BTEC Level 3 National Extended
Diploma In Musical TheatreCourse Details
Train with Purpose. Perform with Confidence.
Delivered in partnership with Sunderland College, our BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Musical Theatre offers a full-time, industry-focused training experience for aspiring performers aged 16+.
Combining academic excellence with practical, conservatoire-style training, this two-year course develops students’ technical ability across acting, singing and dance, while providing a solid foundation in performance theory, industry knowledge and audition preparation.
With 32 hours of contact time per week, students benefit from a structured timetable of classes led by industry professionals, alongside tailored support and mentoring. We place a strong focus on mindset and individual development, ensuring every performer builds the confidence, resilience and self-belief needed to succeed – whether progressing to drama school or straight into the industry.
This qualification is equivalent to 3 A-Levels and carries full UCAS points, making it the ideal pathway for students aiming for higher education in the arts or a professional performance career.
Fees & Accreditations
Arts North Studios is both a funded and private fee-paying college.
Through our partnership with Sunderland College, Arts North Students can achieve a BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Performing Arts Practice (Musical Theatre).
Awarding Body: Pearson (via Sunderland College)
Total Annual Cost: Up to £4,995 (Government-funded academic hours + private sector hours)
1. Government-Funded BTEC Education – Free for students aged 16–18
- Funded by: The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA)
- Academic hours: 13 hours per week
- Delivered in partnership with: Sunderland College
- Cost to student: £0 – fully funded for eligible students (ages 16–18)
- No application required: Funding is automatically awarded upon enrolment
This covers the full BTEC academic programme delivered at Arts North Studios.
2. Private Vocational Training Fee – £4,995 per year (inc. VAT)
- Paid to: Arts North Studios
- Covers: Additional private sector vocational training hours
- Breakdown: Included VAT – no hidden costs
- Payment Options: Monthly instalments
Important: Private sector hours are not required to complete the BTEC qualification.
What Are Private Sector Hours?
Private sector hours make up 20 additional studio hours per week over the two-year BTEC course. These sessions allow us to offer a highly enriched vocational training experience, including:
- Private 1:1 weekly technique lessons
- Ensemble singing
- Guest masterclasses
- Ballet, jazz, tap, commercial, contemporary
- Acting, acting through song, performance class
- Full scale musical & showcases
- Audition prep and mock auditions
Scholarships for Private Sector Hours
Arts North Studios proudly offers full and part scholarships to help support access to private sector training.
- Scholarships are awarded based on audition performance and means testing
- Places are limited and not guaranteed
- Scholarships are not externally funded, so we ask for detailed financial information during the process
Accredited by Ofsted rated Outstanding – Sunderland College
Duration
2 Year Full Time
Hours
32 Hours per Week
Age Range
16 + Years
Course Fees
£4,995 per Annum
Course Topics
Singing
Is the “act of producing musical sounds with the voice”, encouraging students to delve into the understanding of the physical biology of the human voice whilst encouraging students to find confidence and conviction to sing solo, in duets and with a group, through a variety of styles and genre of musical theatre.
- Weekly private singing lesson
- Ensemble singing
- Acting through song
- Audition preparation
- Repertoire class
Dance
The “movement of the body in a rhythmic way”, allows students to develop technical skill and discipline whilst also encouraging expression and exploration through various genres of music and dance forms.
- Jazz
- Ballet
- Tap
- Contemporary
- Commercial
- Musical Theatre
- Audition Dance Call
- Pick Up (audition prep)
Acting
The art in which movement, gesture and intonation are used to realise a character for the stage” urges students to engage themselves in the skills and discipline required to immerse fully into character whilst understanding the history of various practitioners, playwrights and written plays.
- Practitioners
- Shakespeare
- Monologue Workshops
- Screen Acting
- Improvisation
- Movement for Actors
- Physical Theatre
Above and Beyond
Is where Arts North sets a standard above all others with its focus on the mental and physical well-being of all its students as well as allowing students to delve into the history of our art form, have access to renowned industry coaches and have access to expert advice and workshopping to prepare them for future
auditions and interviews.
- Body Conditioning
- Audition Prep
- Mindset
- Interview technique
- Audition application
- Audition Preparation
- Private Vocal Training
- Workshops with West End industry professionals
Performance
It is an important part of the Arts North Ethos to take what skills and abilities students have learnt throughout the course and put them into practice.
At the end of the final term, students will have the opportunity to perform a showcase and full scale musical curated and directed by both the Arts North Coaches and guest creatives from within the industry.
Not only will this enrich their training by giving the students the chance to learn how to perform in front of a live audience but will also present the unique opportunity for students to show their friends and family the progress that they have made throughout their time on the course, both in physical skill and ability and also confidence.
Performances throughout the year include:
- Christmas Concert
- Spotlight Nights
- Full Scale Musical
- Play performance
- College End of Year Showcase
Mindset
Arts North is committed to looking after the mental well-being of all its students at the same high level that the industry has always looked after physical health.
All Arts North coaches are trained in mental health first-aid and all have a focus on assisting and supporting students through their self-development and growing confidence, advising on key industry issues such as managing stress,
dealing with rejection, self-reflection and emotional resilience.
Get in Touch
If you have any questions or queries please get in touch
