UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION Edexcel Higher National Diploma in Performing Arts
Programme Title Awarding Body Teaching Institution Title of final Award Higher National Diploma in Performing Arts Edexcel Shrewsbury College Higher National Diploma in Performing Arts Intermediate Awards Mode of Study UCAS Code QAA Subject Benchmarks JACS Code Accrediting Professional/Statutory Body Accreditation Type Accreditation Details Higher National Certificate in Performing Arts Full-time 004W N/A W490 N/A N/A N/A Criteria for Admission to the Programme Date of Production 29/08/14 Date of Revision 15/07/15 All applicants are individually assessed on their qualifications, skills and experience. However, a typical A-Level, BTEC or other L3 study programme offer will be 120 UCAS tariff points. Overview of the Award
Edexcel BTEC Higher Nationals are designed to provide a specialist vocational programme, linked to professional body requirements and National Occupational Standards. They offer a strong, sector-related emphasis on practical skills development alongside the development of requisite knowledge and understanding. The qualification provides a thorough grounding in the key concepts and practical skills required in their sector and their national recognition by employers allows direct progression to employment. A key progression path for Edexcel BTEC HNC and HND students is to the second or third year of a degree, or honours degree programme, depending on the match of the Edexcel BTEC Higher National units to the degree programme in question. We have flexible, knowledgeable and motivated staff with good skills sets. This provides a sound basis for students current and future studies and career development Educational aims of the programme Aims of the programme: The academic content of this programme concentrates on providing opportunities for full-time students to gain a nationally recognised vocationally specific qualification to enter employment in the performing arts and cultural industries or progress to higher education vocational qualifications such as a full-time degree in stage management, acting, drama, dance or related area. At Level 4 you will study: Creative Arts Professional Practice (15 credits), Creative Arts Research Skills, Preparation (20 credits), Process and Production in the Creative Arts (20 credits),acting for Musical Theatre (15 credits), Classical Ballet Background and Technique (15 credits), Contemporary Dance Techniques (15 credits) and Singing for Musical Theatre (15 credits) At Level 5 you will study: Creative Arts Professional Practice (15 credits), Creative Arts Research Skills, Preparation (20 credits), Process and Production in the Creative Arts (20 credits), Musical Theatre Performance (15 credits), Marketing the Creative Arts (15 credits), Classical Acting (15 credits and Contemporary Dance Techniques and Performance (15 credits).
This programme is distinctive because: Students are given the opportunity to design projects and assignment work. Teaching staff all have industry relevant experience and use this to generate real world opportunities for study and practice. Project work includes performances in the town s professional theatre venue and work with local theatre companies. Students wishing to pursue a career in community based work, teaching or workshop delivery are given opportunity to gain experience and make professional connections which have in previous years led to paid work. All students are encouraged and supported to develop entrepreneurial skills, to seek out work opportunities suitable for their skills and career aspirations. On completion students will be able to: Progress on to top-up university courses to achieve a full BA(honours) degree in relevant subject Audition for professional vocational training Apply for work in a variety of employment areas. Programme outcomes At the end of your studies you should be able to: Apply a range of skills and techniques, personal qualities and attributes essential for successful performance in working life, thus enabling you to make an immediate contribution to employment. Research has informed us that employers indicate specific attributes they feel graduates should demonstrate, such as being good communicators, team workers, problems solvers, critical thinkers, having good interpersonal skills and the ability to think and act independently. This qualification enables you to develop these qualities. Those students wishing to pursue employment specifically in the field of performing arts will have gained skills and experiences in the areas of performance, theatre organisation and administration and techniques for audition practice and workshop leading.
Programme structure, modules and credits Programme Title: Edexcel Higher National Diploma in Performing Arts L E V E L 4/5 Teaching Block 1 Teaching Block 2 19. Creative Arts Professional Practice 11. Classical Ballet Background and Technique 20. Creative Arts Research Skills (20) 14. Contemporary Dance Techniques 51. Preparation, Process and Production in the Creative Arts (20) 5. Alternative approaches to acting 3. Acting for Musical Theatre 59. Singing for Musical Theatre Potential award = Edexcel BTEC Level 5 HNC Certificate in Performing Arts All units must be achieved for progression into year two. L E V E L 5 Teaching Block 1 Teaching Block 2 19. Creative Arts Professional Practice 42. Musical Theatre Performance 20. Creative Arts Research Skills (20) 39. Marketing the Creative Arts 51. Preparation, Process and Production in the Creative Arts (20) 10 Classical Acting Rehearsal 15. Contemporary Dance Techniques and Performance How will I be taught? On the Higher National Diploma in Performing Arts your time will be split between tutor-led skills based classwork and autonomous self-study. You will attend tutor-led session for two days a week with the expectation that you will do a comparable amount of time working on your own projects autonomously or with fellow students as required. There will be times during the year when you will be required to attend college for rehearsal sessions or professional workshops that are extra to your normal required attendance. You will be given prior notice of any alterations. Important intellectual skills are developed during this programme. We
aim to develop students who have a critical awareness of relevant professional issues, are able to articulate this awareness with respect for others, are willing and able to embrace change and are focused on their achievements. We provide and encourage: an academic community which promotes lifelong learning supported by research and practice informed teaching a flexible learning environment with technologies to reflect and anticipate student needs Stimulating and challenging learning opportunities and workrelated experiences to enable practical and theoretical opportunities A coherent, clearly defined programme of study of the sector, encompassing the broadening scope of practice and organisations in the context of increasing change and complex societal and environmental demands. A learning experience that reflects the importance of, and celebrates diverse communities and enables inclusivity of all those wishing to engage in learning and development. A programme of timely assessment and feedback which enables students to become self-aware, reflective and independent learners; partners in, contributors to and co-owners of their PDP and life-long learning and success. A programme of development that inspires and interests students to develop a passion for their subject and for learning and to encourage further development and study. Discipline expertise: There is an opportunity for the Edexcel BTEC Level 4 HNC and Level 5 HND in Performing Arts to provide some of the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills for the following NOS: Technical Theatre Live Events and Promotion Community arts Cultural Venue Operations Music Business Employability Professionalism:
Be work-ready and employable and understand the importance of being enterprising and entrepreneurial. Global citizenship: Have an understanding of global issues and of their place in a globalised economy. Communication and teamwork: Be an effective communicator and presenter and able to interact appropriately with a range of colleagues. Have developed the skills of independence of thought and (when appropriate) social interaction through teamwork. Reflective and critical learner: Have the ability to carry out inquiry-based learning and critical analysis Be a problem solver and creator of opportunities. Lifelong learning: Apply graduate attributes to a range of life experiences to facilitate lifelong learning and success. One of the most important ways in which our students learn is through enquiry based study. This will involve them participating in a range of active learning situations and processes that are relevant to their chosen subject area. Academic staff will define the area of learning involved but then it is up to students to read around the subject using such sources as the academic text, journal or professional articles and material on the news. How will I be assessed? Your work will be assed unit through the completion of project based assignments. The work you will be required to complete will be a mixture of theoretical and practical, always with the emphasis on relevance to the performing arts industry. Alongside the development of practical skills across the disciplines of singing, acting and dancing you will be encouraged to explore an entrepreneurial approach to the performing arts. Students are required to be reflective and critical in developing
evidence-based solutions to questions founded on both theory and referenced opinion from other sources. This will allow them to actively demonstrate their understanding, interpretation and judgement. These are all skills needed to be a successful employee. Assessment can take a number of forms including logs, group work, presentations, exams and assignments. Do I need to attend to be assessed? It is important that you attend sessions to ensure you are able to submit appropriate work for assessment. If you are absent from a module on four consecutive occasions in a teaching block for reasons other than personal illness you may be deemed to have withdrawn from the module, your registration on the module will be withdrawn and you will not be able to submit work for assessment. You should speak with your personal tutor if you are having problems attending. Extenuating circumstances will be considered and you should discuss this with your personal tutor who will support you in making an application to defer. How will I be assessed on each module? You will be required to complete an assessment for each module of your course. Assessment may take various forms, full details will be available in the module handbook. What happens if I fail a unit? All students are entitled to one re-submission opportunity if the work they initially submit is judged to have failed. If you fail to submit by the published deadlines without extenuating circumstances you will be withdrawn from the module and may fail the award. If the submitted failed work or non-submission is covered by a successful extenuating circumstances claim then the re-submitted work is considered as if for the first time and can receive its full awarded mark. However, if the initial work is not covered by extenuating circumstances, and you submit work for the module for a second attempt (called a referral) the maximum mark that can be awarded for re-submission is the threshold pass mark; i.e. 40% grade point 4 for levels 4 and 5. Appeals The College has formal procedures for appeals if you have grounds for believing that your work has not been assessed fairly. For further information, please speak to your course tutor within seven days of your
assessment being returned. Assessment and Award Boards Assessment results are agreed 3 times a year at the Colleges formal Assessment and Award Boards, these are chaired by the Higher Education Co-Ordinator. What are the entry requirements? All applicants are individually assessed on their qualifications, skills and experience. However, a typical A-Level, BTEC or other L3 study programme offer will be 120 UCAS tariff points. Quality improvement: Listening to your views We aim to make your experience both worthwhile and enjoyable and to continually improve the quality of our awards. Therefore, we value your feedback about the quality of our programmes. Consultatives will be held every term and a nominated representative from your group will attend these to provide feedback on your experience. An end of course review will also be carried out to obtain your feedback. External Verifiers report: An External Verifier ensures that centres assess learner performance in accordance with national standards and evidence requirements. At the annual visit in 13/14 the External Verifier for this award identified the following areas of good practice: The relationship with Theatre Severn provides for an excellent replication of professional working The design and nature of the assessments permit the aims and learning objectives of the programme to be met and are of a standard appropriate to the qualification level The vocational context of both programmes replicates professional working The procedure for maintaining and auditing assessment records is secure and effective Grading has been accurate, consistent and fair Feedback is good, using technical terminology and related to criteria.
Additional Information: In addition to your subject tutors, you will be assigned a personal tutor whose key role is to support you during your time with us. We encourage you to discuss issues linked to and outside of your primary learning which impact upon your well-being with them. Your timetable will also include a weekly slot for your group which is linked to tutorial and pastoral issues. You will have full access to the support facilities offered by the Student Services Department located at Shrewsbury College of Arts & Technology, they can support you in accessing financial support, health services, counselling and the Student Union. You will also have access to support through the Agency at the College, this team provide advice and guidance on work experience opportunities, enrichment opportunities (including volunteering), careers advice, employability support and disability services. Support for students with additional needs We aim to ensure that individual needs are met before starting a course and during the course of study. The College offers a range of services including support with physical disabilities, screening for dyslexia and support for mental wellbeing. Follow this link for more information: www.shrewsbury.ac.uk/higher_education/he_learning_support/ Please tell us as soon as possible if your situation changes at any time during the course and you feel you need support as a result. You would normally discuss your needs with your personal tutor or can raise them through your student representative. Core staff at Shrewsbury College of Arts & Technology are informed of any additional needs of students because of the potential impact it may have on your ability to study and complete module requirements. For
example, we need to know which students have been diagnosed with dyslexia so that work is not automatically penalised for non-standard spelling or grammar. Please discuss it this with your personal tutor if it is an issue for you. You are also able to contact the Shrewsbury College Student Support department directly on (01743) 342418. Equal opportunities and harassment policies Our staff are committed to facilitating equal opportunities for all students irrespective of race, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, disability or creed. If you consider that any form of discrimination or prejudice is occurring either to yourself or to another student please raise this with your personal tutor or the Curriculum Leader for your course. We have a strict anti-harassment and bullying policy. If you believe that you are being harassed either by a member of staff or by another student please raise this with your personal tutor or the Curriculum Leader for your course. You can access the Colleges policies relating to equal opportunities and harassment by clicking this link: www.shrewsbury.ac.uk/policy Safeguarding and health and safety All students and staff are required to comply with safeguarding and health and safety requirements at their various places of practice and learning. Click this link to find the Shrewsbury College safeguarding policy www.shrewsbury.ac.uk/policy Shrewsbury College information about health and safety can be access by clicking this link www.shrewsbury.ac.uk/college_life/health_and_safety The Safeguarding team can be contacted at safeguarding@shrewsbury.ac.uk or on 07792 147365. HE Co-Ordinator
The College has a Co-Ordinator for Higher Education who can be contacted to discuss your course or any other issues/concerns on (01743) 352439 of at helenf@shrewsbury.ac.uk