Course description
The UAL Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma in Performing and Production Arts, with a focus on Acting for Stage and Screen is designed to provide you with the knowledge, skills, and understanding necessary to access and progress to degree-level study or employment in the performing arts.
Through collaborative learning and immersive study, you will take your performance and production skills to the next level, while continuing to learn how to use your body and voice in performance, engage with elements of design and technology, and entertain and inform your audience.
Course content includes acting techniques, script work, devising and directing, historical developments in the theatre industry, character development, acting for camera techniques, voice-over, commercial acting, and industry insight. To ensure you are as prepared as possible, we also include ensemble singing and movement classes within the programme.
More than just developing your technical and creative skills, you will also gain a deeper knowledge of the theories and principles of performing arts, increase your understanding of the industry, and develop the confidence and skills you'll need to succeed in real-world auditions and interviews. You will learn about professional practice standards, critical and contextual awareness, and the expectations of the professional world of performance and production.
You'll be taught by industry-trained, expert practitioners and benefit from:
- Three, fully-equipped studios, all with music, TV and video facilities.
- Film and TV acting classes taught in a state-of-the-art TV studio, where you will get to experience a variety of techniques including use of autocue, green screen, location shooting, and other professional screen-acting practices.
- Taking part in lots of exciting performances, including major productions, touring performances and a range of internal smaller performances and workshops.
- Participating in residential trips both in the UK and abroad. Previous residential trips include Broadway Dance New York, Scarborough National Student Drama festival, and the Institute of Arts in Barcelona.
- Large-scale performances take place in local theatres linked with Guildford College, such as The Mill, G-Live, and Electric Theatre.
- Ample opportunity to perform at outside venues and take part in workshops by professional visiting artists.
- We have great links with performing arts agencies, studios and schools which also provide further professional opportunities including work-based learning.
Guildford College has chosen to deliver UAL Awarding Body qualifications, due to their focus on the creative arts. At the end of this two-year programme, you will achieve a UAL Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma in Performing and Production Arts, which is equivalent to three A Levels.
Working with the UAL Awarding Body allows us to offer you a bespoke, pre-university course, specialising in your area of interest.
Upcoming start dates
Suitability - Who should attend?
A minimum of four GCSEs at Grade 4 or above (A*–C), including English and preferably an art-based subject.
All learners will be required to attend an audition. You will be contacted personally to confirm any materials you may need to prepare for this.
Outcome / Qualification etc.
After successful completion of the full Level 3 Extended Diploma course, students move into a variety of different professional pathways.
The following are examples of what past Guildford College Performing Arts students are doing now:
- Studying for a musical theatre or acting degree at either a university or a vocational school including Mountview, Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, Academy of Live and Recorded Arts, Guildford School of Acting, Bird College, Urdang, London Studio Centre, Performance Preparation Academy and Millennium.
- Training in repertory companies such as Court Theatre Training Company and Fourth Monkey Theatre Company.
- Performing and teaching after further training at universities including Middlesex, Kingston and Chichester.
- Many students have performed in pop videos, as actors, extras, backing dancers for live concerts, on cruise ships and in touring musicals and plays such as Sinatra and Tarzan.
- Freelance education work in UK and abroad.
- Directing their own company, such as Guildford Fringe.
Training Course Content
You will cover:
- screen acting
- script work
- media skills
- practitioner study
- devising
- directing
- movement
- voice and accent
- audition preparation
- healthier performer
- arts business study
- comedy and improvisation
- …and loads more!
In the first year of this course, you will study for the Diploma. Once that Diploma is successfully achieved, you will be invited to continue on to complete the full Extended Diploma in the second year of the course.
Please note: Fees will apply if you are 19+ at the beginning of your studies and have previously completed a Level 3 qualification or are 24 and above. All fees are charged on a yearly basis. Please see our Fees Policy for further details or get in touch to discuss your options!
Course delivery details
We want you to collaborate in your learning experience, so our industry-experienced tutors will help you to identify your areas of interest and areas for improvement.
You'll develop practical performance skills, using voice and movement to communicate effectively to an audience. You will also learn the importance of teamwork, self-discipline, and gain confidence in interacting with—and leading—others. These skills can be used not just in the performing arts industry but in many other areas of work.
All your coursework is internally assessed at the end of the year (there is no exam). It'll then be marked by the centre and moderated by UAL Awarding Body.
UAL Awarding Body believes in transformative education. They design and award creative qualifications that empower and inspire educators to help students reach their potential.
UAL Awarding Body is regulated by Ofqual, Qualifications Wales and CCEA Regulation and currently offers qualifications in Art and Design, Fashion Business and Retail, Creative Media Production and Technology, Music Performance and Production and Performing and Production Arts. They are also the UK's leading provider of the Foundation Diploma in Art and Design. Their qualifications have high retention and achievement rates because they are flexible, responsive and relevant to industry needs, and facilitate student progression.
Expenses
The application process is an audition, followed by an interview.
Students will attend an induction in the first week of term and will be told what materials are required during this time.
Students will attend up to three professional performances in the academic year.
During show periods, students are expected to be available for extra rehearsals. Appropriate clothing is needed for dance and practical classes.
Activate Learning
Activate Learning is a forward-thinking education group that aims for far-reaching, progressive change and impact through learning. We work with learners as individuals, helping them make the choice of course and career pathway that’s right for them. Our mission is to provide work-ready talent for business, and...