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Creative and Performing Arts

Our Creative and Performing Arts qualifications are designed to provide a vocationally-relevant education in both performing and non-performing fields, aimed at beginners through to semi-professionals.

With pathways for dancers, actors, musical theatre performers and technicians, these qualifications cover a variety of sectors within the performing arts industry, allowing learners to put their talent at the forefront.

Creative and Performing ArtsDownload syllabus pack Click hereGet in touch

Vocational Qualifications

Creative and Performing Arts

Crafted by industry experts and continuously updated to align with the ever-evolving sector, our Creative and Performing Arts qualifications equip learners with industry-relevant skills that prepares them for the demands of the Creative Industries.

Our Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) qualifications offers a number of pathways such as Performing & Creating,  Performing Arts Business & Production, Dance, Acting, or Musical Theatre. Choose from a wide array of units covering various industry specialisms, allowing learners to refine their skills and apply them in a practical way.

Creative and Performing ArtsDownload the syllabus pack

“I love teaching the CAPA acting route. The course is fit for purpose and creates meaningful opportunities for learners. It gives you freedom as a teacher to adapt the delivery to the students strengths. I feel it really prepares them well for life post 16, whether they continue with a career into performing arts or not!”

– Katrina Mahon, Meols Cop High School

How it works

Get started with RSL’s Vocational Qualifications in three simple steps…

01

Download the syllabus pack

Download the syllabus pack to review the requirements and processes for this qualification suite.

02

Build your qualification

Tailor your courses to your learners needs and centre’s expertise with our Core Units and innovative Optional Units.

03

Submit centre approval application

Ready to deliver? Submit your centre approval application via our website

Pathway Information

Creative and Performing Arts Levels 1-3 (non-performance tables) is split into two main pathways: Performing and Creating and Performing Arts Business and Production. Each pathway embodies a specific profile of study and this informs the core unit choices, which you are guided to make. Learners will be led by centres when choosing the pathway options available to them, and the units within their chosen pathway.

At Level 3 you have the option to run qualifications that contribute towards Department for Education performance measures. These Tech Levels qualifications give the learner a choice of three pathways: Acting, Dance and Musical Theatre.

Pathway Profiles

The aim of the two pathways is to equip learners with various industry relevant skills, ranging from basic knowledge at Level 1 through to nearing professional capacity at Level 3. Those on the Performing and Creating pathway will have opportunities to demonstrate their acting, musical theatre and dancing skills. Those on the Performing Arts Business and Production pathway will have opportunities to demonstrate their skills in wider areas of the creative arts industry (e.g. marketing, PR, artist development, publishing, set design, lighting, set construction, sound and wardrobe).

The pathways offer the opportunity to undertake specialised learning that can be accurately matched to specific career sectors in the creative and performing arts industries. Centres with learners looking to pursue the following occupations can use the below pathways to select the units that would be advantageous to their learner’s career.

Note that the occupations below are simply an example and the below pathways can also be used to further other career paths.

Performing and Creating Pathway

 

  • Actor / Presenter / Entertainer / Comedian / Acting Teacher
  • Choreographer / Dancer / Dance Teacher
  • Musical Theatre Performer / Singer / Songwriter / Recording Artist / Musical Theatre Teacher




Performing Arts Business and Production Pathway

  • Promotion / Management / Agent / Advertising / Arts Administrator
  • Costume Designer / Lighting Technician / Make-up Artist / Prop Maker / Scriptwriter / Set Designer / Stage Manager / Director / Wardrobe Assistant
  • Live Music Producer / Audio-visual Technician / Broadcaster Engineer / Cinematographer / Sound Engineer / Video Editor

Our Tech Awards in Creative and Performing Arts (Level 3) enable the practical application and development of skills and knowledge within a chosen pathway of Acting, Dance or Musical Theatre. RSL’s Vocational Qualifications provide a proven technical alternative to A Levels.

Acting

Learners will:

  • Perform effectively
  • Rehearse and display acting skills
  • Initiate and develop repertoire
  • Understand contextual issues relating to acting styles, theatrical genres and the performing arts industry

Dance

Learners will:

  • Perform effectively
  • Rehearse and display dance skills
  • Initiate and develop repertoire
  • Understand contextual issues relating to dance styles, performance genres and the performing arts industry

Musical Theatre

Learners will:

  • Perform effectively
  • Rehearse and display musical theatre skills
  • Initiate and develop repertoire
  • Understand contextual issues relating to dance styles, performance genres and the performing arts industry

Unit Information

Non-performance Tables

RSL Creative and Performing Arts qualifications consist of two types of unit:

  • Core (mandatory) units, chosen for their relevance to the overall qualification
  • Optional units (including skill units and borrowed units at Level 3).

All of the units in this qualification suite are internally assessed — staff in centres provide assessment opportunities for, and assess the work produced by, learners.

Tech Levels

The qualifications consist of three types of unit:

• Externally assessed core units
• Internally assessed core unit
• Optional units

Externally assessed core units
The externally assessed core units are mandatory units. These externally assessed units require learners to work to a brief, set with input from industry practitioners (employers), specific to their area of specialism.

Internally assessed core unit
All learners undertake the internally assessed core unit, Planning for a Career in the Creative and Performing Arts.

Optional units
Learners can choose from a selection of pathway specific optional units to make up a programme, which qualifies for the chosen qualification.

Example Unit Selection

The Work of a Specified Playwright

The aims of this unit are to develop basic research skills in looking at a notable playwright, to introduce learners to the works of the playwright and to enable learners to develop and perform extracts of the playwright’s work.

Acting Workshop

The aim of this unit is to introduce learners to the practical workshop environment, establishing typical structure and safe practice in this activity.

Stand-Up Comedy

The aim of this unit is to enable learners to understand the basic requirements of stand-up comedy and to prepare learners for a simple performance in a small-scale venue, using a microphone.

Branding, Marketing and Promotion

The aim of this unit is to ensure that learners not only understand what brands are, but also core marketing and promotion concepts in order to analyse key brands in a chosen area of the creative arts.

Creating Digital Content

The aim of this unit is to introduce learners to the importance of digital content in developing careers, driving sales and building fan bases. Through creating examples of digital content to appeal to their fan base or consumer and promote artist, event or product identity, learners will understand how they can create content of their own to develop their careers.

Live Performance

The aim of this unit is to give learners the opportunity to explore the skills required for a live performance. These range from planning, rehearsing and performing, to the reflection required post-performance to ensure continual development as performers.

Ensemble Dance Performance

This unit aims to introduce the learner to a selected dance genre and develop their ability to perform fundamental technical movements with a group. The learner will develop some genre specific sequences as well as gain an understanding of the background and history of the genre.

Rhythm and Tap

The aim of this unit is to introduce the learner to basic rhythm and tap movement skills and how to use these skills to create a sound and dance performance. The purpose of the unit is to provide learners with the skills to understand basic rhythms and the use of props and movements to make heard rhythms, and to develop their understanding and enjoyment of these areas.

Musical Theatre Performance

The aim of this unit is to introduce learners to ‘acting through song’ in musical theatre. The purpose of this unit is to introduce learners to musical theatre works and develop relevant performance skills, integrating singing, acting and movement/dance.

Creating Digital Music

The aim of this unit is to introduce learners to readily available and highly functional digital audio workstation (DAW) and sequencing packages in order to inspire them to create new sounds, manipulate existing audio files, record and mix their own music. Its purpose is to ensure that artists are introduced to some of the digital audio technology available to musicians today.

Songwriting

This unit aims to introduce learners to the conventions and history of various genres of contemporary and popular song, through which they can construct their own ideas using a given brief.

Makeup and Prosthetics

This unit will introduce the learner to makeup application for theatre and film/video. The learner will understand the collaborative process in creating a production and how the makeup artist fits into the production team.

Starting a Business in the Arts

The aim of this unit is to introduce learners to some core creative industry sectors and the types of business start-up that could be successful. It then covers some of the fundamentals of business planning to engage learners in activities such as identifying areas for business development, financial planning, marketing and company structures.

Cinematography

This unit will introduce the learner to the work of a camera operator on a film/video shoot. Learners will explore the collaborative process of film making, and will understand how the members of a production team work together to plan and execute a project. Learners will be introduced to light and colour theory and motion picture photography concepts. Learners will gain knowledge of camera equipment and lighting equipment.

Lighting Design

This unit will impart the principles of lighting design, including light theory, colour theory, stage lighting techniques and the process of design. Learners will apply that knowledge to design their own lighting plans. Learners will see how lighting fits into the design of a show and learn how to use lighting equipment.

The Work of a Specified Playwright

The aims of this unit are to develop basic research skills in looking at a notable playwright, to introduce learners to the works of the playwright and to enable learners to develop and perform extracts of the playwright’s work.

Acting Workshop

The aim of this unit is to introduce learners to the practical workshop environment, establishing typical structure and safe practice in this activity.

Stand-Up Comedy

The aim of this unit is to enable learners to understand the basic requirements of stand-up comedy and to prepare learners for a simple performance in a small-scale venue, using a microphone.

Branding, Marketing and Promotion

The aim of this unit is to ensure that learners not only understand what brands are, but also core marketing and promotion concepts in order to analyse key brands in a chosen area of the creative arts.

Creating Digital Content

The aim of this unit is to introduce learners to the importance of digital content in developing careers, driving sales and building fan bases. Through creating examples of digital content to appeal to their fan base or consumer and promote artist, event or product identity, learners will understand how they can create content of their own to develop their careers.

Live Performance

The aim of this unit is to give learners the opportunity to explore the skills required for a live performance. These range from planning, rehearsing and performing, to the reflection required post-performance to ensure continual development as performers.

Ensemble Dance Performance

This unit aims to introduce the learner to a selected dance genre and develop their ability to perform fundamental technical movements with a group. The learner will develop some genre specific sequences as well as gain an understanding of the background and history of the genre.

Rhythm and Tap

The aim of this unit is to introduce the learner to basic rhythm and tap movement skills and how to use these skills to create a sound and dance performance. The purpose of the unit is to provide learners with the skills to understand basic rhythms and the use of props and movements to make heard rhythms, and to develop their understanding and enjoyment of these areas.

Musical Theatre Performance

The aim of this unit is to introduce learners to ‘acting through song’ in musical theatre. The purpose of this unit is to introduce learners to musical theatre works and develop relevant performance skills, integrating singing, acting and movement/dance.

Creating Digital Music

The aim of this unit is to introduce learners to readily available and highly functional digital audio workstation (DAW) and sequencing packages in order to inspire them to create new sounds, manipulate existing audio files, record and mix their own music. Its purpose is to ensure that artists are introduced to some of the digital audio technology available to musicians today.

Songwriting

This unit aims to introduce learners to the conventions and history of various genres of contemporary and popular song, through which they can construct their own ideas using a given brief.

Makeup and Prosthetics

This unit will introduce the learner to makeup application for theatre and film/video. The learner will understand the collaborative process in creating a production and how the makeup artist fits into the production team.

Starting a Business in the Arts

The aim of this unit is to introduce learners to some core creative industry sectors and the types of business start-up that could be successful. It then covers some of the fundamentals of business planning to engage learners in activities such as identifying areas for business development, financial planning, marketing and company structures.

Cinematography

This unit will introduce the learner to the work of a camera operator on a film/video shoot. Learners will explore the collaborative process of film making, and will understand how the members of a production team work together to plan and execute a project. Learners will be introduced to light and colour theory and motion picture photography concepts. Learners will gain knowledge of camera equipment and lighting equipment.

Lighting Design

This unit will impart the principles of lighting design, including light theory, colour theory, stage lighting techniques and the process of design. Learners will apply that knowledge to design their own lighting plans. Learners will see how lighting fits into the design of a show and learn how to use lighting equipment.

Qualification Titles & Structure

RSL endeavour to provide qualifications at each level which will fit with the needs of centres and learners. We design qualifications which learners can build upon, and that centres can timetable in to a wider programme of study or as a full time course. With our flexible approach to the combination of mandatory and optional content, our qualifications can be tailored to your needs. From a 120 guided learning hour Award at Level 1 through to over 1000 guided learning hours on one of our Level 3 Extended Diplomas, you are sure to find the right qualification size for you.

Level 1

Performing and Creating and Performing Arts Business and Production pathways are available at all levels. Centre or learner chooses one.

Qualification Titles Guided Learning Hours (GLH) Total Qualification Time (TQT) Core Units
Level 1 Certificate in Creative and Performing Arts 120 200 1
Level 1 Extended Certificate in Creative and Performing Arts 180 300 1
Level 2

All pathways available. Centre or learner chooses one.

Qualification Titles Guided Learning Hours (GLH) Total Qualification Time (TQT) Core Units
Level 2 Certificate in Creative and Performing Arts 120 200 1
Level 2 Extended Certificate in Creative and Performing Arts 180 300 1
Level 2 Diploma in Creative and Performing Arts 360 600 2
Level 3

All pathways available. Centre or learner chooses one.

Qualification Titles Guided Learning Hours (GLH) Total Qualification Time (TQT) Core Units
Level 3 Certificate in Creative and Performing Arts 120 200 1
Level 3 Extended Certificate in Creative and Performing Arts 180 300 1
Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Creative and Performing Arts 360 600 1
Level 3 Diploma in Creative and Performing Arts 570 950 2
Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative and Performing Arts 1050 1750 3

For Performance Tables qualifications click here:

Level 3 Tech Levels for Creative and Performing Arts (Confirmed for DfE Performance Tables Until 2023)

Qualification Titles and Sizes

Creative and Performing Arts qualifications at Level 3 Level 3 Diploma in Creative and Performing Arts Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative and Performing Arts
Guided Learning Hours (GLH) 570 1050
Total Qualification Time (TQT) 950 1750
Externally assessed core units 1 2
Internally assessed core units 1 1
Internally assessed optional units 5 10
Percentage external assessment 31% 34%
Percentage mandatory assessment 47% 42%
UCAS points Up to 84 Up to 168

Why RSL Vocational Qualifications?

Developed in collaboration with industry experts to reflect the fast-moving Creative Industries sector, RSL’s VQs are practically-focused, and contain a wide range units and criteria accurately mapping to specific careers. They provide engaging assessment opportunities for learners that focus on the application of practical and/or technical skills.

VQ Approved Check Mark

Recognition

All Level 3 qualifications carry up to 168 UCAS points allowing opportunities for HE progression, and Level 4/5 qualifications can be topped up at a variety of the UK’s specialist HE providers.

VQ Vocational Qualifications Repertoire

Flexible Choice

We have a huge range of units to choose from at Level 3 providing unrivalled flexibility of delivery. The range of optional units are designed to equip learners with a well-rounded understanding of the Creative Industries.

VQ Vocational Qualifications Book Stack

Fair and Practical Assessment

All assessment is based around practical and/or technical skills and knowledge applicable to roles in the Creative Industries. Learners are graded according to where the majority of their grading sits, resulting in holistic, best-fit assessment.

VQ Vocational Qualifications Slice Niche

Current

No set works, or genre/repertoire restrictions, learners can study the genres they are interested in, allowing deeper focus on content that excites them.

VQ Vocational Qualifications Choices

Tailored Delivery

Build a course that’s tailored to your learners’ needs whilst maximising your centre’s resources and expertise.

VQ Vocational Qualifications Creativity Ideas

Funding

RSL has a huge range of qualifications at each level which are funded for delivery in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. RSL qualifications are also available for funded delivery in Scotland in certain settings at certain levels. Get in touch for more info.

Help, Support & Quality Assurance

You will get access to RSL’s Help & Support portal, containing multiple QA resources, guidance documents, templates and exemplar materials, plus footage from previously recorded CPD events.

Centres have contact with two allocated RSL Quality Assurance representatives from the start of delivery all the way through to certification. These named contacts will offer the following services to support centre delivery:

  • Annual centre visit – a supportive process designed to monitor and review the way in which qualifications are planned and delivered
  • A point of contact for subject-specific academic queries throughout delivery
  • Building of a strong relationship throughout the duration of the qualification, resulting in moderation of your learner evidence with a known, named contact already familiar with your centre

UCAS Points

RSL Awards’ Vocational Qualifications aid progression into Higher Education. We have a huge range of qualifications at Level 3 that carry UCAS Points. Click the button below to see the allocation of UCAS Points per qualification size and suite.

UCAS PointsLearn more
VQ Vocational Qualifications Academic

Changing Awarding Organisations

Moving over to RSL Awards Vocational Qualifications is easy! Just follow these three simple steps…

1. Submit a preliminary application form.

This is found here. Once you have submitted this, our team will be in touch with some login credentials for our website, along with details of the next step.

2. Prepare your full centre approval application for submission.

Our centre approval application pack details all supporting documents that need to be included, along with a guidance document for completing the form itself.

3. Approval complete!

If the application is complete our team will be in touch to inform you of your new status as an approved RSL Awards delivery centre!

Downloads

Here are our Creative and Performing Arts Vocational Qualifications syllabuses available to download.

Qualification Details and Registration Fees

Our qualification registration fees are the same for both UK and International delivery centres. These fees apply to each registered learner, with the fee dependent on the size of qualification they are registered on.

Please note: fees listed are for the current academic year.

Click hereFind out more about fees
QAN Qualification Fee
601/8613/6 RSL Level 1 Certificate in Creative and Performing Arts £91
601/8198/9 RSL Level 1 Extended Certificate in Creative and Performing Arts £127
601/7679/9 RSL Level 1 Certificate in Creative and Performing Arts £98

Please Note:  Fees listed are for the current academic year.

Performance Tables

As well as being industry relevant, we understand the need for our qualifications to be recognised by the Department for Education. That’s why we’ve ensured we have specialist Vocational Qualifications approved in music and performing arts at level 3.

Performance TablesFind out more
VQ Vocational Qualifications Check Mark

Jaye Lawrence, Coleg Y Cymoedd

“The RSL qualifications have given us so much scope as a Creative provider. The range and versatility of the criteria and delivery content has been a welcomed change and model that both staff and learners are engaged by.”

VQ Vocational Qualifications Creativity Ideas

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