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Acting (Performing Arts) - UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma

College of West Anglia

Tennyson Avenue, King's Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 2QW

Other Regulated/Accredited Qualification
Level 3
Arts, Media and Publishing

Available start dates

Available start dates

Wednesday, 01 September 2027
College of West Anglia (King's Lynn campus)
7 Day(s)
Full time

Course Summary

If you have a keen interest in pursuing a career in performing arts, this course will help develop your creative skills through acting with an introduction to backstage roles.

Course Details

The Acting course combines a comprehensive grounding in acting, directing and practical stagecraft. Our professionally equipped Theatre and Drama Studio will be at the centre of your studies, giving you the chance to showcase the methods you learn and develop the independent skills required to take control of your own productions, from theatre and film performance to staging, costume, lighting and directing.

You'll explore a variety of drama styles, from naturalism to pantomime, and engage with major theoretical and performance approaches, from Stanislavsky to physical theatre. Everything you learn will deepen your practical understanding of drama and help you develop the skills needed for a possible career as an actor or to support your ambitions for university.

Each term, you will bring everything you've learned together in a major practical project. This will build not only your experience and confidence, but also your performance and production skills.

How will it be delivered and assessed?

The course is project/assignment based and assessment is continuous throughout the year. Some units may be subject to external assessment.

The units in the first two terms are assessed at Pass grade only. The final unit is awarded a grade of Pass, Merit or Distinction.

How many UCAS points will I achieve on this course?

Our level 3 vocational courses qualify for UCAS tariff points to apply for university in the same way as A-Levels. This course is an UAL extended diploma which is delivered over two years and you could achieve up to 168 UCAS points (which is equivalent to three A* grades at A-Level).

UAL extended diplomas are graded as a pass, merit or distinction (with distinction being the highest grade).

The following table gives some examples on the amount of UCAS points you can achieve on a UAL extended diploma:

| UAL grade | UCAS Points |
| --- | --- |
| D | 168 |
| M | 120 |
| P| 72 |

You can find more details and examples on the UCAS tariff points calculator here.

Entry requirements

You will need:

  • 5 or more GCSEs at Grade 4 or higher, including English, maths and preferably drama

Existing students will be expected to have:

  • A relevant Level 2 qualification (Merit or above)
  • English and maths at grade 4 or higher

You will be invited to an informal interview to help ensure the course is right for you. An audition piece will need to be prepared prior to the interview ready to perform for the course director. This need be no longer than 2 minutes and can consist of either a dance piece, singing or performing a monologue depending on the performance pathway you wish to take.

Additional information


For more courses like this, check our courses page.