BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts
(Edexcel)

BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts

at Dagenham Park Community School (Arts College)

What is a BTEC National Diploma?

A BTEC National Diploma is a level 3 practical, work-related course.  You learn by completing projects and assignments that are based on realistic workplace situations, activities and demands.  As well as learning about the employment area you have chosen, you develop the skills you need for future employment or further study at University.

The BTEC National Diploma is equivalent to three A levels and is a full-time course. The course is allocated 15 hours per week.

For the past three years Dagenham Park Community School has achieved excellent results in their BTEC level 3 qualifications with many candidates achieving the higher Distinction grades. Many previous students from the Southern Consortium Sixth Form have continued into higher education with a BTEC National Performing Arts qualification. 

What are the entry requirements?

You will normally need to have at least one of the following:

• a BTEC First Certificate or Diploma in a related subject

•  an Intermediate GNVQ in a related subject

• at least four GCSEs at grades A*-C

        or

• appropriate Performing Arts experience.

What is the course structure?

The BTEC National Diploma course is made up of seventeen units.

There are five core units which everyone takes and twelve specialist units of your choice.  The specialist units enable you to study particular areas in depth.

All units are practical and are coursework based. There are no formal written exams in BTEC National Performing Arts courses.

What subjects will I study?

You will study many different performing arts areas such as dance, movement, drama, physical theatre, musical theatre.

 All students take the five core units:

• Performance Workshop

• The Performing Arts Business

• The Historical Context of Performance

• Rehearsing for Performance

• Performing to an Audience

 You also take at twelve specialist units such as

• Devising Plays

• Drama Improvisation

• Urban Dance

• Developing Movement Skills

• Dance Performance

• Contemporary Theatre Performance

• Singing skills for Actors and Dancers

• The Healthy Performer

• Musical Theatre Performance

• Theatre in Education

• Acting Auditions

• Principles of Acting

• Developing Physical Theatre

• Jazz Dance

• Movement in Performance

• Exploring Contact Improvisation

• Dance Improvisation

All specialist units are practical based.

How is the course assessed?

All units are assessed and graded by your tutor and verified by the exam board.

Three grades for the qualification are awarded at the end of the course.

Student work is evidence through written project work and filmed performance work.

All units are practical and are coursework based.

There are no formal written exams in BTEC National Performing Arts courses.

Facilities available at Dagenham Park for BTEC

Dagenham Park Community School has a studio theatre that seats 100 audience members and high quality P.A. sound and theatrical lighting systems.

2 dance studios and 2 drama studios. (Including one brand new dance studio and fitness suite). All BTEC classes are held in specialised performing arts teaching areas.

Opportunities to attend a variety of theatre visits are organised for BTEC students at a subsidised cost to support their studies. Also professional artists from the industry are employed to lead specialised workshops and support student vocational learning.