BTEC Acting
Introduction
Entry Requirements
College entry criteria plus ANY of the following:
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GCSE Drama (minimum grade 4)
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Performing Arts related course (minimum grade 4)
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Related experience of dance inside/outside of school
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By audition
BTEC Specification Pages: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/btec-nationals/performing-arts-2016.html
This course is a highly regarded practical Performing Arts qualification. As such, there are clear links with professional actors, directors and writers from the professional world. In recent years, the course has been enriched by these links. Workshops by West-End theatre professionals such as the director in charge of Les Miserables and leading actors from stage and screen have allowed students to receive real life experience of the Performing Arts world - along with experts from drama schools such as ArtsEd in London.
What will I study?
During the course you will be working on practical and research work based on the profession of acting. You will study four units which look at practitioners in the world of acting, group performances, improvisation and working to a commissioned performance whilst always building your skills as a performer.
You will work individually and in groups to create practical work and then to assess this in relation to other practitioners. As much work as possible is practical in order to build the skills you need for the professional world as an actor.
How will I be assessed?
The course is assessed through mainly practical elements giving the skills necessary for the performing arts industry. Where there is practical work, you must be prepared to perform in front of a public audience as well as peers. There are some externally assessed units but these are still completed like other units but simply sent off to an external assessor to mark.
Where will this course lead me?
The BTEC Extended Certificate in Performing Arts is valued by employers and universities alike. The course can be used as sound preparation for further study of performing arts at a drama school or university course. Recent leavers have gone on to study at Rose Bruford Drama School, Guildford School of Acting and various universities (including UCLan, Manchester Metropolitan University etc.) to study performing arts or related areas such as stage make-up, teaching and film production.
Other career pathways outside of studying performing arts related courses have been: Teaching, fashion, journalism, PE, sport science, english, law, psychology, counselling with drama skills, stage make-up, sociology and social media marketing.
Students have gone on to study at Northern Ballet School, Lincoln, Edge Hill, Salford, Chester, London School of Musical Theatre, UCLan, East 15 and Guildford.