Musical Theatre Pathway

The Musical Theatre pathway is a practical course which will include live performances and requires a good level of physical fitness, vocal skills, and acting experience. You will study a core of practical and theoretical subjects covering the knowledge and skills required for Performing Arts, Musical Theatre and Dance including critical perspectives and professional practice.

Our professionally equipped Dance Studios and Theatre will be at the centre of your Performing Arts qualification, giving you the chance to showcase methods learnt and the independent skills required to control everything in your own productions, from musical theatre and film performance skills to staging, costume, lighting, and directing. We will have evening performances three times a year, and you will be asked to plan, research, and prepare for these performances within college hours and continue this preparation outside of college.

Activities covered during the course will include:

• Learning lyrics and lines
• Learning and creating choreography
• Vocal and physical warm-up exercises
• Technique classes( singing, dance and acting)
• Performing solo and as part of a group
• Performing in front of a live audience

Acting Pathway

The Acting pathway combines a comprehensive grounding in acting, directing, and practical stagecraft. Our professionally equipped Theatre and Drama Studio will be at the centre of your Performing Arts qualification, giving you the chance to showcase methods learnt and the independent skills required to control everything in your own productions, from theatre and film performance skills to staging, costume, lighting, and directing. You'll explore a variety of drama styles, from naturalism to pantomime. You'll engage with major theoretical and performance approaches, from Stanislavsky to physical theatre. Everything you're learning will deepen your practical understanding of drama and give you the skills needed for a possible career as an actor or to assist university ambitions. Each term, you will bring everything that you've learned together in a major practical project. This will build not only your experience and confidence, but also your performance skills.

You won't just learn about how to be an actor. You'll have the chance to develop a whole range of skills including devising and writing plays, directing, and creating your own filmed and theatre projects (subject to qualification level being studied).

All students will be expected to approach all classes in a professional manner with respect for other students and staff and a determination to succeed.

You will need:

• 4 or more GCSEs at Grade 3 or higher, including English, maths and preferably drama

Or

• A relevant Level 1 qualification at Merit or Distinction standard studied at CWA or another further education provider
• English and maths GCSEs at grade 3 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.

It is also important to indicate which pathway you wish to take on your application form.

How long is this course?

1 Year

When does this course start?

02/09/2026

How many hours / days per week is this course?

Full-time courses at CWA are generally 3 - 4 days per week (though you may be in for an extra day if you are resitting English and / or Maths). The college day is typically longer than a day at school and students will need to plan their individual study in their free time (including individual study hours which are recorded at college in the Learning Resource Centre or other study areas). Work experience will be a key component of your course and most students will complete a minimum of 60 hours per academic year (on top of their college hours), depending on the course they are studying. CWA has a dedicated team of work placement co-ordinators to support you with this.

What can I do after this course at CWA?

The College of West Anglia offers many opportunities to continue studying from entry level through to degrees at University Centre West Anglia. Some of the courses available for those who have successfully completed this course include:

• Performing Arts (Acting or Musical Theatre) - Level 3 (King's Lynn)

Age	Cost
16-18	Free*
19+	£900

* Some of our courses may have additional costs to cover trips, unform and equipment. These costs will be confirmed to you at enrolment.

Fee information

Though this course is free for those aged 16-18, there may be additional costs related to the programme, such as additional equipment and uniform, educational trips and work placement costs. Full details will be sent to applicants before enrolment.

Find all the information you need about course fees and financial help below.

Information on Fees and Financial Help

Adult (19+) learners

Depending on your age, course, educational history and personal circumstances, there may be options available for you to receive a course fully-funded by the government. Our fee calculator will help give you an idea on whether you'll be able to have your course fee waived or covered by an Advanced Learner Loan.

Complete our fee calculator

Learners with an active Education, Health & Care Plan

If you are aged 19 - 24 at the start of your course and have an active Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP), any course up to and including level 3 will be fully-funded by the government. This means you will not have a course fee to pay and any equipment considered essential to complete your course will be provided by the college.

What qualification will I achieve?

• University of the Arts London (UAL) Diploma in Performing Arts (Level 2)

This qualification is awarded by University of the Arts London (UAL), the only specialist creative arts awarding organisation in England.

How is my course 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.