BTEC National Diploma

[tikka]

Hi
Reading through all the college guides trying to get our heads round the options for post Year 11!

Ds is so keen on acting on stage and film, but started too late to do the usual dance and singing classes, so he is thinking of what to do next year. It's either A levels or something like a National Diploma. Just seen one called 'Drama'. Sounds a bit like what he already does at drama classes, but full time! I had a look on the web and there are lots of different ones all related to performance.

Does anyone have any experience of these courses? They are Level 3 so i'm guessing they are an alternative to A levels and would give you UCAS points.

Thanks

[Taximom]

My DD did Dance and got 3 Distinctions, the equivelant of 3 A's at A level. Much more practical and suited to her ambitions - she is just going into the 2nd year of her degree at London Contemporary Dance School. However, you need to be sure that the staff are good! Like A levels the teachers make the difference. My DD was lucky and was pushed hard - she had to do things she didn't like, although she was good at them, such as street dance and tap. There was element of academic work and they combined it with A level dance so they didn't duplicate work. Brilliant course with brillant teachers in our case.
Heather

[Caroline A-C]

My ds is doing BTEC National Diploma 2 year course in Performing Arts which consists of dance, singing and drama. He too started late, having originally embarked on A levels (not performing arts) and hating things. It is an excellent preparation for drama school and is equivalent to three A levels. He also learns about the business side of the industry. It was the best choice he made to swap courses. He also took up ballet outside of college which have greatly benefitted him. Hope this helps you a bit.

[tikka]

Hi
Thanks, lovely to hear positive things. there are open days coming up so we will have to go and look round.

Fantastic to spend the 2 years doing something you love. I was just a bit concerned about the next step after you finish the 2 years, what you would do for level 4 degree studies if you haven't got 3 A levels in different subjects.

[shortguy]

I would think your choice would very much depend on what he is thinking of pursueing after the 2 years. If he is thinking of going to drama/acting college then probably a BTEC is the best choice

[Welsh Mum]

My DD did a BTEC in Performing Arts, she did the Musical Theatre option, Acting and Dance specialisms were also on offer. I would say they were a great preparation for further training in Acting etc, but some of her friends have gone on to uni to do Drama, Teaching etc. A BTEC is treated the same as 3 A levels by unis, particularly if you get 3 Distinctions (treated like AAA at A level).

My DD loved the course, it was very practical and she had some great teachers (many had trained them selves at RADA, Guildhall, RWCMD, BOV etc. There was some written work, but it was still focussed on the practial rather than theoretical. There was also lots of guidance regarding auditions for drama school. Each year they get students into the top schools for Acting, MT and Dance.

However, I am also aware that she was lucky - there are other colleges near us who offer the same course and are nowhere near as good. So I would go to open evenings etc and ask lots of questions eg background of teachers (if they have had vocational training them selves), how many students go on to drama colleges, (if so which ones etc). That way you should get some idea how good the course is. all I can say is that if it is taught well, it is great for those who really want to pursue performing in one form or another.

[tikka]

Thanks WM

I don't think he really knows what he wants to do career wise, but he loves acting and would love to do it full time. He realises how hard it is to make it a career out of it and so has been thinking of doing more traditional subjects alongside the drama. When we saw the BTEC it looked perfect as a way of being totally immersed in drama, and probably a good way of seeing if its how he wants to spend his adult life. If at the end of 2 years he still loves it then I guess he'd try for full time drama school/drama degree. If he then decided the drama was more of a side line (although I can't imagine it ever being replaced with anything!) he would still be young enough to do A levels in other subject too.

Will ask some searching questions when we visit the college.

[Fruitcake]

Tikka - we're in the same dilemma at the moment, but with music rather than acting.

The BTEC looks far more practical and up DS' street, and will give him the '3 A level' equivalent he needs to go on to do the degree course he has set hs heart on.

However, he is suddenly wondering whether he would be better doing A levels, although admits readily that he doesn't enjoy the academic side of things.

It's just so young to have to make these decisions (DS only turned 15 at the end of July!), but we've been told to get the BTEC application in as soon as possible as auditons are offered on a 'first come, first served' basis. I would hate him to kick his heels for the next 6 months and then miss out on a place.

Does anyone on here have any experience of the Music BTEC?

(Sorry Tikka - hope you don't mind me butting in on your thread! )

[tikka]

Hi fruitcake

It is so hard to decide when you are so young.

Ds is also 15, very good at maths and sciences, so if he did A levels he would be doing those subjects. He would be far happier doing drama things all day, with continous assessment than sciences with exams. Bit of a strange mix .....drama and sciences!

He also likes the look of a BTEC in Forensic science. I've suggested he does the drama BTEC, starting in a year's time, and then afterwards he could do the science BTEC if he wants to. Well, he'd be well qualified for a part in the CSI programmes Apparently if you start the 2nd BTEC before you are 19 it would also be fully funded. Would just mean going to uni (if he wasn't already a tv star LOL) a year or too later, but what's the rush?

I hadn't realised you need to get in quick to get a place. Better get on the phone on monday.

[Welsh Mum]

probably a good way of seeing if its how he wants to spend his adult life. If at the end of 2 years he still loves it then I guess he'd try for full time drama school/drama degree. If he then decided the drama was more of a side line (although I can't imagine it ever being replaced with anything!) he would still be young enough to do A levels in other subject too.

That was our thinking exactly - if my DD had got fed up with drama all day every day, then she would have realised it was not for her. In fact we discussed that if that happened she could finish after on eyear and then do a levels. However, she never looked back!!!

Must admit I took a while to get round to this way of thinking. all my insticts were for A levels, but I was prepared to give the BTEC a go as it was what she really wanted. I was actuall;y very impressed with the course (and i speak as head of sixth form who teaches A level!!!)

[tikka]

Thanks WS.

Yes, I too am an ex A level teacher and it was quite a struggle not to think of A levels as the norm! ds is home educated and over the years I've been more and more convinced that following your heart is the way to go and to ignore what everyone else expects of you.

[GEORGIEROSE]

Hi
my dd doing second year Btec performing arts,her course is quite weak-she thinks due to course leader,she has found she hasn'tlearnt much and hasn't taxed her at all-she did think about leaving and returning for A level but she has decided at least she will have qulification for futher degree course if that is way she has to go,although desperate for vocational course.
She returns Tuesday and there is a new course leader,so hopes they will be better.

She orginally opted for course as thought would be beneficial and I must admit easier than A level course which it definately is.Fingers crosses course is good at college near you.

[tikka]

Hi
We are looking at the courses offered by Bristol City College, although could easily travel to Bath or Weston Super Mare on the train. If anyone is at any of these colleges I'd really appreciate a pm about them.

Such a shame Georgeierose that the course isn't as good as the others seem to be. Its such a lottery.

[Fruitcake]

Ok, so we have made a decicion at last!! Well, DS has made a decision. After a weekend of changing his mind backwards and forwards, he had a long chat with his private music tutor today, and, because of where DS wants to do his degree, and because of the kind of person he is, he has advised him to do the BTEC.

This is mainly because academia just does not float DS' boat, and he wants to aim for a career as a performing musician. The BTEC involves a lot of actual performing, which the establishment where he wants to do his degree will, apparently, be much more interested in than A Levels.

DS did say that he was really always going to do the BTEC anyway, but was worried he should do A Levels instead. All his tutor did really was reassure him that the BTEC was fine for what he wants to do.

We now have a lovely form to fill in this evening!!

Hope you manage to get things sorted too, Tikka!

[tikka]

Hi Fruitcake

Well done, its always a relief when you finally make a decision and can then stop thinking about it!

Ds loves the drama things he does and is never happier than when involved full time in rehearsals or filming, so it makes sense to do it full time (and end with a qualification in the process). He is about to start an OU course, so it that goes well he could continue with the OU and cover the science and maths units they offer. That way he can still do the other subjects he likes and maybe end up with a degree in about 6 years time.

Our college haven't got next year's brochure out, so we can't do much till the open day on 5th Oct.