BTEC Foundation Diploma in Performing Arts

Level 3 BTEC National Foundation Diploma in Performing Arts (Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre)

BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in Performing Arts is a vocational course that is equivalent to 1.5 A-Levels and gives equivalent UCAS points if you are considering applying for university. It provides students both with practical skills and theoretical knowledge in creating, analysing and evaluating the performing arts. Students study six units across the two years. Units 1 and 2 in Year 12, Unit 3s and 4 in Year 13 and 2 optional units across both years. Units 1 and 3 are externally assessed. The remaining units are internally assessed. Optional units are chosen according to the specialisms of the cohort and vary from year to year.

If you have a specific specialism that you would like to focus on, then this can be accommodated in the optional units. You can specialise in Dance, Drama or Musical Theatre, or combine your interests.

Unit 1: Investigating Practitioners Work (90 Guided Learning Hours)

Students investigate the work of performing arts practitioners and develop critical analysis skills and contextual understandingof how practitioners communicate themes in their work.

Unit 2: Developing Skills and Techniques for Live Performance (90 Guided Learning Hours)

Students investigate the work of performing arts practitioners and develop critical analysis skills and contextual understanding of how practitioners communicate themes in their work.

Unit 3: Group Performance Workshop (120 Guided Learning Hours)

Students explore and integrate creative, physical and vocal skills and techniques, working collaboratively to create a performance in response to a given stimulus.

Unit 4: Performing Art in the Community (90 Guided Learning Hours)

Students develop their knowledge and understanding of performing in the community, applying specialist skills andtechniques to a community performance project.

Optional Units – Students will study 2 of the following units depending on specialism

Unit 8 Classical Ballet Technique
Unit 9 Tap Dance Technique
Unit 10 Jazz Dance Technique
Unit 11 Street Dance Technique
Unit 12 Contemporary Dance Technique
Unit 13 Healthy Dancer
Unit 14 Choreography for Live Performance
Unit 15 Theatre Directing
Unit 16 Writing for Performance
Unit 18 Interpreting Classical Text for Performance
Unit 19 Acting Styles
Unit 20 Developing the Voice for Performance
Unit 21 Improvisation
Unit 22 Movement in Performance
Unit 23 Singing Techniques for Performers
Unit 26 Physical Theatre Techniques
Unit 27 Musical Theatre Techniques
Unit 28 Variety Performance
Unit 29 Storytelling
Unit 31 Stand-up Comedy Technique

What do I need to study BTEC Level 3 Performing Arts?

We recommend the following:

Grade 4 or above in GCSE Drama or a Pass in BTEC Level 2 Performing Arts
External experience in one or more of the Performing Arts

Where can the BTEC Level 3 National Foundation in Performing Arts take me?

In addition to the performing arts sector-specific content, this qualification provides students with the opportunity to develop all-round performance skills and transferable skills such as self-confidence, self- presentation, personal discipline, time management and organisational skills which are highly regarded by higher education and employers. The qualification is intended to carry UCAS points and is recognised by higher education providers as contributing to meeting admission requirements for relevant courses. When taken alongside another Level 3 qualification, the BTEC National Foundation Diploma in Performing Arts will offer the opportunity to progress onto performing arts-related degree courses.