Drama and Theatre Studies A Level [Y1]

You can only apply for one course type on an application.

Applying for A-Levels and/or V-Levels? You can choose to study three A-Levels or create a mixed programme combining A-Levels with other qualifications, including the new V-Levels. You will select the courses from a list of relevant subjects when you apply.

Applying for T-Levels? T-Levels are full-time courses that allow you to focus on one subject.

Applying for Vocational courses? Our technical and professional vocational courses are full-time programmes focusing on one subject. You can apply for up to two courses in the same application.

We accept applications to more than one campus; however once you have attended an interview session and received an offer from us, you will need to confirm your first-choice course and the campus you want to study at.

Join us for this challenging and rewarding A-Level that combines academic and practical skills, while developing your performance, analysis and critique of theatre. You’ll develop and perform classical and contemporary text extracts and create your own original devised piece of theatre.

On this course you will explore your textual and performance analysis abilities and practical performance skills to increase your understanding of how theatre works, and to develop you as a performer and director. In the first year of the course we explore different styles of theatre and you will have the opportunity to develop both your analytical and research skills as you study the contexts and themes behind key dramatic texts. You will explore these through practical workshops, leading to your own written reports and performance presentations, which demonstrate your practical ideas and ability. In your second year you will create and perform your own piece of devised theatre, and perform your final chosen text extract to an external examiner. Both of these projects will be supported by a 3000 word piece of coursework. You will watch and evaluate live theatre and analyse two set texts in preparation for your final examination at the end of year 2 The course will help you develop your subject specific skills related to performance and the theatre, as well as various transferrable academic and personal skills. On this course you will have the opportunity to go on a number of trips. In the past we have seen productions in Brighton, Chichester and London and had tours of Shakespeare’s Globe and the National Theatre. Students have also done workshops at the Globe as well as with Frantic Assembly.

Final assessments for all components are in the second year, although the work that you develop and create in year 1 contributes towards these. Component 3 is the creation and performance of a text extract together with a written report on three text extracts you have studied (30% of overall mark) Component 2 is the creation and performance of a piece of devised theatre together with a development process workbook/report (30% of overall mark) Component 1 is your final written exam, three sections, on two set texts and a live production. (40% of overall mark) The overall assessment balance is 70% academic / 30% practical

Our general entry criteria to study 3 A-Levels is: Minimum five GCSEs grade 4-9 with English Language or Maths at grade 5. For a mixed Level 3 programme the criteria are: Minimum five GCSEs grade 4-9 with English Language or Maths at grade 4. Subject specific entry criteria apply:A GCSE grade 4 in English Language and grade 4 in Drama (if taken).

This popular subject can prepare you for a specialist or more general course at university, or at drama school. Past students are currently studying or have studied at a range of universities such as Cambridge, Royal Holloway, Kent, UEA, Manchester and Leeds, as well as Central School of Speech and Drama, East 15, Rose Bruford and Guildhall.