Rockschool music qualifications are tailor-made for the contemporary musician.
RSL Level 1/Level 2 VCSE Performing Arts Approved for Wales
A brand-new progression-focused qualification for 14-16 year olds, designed to develop practical performing arts skills, creative understanding and progression-ready confidence.
First teaching from September 2027. Specifications and supporting documentation will be available in English and Welsh. Learners can also complete the qualification in English, Welsh, or a combination of both.
Vocational Certificates of Secondary Education (VCSEs) are a brand-new type of work-related Level 1/2 qualification for 14-16 year olds in Wales.
RSL Level 1/Level 2 VCSE Performing Arts is designed to give learners practical performing arts skills alongside the knowledge and understanding that supports strong performance. It prepares learners for progression to post-16 study, work-based learning or employment. The qualification also helps learners develop valuable transferable skills they can take into further education and future careers.
RSL VCSEs at a Glance
Approved for Wales
A made-for-Wales qualification for 14-16 learners
First teaching: September 2027
Time to get to know how to deliver and find success with our VCSEs
Level 1 and Level 2
A combined Level 1 / Level 2 qualification
140 GLH / 140 TQT
Structured, substantial qualification size
Four disciplines
Acting, Dance, Music and Musical Theatre
Bilingual delivery
Available in English and Welsh, with mixed-language completion permitted
A Practical Qualification Built for Progression
This qualification focuses on the development and assessment of practical performing arts skills and the theory and understanding that supports them. It has been designed to prepare learners for progression into the performing arts while also developing a broader range of transferable skills.
Practical by design
Learners research, rehearse, perform, evaluate and present their work in authentic performing arts contexts.
Progression-focused
The qualification supports progression into further study, auditions, interviews, work-based learning and employment.
Flexible across disciplines
Centres can deliver the qualification in Acting, Dance, Music or Musical Theatre, and learners may select different disciplines across assessment units where appropriate support is available.
What Does the Qualification Include?
The RSL Level 1/Level 2 VCSE Performing Arts contains three units and totals 140 GLH and 140 TQT. Two units are internally assessed and externally moderated, and one unit is externally assessed.
For assessment purposes, learners choose one discipline for Unit 1 and one discipline for Unit 3. They may complete both in the same discipline or, where a centre can provide suitable support, choose different disciplines across those units. Unit 2 allows learners to reflect on their own practice and future goals, including across multiple disciplines.
Disciplines
Acting
Develop performance, interpretation and communication skills through genre research, rehearsal, performance and audition work.
Dance
Build technical control, performance quality and creative understanding through practical exploration and filmed assessment.
Music
Strengthen technical and expressive performance skills while developing research, reflection and audition preparation.
Musical Theatre
Combine performance, communication and stylistic understanding in a qualification that reflects the demands of live performance and progression pathways.
01
Unit 1: Creative Project
70 GLH // 50% of the qualification // Internally assessed and externally moderated
Learners investigate a performance genre in their chosen discipline, explore existing works and their social, political and cultural context, reflect on a live performance, and develop performance material. They then perform existing repertoire and produce an evaluation of their own work, including rehearsal process, genre demands and use of technical and performance skills.
02
Unit 2: Viva
14 GLH // 10% of the qualification // Internally assessed and externally moderated
Learners respond to five interview questions in a filmed one-to-one setting with their tutor. The viva covers understanding of their discipline, existing skills, areas for development, process, career aspirations and influences on their practice. This unit supports reflection, communication and progression readiness.
03
Unit 3: Audition
56 GLH // 40% of the qualification // Externally assessed
Learners prepare and film a solo audition lasting between 2 and 6 minutes, plus a 3 to 5 minute presentation responding to two questions set by RSL at the start of the preparation period. This unit develops technical skill, interpretation, impact and understanding of performance material in an audition context.
Why Schools and Learners Will Value This Qualification
Get in Touch!
To register your interest or to speak to a member of the team, drop us a message.
