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Key details

Course area
Performing Arts
Student type
16 - 18 courses
Course type
Full-time Further Education course
Course level
Level 2
Start date
Tuesday 1st September 2026
Location
City Hub 111 Canal Street, Nottingham, NG1 7HB
Course code
Parent course code:C000321 Child course code: Q002018
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Course introduction

If you’ve had a taste of performing in front of an audience and are hungry for more, or you’ve got a hidden talent for dancing, singing, or acting and need a bit of help to bring it out of you, this is the perfect course.

The Level 2 Performing Arts course is an engaging and comprehensive one-year program designed to introduce you to the world of performing arts and prepare you for further education. This course offers two exciting pathways: Acting and Dance, allowing you to explore and develop your talents in your chosen field.

You will study one of the following pathways:

  • Dance Pathway:
    • Explore the world of dance, focusing on styles such as Contemporary, Jazz, Ballet, and Commercial. You'll develop your technique, performance skills, and creative expression through choreography and participation in various productions. You'll also explore basic skills in singing and acting to enhance your performance abilities. This pathway provides a solid foundation in dance, preparing you for further education in Dance or Musical Theatre at Level 3.
  • Acting Pathway:
    • Immerse yourself in the art of acting, where you'll study various techniques in acting, voice and devising. You'll participate in workshops, rehearsals, and performances, gaining practical experience and building your confidence on stage. This pathway will help you develop your acting skills and prepare you for more advanced studies in Acting at Level 3.

You can expect to perform to live audiences, to practise in our specialist studios and to collaborate with other students in performances.

Whether you choose Acting or Dance, you'll graduate with the skills, knowledge, and experience to progress to Level 3 studies in Acting, Dance, or Musical Theatre within our department.

A group of students dressed in black and white posing in front of a stage

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

Read more

Course information

1 year

Performing and Production Arts: Dance or Acting (Level 2 UAL Diploma)

You’ll need 4 GCSEs at grades 9–3 (A*–D), including English and Maths – one of English Language or Maths must be grade 9–4 (A*–C). Functional Skills Level 1 can be used as equivalent to GCSE grade 3 (D) and Functional Skills Level 2 can be used as equivalent to GCSE grade 4 (C) or above.

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

Choose to follow with further study on a Level 3 Dance or Musical Theatre course, you could go into a dancing career or teaching.

Additional fees are to be paid at enrolment for trips and the performing arts passport. These can be discussed at interview.

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.

Meet Luu & learn more about the state-of-the-art facilities she learns dance in
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

Select career:

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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