Performing Arts (BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma)Performing Arts

Specific Entry Criteria

Standard college requirements for an advanced level programme and a grade C or above at English GCSE. Previous experience or background in one or more art forms is advisable.

About the Subject

A BTEC Level 3 course is practical and workrelated. This means you learn from doing practical/hands on assignments and projects which are based on realistic workplace situations, activities and demands. So you develop the vocational skills suited to the subject area. Most students take this course because they plan to continue to study performing arts in higher education. The course is taught by teachers with strong vocational experience and involves working with visiting professional artists. You should see the course as a stepping stone to higher level work in this a related vocation.

A BTEC Level 3 extended diploma is a very well established qualification that is equivalent to 3 A level passes. At the end of the course you are awarded three grades made up of a combination of pass, merit, distinction or distinction * for your 2 years work.

This course is a full time course, but students can undertake an additional qualification if their timetable allows.

Course Content

This is a two year course. Your final grades are based on the marks from the eighteen units studied. Each unit is assessed against a set of criteria where you will demonstrate your skills and abilities in many different projects.

The course explores all aspects of the performing arts and offers the opportunity to explore units in areas such as drama, dance, singing and musical theatre. You will also explore the historical background of the arts, how the performing arts business and industry works and learn how to research to put theory into practice.

Units of study include 5 mandatory units studied by everyone undertaking this qualification these are:

Historical Context In this unit you will look at a range of art forms and how these have been developed over a period of time. You will learn how research can be presented in a range of methods.

Performing Arts Business This unit focuses on the industry and the range of job roles that are out there. You will explore the methods that are used to market and fund performances and the range of service and administrative companies vital to the industry.

Performance Workshop By studying this unit you will have the opportunity to workshop ideas for performance through both creation of original ideas and the methods of rehearsing scripts.

Rehearsing and Performing This section of the course counts as 3 units and is usually taught at the end of the course. In these units you will bring together all the skills you have developed over the duration of the course and work as a production company rehearsing and creating work for a public performance.

Other units on the course may include a selection of drama and acting units, dance performance units and singing and musical theatre.

Assessment

Assessments are graded through a set of criteria. These overall unit grades are then collated to achieve 3 overall grades at the end of the course, these are then converted to UCAS points for entry to Higher Education.