Theatre qualifications & courses - doing it by the book?

When we started interviewing those who work in the industry we found that people working in jobs like theatre education, marketing and as general managers, producers and directors often had degrees. The majority were in English, history and other humanities.

The younger stage managers, techies and designers usually had specific qualifications linked to what they do – some degree-based and some not.

Bear in mind that doing a course not only means gaining a qualification (which will get the parents off your back), but will also give you the opportunity to meet other like-minded people and to take part in extra-curricular activities at your college or university. For many, it is the people they meet or the stuff they do in their spare time that sets them up in their first job.

Click on some of the qualifications and courses to find out more about them...

GCSEs

Most people take their GCSEs in secondary school when they are 14-15 years old. There are a wide range of GCSEs to choose from although your options may be limited by what your school offers.

Some GCSEs to consider if you want to work in theatre are Drama, obviously, Resistant Materials (for set/ props design or construction), Art & Design (for theatre design), Business Studies (for running your own theatre company or working in theatre management) and Science (for sound and lighting engineering).

Find out more info at BBC GCSE Bitesize...

BTECs

There are 3 types of BTECs:

BTEC Firsts are new qualifications that can be done alongside, but usually instead of GCSEs. They are more practically based and can lead on to employment or further/ higher education. The BTEC Level 2 First Certificate and Diploma in performing arts are designed to provide a broad introduction to working in theatre and can lead on to a BTEC National qualification or an NVQ. You can choose to focus on acting, dance, performance or production. Other BTEC Firsts that you might be interested in include music, art & design and creative media production. BTEC First students still study English, Maths and ICT at either GSCE or entry level, as these skills are needed for all jobs.

BTEC Nationals - The performing arts courses offer pathways in acting, dance, musical theatre and physical theatre as well as a generic performing arts option. The production arts courses have options in costume, make-up, set design & construction, stage management and theatre technology. Not all options are available at all levels. BTEC Nationals can lead to employment or further/ higher education and entry onto a some degree courses is possible.

BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND) is another alternative to doing a degree. Classed as a level 5 qualification, it is equivalent to the first two years of a degree programme. Entry requirements usually include at least one A-level. The performing arts BTEC HND can either be studied as a general course or you can specialise in performance or production. If you choose performance, you will still have some backstage and offstage options. If you choose the production pathway, there will not be any performance requirement.

Search our further education course finder for BTEC courses...

AS/A2 levels

There are two A-level subjects that might seem immediately appealing if you want to work in theatre. These are Drama & Theatre Studies and Performing Arts. Although they may sound similar, each will set you off on a very different direction over the two year course.

Drama & Theatre Studies at A-level is a much more theoretical subject than Performing Arts. On a Drama & Theatre Studies A-level you might learn to critique theatre, study history of theatre and devise your own performance piece. You will specialise as a dancer, a musician/ singer or an actor. The Performing Arts A-level differs from this in that it has a higher percentage of coursework and gives less weight to written examination.

Other A-levels you may consider for theatre professions include: Textiles, Art & Design, Business and Design & Technology (textiles or resistant materials).

Find out more about A-levels at www.a-levels.co.uk

Creative apprenticeships

Creative Apprenticeships were set up to provide an alternative route into the creative industries, including theatre. Creative Apprentices get on-the-job training, whilst studying for a qualification and earning at the same time.

Applicants must be aged 16-19. There are no other entry requirements. The Creative Apprenticeship offers six pathways: Music (live events and promotion), Music Business, Technical Theatre, Costume & Wardrobe, Cultural & Heritage Venue Operations and Community Arts & Education. An apprenticeship usually lasts between nine and 18 months.

Search for vacancies at www.nsa-ccskills.co.uk or www.apprenticeships.org.uk.

Arts Award

Arts Award allows you to explore your creativity and get a nationally recognised qualification. You can do an Arts Award in any area of the arts from fashion to poetry, rapping to dancing, sculpture to film. You can be the creator or performer of your own work, or develop your skills in essential roles like marketing or stage management.

Arts Award is flexible enough to fit around your other commitments, and you can do your Arts Award wherever arts is happening with young people, including youth clubs, arts centres, schools, colleges, theatres or community groups. There are no entry requirements, no time limit for completing the award, and no set rules on how you present your final work. You just need to be aged between 11 and 25, and ready to explore new creative experiences.

The award can be achieved at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels, each of which allows you to focus on a single art form or explore a range. You’ll end up with a portfolio that shows off your creativity and gives you a recognised national qualification to put on your CV.

To learn more about the Arts Award provision available in your area visit Arts Award near you.

Non degree training courses

UK Perfoming Arts is a great place to search for a wide range of theatre courses. They have a huge database of courses in a range of levels and subjects. Find out more about them and search the database of courses...

The National Council for Drama Training (NCDT) is a partnership of employers in theatre, broadcast and media industries, employee representatives and training providers. They accredit vocational courses, act as a champion for the industry and optimise support for professional drama training and education. View all their accredited theatre courses...

The Society of British Theatre Designers website has links to non-degree based courses in make-up, lighting, scenic construction, prop-making, scene painting, stage management and stage electrics. View their list of training courses...

The Associations of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT) run training courses for technical and managerial skills; these include the Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards and specialist courses including Pyrotechnics and Risk Management. View their technical courses...

The Independent Theatre Council (ITC) delivers various short training courses throughtout the year. These include financial planning, social media training and people management. View their training course timetable...

Our jobs, opportunities & training section on the website often features short training courses available to young people. The list is constantly updated so always have a peek...