Date of production of course specification: June 2016 Date of review of course specification: 'N/A' Date of course approval/validation: 'TBC' COURSE SPECIFICATION This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the course of study and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course module/unit can be found in the Course Handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed annually by City and Islington College. KEY COURSE INFORMATION Name of course (as it will appear on student certificate): Pearson Level 4 HNC in Performing Arts Final award (with credit rating): HNC Performing Arts (125 credits; 120 credits minimum) Possible interim award(s) (with credit rating(s)): N/A UCAS/JACS code (where applicable:) TBC Course to run from: 1 st Nov. 2016 Awarding body: Pearson Centre in which course is based: Centre for Business Arts and Technology Course Manager: Tim Chaundy
Mode of study/attendance: Full-time day Expected duration of course: One Year (two semesters) Entry requirements, including requirements for AP(E)L: Applicants should normally be aged 18 years and over and will need to have at least one of the following: a BTEC or other Level 3 qualification in Performing Arts or a related area; A GCE Advanced level profile, which demonstrates strong performance in a relevant subject or an adequate performance in more than one GCE subject. This profile is likely to be supported by GCSE grades at A* to C relevant industry experience or currently working within the Creative Industry. All candidates must demonstrate a minimum proficiency in written and spoken English. Applicants for whom English is a foreign language should ideally either hold a recognised qualification in English e.g. British Council IELTS (minimum 6.0) or the TOEFL equivalent. Applicants may be required to sit a pre-entry English test. Is the course linked with accreditation and professional recognition (if so, please provide brief details)? The Pearson Higher National Certificate in Performing Arts has been developed with career progression and recognition by professional bodies in mind. The course currently has three major professional links with Christina Beyer Professional Management, National Youth Theatre and Primary Shakespeare. Are there any links to industry (if so, please provide brief details)? Current Industry links: Christina Beyer Professional Management, National Youth Theatre, Company Three (formerly Islington Community Theatre) Primary Shakespeare and Goldsmith s University. There will be several projects throughout the course in collaboration with Performing Arts industry specialists. Over the years the teaching staff have developed a variety of links with industry and many previous students are now working in industry, this has created a pool of professionals who will be able come in and talk with the students and run professional master classes. Are there organised worked placements (if so, please provide brief details)? Informal work placements may take place where possible to enhance individual student experience any such opportunities will not be formally assessed. What are the progression opportunities upon successful completion of the course? There are three key progression paths for HNC Performing Arts learners: 1. To the second or third year of a degree or honours degree programme, depending on the match of the HNC units to the degree programme in question. 2. To Drama School for further Acting, Applied Theatre or Technical teaching and learning (vocational training). What career opportunities will there be after successfully completing the course? The course will lead to a wide variety of Performing Arts related careers; as a self-employed professional and/or working for a company. Learners will be equipped with the essential skills to work onstage, in front of a camera, backstage and within community theatre (applied theatre) contexts. 2
The following reference points were used in designing the course: The awards have been designed according to: 1. Pearson guidance on course structure and content, and the course outcomes conform to criteria set out in the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). 2. Careers input from Christina Beyer Professional Management, National Youth Theatre, Company Three (formerly Islington Community Theatre) Primary Shakespeare and Goldsmith s University. Summary description: COURSE OUTLINE Rationale The Pearson BTEC Level 4 HNC in Performing Arts (QCF) qualification has been developed to focus on the following areas: provide education and training for a range of careers in the performing arts provide opportunities to achieve nationally recognised level 4 vocationally specific qualifications in the performing arts provide opportunities for full-time learners to gain a nationally recognised vocationally specific qualification to enter employment in the performing arts or progress to higher education vocational qualifications such as a full-time degree in performing arts or a related area develop the knowledge, understanding and skills of learners in the fields of performance and production offer opportunities for learners to focus on the development of higher level skills in a performance or production context provide opportunities for learners to develop a range of skills and techniques and attributes essential for successful performance in working life. Aims of the qualification The Pearson BTEC Level 4 HNC in Performing Arts (QCF) qualification has been designed to meet the following aims: equip individuals with knowledge, understanding and skills for success in employment in the performing arts enable progression to an undergraduate degree or further professional qualification in the performing arts or a related area provide opportunities for specialist study relevant to individual vocations and contexts support individuals employed or entering employment in performing arts develop the individual s ability in performing arts through effective use and combination of the knowledge and skills gained in different parts of the programme develop a range of skills and techniques, personal qualities and attributes essential for successful performance in working life and thereby enabling learners to make an immediate contribution to employment provide flexibility, knowledge, skills and motivation as a basis for future studies and career development in the performing arts. What will I be expected to achieve? On successful completion of the course, you will be expected to have developed the following skills: 3
Knowledge and understanding: application of complex theories to practical realistic work situations in the performing arts independence of approach to study and the generation of performing arts evidence Subjects-specific skills: flexibility, knowledge and motivation in working in the performing arts. synthesis of a range of concepts, knowledge and skills relating to the performing arts ability to engage with complex and/or unpredictable situations in performing arts contexts Transferable skills: ability to take responsibility to manage and direct their own and others activities insight and judgement in relation to the margins and consequences of error research and investigative skills being responsive to change and the ability to multi-task ability to innovate and work in a creative way How will I learn? You will be taught in groups by a team of highly experienced lecturers and practitioners, who together offer a diverse range of professional and academic experience. The regular lecturers are practitioners working within the industry and community and their core teaching is richly supplemented by that of specialist visiting tutors (National Youth Theatre, Company Three, Christina Beyer Personal Management and Primary Shakespeare) and a selection of guest speakers. The course will be delivered in a majority performance project based structure, with three performances over the duration of the course: Learners will work as ensemble members of a performance company with four of the eight units and corresponding learning outcomes integrated into two commissioned assignments. In units that are more theoretically weighted delivery will be in a mix of formal theory lectures, blended/e-learning on-line, independent study, group seminars, critiques and group & individual tutorials. The course will comprise a minimum of 1250 learning hours. Typically, 360 of these hours will be subject-specific content delivered by way of workshops, rehearsals and lectures, and the remainder will be made up of a combination of tutorials, blended learning, guided reading and time spent working on assessments and performances. Each module specification will indicate the breakdown for that module. How will I be assessed? Assessment is continuous, by coursework (blogs/portfolios and presentations) rehearsals and performances. Assignments will cover contemporary and classical methods, genres and performance work with strong current industry links. The assignments will also encourage the development of mature ensemble performance skills as well as developing autonomy as a practitioner alongside strong technical and creative skills combined with a reflective approach. Assessment methods will include: individual and group presentations observed rehearsals performances portfolios/blogs of creative process, skills development and targets case studies time-constrained commissioned performance assignments; 4
What do I have to do to pass the course? You must achieve a minimum of 120 credits (of which at least 65 must be at level 4) to be awarded an Edexcel BTEC Level 4 HNC. What grade/level of qualification can I get? Learners who achieve the minimum eligible credit value specified above will achieve the qualification at pass grade. Learners will be awarded a merit or distinction qualification grade by the aggregation of points gained through the successful achievement of individual modules. The graded section of the HNC is based on the learner s best performance in modules at the level or above of the qualification to the value of 75 credits. The number of points available is dependent on the module grade achieved and the credit size of the unit. Course structure and requirements COURSE CONTENT The course will involve you taking a series of mandatory core modules and specialist modules as described in the Table below. The Mandatory Core Modules will be based on: Research and professional practice: providing a broad range of related research skills to develop and support performance projects. The mandatory curriculum seeks to develop research skills in an academic context; to support progression to further specialist study; to develop written, graphical and presentation skills and to support the enhancement of professional practice. Research and professional practice will enable understanding of the current professional environment, employment opportunities and the demands of learners specialist area and support the ability to respond; promote personal currency and function within the legal and statutory framework. The enhancement, through Specialist Modules, of further related practical skills in process and production will seek to develop awareness and understanding of the skills required for the process and production of high profile, professional work; the study of planning procedures, preproduction/rehearsal scheduling, performance and the legislation relevant to a production. 5
The course is equivalent to 125 credits or one year of full-time study. Pearson Unit Number Unit Title Unit Level Unit Credits Mandatory core units all units must be taken 1. 19 Creative Arts Professional Practice 5 15 1 2. 20 Creative Arts Research Skills 5 20 2 Specialist units with a minimum total credit value of 85 credits 3. 28 Development of Acting Skills 4 15 1 4. 53 Production Skills for Performance 4 15 1 5. 49 Physical Theatre Performance 4 15 1 6. 73 Voice and Speech Development and 4 15 2 Practice 7. 1 Acting for Camera 4 15 2 8. 43 Naturalistic Acting 4 15 2 Semester What do I need to do to pass? To pass the HNC, you will need to successfully complete all of the above modules. Each successfully completed module will be graded as a pass, merit or distinction based on your performance in the assessments. A pass will be awarded for the achievement of all outcomes against the specified assessment criteria for each module. Merit and distinction grades are awarded for higher-level achievement. Assessment criteria for each module are set out in the module specifications. Summary of grades In order to achieve a pass in a unit In order to achieve a merit in a unit In order to achieve a distinction in a unit all learning outcomes and associated assessment criteria have been met pass requirements achieved all merit grade descriptors achieved pass and merit requirements achieved all distinction grade descriptors achieved The Assessment and Award Board for the course will meet at the end of the course to confirm student achievement and decide on progression or conditions of progression if re-sits or retakes are required. 6