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Performing Arts: Acting, Musical Theatre or Production pathways

Course Summary

Nescot Performing Arts offers a unique and challenging training experience for creative, aspiring performers.

New Students

Four GCSEs at grade 4 or above*. You will also be asked to attend an audition, where you will be required to perform a rehearsed scripted monologue, dance or song.

*The College reserves the right to ask for a school reference if required.

Progressing Students

A level 2 Diploma at Merit, Plus English and Maths. If you are not a progressing from the Level 2 Performing Arts course, you will be required to perform a rehearsed scripted monologue, dance or song. A good reference from your current tutor is also required for attitude, behaviour, attendance and punctuality.


You may want to progress to higher education in a specialist BA (Hons) or a Higher National programme in Performing Arts at Nescot or in a University or College of Higher Education. Alternatively you may progress into jobs in the Performing Arts in areas such as undertaking session work for musicians, band work, dancing contracts on cruise ships and in clubs, entertainment staff at holiday camps, front of house, box office and marketing work in local theatres.

Potential career routes in the Performing Arts industry:

  • Acting performance
  • Arts administration
  • Box office and front of house in theatres
  • Choreography
  • Classical theatre
  • Communications industry
  • Costume and props technicians
  • Dance performance
  • Entertainment at holiday camps
  • Event management
  • Film
  • Journalist (arts)
  • Marketing
  • Performance on cruise ships
  • Production
  • Script writers
  • Stage & lighting technician
  • Stage combat
  • Stagehand
  • Theatre
  • Vocal performance

Please note:

  • Students aged 16 to 18, or those aged 16 to 24 who have a valid EHCP, and are studying Further Education courses are not charged course fees.
  • For more information about financial support, please click here.


Equipment: Students are required to wear Nescot performing arts standard uniform which includes black t-shirt and sweatshirt. The fee for this uniform is approximately £27.50 and can be ordered at Nescot during enrolment. Students will also need a textbook, ballet and tap shoes – approximately £53.

Visits: Enrichment visits will be arranged throughout the programme and will cost in total for the year approximately £80.

Our work is underpinned with a dedication to create work that is physically daring, emotionally engaging and visually stunning. Here you will learn skills such as physical theatre, contemporary dance, vocal & singing techniques and master the art of acting. We place emphasis on the practical application of these techniques and apply them in a range of performances, practical projects and productions.

You will widen your knowledge of the industry by working with professional companies, attending performances and working from live industry related assignment briefs.

You will be taught by experienced teachers and industry professionals in purpose built fully equipped studios, theatres and classrooms.

Working as a company with a professional ethos, you will receive teaching in a broad range of specialist units that make up the Level 3 Extended Diploma, examples of units studied are Dance Performance, Singing Skills for Actors and Dancers and Contemporary Theatre Performance. You will acquire a variety of techniques that will challenge and enable you to develop your own style in preparation for higher education and a career within the industry.

What you can expect...

  • Based on the principles of a drama school, Forge Theatre and Nexus Ensemble give you the opportunity to experience a professional theatre environment.
  • Specialist workshop opportunities throughout the year including stage combat, script writing, Heels workshops, and Commedia Dell’Arte.
  • All assignments are industry-focused, with an emphasis on performance.
  • Industry-related careers week with talks and workshops from casting agencies, drama schools, equity, performers and producers.
  • Enrich your education with theatre visits, both to watch performances and to have back-stage tours.
  • You will work in state-of-the-art studios and workshops on the main campus.
  • Staff are experienced practitioners who still train and work within the industry.
  • Students practice as a company member and have the opportunity to perform in a number of different shows across the year in a variety of theatres. In the past these have included Lyric Hammersmith.

Work Experience is a part of this course, the hours and dates will be determined by the course tutor. Work experience can be up to a maximum of two weeks on an external placement, you are encouraged to source your own placement with support from the WEX Team and your course tutor. Where external placements are not possible you will be expected to take part in simulated work experience organised by the college.

Disclaimer:

This Nescot College website describes the facilities and courses which the College intends to offer during the academic year commencing Autumn 2024. The web pages are prepared in advance of the academic year to which they relate and every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in these pages is helpful, fair and accurate at the time of printing. However, this information is subject to change over time.

Nescot will take reasonable steps to provide the courses and services as described, however, the College cannot guarantee the provision of any course or facility. Some circumstances, such as staff changes, resource limitations and other factors over which the College has no control, such as industrial action or a change in the law or the level of demand for a particular programme or module (please note that this list is non-exhaustive), may result in the College having to withdraw or change aspects of the programmes, modules and/or student services detailed on the website. This could include, but not necessarily be limited to, programme/module content, staffing, the location where the programme/module is taught or the manner of teaching delivery, and the facilities provided to deliver or support the programme. Where circumstances demand an unavoidable change or where it is necessary for the College to discontinue a programme of study, Nescot will take all reasonable steps to minimise the effect and all proposed changes will be notified to potential applicants who have registered an interest in the relevant programme at the earliest possible opportunity as well as being reflected on the College’s website. In addition, any changes between the website and the proposed course and services will be notified to applicants at the time of making an offer.

All prices quoted may be subject to change and you will be notified of any such change when any offer of a place is made to you by Nescot.

Should you become a student of the College, this notice shall be a term of any contract between you and Nescot. Any offer of a place at the College shall be subject to the student enrolment conditions and the College’s rules and regulations as amended from time to time. A copy of the Nescot’s current terms and conditions can be obtained in writing from Nescot, Quality Office, Reigate Road, Ewell, Epsom, Surrey, KT17 3DS.

Last updated – 12/10/2023

Overview

  • Course Code:

    N5591

  • Study type:

    Full Time

  • Award:

    Performing Arts: Level 3 UAL Extended Diploma

  • Awarded by:

    UAL (University of the Arts London)

  • Course length:

    Two years.

  • Start date:

    September 2024
Apply now
  • Course Code:

    N5591

  • Study type:

    Full Time

  • Award:

    Performing Arts: Level 3 UAL Extended Diploma

  • Awarded by:

    UAL (University of the Arts London)

  • Course length:

    Two years.

  • Start date:

    September 2024

New Students

Four GCSEs at grade 4 or above*. You will also be asked to attend an audition, where you will be required to perform a rehearsed scripted monologue, dance or song.

*The College reserves the right to ask for a school reference if required.

Progressing Students

A level 2 Diploma at Merit, Plus English and Maths. If you are not a progressing from the Level 2 Performing Arts course, you will be required to perform a rehearsed scripted monologue, dance or song. A good reference from your current tutor is also required for attitude, behaviour, attendance and punctuality.


You may want to progress to higher education in a specialist BA (Hons) or a Higher National programme in Performing Arts at Nescot or in a University or College of Higher Education. Alternatively you may progress into jobs in the Performing Arts in areas such as undertaking session work for musicians, band work, dancing contracts on cruise ships and in clubs, entertainment staff at holiday camps, front of house, box office and marketing work in local theatres.

Potential career routes in the Performing Arts industry:

  • Acting performance
  • Arts administration
  • Box office and front of house in theatres
  • Choreography
  • Classical theatre
  • Communications industry
  • Costume and props technicians
  • Dance performance
  • Entertainment at holiday camps
  • Event management
  • Film
  • Journalist (arts)
  • Marketing
  • Performance on cruise ships
  • Production
  • Script writers
  • Stage & lighting technician
  • Stage combat
  • Stagehand
  • Theatre
  • Vocal performance

Please note:

  • Students aged 16 to 18, or those aged 16 to 24 who have a valid EHCP, and are studying Further Education courses are not charged course fees.
  • For more information about financial support, please click here.


Equipment: Students are required to wear Nescot performing arts standard uniform which includes black t-shirt and sweatshirt. The fee for this uniform is approximately £27.50 and can be ordered at Nescot during enrolment. Students will also need a textbook, ballet and tap shoes – approximately £53.

Visits: Enrichment visits will be arranged throughout the programme and will cost in total for the year approximately £80.

Our work is underpinned with a dedication to create work that is physically daring, emotionally engaging and visually stunning. Here you will learn skills such as physical theatre, contemporary dance, vocal & singing techniques and master the art of acting. We place emphasis on the practical application of these techniques and apply them in a range of performances, practical projects and productions.

You will widen your knowledge of the industry by working with professional companies, attending performances and working from live industry related assignment briefs.

You will be taught by experienced teachers and industry professionals in purpose built fully equipped studios, theatres and classrooms.

Working as a company with a professional ethos, you will receive teaching in a broad range of specialist units that make up the Level 3 Extended Diploma, examples of units studied are Dance Performance, Singing Skills for Actors and Dancers and Contemporary Theatre Performance. You will acquire a variety of techniques that will challenge and enable you to develop your own style in preparation for higher education and a career within the industry.

What you can expect...

  • Based on the principles of a drama school, Forge Theatre and Nexus Ensemble give you the opportunity to experience a professional theatre environment.
  • Specialist workshop opportunities throughout the year including stage combat, script writing, Heels workshops, and Commedia Dell’Arte.
  • All assignments are industry-focused, with an emphasis on performance.
  • Industry-related careers week with talks and workshops from casting agencies, drama schools, equity, performers and producers.
  • Enrich your education with theatre visits, both to watch performances and to have back-stage tours.
  • You will work in state-of-the-art studios and workshops on the main campus.
  • Staff are experienced practitioners who still train and work within the industry.
  • Students practice as a company member and have the opportunity to perform in a number of different shows across the year in a variety of theatres. In the past these have included Lyric Hammersmith.

Work Experience is a part of this course, the hours and dates will be determined by the course tutor. Work experience can be up to a maximum of two weeks on an external placement, you are encouraged to source your own placement with support from the WEX Team and your course tutor. Where external placements are not possible you will be expected to take part in simulated work experience organised by the college.

Disclaimer:

This Nescot College website describes the facilities and courses which the College intends to offer during the academic year commencing Autumn 2024. The web pages are prepared in advance of the academic year to which they relate and every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in these pages is helpful, fair and accurate at the time of printing. However, this information is subject to change over time.

Nescot will take reasonable steps to provide the courses and services as described, however, the College cannot guarantee the provision of any course or facility. Some circumstances, such as staff changes, resource limitations and other factors over which the College has no control, such as industrial action or a change in the law or the level of demand for a particular programme or module (please note that this list is non-exhaustive), may result in the College having to withdraw or change aspects of the programmes, modules and/or student services detailed on the website. This could include, but not necessarily be limited to, programme/module content, staffing, the location where the programme/module is taught or the manner of teaching delivery, and the facilities provided to deliver or support the programme. Where circumstances demand an unavoidable change or where it is necessary for the College to discontinue a programme of study, Nescot will take all reasonable steps to minimise the effect and all proposed changes will be notified to potential applicants who have registered an interest in the relevant programme at the earliest possible opportunity as well as being reflected on the College’s website. In addition, any changes between the website and the proposed course and services will be notified to applicants at the time of making an offer.

All prices quoted may be subject to change and you will be notified of any such change when any offer of a place is made to you by Nescot.

Should you become a student of the College, this notice shall be a term of any contract between you and Nescot. Any offer of a place at the College shall be subject to the student enrolment conditions and the College’s rules and regulations as amended from time to time. A copy of the Nescot’s current terms and conditions can be obtained in writing from Nescot, Quality Office, Reigate Road, Ewell, Epsom, Surrey, KT17 3DS.

Last updated – 12/10/2023

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