Performing Arts Practice - Level 3 Extended Diploma

Essentials

Duration: 2 Years Full-time
Start date: 2nd September 2024
End date: 5th June 2026
Information Event: Yes

Course fee: FREE (Eligibility criteria may apply)

Course Content

This is a practical course which combines the core elements of Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre. Students will study a range of units that help to develop practical skills and understanding of:

• Performing to a live audience
• Delivering a performing arts product
• Auditioning for roles and improving performance
• Dance performance
• Singing skills and voice for actors and performers
• Drama improvisation
• Performing arts business
• Musical theatre
• Applying acting styles

Course Aims

• Obtain a qualification equivalent to 3 A Levels.
• Learn about employment opportunities in the Performing Arts sector.
• Develop skills needed to start a business or career progression as a performer.
• Develop a range of personal skills and attitudes required for the industry.

Special Features

• Coursework and project-based learning covers a significant percentage of the assessment.
• Students will have the opportunity to improve their existing skills as well as learning new skills while working on formal assessments and extracurricular activities.
• The main aim of this course is to get students into industry, which we do by immersing them into a professional working environment. We facilitate this by giving the students the opportunity to perform in full scale productions, devising and producing student led events and performances. Our most recent performance was ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ pantomime, where students not only performed but also helped to create sets, designed costumes, staged choreography, and assisted with makeup for the event. It was performed for local schools, family and friends over 2 days and nights and received glowing reports from those who attended, “it was great to hear about the level of cross college involvement in set design, painting etc- true project-based learning”- Another review “Such high standard could not have been achieved without hard work and weeks of practice, you should be really proud of yourselves”.
• Students collaborate in teams with other students enrolled in the creative industries departments by working on short films, music videos and animations.
• We will also prepare for the next step on your education ladder by exploring what courses and apprenticeships are available to you upon achieving a L3 qualification. Special links have been made with universities such as Liverpool Hope University and UCLAN the University of Central Lancashire.

Assessment Methods

• Practical performance and rehearsal.
• Case studies, assignments, and work-based assessments, along with observed performance.
• Assignments are designed using realistic scenarios which give students the opportunity to make maximum use of practical activities as part of their continuous assessment.

Applicants should have at least 4 GCSEs at Grade C or above or other relevant qualifications.

In the event of the course being oversubscribed, we may request a recorded performance e.g., singing, acting, dancing.

If you are accepted onto this course without a Grade C or above in Maths and/or English, you will be required to complete the relevant Essential Skills qualification. This will be a compulsory part of your timetable.

Upon successful completion students may progress to employment or a related higher education such as the Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Performing Arts at our Newtownabbey campus or related degree programmes at University.