Course Overview
The Level 4 Diploma in Performance is a one-year professional vocational course for anyone age 18+ who wish to pursue a career as a professional performer or work in related fields within the performing arts.
This course is FREE for under-19s (please check with us at interview/enrolment).
Entry Requirements
Applicants require
- Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts or relevant subject at Merit grade, or A Levels at grade C and above, including Drama or relevant subject
- GCSE English and Maths at grade 4 or above (or equivalent) and two other GCSE’s at grade 4 or above
- A successful audition (see details below)
- A good reference from your college / current tutor
Audition requirements
Applicants will participate in an informal interview, along with a group task and solo audition where they will be required to prepare a performance piece of their choice in an discipline they are interested in. Examples include:
- Dance in a style of your choice
- Monologue
- Physical theatre movement
- Playing a musical instrument
- Song in a style of your choice
- Spoken word
- Stand up comedy
Performance pieces should last approximately 2 minutes.
For students performing a dance, please provide music.
For students performing a song, please provide a backing track.
What the course covers
The Level 4 Diploma in Performance is a one-year professional vocational course for anyone age 18+ who wish to pursue a career as a professional performer or work in related fields within the performing arts.
The course offers professional, hands-on training, with approximately 80% practical and 20% theoretical content. We take a holistic, industry-relevant approach, encouraging students to be creative, versatile, and adaptable, while developing a professional work ethic.
Building on previous training, the course offers technical and creative exploration in a variety of performing arts genres. The course is tailored to the interests and needs of the students, allowing them to explore and focus on the areas they are most passionate about and gain a deeper understanding of the industry. Our adaptable approach provides students with the freedom to express themselves creatively and independently.
During this industry focused course, students will take part in an array of projects and performances, working as part of the theatre company ‘The Nexus Ensemble’. Upon completion, students will leave with a Level 4 qualification, equivalent to the first year of a degree.
The course has been designed to provide students with the relevant expertise, preparation and understanding necessary to progress into higher education, university or conservatoire training, and may also support students intending to progress directly into employment in the performing arts industries.
COURSE STRUCTURE
The course is organised into projects with various modes of assessment, and students are given many performance opportunities during the course. The course can be customised to include all of the listed projects or a selected few. Students are assessed throughout the academic year and final grades are determined by their final major project in term three.
More information about UAL: Level 4 Professional Diploma in Performance UAL
COURSE CONTENT
TERM 1
- Audition preparation
- Directing
- Industry
- Progression intentions
- Showreels
- Twisted Theatre
- Opportunity to audition for the Monologue Slam
- Opportunity to audition for Jazz Night
TERM 2
- Children’s Theatre
- Creative Screen
- Open Mic
- Presenting
- Voice Reels
- Final major project (1) > Play / Play with Music
- Final major project (2) > Immersive
AREAS OF STUDY
PERFORMANCE
- Audition technique
- Character development
- Comedy
- Contemporary text
- Dance
- Devising
- Directing
- Health and wellbeing
- Industry
- Improvisation
- Monologues
- Movement
- Practitioner methods
- Scene study
- Screen acting
- Singing
- Stage craft
- Taking direction
- Text analysis
- Voice
COURSEWORK
- Critique
- Contextual study
- Evaluation
- Reflective practise
- Research
- Viva’s
ENRICHMENT
- Careers week workshops
- Theatre trips (with overnight stay)
Fees and funding
Fees for 2026/27 Entry
£4,670* (UK Students) (£5,300 International Students)
Please note: Fees are for 2026/27 entry and apply to students eligible for home fee status. The fees quoted are subject to personal circumstances and will be confirmed at the time of your enrolment, depending on eligibility criteria. For more information about financial support for students, please click here or email studentfinance@nescot.ac.uk
*This course is FREE if you are aged under 19 on 31 August in your year of entry. If you are over 19 you may be eligible for an Adult Learner Loan.
An enrichment fee of approximately £200 will be required to be paid by each student to cover extra-curricular workshops and trips which will occur throughout the year.
Progression
PROGRESSION ROUTES
After completing Level 4, students are supported and encouraged to take the next steps in their educational journey. Many choose to continue their studies at Conservatoires, University, or other Higher Education institutions. Nescot Performing Arts have a progression agreement with Middlesex University, whereby (pending successful application) students can progress onto the second year of the degree course. Alternatively, some students may pursue career opportunities within the Performing Arts industry.
Duration
One year, full-time.
In-college time: 12 hours per week