Q1: What careers does this course open doors to?
The course will enable you to develop a whole range of generic skills suitable for a wide range of industries including the Performing Arts, as well as preparing you for a career in other creative industries. Importantly, these flexible skills will make you highly employable as part of a 21st Century workforce, where adaptability and personal initiative will be key to success. The creative industries are the fastest growing sector in the UK. They offer a huge range of diverse career opportunities for example:
FILMMAKER
LIGHTING TECHNICIAN
PLAYWRIGHT
CHOREOGRAPHER
DANCER
DRAMA THERAPIST
JOURNALIST
LIVE EVENTS ORGANISER
PHOTOGRAPHER
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
ACTOR
CIRCUSWORK
DANCE TEACHER
ENTERTAINER
LIGHTING DESIGNER
PRODUCTION MANAGER
PLAY DIRECTOR
STAGE MANAGER
CREATIVE WRITER
DRAMA TEACHER
This course may lead to direct employment via an apprenticeship, or to a course in Higher Education in a university or dance or drama school, where you could receive further training in your chosen field.
Q2: Who is the course for?
The course is for post-16 students who wish to gain a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing and Production Arts. It is a two year full-time course and is equivalent to 3.5 A-Levels. The qualification can lead to Higher Education or directly into employment. The typical student will be bright, energetic, enthusiastic and have a genuine interest in the Performing Arts, be keen to work in a practical environment with tutors and professionals within the industry and will enjoy an active, performance-led course with plenty of variety as well as opportunities to follow individual interests.
Q3: Will this course definitely be accepted by universities if I choose to go on to Higher Education?
The SPACE Company members have graduated to BA Honours degree courses in a range of prestigious universities including: Exeter, Reading, Goldsmiths, Leeds, Bath Spa, Falmouth, University of West of England and many others. The course is equal to 3.5 A-Levels and carries corresponding UCAS points.
Q4: What if I want to audition for dance or drama school?
You will be in an excellent position to do so, having worked with choreographers and directors not only in performance but also in understanding and experiencing the behind-the-scenes aspects of production. You will receive seminars, as well as individual help to prepare you for interviews and auditions. Examples of schools SPACE students have graduated to include, Italia Conti Theatre Arts School, Urdang, London School of Contemporary Dance, Guildford School of Acting, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, Stella Mann and Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts where three students have received full DADA bursary awards.
Q5: Is there any cost?
All students aged 16-19 have their tuition fees paid for. For some visits e.g. to West End shows and other excursions there will be costs. However, these will be kept to a minimum. Students who have a low household income may be eligible for financial support.
Q6: Do I have a Personal Tutor?
Yes – with a relatively small number of students you will receive plenty of one-to-one and small group student-centred support. This will include not only guidance and support in your individual learning, interests and project development, but also professional Information and Guidance including plenty of contact with both Higher Education and professionals in The Creative and Media Industries. We have a significant infrastructure of Creative Practitioner partners as well as arts providers throughout the South West, Bristol and London which students will be able to access.
Q7: What if I want to keep my options open and later decide I do not want to go in to the Creative and Media Industry.
Universities see the UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma as a route way to Higher Education. You will learn skills that are generic to all employment e.g. creativity, time-management, being a finisher as well as a starter, handling uncertainty, flexibility, risk-taking, team-work, leadership, entrepreneurship, economic capability etc.
Q8: Will I be disadvantaged if I have not taken a Performing Arts subject at GCSE or BTEC?
No, not at all. No previous qualification is necessary – we are looking for enthusiasm, aptitude and, above all, a willingness to self-motivate and get on with others. Then you have as much chance as any other student in meeting the entry requirement.
Q9: What makes this Performing Arts course unique?
The SPACE is a purpose-built centre for Performing and Production Arts. The course is a full-time taught course Monday to Friday 9:15am - 3:30pm. This is the only full-time course of its type in the area and the course gives our students balanced and diverse learning experiences in a facility with the highest quality industry specification equipment and Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre’s professional theatre on-site to complement provision.
