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Key details

Course area
Performing Arts
Student types
16 - 18 coursesCourses for 19+ students
Course type
Full-time Further Education course
Course level
Level 3
Start date
Tuesday 1st September 2026
Location
City Hub 111 Canal Street, Nottingham, NG1 7HB
Course code
Parent course code:C027796 Child course code: Q027798
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Course introduction

This course is perfect if you’re a talented performer, want a career in the performing arts, and are looking to further develop your skills.

You’ll learn high-level skills to enable you to pursue a career in the performing arts industry, including: rehearsing, acting, devising, voice, acting for TV and film, movement, physical theatre, character study and directing.

You can expect experienced tutors with huge amounts of industry experience to support you with a wide variety of practical projects, covering a mixture of theatrical and acting styles, plus opportunities to work alongside other students to create your own work.

You will complete 90 credits in Year 1 and gain a standalone qualification. On successful completion of this, you will progress into Year 2 to gain the full Extended Diploma.

A student performing in a stage play in the theatre at the City Hub

You will be encouraged to undertake a work placement of 30+ hours while you are studying.

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Course information

2 years

Performing and Production Arts: Acting (Level 3 UAL Extended Diploma)

You’ll need 5 GCSEs at grades 9–4 (A*–C), including English and Maths – both of these must be grades 9–4 (A*–C) or Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Maths, or a relevant Level 2 vocational qualification with English and Maths GCSE grades 9–4 (A*–C).

You’ll be assessed on practical tasks, projects and productions, supported by a record of written evidence.

Choose to follow with progression to drama school, onto degree-level study, such as our foundation degree in Acting, HNC Foundation course in Acting, or top-up degree in Performing Arts, or a career in the performing arts industry.

Students aged 16-18 don't have to pay tuition fees.

If you are aged 19 or over you may still be eligible for funding. Check out our Financial Help pages to find out more!

If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss National, please visit our EU Settled Status scheme page for more information.

Emily on Performing Arts
Meet Glenn & hear how he went from studying at Nottingham College to becoming a dancer in Swan Lake
Learn from Experience with Theatre and Dance Lecturer Nicola Burt.
Emily on Performing Arts

Careers related to this course

Actors, Entertainers and Presenters

Potential Earnings

£54,380.24

Average Earnings

£29,079.12

Source: Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).

Pathways

Art, Performance and Design

People in these occupations create art and fine craftwork, produce and perform plays and motion pictures, and design graphics and other products.

Media, Publishing and Information Services

People in these occupations produce, publish, and release media and provide library, archive, curation, and information services.

Skills

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
View more about this career

Economic data for careers is provided by Lightcast and also available through our Career Coach app. Job postings, employment and earnings information is represented at the regional level for the East Midlands.

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