of both ICTheatre and Performers College, boosting collaboration across campuses and programmes. Students will benefit from an even wider array of industry partnerships, professional development workshops and cross-discipline projects.
Our Brighton and Manchester campuses will continue to offer their distinctive undergraduate and diploma courses, while Performers College’s iconic dance and musical theatre programmes will be studied in Birmingham and Essex. As of September 2025, our MA Performing Arts will be available in both Essex and Manchester.
How does this affect Northern Ballet School?
As part of this transition, Northern Ballet School will become an integral part of Performers College in Manchester. The school will retain its distinct identity while also benefitting from access to an even wider performing arts network.
Supporting your wellbeing
We would like to reassure all current students of ICTheatre and Performers College that our unwavering dedication to your wellbeing remains our top priority.
At the heart of our ethos is a deep commitment to creating a supportive, diverse and inclusive teaching environment. This approach ensures that all students, regardless of background or previous training, are empowered to reach their full potential. Performers College prides itself on fostering a welcoming community where individuality is celebrated, and students are encouraged to express themselves creatively in a safe and nurturing space.
The school is also underpinned by an exemplary health and wellbeing team, dedicated to ensuring that students receive the holistic support they need to thrive both personally and professionally. From mental health services to physical wellbeing resources, students have access to a comprehensive range of support systems that promote resilience, balance and wellbeing throughout their training.
Emma Rodgers, Campus Dean at Performers College Essex, explained the decision further:
“We are bringing together the best of both worlds. Our aim is to create a performing arts school that is unrivalled in its breadth of expertise, providing students with access to industry-leading knowledge and skills. This merger strengthens our collective ability to foster innovation, collaboration and excellence in performing arts education.”
Tony Followell, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Performing Arts at BIMM University, expressed his enthusiasm about the merger:
“This merger represents a transformative moment for performing arts education at BIMM University. We are excited to bring together the rich heritage of Performers College and ICTheatre, creating new pathways for collaboration and innovation. By operating under one unified brand, we will continue to provide the highest quality education and expand opportunities for our students.”
Entry for programmes in 2025
Prospective students applying to programmes in 2025 which were previously offered by ICTheatre should now refer to the Performers College website.
Undergraduate programmes that accept applications through UCAS for 2025 will continue to be through BIMM University (B39). Please check the relevant course page for further information.
Postgraduate and Trinity Diploma applications for 2025 can now be applied to directly through the Performers College website.
We’re incredibly excited to see what this new chapter of Performers College will bring, and we look forward to providing our students with an even greater range of opportunities for collaboration and connection.
