Drama and Theatre Studies

A Level

A Level Drama and Theatre Studies is a multi-faceted course which will see you experiencing everything from the history of theatre to flexing your acting muscles in live performances. On this stimulating course, you’ll benefit from a study programme that strikes a careful balance between the practical and theoretical aspects of theatre. You will build a strong foundation of knowledge, which you will use to inform your practical work where you’ll be free to push boundaries and harness your creativity.

It is important to note that there is a strong practical performance element to this course which is examined and assessed. It is therefore expected that applicants have relevant experience and have a keen interest in performing, either as part of their GCSE studies or outside school e.g as part of an amateur dramatics group. You should be a confident performer, but it is also critical to recognise that this is a course with a strong academic weighting, therefore it is important to recognise you need both key performance and academic skills in order to succeed in this course.

As part of the course, you’ll work with classmates on the practical exploration and interpretation of key texts and create performance pieces relating to these works. You’ll develop a range of key communication skills that will support your progression to a wide range of destinations and careers. You’ll also keep a logbook and a working notebook which you’ll use to evaluate your performances.

Specific requirements

You’ll need to meet the entry criteria for your chosen pathway.

For more information about the pathways, please click here.

Your learning experience

This dynamic subject will see you studying a range of topics, including:

  • Drama and theatre
  • Creating original drama
  • Making theatre

An Enriching Experience

Studying A Level Drama and Theatre Studies at HNC is an enriching experience. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to develop your skills and interests, broadening your horizons and building your cultural capital. These experiences are integral to life at HNC and will help you to stand out from the crowd. Some of the experiences our A Level Drama and Theatre Studies students enjoy, include:

  • Attending shows and performances in local theatres
  • Participating in inspirational and valuable guest workshops with local industry leaders and university lecturers
  • Performing on stage and in an end of year showcases to a live audience across a wide range of genres
  • Residential trip and visits- this year our students enjoyed spending time in London to experience the West End

Enlightening Opportunities

We are proud of the unique experiences that are available to our students both inside and outside of the classroom. Our subject specialists will instil in you a love for learning, and challenge you to develop the required skills you’ll need to achieve the life-changing qualifications that will lead you to your dream career.

Practically, you will have the opportunity to assume a range of roles such as actor, director and designer, allowing you to step outside your comfort zone, experience performance from varying viewpoints and discover where your passion lies. On the academic side, you’ll explore the historical and social context of theatre and dramatic works.

How will you be assessed?

This course is assessed via examinations and coursework.

Where does it lead?

A Level Drama and Theatre Studies is valued highly for the transferable skills it develops,

from communication to public speaking; it is a well-respected qualification that supports a wide range of exciting destinations and careers. Naturally, some of our students study this subject because they are interested in a career in Performing Arts; however the skills developed in this A Level complement a wider academic study programme, with students progressing to a diverse range of destinations from the Humanities to the Arts.

A Level Drama and Theatre students have recently progressed to university to study subjects such as:

  • Drama and Theatre Studies
  • English Literature
  • Drama and Performance Studies
  • Creative Writing
  • Screen Writing
  • Dramatic Arts
Perfect pairings

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Good to Know
You’ll have access to our state-of-the-art Performing Arts Theatre throughout your studies where you can hone your acting skills and develop into a confident and knowledgeable performer.
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