Gateway Qualifications Level 2 Certificate in Skills for Performing Arts

Rules of Combination

Learners must complete a total of 15 credits. They must complete the two mandatory units in the Mandatory Group (M), totalling 6 credits. In addition, they must complete a minimum of 6 credits from Group O1 (Optional units - Performing Arts) and 3 further credits from either Group O1 or O2 (Optional units – Employability Skills, English and Maths). At least 10 credits must be at Level 2. Learners cannot include more than one unit with the same or similar title.

Units

Group Devised Drama Project

Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.

What is the purpose of this qualification?

This qualification is suitable if you need a broad, level 2 Performing Arts course. It will be of specific
relevance to:

• young people, aged 16 and over, interested in a career in the performing arts who intend, but are not yet ready, to access level 3 qualifications or an advanced apprenticeship.

• Learners over the age of 16, usually with prior attainment at level 1 and below, including those who have had a significant break from or disjointed experience of education, who wish to work in the performing arts industry but need a broad grounding in the subject and an opportunity to develop more general workplace skills before applying for work.

What skills, knowledge, or understanding does this qualification develop?

This qualification provides the learner with an introductory set of knowledge and skills, relevant to performing arts. The learner must take the two mandatory units:

• Working in the Performing Arts
• Rehearsal Skills.

Optional units cover knowledge and skills relating to dance, drama, music and music technology, and backstage and administrative roles (such as devising and directing dance and drama, acting skills, musical performance and song-writing skills, backstage theatre skills and promoting performances), alongside generic employability skills (such as time-management skills and working in a team) including those for self-employment.

How is this qualification different from other, similar qualifications?

This qualification is part of a suite which includes an Award, Certificate and Diploma. The learners should take the Certificate if the learner needs a broad introduction to the sector, as well as more generic workplace skills, before progressing to employment (with further training where possible), to a level 3 Apprenticeship or to a Level 3 qualification, as illustrated in the target learner profiles provided above. The Certificate may also be the most appropriate size of qualification if the learners have not yet achieved Level 2 English and maths and need to include significant learning time for these subjects within your learning programme.

Which sector does this qualification support?

The learner could progress from this qualification to a performance role or an entry-level position, such as a recording, production or marketing assistant or member of a venue or stage crew. The learner could also progress to an Advanced apprenticeship in a job role such as community arts administrator, producer, events or entertainment officer, or backstage manager.

What are the progression options?

The learners can progress to a Level 3 certificate or diploma in performing arts, Access to Higher Education Diploma in Performing Arts, or to an Intermediate or Advanced Apprenticeship, for example in Technical Theatre Support or Community Arts.

Progression & Entry Requirements

Funding information

Learning Aims Search

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View this qualification on the ESFA’s Hub website

We have done our best to collate and summarise the key information, and wherever possible we alert our providers to changes in funding policy.

This funding information is provided in good faith and it is always advisable to check directly with the funding agencies before committing to delivery.

The following support materials will help you to deliver this qualification.

Internal Quality Assurance

Special Considerations and Reasonable Adjustment Forms

Suggested Resources for Performing Arts