Essential Criteria:

• Four GCSEs at grades A-C; or
• Equivalent qualifications; or
• Sufficient Relevant Experience*.

* Applicants who wish to be considered on the basis of their experience must include details of this experience with their application form.  

Additional Entry Criteria:

If there are more applicants who meet the essential criteria than there are places available, places will be allocated on the basis of:

• The highest scores achieved on the BMC Tariff System, for those with the required academic qualifications;
• The relevancy, scope and currency of experience, for those without the academic qualifications.

Candidates will be required to pass a competence assessment for any key prerequisite skill that is not explicit in their qualification or portfolio.  Candidates will be given clear notification of this assessment prior to the information session.

This course is designed for those students who are committed to the idea of, and possess the potential to make a career in, some aspect of the Performing Arts industry.

This Performing Arts course specialises in the area of dance although it encompasses other art forms such as acting and music.  It will enable students to acquire a range of practical skills, develop professional performance standards and gain a broad based theoretical knowledge of all aspects of ‘The Business’.  The practical skills and theory classes are delivered by a range of specialist lecturers who are highly qualified and experienced, having worked with leading dance/theatre and television companies.  Tutorial and student directed time is also given to allow the individuals to develop their work throughout each assignment.  Visits are arranged to attend dance/theatre performances, including professional productions that are often staged in the studio theatre at Tower Street.  Throughout the course students have the opportunity to perform work that is open to the public.

Core Units:

• Performance Workshop;
• Performing Arts Business; 
• The Historical Context of Performance; 
• Rehearsing for Performance;
• Performing to an Audience;
• Dance Performance. 

Specialist Units:

• Singing Skills for Actors and Dancers;
• Developing Physical Theatre;
• Choreographic Principles;
• Choreographing Dance;
• Dance Improvisation;
• The Healthy Performer;
• Developing Classical Ballet Technique;
• Applying Classical Ballet Technique;
• Developing Contemporary Dance Technique;
• Applying Contemporary Dance Technique;
• Jazz Dance;
• Tap Dance;
• Arts in the Community;
• Special Subject Investigation. 

This qualification is currently being updated and the new programme contents may be modified.

Level 2 qualifications in literacy and/or numeracy are also part of the programme of study for students who have not achieved a Grade C (or above) in English Language and/or Maths at GCSE.