Peterlee Campus
Course overview
The Level 3 Extended Diploma programme challenges you to expand your knowledge and skills, focusing on your main discipline, whilst stepping into a leadership role to facilitate projects, liaise with clients, produce work that is responsive to the brief and prepare yourself for your next steps after college.
Learners have the opportunity to perform onboard the ferry to Holland and participate in the annual Community Pantomime, as well as engaging in auditions with industry professionals. If you are passionate about working in the Arts, then this is the programme for you!
Topics
The programme is 'learner responsive', which means we build projects around the learners who have chosen this programme of study.
Typically, you will lead on a practical project and produce an academic piece of writing in response to a question that supports your interest in the arts, and present yourself for audition to a panel of industry specialists. Following this, you will complete a final project in which you will present a project proposal.
Job opportunities after this course
• Actor
• Choreographer
• Cruise Ship Entertainer
• Dancer
• DJ
• Producer
• Screenwriter
• Sound Technician
• Vocalist
• Voice Over Artist
… and so much more!
Further study options after this course
Progression for most learners after successful completion of the Extended Diploma is onto a Degree in Performing Arts / Dance / Drama / Musical Theatre / Production Arts. Alternative choices include employment as a Performer, in Arts Administration or Production, either working for an employer or as a freelance artist.
Entry requirements
Our entry requirements are reviewed annually and are subject to change as qualifications, awarding bodies and assessment criteria evolve.
For the latest qualifications and grades required by course type/level, please follow this link to check the most up-to-date entry criteria for direct entry and internal progression at the college.
How is this course assessed?
There are 3 formative units delivered in 2 projects which are graded Pass / Fail. You must pass ALL units to progress onto the extended project, and the work you complete for this is graded as 'Pass / Merit / Distinction'.
The course is assessed internally by an Assessor, before being Internally and Externally Verified to check the marking is consistent. Assessment includes live performances, video, audio and written submissions, logged through a digital portfolio.
When does the course start?
September 2025
Length of course
This Level 3 Extended Diploma is the second year of the programme, with the UAL Level 3 Diploma in year one; you will study across four days each week.
This full time study programme may also be available to study on a part-time basis if you are aged 18 or over on 31st August. Please check with Student Services for more details.
Fees & Funding
Please read our Course Fees & Funding page.
How to apply
To apply online for this course, please click on the 'Apply' button at the top/bottom of this page.
Alternatively, if you need assistance with your application or you would like to apply over the phone or using a paper-based application form, please call Student Services on 0191 743 0149.
If you're not quite ready to apply for this course and would like some more information or to speak to a member of staff then please click on the 'Enquire' button at the top/bottom of this page.
