A Level Drama & Theatre Studies

Level 3

Course Code: Q100140

Key Information

Course type:
A Levels
Campus:
Sixth Form Campus
Next Start Date:
01 Aug 2027
Duration:
1 year
Attendance:
Full-time

Fees:

Free

See all available start dates

A Level Drama & Theatre Studies at City of Portsmouth College provides the stage for you to shine, with a playbill of amazing opportunities.

This course helps you develop your practical and theoretical understanding of drama, boosts your higher-level communication skills and offers a range of learning opportunities.

A core part of this course involves attending the theatre – this is in preparation for the ‘live theatre performance’ element of the written paper and to widen your understanding and experience of performance. It also allows you to develop self-confidence, presentation skills, personal discipline, time management and group work skills, which are highly regarded by both employers and in higher education.

Units include:

an exploration of the practical and theoretical ideas of Stanislavski, Brecht, Artaud and Brook
live theatrical performances to support your understanding of performance styles
the study of two set texts focusing on how an actor, director or designer would bring each play to life on stage
practical acting skills assessments via two performance components – one focusing on performing extracts from three different plays, and the other being a group-devised piece.

This course also links well with many of the College’s EDGE (Enrichment) programme, including Dance Live!, teaching placements and work experience.

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Did you know?

This course can be combined with additional A Levels or a Sixth Form vocational course.

A minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 or above including drama (if taken at GCSE level), or a merit in Level 2 Performing Arts. Significant extra-curricular performance experience would also be accepted.

You will have a 9.55am start, one lesson in the morning, one in the afternoon and a guaranteed 4.00pm finish. You will also have at least one morning and one afternoon per week free for private study.

The course is assessed as follows: 40% written paper, 30% internally assessed Creating Original Drama and 30% Making Theatre.

Achieving a high grade on this course could be the first step towards a career as an actor, or alternatively you could gain admission to a drama school or a university to study a degree in a performance subject. Past students have taken up careers in the media, marketing, HR, teaching and customer service at management entry level.

School Leavers under the age of 19 do not have to pay fees on any full time courses, though may have to pay for their second year if turning 19 during their studies. If you’re aged 19 or over you might qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan. It’s easy to apply for and you won’t have to pay anything back until you’re earning over £25,000. If you are studying a part-time course and you receive one of the following benefits, or you depend financially on someone who does, you may be entitled to have your tuition fees waived: Job Seekers Allowance, Income Support. You will, however, have to pay any awarding body/assessment fees (unless you are on a first full level 2 course). * If you are in receipt of Working Tax Credit or receive other allowances, you may be eligible to claim concessionary rates. If you are entitled to a fee concession you will be asked to provide proof of your entitlement. It is essential that you inform us if your entitlement changes at any time during your course.

Good to know:

We work hard to keep our course information up to date. Occasionally we may make small changes to course content, start dates, locations or fees to keep our courses current and relevant. If anything important changes after you apply, we’ll always let you know.