Performing Arts - Musical Theatre
Voc Lvl 3

The BTEC Extended Certificate in performance is an exciting, vocationally based course designed to equip you with the knowledge, understanding and skills required for success in the performing arts industry.  The course focuses on developing skills in the three specific performance areas of acting, dance and musical theatre.  

This Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in performance - musical theatre  is equivalent to one A level.  It is designed to be taken over two years as part of a programme of study that includes other BTEC, Cambridge Technicals or A level courses.

You will study five units over the two year course where you will train, develop and improve the tools of the trade; the body, the voice and the creative skills in order to interpret performance material to communicate and entertain an audience. 

In addition to this, the course will also focus on broadening your understanding of the contextual factors within the work of professional performing arts practitioners.

You will be fully involved in each lesson developing your technical performance skills through physical and vocal training.  You will also complete:

  • Analytical observations of professional works, choreography and devising.
  • Contextual research, and exploration, group rehearsals and performances.

There are five units, of which one is mandatory and is externally assessed.  The other four units are internally assessed.  Assessment methods range from practical performance work to written portfolio work. 

  • Students have access to numerous performance opportunities, practical workshops and professional performances both in and out of College that go beyond the requirements of the course;
  • Further reading and tasks are set beyond assessment criteria to allow breadth of knowledge and skills;
  • Choreographic and devising units are lead by students in order for them to use their extended knowledge and skills for best practice;
  • Progression advice knowledge and skills are embedded into the delivery of the course;
  • Advertise local opportunities to get involved in performance work;
  • Creative work in groups are differentiated by skill level so high achievers can fully explore their range of skills;
  • Regular teacher feedback helps stretch the ideas and skill level.

The Extended Certificate is for learners who are interested in learning about the performing arts sector alongside other fields of study.  It is designed to be taken as part of a programme of study that includes other appropriate BTECs or A levels of your choice.

The Extended Certificate is for learners who are interested in learning about the performing arts, with a view to progressing to a wide range of further vocational training in performing arts or higher education courses. 

Please see below for careers and labour market information for performing arts - use the refresh buttons to find out about different courses and careers, and use the left and right arrows to view more detailed information.

You can find the prep work for this course at prepwork.farnborough.ac.uk.

Q:  What is the difference between BTEC performing arts and the drama A level?
A:  Performing arts is a vocational course in which you study the three disciplines of dance, drama and singing.  We focus on industry skills and working practises, with a particular, though not exclusive, focus on musical theatre. We work on developing a range of practical skills in weekly workshops and technique classes, alongside creative sessions to develop new innovative work to a stimulus.  In A level drama, students focus the one artform, studying texts from ancient to modern times, develop skills in acting, explore different styles of theatre and learn from watching live theatre productions.

Q:  How do the assessments differ?
A:  In performing arts, your work is assessed practically in performance and through coursework written evidence.   Drama is an academic A level which includes a written exam and live performance exams which are both internally and externally assessed.

Q:  What can studying BTEC Performing Arts lead to?
A:  Our students are attracted by both a love of performing and the wish to take up the study of performing arts at further education.  Some will have ambitions to perform for a career and will audition for Performing Arts School, others will choose to study performing arts (and perhaps another course) at university.  This can lead to careers in theatre, the leisure industry, theatre design, teaching and communications.  Other students will go on to study another course of their choice, taking with them the many transferable skills developed from the creative and collaborative group work in performing arts including teamwork, self-confidence, public speaking and IT skills.


Q:  What if I haven’t studied Performing Arts at GCSE Level/Level 2?
A:  We do not require our students to have a BTEC level 2 qualification, although some do.

Q:  Why do I have to do an audition?
A:  We run an audition to check all our students’ level of ability, as we are really keen to ensure that they have the necessary skills to do well in the course and therefore progress well after college.

Exam Board

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Entry Requirements

  • You should have at least a grade 4 in GCSE English language.
  • Acceptance on this course will be dependent on passing a practical audition which will assess skills in acting, singing and movement.
  • If you have previous experience of drama, dance or expressive arts, this is advantageous.
  • There is no specific GCSE maths requirement to study this course.

Year 1

  • Developing Skills and Techniques for Performance (Mandatory, internally assessed) - In this unit, you will develop the appropriate skills and techniques for a performance discipline. You will participate in regular workshops, classes and exercises to help you succeed when performing live to an audience.
  • Choreography for Live Performance (Internally assessed) - You will develop knowledge, skills and techniques in choreography through practical exploration, workshops and performance.
  • Acting Styles (Internally assessed) - You will develop acting methods by exploring different acting styles. You will apply techniques to the development, rehearsal and performance of your practical work.

Year 2

  • Group Performance Workshop (Mandatory, externally assessed) - In this unit you will develop an original piece of theatre in response to a given stimulus.
  • Musical Theatre Techniques (Mandatory, internally assessed) - Explore key features of musical theatre, developing specialist skills and techniques as a musical theatre performer combining acting, singing and dance skills for a performance. 

Employability Skills

  • Students learn to apply the many varied and transferable skills within our subject and activities to a wide variety of vocations, jobs and roles .e.g experience in directing and choreography
  • Practical application of practitioner processes and understanding of theories and analysis.
  • Analysing skills: ability to interpret performance work with social, historical understanding.
  • Presenting skills and Public speaking - confident vocal skills in delivering presentations and performance work. Ability to present ideas, making judgements and justified decisions.
  • Problem solving and decision making using appropriate performance skills and methods.
  • Planning work, taking into account the demands of the task and the time available to complete it.
  • Conducting research into a specific theme in preparation for one or more task
  • Enable our students to be reflective practitioners.