BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Performing Arts Summary

This course is equivalent to one full A Level and offers a broad, practical study of performance skills and theatre knowledge while preparing students for working in the industry or expanding their transferable skills.

Entry Requirements

Grade 4+ in GCSE Drama

Course Duration

2 years full-time

Specification

Pearson BTEC

How you will study

Across the two years, students develop performance techniques through rehearsing, performing, and evaluating contrasting texts, researching influential modern theatre practitioners through an externally assessed unit, and interpreting classical styles such as Greek, Elizabethan, and Commedia dell’Arte, with the option to study Musical Theatre depending on the cohort. The course also includes an externally assessed group devising unit where students create an original performance from a stimulus, supported by ongoing reflection and development, making it ideal preparation for university, drama school, or a wide-range of careers that will require the skills learned and developed throughout this course.

Component Breakdown

Year 12:
Unit 2: Developing skills and techniques for live performance. [Presentation on skills and role of a performer, 2 contrasting texts rehearsed, performed and recorded in diary log.]
Unit 1: Investigating practitioners work [4 week research task – timed exam set task] *Externally assessed.
Year 13:
Unit 18: Interpreting classical text for performance [Presentation on requirements of 3 contrasting classical texts: Greek, Elizabethan and Commedia Dell’Arte. Rehearsing and performing 2 of the texts with a diary log kept throughout].
*Dependant on BTEC Performing Arts candidates we may look at changing this unit to
Unit 27: Musical theatre investigating musical theatre features and present a report, develop performance techniques for a short recorded piece, and rehearse, perform, and review their skills in a performance log.
Unit 3: Group Performance Workshop Devising performance [Given a stimulus to create a performance, this includes 4 milestones during the process looking into development and reflection.] *Externally assessed.

The skills developed on this course will open doors into numerous avenues of employment. Here are just a few: 

  • Actor / Performer 
  • Theatre Director 
  • Script Writer 
  • Broadcast Presenter 
  • Arts Administrator 
  • Voice-Artist 
  • Community arts worker 
  • Drama therapist 
  • Runner, broadcasting/film/video 
  • Theatre Stage Manager
  • Teacher or Lecturer 
  • Theatre Designer – Set/Lighting/Sound/Costume
  • Special Effects Technician 
  • Talent Agent