Free BTEC Level 3 Performing Arts Course in Hillingdon. Classes run at Queensmead School, full-time over two years. You'll develop skills in drama and singing, working toward staging theatre performances and musicals. The course covers the work of influential playwrights, composers, and practitioners, and you'll analyse and evaluate their plays and songs. You'll also create group performances in response to a set stimulus and study a specialist area. To join, you'll need formal experience in at least two performing arts disciplines, such as a BTEC or GCSE in a Performing Arts subject, graded acting or singing exams, or regular involvement in youth theatre or school productions.
Who this course is for
You will develop your skills in drama and singing for staging theatre performances and musicals. You will investigate successful practitioners’ work; describing, analysing and evaluating plays and songs by influential playwrights, drama practitioners, composers and lyricists. The course and the performances you help stage will develop your skills as an actor and musician. You will work as part of a group to create performances in response to a specific stimulus. You will also study one specialist unit. These can include musical theatre, storytelling, singing techniques, acting styles and more
Entry requirements
To study this course, you should have formal experience of two of the disciplines such as BTEC/GCSE in a Performing Arts subject, acting or singing grades (I.S.T.D, LAMDA, Trinity etc.) or regular experience via a youth theatre,
school musicals, Rock Challenge or similar.
What you will learn
You'll develop acting and performance skills through staged theatre productions and musicals.
You'll build your singing technique and apply it in group and solo performance contexts.
You'll investigate the work of influential playwrights, drama practitioners, composers, and lyricists.
You'll describe, analyse, and evaluate plays and songs from a range of practitioners.
You'll collaborate with others to create performances in response to a specific stimulus.
You'll study a specialist area within performing arts in depth.
How you will learn
Learning is classroom-based and practical, combining performance work with written investigation. You'll take part in group productions and rehearsals alongside analytical study of practitioners and their work. Assessment is through a mix of coursework, performance portfolios, and externally set tasks set by Pearson Edexcel. There are no written exams for all units, but some components are externally assessed.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. Queensmead School will confirm anything else you need before you start.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Actor: stage, screen, or community theatre roles
Musician or singer: live performance and session work
Drama facilitator: leading workshops in schools or community settings
Stage manager: coordinating productions behind the scenes
Performing arts teacher or teaching assistant: supporting students in schools
Theatre technician: lighting, sound, or set design support
Choreographer or movement director: directing physical performance
What you could study next
Pearson Edexcel BTEC Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Higher National Diploma (HND) in Performing Arts: a Level 4 or 5 route into higher-level practice and industry roles.
BA (Hons) in Drama, Theatre, or Performing Arts: a degree at a conservatoire or university, building on your Level 3 qualification.
PGCE or School Direct in Drama: if you want to move into teaching performing arts at secondary level.
