FURTHER EDUCATION
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2 Years - BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts Practice
Duration 2 years
Start Date Sept 2025
Applications Open
Funding Available
OVERVIEW
Enhanced Course (Recommended)
BTEC plus intensive professional training with optional ISTD Level 4 DDE Dance Teacher Training Qualifications
35+ hours per week
The course for comprehensive, industry-level training alongside the BTEC designed to prepare students for a wider range of future training opportunities as well as eventual employment and career prospects. Extra opportunities include performances at nationwide events such as Can You Dance? and Move it!
Qualifications included:
- BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts Practice (Dance or Musical Theatre)
- ISTD Level 4 Diploma in Dance Education (DDE) in Ballet, Tap and Modern (optional)
- ISTD Intermediate to Advanced 2 in Imperial Classical Ballet, Modern and Tap
- RAD Intermediate to Advanced 2
BTEC Only
An option for learners who wish to only study for the basic BTEC
18-19 hours per week
This highly practical 2 year course has been designed primarily for 16-18 year old students who want to prepare themselves for the rigours of vocational training and, further ahead, a career within the performing arts.
Qualifications included:
- BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts Practice (Dance or Musical Theatre)
Course equivalent to 1.5 A-Levels and up to 84 UCAS points
Official Education Provider for the BTEC – SCL Creative
This BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma will allow learners to progress onto our Level 4 and 5 courses to continue their study or apply to specialist performing arts schools.
STRUCTURE
First Year
Enhanced Course (Recommended)
BTEC Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Performing Arts Practice (either Dance or Musical Theatre)
Units studied:
- Exploring Performance Style
- Creating Performance Material
- Unit 1 – Preparing for Safe Teaching
- Unit 3 – Vocational Graded Examination in Dance: Intermediate
- Unit 5 – Child Development
- ISTD syllabus tuition: Intermediate-Advanced 2
- RAD syllabus tuition: Intermediate- Advanced 2
- Intensive professional training
- Rehearsal and performance opportunities for things like Move It! and Can You Dance?
BTEC Only
BTEC Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Performing Arts Practice (either Dance or Musical Theatre)
Units studied:
- Exploring Performance Style
- Creating Performance Material
Second Year
Enhanced Course (Recommended)
BTEC Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Performing Arts Practice (either Dance or Musical Theatre)
Units studied:
- Performing for an Audience
- Planning a Career in the Industry
- Unit 4 – Dance Practice
- Unit 5 – Child Development (continued)
- ISTD syllabus tuition: Intermediate-Advanced 2
- RAD syllabus tuition: Intermediate- Advanced 2
- Intensive professional training
- Rehearsal and performance opportunities for things like Move It! and Can You Dance?
BTEC Only
BTEC Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Performing Arts Practice (either Dance or Musical Theatre)
Units studied:
- Performing for an Audience
- Planning a Career in the Industry
SUMMARY
Core Subject Summary
Dance Course
Classical Ballet
Jazz Techniques
Lyrical Contemporary
Musical Theatre
Commercial
Tap
Singing
Acting
Body-conditioning
Choreography
Musical Theatre Course
Singing (solo and ensemble)
Acting Skills
Acting Through Song
Classical Ballet
Jazz Techniques
Lyrical Contemporary
Commercial
Tap
Body-conditioning
Choroegraphy
FEES
Enhanced Course (RECOMMENDED)
Funded Element
- Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Performing Arts Practice – Fully Funded
Top Up Element
- ISTD Level 4 Diploma in Dance Education (DDE) in Ballet, Tap & Modern (optional but recommended)
- ISTD Exam Tuition (up to and including Advanced 2 Modern Theatre, Tap and Imperial Classical Ballet – Level 4 vocational)
- RAD Ballet Exam Tuition (up to and including Advanced 2 – Level 4 Vocational)
- Access to evening and weekend classes plus additional private tuition
- Rehearsals and performance opportunities (workshops, show, competition and conventions, Dance World Cup, Can You Dance?, Move It!)
- Intensive professional training
£2500 per year
*Not included: ISTD and RAD exam entry fees, competition entry fees, DDE Unit 2 may incur additional costs
All course fees are subject to adjustment and will rise annually in line with inflation.
BTEC Only
Funded Element
- Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Performing Arts Practice
All learners will be entitled to the same privileges as any Further Education learner; for example, student bursaries (if eligible), UCAS guidance, pastoral care, education support, FE enrichment programmes and GCSE re-sit opportunities (if required).
Possible Bursaries Available:
ISTD Teacher Training Bursary:Students from low income households may be eligible to apply for ISTD bursaries of up to £5,000 to fund their teacher training qualifications
16-19 Bursary Fund: FE student bursaries for students from low income households
ElliTe Community Association: Our partner charity offers bursaries to students from low income households
ElliTe Studios College Bursaries: We aim to support exceptional students from low income households
APPLYING
Applicants are expected to attend an audition for entry onto the programme.
To apply please fill out our Application Form and select an audition day you wish to attend. All auditions are free. Early application is strongly recommended to avoid disappointment.
Applicants are normally expected to have:
- Previous dance or musical theatre training
- Qualifications at or equivalent to Level 2. GCSE Maths and English grade 4 or above. There is an opportunity for these subjects to be re-studied whilst training with us if this is not achieved.
- The level of health and fitness to study intensively
- Be 16 or over before the 1st of September in the year in which they enrol in
*additional fees may be incurred for learners over 19
We are open to offering a combination of courses or qualifications to suit individual needs – please get in touch if you would like to discuss your options further.
Open and Experience Days
We host lots of Open & Experience days to give you the opportunity to meet our faculty, see our facilities and experience life as an ElliTe Studios College student!
