Performing Arts (Acting) — Higher National Diploma (HND) Top Up

The Higher National Diploma Top-up in Performing Arts (Acting) is a vocational course which expands upon students previous learning and training from the Higher National Certificate. The HND challenges the conventional techniques of acting and explores the importance of impulse, instinct and intrinsic motivation and how practitioners can apply this to the way they work with text/movement.

The HND allows students to experiment with play, music, movement and devising within a variety of projects throughout the year, creating new skills and/or developing existing skills to help the employability prospects of a creative artist.

The course promotes digital education to explore how practitioners can use technology to assist their skills, both in a practical and a business mindset. The course involves experiential learning and using practice as research. It encourages an openness to learn and explore and a willingness to play!

Performances may take place in a variety of spaces, including studios, a college theatre and HD multi-camera TV studio, fully equipped for professional performance, local theatres and arts facilities, and site-specific locations.

The programme handbook for this course is available to applicants online:

HND Performing Arts (Acting) Programme Handbook (2024-25)

This programme is delivered through in-person teaching. Should government guidance or public heath advice change in-year, students will be able to continue their studies with a blend of in-person and remote learning, supported by additional safety measures on campus.

Modules studied:

• Creative Research Project
• Working in the Performing Arts Industry
• Classical Acting
• Creative Research Project
• Acting 2
• Directing
• Immersive Theatre

How will I be taught?

Our classes are small to encourage personalised and unique feedback and training. We hold creative, technical and practical workshop sessions underpinned by formal lectures and seminars.

How will I be assessed?

The programme is assessed mainly through practical performance and assessment; continuous assessment across rehearsal and development and evaluative interviews to assess personal development and contribution. Our submission process has expanded greatly and we now utilise methods of assessment such as podcasts, digital presentation, live evaluation and live documents to encourage a wide range of opportunity to succeed. This involves a high level of academic skill and understanding of contextual knowledge to ensure the students are equipped for higher level learning. You will gain formative feedback verbally for both written work and practical assessment and summative feedback in a verbal and written format.

Peer and self-assessment is an essential element of personal development which enhances the learning experience and allows space for personal evaluation.

Who is the course intended for?

Those who wish to expand on their creative practice, skill and ability and who would like to gain a higher level of qualification through their creative performance skills.

Additional Costs

Students may be required to purchase their own materials for any specialist projects they undertake as part of the course.

Please note: this course will only run when it has a sufficient number of applicants.

Qualifications

Why study with us?

We have an experienced faculty - all holding their own weight as educators, researchers and creative practitioners. We are proud of our high success rates, interesting methods of delivery and assessment and engaging workshop-style sessions. Our faculty have strong links to the creative industry and connect our students and courses with those links, providing opportunities for performance, development and learning as much as we can.

The delivery and assessment methods are contemporary, industry related and provide work-based scenarios close to that which you may experience in the industry. These fundamentals of industry knowledge and level of preparation provide an excellent foundation to your future as a creative practitioner.

Our engaging and facilitative sessions create autonomous, thinking performers and creatives; we encourage you to think about how you can enjoy the learning experience. What sparks your interest? What aspect of performing makes you most passionate? What aspect of the industry makes you intrigued? By asking you these questions, we can help you answer and present them in the research, work and academic writing that you are assessed on. This approach also allows you to build on your potential to succeed both in the industry and in education.

We have a variety of spaces in The Arts Centre; a theatre, rehearsal studios, music studios, HD television studio and new this year, a Video Motion Capture suite, all of which you have the opportunity to utilise. Regarding COVID19, we will be providing some engaging sessions online as well as face-to-face, ensuring that you can also build digital, online and camera skills on top of the training we provide.

Student Benefits

Academy Bakery

The Academy Bakery is located on the Duke Street campus, producing a range of first class baked goods daily. These include artisan breads, patisserie and biscuits, as well as special occasion/novelty cakes by award-winning master-bakers. Students are offered a range of discounts throughout the year.

The Academy Bakery

Academy Hair and Beauty Salons

Duke Street is also home to The Academy Hair and Beauty salons. They offer generous student discounts on a wide range of hair and beauty treatments, at a fraction of high-street prices. These include styling, cutting, perming, highlights, facials, manicures, electrolysis and traditional and homeopathic massage.

The Academy Salons

Academy Restaurant

Duke Street campus is also home to the College’s Academy Restaurant. Often referred to by it’s customers as Liverpool’s hidden gem, the restaurant serves top class cuisine, at highly competitive prices. Food is expertly prepared by professional chef/tutors and young chefs in training and offers students a range of discounts at different times of the year.

The Academy Restaurant

Microsoft Office 365 - Free

When you become a student of the College you’ll receive full access to Microsoft Office 365. This allows you to install the software on your own computer and other devices at home, completely free of charge.

Onsite Sports Facilities/Fitness Suite

The college has excellent sports and fitness facilities at its Roscoe Street campus. Students pay a one-off membership fee for all year round usage of weekly supervised gym sessions, as well as access to a number of sporting clubs and events.