Drama & Theatre Studies A Level

Applications Open: - 28th November 2025

Applications Close: - 30th January 2026

How to Apply: - via Kent Choices

Entry Requirements: - Students must meet the following academic criteria:

(a) Applicants must achieve at least an average GCSE grade of 5.7 from eight subjects (this must include at least one modern foreign language, at least one science and at least one humanity).

(b) Applicants must also have GCSE Mathematics and at least one English GCSE at a minimum of grade 5.

In addition to the above requirements, applicants wishing to be accepted on to a particular subject must achieve the requirements set down for that particular course in the Sixth Form Curriculum booklet

https://mgs.kent.sch.uk/admission/sixth-form-entry/

All students study 4 A Levels in Year 12 (Choose 5 subjects on the application form, with the 5th being a reserve). It is important that students refer to the 6th Form Curriculum booklet to ensure that they choose their courses appropriately. (There is the option to drop one of these subjects at the end of Year 12 and undertake an EPQ).

We do not require applicants to write a Personal Statement.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ): Alongside our extensive A level offering, students are offered the opportunity to gain an Extended Project Qualification (Level 3). This research based qualification is an ideal way to prepare ahead of further academic studies and / or the working world. Students are able to research, plan and realise a 5000 word study on a topic of their choosing. Topics are wide ranging. Many students choose to explore topics that either complement their interests and academic studies or create a bridge to future career aspirations, for example in law or medicine. An EPQ provides ideal content for CVs, university applications and is worth up to 28 UCAS points. Importantly, many universities will lower their offer to students studying an EPQ because they recognise the skills and expertise students gain from studying an EPQ.

This course inspires students to become independent theatre makers with the skills they need to go on to higher education, whether that is to study a course in drama and theatre or another subject. This qualification emphasises practical creativity, alongside research and theoretical understanding. Students learn through experience, seeing theatre and making theatre for themselves. Students are introduced to a wide range of theatrical styles and contexts as they explore plays practically, devise and work on performances. They can choose to develop as a performer, designer (lighting, sound, set, costume, puppets), director or a combination of these.

A-level Drama and Theatre is divided into three components:

Component 1: Drama and theatre – 40% of whole qualification.. An open book examination that focuses on the knowledge and understanding of drama and theatre. This is through the study of two set plays. Students are also required to analyse and evaluate live theatre.

Component 2: Creating original drama – 30% of whole qualification. Students devise and perform their own piece of drama. This must be influenced by the work and methodologies of one prescribed practitioner. This is assessed via performance and a working notebook.

Component 3: Making theatre – 30% of whole qualification. Students explore and interpret three extracts from three different places. They must apply the methodology of a particular practitioner to extract 3 which is performed as a final assessed piece.

As above

GCSE Drama grade 6 and Grade 6 in either English Literature or Language. If GCSE Drama has not been taken then students must have recent relevant performance experience.

Where Drama can take you...

The broad set of skill by studying Drama and Theatre will be beneficial and marketable in a host of future higher education and career pathways. These include theatre performance, theatre design, playwrighting, advertising, marketing, publicity, media organisations & publishing companies, therapy, arts management, the NHS, education, legal firms, local and national government and events management.

Career ideas: actor, director, script writer, TV producer, set designer, costume designer, theatrical agent, event manager, advertising executive, marketing manager, social worker, human relations manager, artist, teacher, lecturer, art therapist, psychologist and much more.