Qualifications – What will I learn?

Developing the skills required for a career in Musical Theatre, you will explore techniques to improve confident, group work and sharing of dynamic and creative ideas which will ultimately prepare you for auditions and the professional industry. ​

This is a blended course in acting, singing and dancing. In addition you will learn valuable business and producing skills which can be carried forward into adult life.

The RSL Level 3 Foundation Diploma and Extended Diplomas in Performing  Arts are designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills and understanding necessary to access and progress to degree level study or employment in the performing arts.

You will be placed on either an RSL Extended Certificate or Foundation Diploma in year one, progressing in year two. In a small number of cases a Btec can be offered as an alternative - but we are phasing it out.

An RSL graded qualification in Musical Theatre. This will futher boost UCAS points for those applying to university.

They provide an opportunity for those who have an interest in the performing arts to explore, develop and test their creativity within a qualification structure which is stimulating, demanding and provides a supportive transition from general to more specialised study in higher education or employment.

• Singing Techniques (2 hours a week)

• Jazz Techniques

• Improvisation

• Community Theatre Practice 

• Practitioner research 

• 1:1 Next steps and support clinic with a dedicated tutor every two weeks.

• Developing Skills for Live Performance (Acting Skills)

• Musical Theatre Technique

• Collaborative performance project 

• Agency applications

• Audition Technique

• UCAS application preparation including personal statements, and university course selections

• Study Skills

• Ballet

• Tap

• Conditioning

• Hip Hop/Street (optional, by audition, regional and national competitions)

• Audition Techniques

• Graded exams (musical theatre)

• Artemis Singers Show Choir (by audition)

• Jazz Company (optional, by audition, regional and national competitions)

• Vocational Grades - Each student will take a Musical Theatre graded qualification in addition to their main qualification.

Throughout the year you will explore a range of scripts as well as devise material for performances. You will explore skills in vocal technique, acting, dancing, improvisation, community theatre and developing an understanding of the style, structure and themes in theatre. You will visit three shows - a drama in autumn, pantomime at Christmas and a West End musical in spring - all paid for and part of your course!

Guest workshops;

We have former students who are at, or recently graduated from, performing arts universities come back and speak to current students about their course, and what to expect when you graduate. You can ask them anything!

We also invite friends of the faculty and graduates who are working as respected professionals in the industry to meet you and lead workshops - some of these events take place during school trips - especially in the West End. In 2021 this includes ‘ & Juliet’ where you can meet the actor playing Romeo!

We have regular guests - at least once but usually more every term. Our students have had classes with West End Producer Paul Taylor Mills, principle cast from Hamilton, SIX, 42nd Street, Lion King, Hairspray and more. We are able to do this through our fantastic staff team who are still working on the stage and screen themselves.

• Developing performance and production skills

• Developing the Voice for Performance

• Physical Theatre Techniques

• Movement for Performance

• 1:1 Next steps and support clinic with a dedicated tutor every two weeks.

• Acting for Screen 

• Final Major Project (large show in a theatre for the public - in 2023 this will be Footloose in the Wilde Theatre) 

• Individual Performance Commission

• Employment Opportunities in the Performing Arts

• UCAS applications and support applying to HE

• Audition material selection and preparation for university, vocational higher training

• Study Skills (improving your coursework grades for written work, completing assignments and preparing you for university)

• Ballet

• Tap

• Conditioning

• Hip Hop/Street (optional, by audition, regional and national competitions)

• Audition Techniques

• Graded exams (acting and musical theatre)

• Show Choir (optional with public performances)

• Jazz Company (optional, by audition, regional and national competitions)

This course is included in the UCAS tariff

Throughout the second year you will be responsible for running both the performance and production elements of a major project based around a contemporary script this will be through National Theatre Connections and you will perform in Bracknell and London or Oxford. You will gain a deeper understanding of the critical and contextual perspectives and approaches within performing arts. 

Vocational Grades; in addition to your main qualification, will take an additional graded RSL graded exam in Musical Theatre - adding valuable additional UCAS points to their end of year awards. 

The first requirement is for all applicants to book and attend a workshop assessment afternoon (or apply online during lockdown). This will involve preparing materials to share with us, and also taking part in acting and musical theatre workshops. There is then a Q&A session with parents, interviews will then be offered to anyone we would like to take forward that day. For others, a recall audition will be offered.

Outcome 1:

If we feel you can cope academically and in performances at L3,  and will be happy socially and emotionally with an intense course, we may offer you a 'Conditional Place'. We will then outline the conditions, these are usually that you gain a C/4 or higher in 5 GCSE's (including Maths and English) as a minimum, and if you have an EHCP that we feel we can make reasonable adjustments for, subject to LEA support being approved. 

Outcome 2:

If we felt at the workshop that you didn't show us what you could do (maybe you were ill that day, or we felt you chose the wrong pieces to show us), we may ask you back for a recall audition, at least one month later (to give you time to re-prepare material based on feedback). You will then audition again.

Outcome 3:

If you struggled to keep up in the workshops and/or have indicated you wont meet the GCSE minimums or we feel you wont cope with the demands and standards of the course, we will suggest you try again next year. Some candidates take our free summer school after this outcome to try to build skills and get used to how we work, and then re-apply.

Outcome 4:

If we are oversubscribed, we may offer you a place on the waiting list. We we will only take 70 full time students in 2024/25. This total is spread between 2 year groups, plus 3 Gap Year courses.​ Our classes are small so everyone gets a lot of interaction and attention.

Academic: Minimum 5 GCSEs at grade A-C (4 or above) including Maths and English (or equivalent). If you want us to consider a Btec as well, it must be a Level 2 Certificate at Merit or higher (and count as one GCSE).

If you already have a Level 3 Diploma or Extended Diploma (such as Btec) in Performing Arts, you will sadly not be able to be funded as you can’t be funded for the same qualification twice. Please consider our Producers course if this is the case.

Aged 16-18 on 1st September in the year you start your course. If you are older, you have the option to self-fund.

There is written coursework as well as physical and performing classes. Assistance from tutors is available with written work - but some home study is also expected.

Performing ability: You will need to be very strong in at least one of singing or dancing, and strong or with the ability to be in the other with potential to improve in all areas. We work at a tough pace, and as a blended course (covering acing, singing and dancing), your overall grade will take into account all areas.

Course duration and start date: The next course will begin in September 2024 and lasts for one or two years depending on your first year.

What qualification(s) will I receive?

• Btec or RSL Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Performing Arts (1 year)* 

• Btec or RSL Level 3 Diploma or Extended Diploma in Performing Arts (2 years)*

• Graded  RSL Trinity Musical Theatre Certificates*

* We may offer a smaller level three qualification to some students if we feel they will not cope with the academic side of the full level three to begin with.

Artemis graduates have gone on to many of the best drama, dance and musical theatre university courses, including Royal Central, GSA, Rose Bruford, Millenium, Laines, Birds, Urdang and Russell Group universities.

Frequently Asked Questions…

All of our courses are vocational which means they are designed to compliment learners with a visual and kinaesthetic learning style. This means a practical style!

As a result, you will be assessed via a range of both practical and written/videoed or recorded assignments. 25% or more of your final unit grades will be from assessments, but you will also be graded on your participation in class/rehearsals and final shows or work-shares. Anyone who falls below the minimum attendance in class may fail that unit.

At Artemis, we pride ourselves on offering support to all of our young people throughout their programme.

We have a number of learners who have a range of support needs from specific learning difficulties (such as dyslexia), or autistic spectrum disorders to mental health conditions, amongst others. If you have a physical challenge - don't be put off applying - wherever possible - we can adapt the physical elements of the course to be inclusive. You must be able to keep up in class however. Unlike other sixth forms, this is a mainstream high level vocational course - for experienced and ambitious performers. 

If you currently have a valid Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) or a Learning Difficulty Assessment (LDA), you may be entitled to government funded support from your local authority to ensure we help you achieve the best from your learning. Our SENco officer will need a recent copy (no more than 12 months old) of your plan as soon as possible - so we can make sure we can meet your needs. Artemis is a small college (50 students) and we will not be able to offer the same resources as a large college or school. It will take longer for us to assess your audition, as we will need to have meetings with our SENCO, who is not full time for Artemis. They will assess the plan, and discuss with the Senior Team what they believe will be needed and is possible. Only those who need to be in the meeting or see the plan will have access. This process can take two to three weeks in term time, or longer over holiday periods. If you are applying for a last minute place in summer, please ensure you do so at least two weeks BEFORE the summer holidays begin.

If we think with or without support we can meet your needs (subject to SENDco assessment), we will then approach the LEA for their approval in principle. Please note, if support (such as a teaching assistant) is needed - students will not be able to take up a place at college until the LEA have submitted written approval from their panel. This can take between 1 and 6 weeks depending on the LEA.

If you wish to discuss any aspect of learning support, please do not hesitate to contact our office and staff will be pleased to help you.

Once you have submitted your application online, you need to book an open day audition.

For starting in Sept '24, auditions begin in late Sept 23 and continue monthly until have no places available. 

If successful in the workshop audition, your following interview is an opportunity for you to showcase and discuss your creative skill set with our industry professional tutors. We actively encourage applicants to attend their interviews with a portfolio of work (if you have it) - such as video or pictures of past performances. Please note - if you have not quite met the standard in the practical, you will not need to interview. In that case a recall may be offered.

Once (if) you have an offer, you have up to 14 days to accept your place (unless you have asked us to wait for a reason). We have a maximum of 70 spaces in the whole college, and these will be allocated in the order in which they are applied for. As well as your academic record, in the workshops we will be looking at your ability to take direction, your ability as a creative person (we do not expect you to be strong in all areas, but you must show talent in one or more to enjoy the course). We will also take into account your attendance at your current or previous school - we expect our learners to attend a minimum of 95% of classes and rehearsals.

If you are still auditioning for other colleges, and or are on a waiting list for another choice, we will only be able to offer you a waiting list space on our course. This is because with such small class groups, we need to know that those who have accepted want their place. If you are not 100% certain, you could be taking the place of someone who will miss out if you don't then attend.  Anyone on the waiting list will be contacted in July, subject to space being on our course, and you will have first refusal on accepting (the list is in order of audition).