Key Facts

A Level + Performing Arts Pathway

A Level + Performing Arts Pathway

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This course is a combination of A Level English Literature and Language with a BTEC in performing Arts.

Our Performing Arts and Dance Courses are for performers who have a serious interest in developing a wide and marketable range of performance skills. The courses combines major performance areas and emphasis is put on development of high-level professional performance skills, supported by relevant theory as well as a solid core of business skills. It is a dominantly practical course and provides numerous opportunities for performance in our professional in-house theatre and further afield.

The National Foundation Diploma is a one year full-time skills development year and is equivalent to 1.5 A-levels. On successful completion of this qualification, the natural progression is to advance on to the second year Extended Diploma course. The Extended Diploma is equivalent to three A-levels. Some mature students however may choose to progress from the Foundation Diploma one year course directly into employment or alternative training such as our Level 4 HNC Performing Arts course.

Performing Arts and Dance students benefit from access to three purpose-built dance studios with sprung floors and mirrors as well as additional acting studios for class/workshop activity and independent rehearsals. Students are presented with opportunities to be involved with a wide range of work experience and enrichment projects where their refined skills can be put to use in industry/vocational settings.

  • Entry Requirements


    We will invite you to a Meet the Tutor event where you will receive information, advice, and guidance about the course you have applied for. This will be an opportunity for you to gain valuable information about the course and give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

    You will provide a copy of your last school report and / or a reference from an employer or relevant professional other this will include attendance. This is to ensure we can support to be able to achieve well on the course. Applicants with 85% or below attendance will have been deemed not to have met this criteria. All applicants are given an opportunity to discuss any evidence based mitigating circumstances that may have affected the reference / school report.

    You will be invited for an audition in which you will demonstrate that you have the appropriate level of skill required to succeed on the course. We love to see your creativity!

    All the A Levels require general criteria with a minimum of; 5 x GCSEs at C/4 or above, including a Grade 6 in English Language and English Literature.

    English Literature; Grade 6 in GCSE English Literature Grade 6 in GCSE English Language

    We are firmly committed to finding the right course for you to ensure you can flourish. Talk to us today if you have any concerns about the application process, we are here to help take you to the next level.

  • Course Content


    All Performing Arts and Dance courses consist of practical sessions, lectures, workshops and performances covering a range of skills and knowledge and consist of core and specialist elements delivered by subject specialist staff. Study programmes are scheduled to include GCSE Maths & English classes which are compulsory where a Grade C/4 or above qualification has not been prior achieved in one of these subjects. Units studied may include:

    Performing Arts Pathway

    • Devising Theatre
    • Acting Skills
    • Voice & Singing
    • Movement for Actors
    • Performing to an Audience
    • The Performing Arts Industry

    Dance Pathway

    • Classical Ballet Technique
    • Contemporary Dance
    • Jazz Dance
    • Choreography
    • Performance to an Audience
    • The Dance Industry

    Extended Diploma in Performing Arts or Dance units may include:

    • Refining Key Skills
    • Collaborative Performance Project
    • Personal Performance Project
    • Self-Promotion & Networking

    English Language & literature Over the course of two years, you will study: modern poetry as well as older poetry such as Chaucer's The Wife of Bath; you will learn to compare the writing styles and themes of two novels, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood; you will study drama: Twelfth Night by Shakespeare and A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams; finally you will study a specialist subject for the coursework in which you will compare two texts, which may be from any genre.

  • Progression Next Steps


    The natural progression, upon successful completion, is onto the second year for completion of the full Extended Diploma. Some mature students choose to progress onto an HNC, further training or into employment.

    Students who complete the Extended Diploma Performing Arts can progress to Higher Education; many progress onto our in-house HNC Performing Arts or BA (Hons) Acting for Stage and Media, while others many win places either at alternative Universities or at specialist Performing Arts institutions to follow degree courses in performance-related areas. However, we also expect that many will use this course as a direct step into a career in stage or screen, starting up a business, content creation or other related creative industries employment.

    There are lots of opportunities available to you to progress across the South Thames Colleges Group and into the world beyond education.

    During your time with us you will have access to a dedicated team of careers and education advisors who will help you as you take the next steps towards achieving your goals.

  • Additional Information


    There are opportunities for theatre visits/trips/workshops throughout the year and we invite in professional practitioners to inspire and give industry advice. There is considerable emphasis on group work and collaboration, so all students are expected to be committed to the group and to the discipline of rehearsal and performance.

  • Course Structure


    Compulsory:

    BTEC Performing Arts Practice

    Plus one A Level : English Lit and Language