Our Courses

This one year highly practical course is delivered across three to four days with a combination of practical workshops and contextual studies and carries a maximum of 84 UCAS points.

It is suitable for:

School leavers (16-18), who have just completed their GCSEs.

Those who have completed their A Levels (18-year-olds) and wanting another year to prepare for university/increase UCAS points or employment.

Mature students (19+) who wish to develop their knowledge and skills further (fees may apply).

Upon successful completion of this course, you can progress on to your second year, and study the Extended Diploma covering the course content in greater detail. Once you have achieved this additional one-year extended diploma, you will have up to 168 UCAS points, dependant on the grade you achieve. A Distinction grade is the equivalent to 3 A-Level grades at A*.

On our Level 3 Diploma in Performing Arts you have the opportunity to choose a specialist pathway of dance, acting or performing arts. Term one provides you with an introduction to a range of activities essential to the development and delivery of a performance. It will introduce the basic elements of technique and impart an understanding of performance as a collaborative activity. You will be introduced to oral, written and visual communication in performing and production which will enable you to explore and analyse meaning and how to convey a message to an audience. You will explore the diversity of roles, responsibilities, employment and progression opportunities available within the sector including the importance of health and safety as integral to the performer and production and give an understanding of the characteristics needed for a career in the performing arts. Finally, you will investigate both historical and contemporary contexts and perspectives that influence the development of ideas within the performing arts. Term two allows you to critically analyse, integrate and apply knowledge and understanding acquired in previous units and to explore the specific skills and attributes required for performing and production in the performing arts. It provides an opportunity to explore the specific skills and attributes required for your own personal practice in preparation for your final major project. This project is tutor-led with opportunity for exploration with marketing, budgeting, costuming, prop making and sourcing and much more. Our musical takes places over a week period in which we hire in a professional set for you to work with. This also gives opportunity to work with a live band in an industry scenario to allow for collaboration across courses. Term three is a student led project and allows you to work closely with the second years learners. It provides an opportunity to engage in a group or individual project related to the discipline of choice. The unit will enable you to take responsibility for your learning by responding positively to the greater opportunities for individual expression and creativity afforded, and to demonstrate achievement through proposing and realising a project which integrates the skills, knowledge and understanding acquired throughout the course. You then have the opportunity to perform this to a live external audience to demonstrate the work you have produced and created.

Students will learn;

• Dance Pathway
• Jazz Dance
• Commercial Dance
• Dance Performance
• Dance Elective
• Live Theatre Performance
• Singing for Dancers (Optional)
• Contextual Studies
• Performing Arts Pathway
• Dance Performance
• Exploration of Script Work
• Singing
• Contextual Studies
• Acting/ Dance Elective
• Live Theatre Performance
• Acting Pathway
• Exploration of Script Work
• Influencing Practitioners
• Contextual Studies
• Live Theatre Performance
• Singing for Actors
• Acting Elective
• Live Musical Theatre Production; taking part as an actor, dancer or musical theatre performer

Pass, Merit or Distinction in Level 3 Diploma in Performing and Production Arts.

Most assignments are a mixture of practical and written work. You will prepare performance showcases and productions demonstrating the skills you have acquired. You will build portfolios of work that provide evidence of your understanding for assessment.

Assignments are a mixture of practical and written work. You will prepare performance showcases and productions demonstrating the skills you have acquired. You will build online portfolios of work that provide evidence of your understanding for assessment.

• 5 GCSEs at grade 4 (C) and above, including maths and English and preferably a performing Arts subject,
• or
• A Level 2 vocational qualification at least Merit including maths and English at Grade 4,
• or
• Scottish equivalent,
• You will be expected to attend and complete a successful audition.
• Please note that entry requirements and course offer can be subject to change at any time.

Progress onto 2nd year - Top up your qualification to the L3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts.

If you already have A Levels then you can use the additional UCAS points to apply to universities.

After completing the Extended Diploma, learners may wish to progress onto Higher Education or go to work within the Performing Arts industry.

Previous learners have become successful actors on stage, teachers, cabaret performers, holiday park entertainers and holiday reps working abroad.

Students in previous years have been accepted into accredited drama and theatre schools such as Central School of Speech and Drama, Emil Dale, Wilkes Academy, Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, Birmingham School of Acting and Guildford School of Acting.

Other Details:

At interview you should be able to demonstrate the capacity to maintain effort on this intensive full-time programme of study and demonstrate an ability to be able to complete both practical and academic elements of the course. We look for lively, interesting people who are enthusiastic about learning and want to develop practical skills in performing arts. You should enjoy working with others and be prepared to work hard as the course does contain theoretical study into the industry and contextual studies. Previous experience in performing arts is desired. Your interview will give you an opportunity to discuss your application and demonstrate your potential. It will give us the opportunity to discuss the qualification with you and assess if it meets your needs. You will prepare two audition pieces, which undertaken, will form part of the application process and demonstrate to us the skills and strengths which you can bring onto the course with you. Bring evidence of your achievements to date to your interview.