Music Performance BTEC Extended Certificate

Applications Open: - 14th November 2025

Applications Close: - 30th April 2026

Entry Requirements: -We cater to the individual needs of each student, creating a program of study that meets their unique requirements. We offer a wide range of Level 3 qualifications, including A levels, allowing students to combine their interests with relevant courses for their future pathways. Each subject has specific entry requirements in addition to those set out below, and all students must receive a positive reference and maintain an end-of-year attendance record of 95% or higher to be offered a place in The Marsh Academy Sixth Form.

It is important to understand that all students are expected to attain a minimum of GCSE grade 4 in Mathematics and English by the time they leave school or college. Therefore, if a student has not achieved these grades, they are legally required to retake these subjects until they achieve the grade 4 or above or until they complete their programme of study.

For students unable to undertake a full Level 3 program, we offer a combination of qualifications across Level 3 and Level 2, depending on the qualifications gained in Year 11.

For students who achieve:

7+ GCSEs at grade 7+ can study four Level 3 courses.

5+ GCSEs at grade 5+ can study three Level 3 courses.

4 +GCSEs at grade 5+ can study two Level 3 courses and two Level 2 courses.

Level 3 Vocational Courses

5+ GCSEs at grade 4+ in English and maths GCSE to study three Level 3 vocation courses However, it is important to note that some Level 3 courses will have specific requirements in addition to those set out here.

This year, subjects have not been placed into fixed option blocks. Instead, they have been grouped by subject area to allow students greater flexibility in selecting the courses that best suit their interests and future goals. Once we have received students’ subject choices, we will create option blocks based on demand and subject compatibility. It is important to note that while The Marsh Academy aims to offer all courses listed in the prospectus, we do reserve the right to withdraw any course that does not attract sufficient interest. This approach ensures that our curriculum remains responsive, student-focused, and sustainable.

The Marsh Academy reserves the right to review student course offers on an individual basis.

How to apply:

Students who wish to apply for a place at the Marsh Academy Sixth Form and are currently a student at another school or college in Kent or East Sussex, must apply via the Kent Choices website application process (www.kentprospectus.co.uk). External applicants must ensure that the application is completely correctly by completing all sections of the application form in full for the application to be considered:

If you are applying from outside of Kent and are unable to register for Kent Choices, please use the external student application form which is available on the Sixth Form page of the Marsh Academy website.

Once the application has been made, we will contact you to discuss your application and invite you for interview. After the interview, conditional offers will made pending examination results. We ensure that students are kept up do date with events regarding Sixth Form during the remainder of the academic year.

On GCSE result day, students should contact the Marsh Academy with a record of GCSE results so that courses can be confirmed or adapted in line with the achieved results. Students will then attend a registration day early in September to process the required documentation.

Learners taking this qualification will study three mandatory units:

• Unit 1: Practical Music Theory and Harmony

• Unit 2: Professional Practice in the Music Industry

• Unit 3: Ensemble Music Performance.

Learners choose one optional unit. These have been designed to support progression to more specialist music courses in higher education and to link with relevant occupational areas, such as:

• composing music

• improvising music

• solo performance

The course is assessed through a combination of assessment methods including externally assessed and internally assessed units:

Mandatory units

There are three mandatory units, one internal and two external. Learners must complete and achieve at Near Pass grade or above in all mandatory external units and achieve a Pass or above in all mandatory internal units.

Optional units

Learners must complete at least one optional unit.

Students must achieve a minimum of 5 GCSEs grade 5 or above including English and Maths including a minimum grade 5 GCSE Music or Merit for Level 2 BTEC or entry by audition and interview.

This course equips the learner with many skills which will be useful for future pathways. For specifically music related pathways, students can go on to study performance focused university courses and Music Technology university courses. The course also gives a very good base for careers in Performance within the Music Industry such as sound engineering and “pit work.” The course also enabled students to be confident when addressing audiences and the ability to work as part of a team, which is beneficial to any future pathway.

The qualification is intended to carry UCAS points and is recognised by higher education providers as contributing to meeting admission requirements for many courses, if it is taken alongside other qualifications as part of a two-year programme of learning, and it combines well with a large number of subjects. It will support entry to higher education courses in a wide range of disciplines, depending on the subjects taken alongside it.

For learners who wish to study an aspect of music in higher education, opportunities include:

• BA (Hons) in Performing Arts, if taken alongside an A Level in English Literature

• BA (Hons) in Music Industry Management, if taken alongside a Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Business

• BA (Hons) in Music Business and Arts Management, if taken alongside a Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Business and an A Level in Art