FAQs

Answering some of the questions you may have about Bath Theatre Academy.

We invite applications from students aged 16+; our course may also meet the needs of mature students up to 21 years.

The minimum entry requirements for this course are four GCSEs at grade C/4 or above including English Language or Maths. If you have a Level 2 Diploma at Merit level (with at least a Merit in all core units), you are also welcome to apply. In addition, candidates will be invited to an interview and workshop audition where they will be asked to present a pre-selected monologue.

Due to the temporary closure of Bath College and the Theatre Royal Bath as a result of COVID-19, we're currently accepting digital audition tapes for applicants to join us this September. This is really simple! First, students need to get in touch through our ‘Contact’ page. We will send them a range of different monologues to choose from, and instructions on how to record an audition tape. Once they’ve recorded themselves, they need to send the recording to us electronically. We also have informal interviews with all candidates to go through any questions they may have and to find out more about them - we’re doing this on Zoom at the moment.

Level 3 Diploma in Performing and Production Arts - the equivalent of three A Levels.

UAL (University of the Arts London)

We provide students with the best opportunities to succeed on their course by delivering a combination of classes, seminars, rehearsals, specific tutorial sessions and self-directed study. Your learning is enhanced by working alongside professional technicians, directors, choreographers, musical directors and designers. You will develop work both independently and as a member of a team. As well as exploring existing theatrical pieces, you will be expected to take part in writing, producing and the performance of original work that engages and challenges both you as a performer and the audience.

There are no written exams at any point in the academic year. Assessments take place throughout the year, and all assessments have a practical element, accompanied by written coursework. Your Theory Tutor will support you in dedicated lessons to complete written journals, evaluations, essays and research that underpin your practical work in the rehearsal room.

The short answer is, all sorts. Our alumni have gone on to study at university; attend drama school;  and enter the industry directly.

The qualification we offer is a Level 3 Extended Diploma is Performing & Production Arts. The diploma is worth the same amount of UCAS points as doing 3 A Levels. If you are interested in studying beyond College, this means that you will be able to apply through UCAS to study at university/drama school. Some very academic universities specifically request A Levels because their courses tend to be heavy on theory and written coursework. More practical courses accept the Extended Diploma. Our team are always available to talk through these options in more detail.

All of our visiting practitioners start off their sessions by explaining their route into the industry. Students will learn how some of them went to drama school, others to university, whilst many began working in the industry straight after school or college, following training in youth theatre or industry placements.

We have built-in a unit of study called Progression, where students explore potential next steps, and complete a professional interview or audition with an expert panel.

This, alongside the work experience we offer at The Egg Theatre, equips our students with the confidence to make informed decisions about their future.

If you are aged 16 – 19, the full-time course is free.

A voluntary studio fee will be requested from all students as a contribution towards the cost of course resources. In addition, students are required to provide practical clothing for classes – you’ll be expected to wear theatre blacks for all practical lessons.

Bursary support is available to help cover associated course costs.

We arrange monthly trips for students to see shows regionally, and these are all completely free. Students are expected to attend as part of their learning, but do not have to cover ticket costs.*

*Larger-scale trips may incur additional costs, but these trips are voluntary and bursaries are available.

If you are aged 19 or over you may be eligible to apply for a 19+ Advanced Learning Loan to cover your tuition fees.

If you require a bursary to support your academic experience (travel, materials) there are bursary schemes set up to assist you.

To do our Level 3 course, students are required to have 4 GCSE pass grades including English. There are sometimes exceptions to this rule, so always get in touch.

Students who do not have their Maths GCSE will be expected to retake it alongside the Performing Arts course. They will not miss out on any sessions, but may have to come in for a fourth day to complete their additional GCSE lessons.

If students need to retake Maths AND English, we advise that they apply for our Level 2 Course, an exciting one-year Foundation, equipping students with the skills to flourish on our Level 3 Course once they have secured their Maths and/or English GCSEs.

In the second year, students have the option of following a specialised route, and selecting to focus on: acting OR theatre tech OR design OR stage management.

This will be agreed with Tutors, and an individual learning plan will be made to suit each student.

Please note that we cannot currently offer specialisms in: directing and dance, although there are opportunities to develop these skills as part of the current curriculum.

Yes, we welcome applications from students who have been home-schooled.

Due to our funding model, all students are expected to have, or be working towards, a C/4 in Maths and English.

The Level 3 Course allows for students to take/retake ONE of these subjects, EITHER Maths OR English, built into the timetable without missing any Performing Arts sessions.

Over the two years, students can expect to perform/create a range of productions of varying scales, including new writing, classic texts, musical theatre and devised work.

We aim to match the production to the skills of our cohorts, and respond to their interests.

We aim to keep class sizes at around 20 students per class. We have two-form entry, meaning we have a total of approximately 40 students in each year; student groups are mixed up termly to ensure that all students get to work with each other over the two-year course.

No, you do not! We have built Movement and Voice sessions into our weekly timetable, but these focus on learning to move as an actor, rather than dancing, and vocal technique, rather than singing.

Whilst we do deliver ad-hoc sessions in dance and singing for musical theatre, if you are passionate about developing these skills we recommend, where possible, exploring these as extra-curricular techniques.

Our Tutors are able to advise on how best to continue these pursuits alongside the curriculum.