Performing Arts
Back to Key InformationPearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Performing Arts
The performing arts are a major part of the creative and cultural industries in the UK. Overall, the industry contributes £4 billion to the UK economy and is a major employer. The UK’s performing arts sector is vibrant, varied and hugely successful. It is a growth industry that offers diverse employment opportunities, for example in dance, drama, music, theatre, film, puppetry, costume design, directing, set design, makeup or special effects, as well as in the support functions and roles that bring these art forms to the fore.
Aims of the course
This is intended as an Applied General qualification, and is designed for post 16students, with an interest in performing arts, who want to continue their education through applied learning, and who aim to progress to higher education.
The qualification is equivalent in size to 1 A Level and is designed to occupy one third of a typical study programme, which could include other vocational or academic qualifications, such as another BTEC National or A Levels.
This two year course gives a broad introduction to the performing arts sector, with an emphasis on core knowledge and fundamental skills that are transferable across other sectors (including communication, presentation, physical and creative skills).
Qualification structure
There are 3 mandatory units:
Unit 1: Investigating Practitioners Work (External Assessment)
Unit 2: Developing Skills and Techniques for Live Performance (Internal Assessment)
Unit 3: Group Performance Workshop (External Assessment)
There is 1 optional unit. Examples include:
Unit 19: Acting Styles
Unit 20: Developing the Voice for Performance
Course content
The three mandatory units focus on:
Research – critical analysis and extended writing skills that aim to support students’ progress to higher education. As possible performing arts practitioners, students will gain a good understanding of the work of influential practitioners to inform their own work and practice (Unit –Investigating Practitioners’ Work )
An induction into the performing arts – where students will develop the appropriate skills and techniques in various performance disciplines such as acting, dance, musical theatre and physical theatre (Unit – Developing Skills and Techniques for Live Performance )
Group performance – students will develop the essential psychomotor and affective skills essential for the performing arts. They will develop physical techniques, as well as wider transferable skills such as being able to work collaboratively, personal management and organisation (rehearsals, time management), being able to give and take direction, confidence in front of an audience, problem solving (refining the process) and team work (essential when dancing as a group). (Unit – Group Performance Workshop).
Students will understand different audiences in different environments and will learn to adapt a performance to engage the target audience.
Students select one optional unit to support choices in progression to performing arts and other courses in HE, that also cover acting.
