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Performing Arts: Acting

Cornwallis Academy

Hubbards Lane, Linton, Maidstone, Kent, ME17 4HX

National Award (BTEC)
Level 3
Arts, Media and Publishing

Available start dates

Available start dates

Tuesday, 01 September 2026
The Trust Sixth Form at Cornwallis Academy
2 Year(s)
Full time
Daytime/working hours
NULL

Application Instructions

Applications Open - 3 November 2025

Applications Close - 17 July 2026

Entry Requirements - Applications are considered on an individual basis.

How to Apply - Please apply via KentChoices

Course Summary

Acting - The Extended Certificate is designed for students who wish to develop skills in Acting

Pupils can only specialise in one discipline.

Course Details

What Will You Study:

Students will need to select to study either the acting pathway at the beginning of the course.

The Acting pathway contain the following mandatory units:

• Investigating Practitioners’ Work

• Developing Skills and Techniques for Live Performance

• Group Performance Workshop

Students then split off into their specialist disciplines and will study further units form the following:

Acting:

• Interpreting Classical Text for Performance

• Acting Styles

• Developing the Voice for Performance

• Improvisation

• Movement in Performance

• Musical Theatre techniques


How will it be delivered and assessed?

Acting and Dance Pathways comprise of external, internal and synoptic assessments. The styles of external assessment used for qualifications in the performing arts suite are:

A BTEC national extended Certificate in Performing Arts (Acting OR Dance) is the equivalent in size to one A-level. The qualification is made up of 4 units, of which 3 are mandatory and 2 are external. Mandatory content (83%). External assessment (58%). The Extended Certificate is for learners who are interested in learning about the acting or dance aspect of the Performing Arts Industry


Entry requirements

BTEC Level 2 Performing Arts (acting or drama) – Merit

GCSE Drama – B / 6

GCSE Dance - B / 6

Should you not meet the entry requirements, or not studied Performing Arts/Dance/Drama in Year 10 or 11, you may audition to secure a place on this qualification.

We are aware that some students attend Performing Arts/Dance classes outside of school instead of studying it as part of their GCSES, so the audition process is in particular for those pupils.


Your next steps...

After completing this qualification, students can go on to study further at University, as well as audition to gain a place at one of the prestigious Performing Arts colleges around the country.
Job opportunities within Performing Arts also include:
Performer, musician, cruise-ship entertainer, radio/broadcasting, studio engineer, music publisher, teacher, choreographer, director to name but a few!
Successful students have gone on to start in the West End as well as release their own albums.


For more courses like this, check our courses page.