BA (Hons) top-up Performing Arts

This Key Information document gives you a summary of the core characteristics of the BA (Hons) Performing Arts degree at HCA.

Your experience with us will be one of being mentored to become the creative professional you want to be. Part of this process will be the opportunity to undertake two bespoke work placements as well as work in multiple collaborations across other disciplines and with external industry professionals. You will work on live and recorded performances in theatre venues, ‘found’ venues, and festivals. You will create films, audio dramas, animations, as well as immersive and multi-media events.

You will get to create, devise, develop, perform, as well as collaborate with students from other courses across the arts school – an ideal opportunity to meet and network with potential future collaborators.

This course will allow you to discover what performance is and how you create it. You will be supported to freely explore and to develop a comprehensive repertoire of skills, such as: acting, movement, aerial circus, voice, writing, directing, choreography, puppetry, and mask.

Working in small groups, you will benefit from high levels of individual attention from tutors. Throughout the course, you will learn the practical skills you need to become a successful entrepreneur in the creative arts. These skills include: film editing, music making, website design, and business planning.

You will create several performances a year, collaborating with professional directors or art, music and film students. Your performances will be staged in a range of venues – from professional theatres, to festivals, and innovative performance spaces. Alongside this rich portfolio of work, you will also learn important marketing strategies to promote your own practice.

Studying Performing Arts at HCA offers the space, contact time and opportunities needed to establish a strong creative practice.

You will learn how to network and get into the industry by working with a wide variety of professionals from different areas of the Performing Arts, such as film and TV sets, repertory theatre and small-scale touring companies. All our tutors are actively engaged in the Performing Arts industry through their work outside of HCA.

Furthermore, you will have two work experiences – one in each of your first and second years. Projects with external directors/choreographers will also bring you valuable industry insights. Our students run their own performing arts company from the first year of the course. In your second year, you will learn how to write a business plan and set yourself up as a self-employed practitioner.

• Successful completion of a UK based level 5 qualification such as a Foundation Degree (FdA) or HND in a related subject (evidence of prior learning will need to be provided).
• Portfolio submission or audition (as applicable) and successful interview.

You will have the confidence built and your skills improved to help you be ready to take control of your own career as an innovative and self-sustaining performer and performance-maker. You can also explore broader opportunities in the creative arts such as art management or teaching, or transfer your creative and collaborative skills to other areas of employment or postgraduate study. In your third year, to help you take control of your career, you will provide you with a small personal professional development fund so you can book additional professional workshops or use it as an initial investment to set up a company.

Find out more about our new, purpose-built student accommodation in the heart of the City. The accommodation is located next to Hereford Railway Station and is mid-way between the two teaching campuses (College Road & Folly Lane)

HCA is an independent arts school surrounded by people who are passionate about the arts, media and performance. Find out more about why you should choose HCA.