RSL Level 3 Diploma in Creative and Performing Arts (Dance)

Applications Open: - 19th November 2026

Applications Close: - 29th January 2027. We will accept late applications beyond this date, but they may take longer to process.

Entry Requirements: - Vary by course please see individual subject information on this website. We also require students to achieve at least five Grade 5s or above at GCSE for Level 3 curriculum. For our Level 2 Pathway, students need to have five Grade 3s or above, inlcuding English and Maths

How to Apply: - Please apply via KentChoices. Applications submitted by the end of January 2027 will have a decision on their offer by the 1st April 2027.

The Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma in Creative and Performing Arts provide learners with skills, knowledge and understanding for entry to employment in the creative and performing arts industries or progression to further study at a higher level.

What skills will you develop by taking this qualification?

The RSL vocational qualification encourages students to develop their creative and intellectual capacity, alongside transferable skills such as team working, communication and problem solving. All of these are sought after skills by higher education and employers, and will help them stand out in the workplace whatever their choice of career.

Core externally assessed units

Students taking the Diploma undertake one externally assessed core unit which is relevant to their chosen pathway. External assessments are in the form of a task-based controlled assessment, these will be assignments that are set in consultation with industry practitioners and marked by RSL. The assignments provide the opportunity for learners to demonstrate and also integrate their knowledge, understanding and skills from across the Dance specialism.

Core internally assessed unit

All students undertake an internally assessed core unit (Planning for a Career in the Creative and Performing Arts).

Optional internally assessed units

In addition to their core units, students taking the Diploma study a further 5 optional units.

Range of optional units on offer:

Applying Safe Dance Practice

Choreography

Dance in the Community

Dance Technique & Performance

Ensemble Dance

Performance Global Dance Styles

Leading Dance

Repertory Dance Performance

Social Dance Through the Ages

Students will be assessed at regular stages of the course, students will be awarded a grade after the submission of each unit. There are four bands of assessment (Pass, Merit, Distinction and Unclassified) for each unit. Overall grades are banded Pass, Merit, Distinction, Distinction* and Unclassified. In order to achieve the minimum of a Pass grade, students must pass every individual assessment criterion within every learning outcome.

As well as preparing students who wish to apply to traditional dance and theatre schools, the course is also useful for other career paths. There are many Higher Education institutions offering dance courses or courses with dance elements. Dance degrees cover a wide range of styles, from ballet to street dance. Courses at performing arts schools prepare you for a career as a professional dancer or choreographer and are highly competitive. For these you would need experience of multiple dance styles and possibly even singing or acting abilities. Other university-based courses have a broader scope - including community arts, dance teaching and dance for fitness. Entry to most courses includes an audition. Whether you choose to become a teacher, costume designer, dance therapist or a company manager, all of these roles require an understanding of dance in its many forms and all of them have an essential contribution to make to the dance world.