Guided campus tour
Get a glimpse into the facilities you will be using as a performing arts student at West Notts College.
What our students say
Melissa highlights some of her experiences at college, as well as mentioning our state-of-the-art facilities and what kind of activities she enjoyed while studying on the course. She also revises a trip to Leicester Curve Theatre and how this benefitted her future.
Meet the teachers
Get to know to know a bit more about your teachers before you join us.
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Kit list
Find out what equipment and resources you'll need before you join as a West Notts student.
Download kit list
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FAQs - performing arts courses
The following information will hopefully give you a little bit more of an insight into what it will be like to be a student with us.
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Where will I study?
Our performance courses are based at the Derby Road campus, Mansfield, in our Create facility. We have a purpose-built theatre, recording studios and performance space.
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What is it like?
College is an adult, professional environment intended to prepare you to work in your chosen industry. We expect our students to behave in the way that they would in a job with an employer. Attendance and punctuality are very important too.
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What will I study?
Our level 2 course provides you with opportunities to study acting. We will tailor the course to play to your strengths.
All our courses are a mix of practical sessions and some classroom-based theory. We actively encourage our students to explore the kind of performer they want to be. This means we will encourage you to operate outside of your comfort zone and get you to try different genres and produce your own original work, as well as develop your knowledge of published plays and musicals. At level 3 students can follow either an acting route or a dance and musical theatre route.
All students will perform regularly to live audiences.
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What about English and maths?
If you start at college and you haven’t yet achieved your English and maths GCSEs at grade 4 or above, then you will continue to study these for three hours each week per subject. At the end of your first year you will take a re-sit GCSE exam. It is important you attend your English and maths lessons alongside your chosen course.
Take a look at our fact sheets to find out why English and maths is important within this industry.
View English and maths fact sheets
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What will I have to wear?
Students can wear whatever they want to come to college in, as long as it’s appropriate and isn’t offensive. We have no dress codes in terms of hair colour, jewellery etc. Performance students will need to wear ‘stage blacks’ when in studio spaces and either bare feet or appropriate footwear depending on the activity. Dance and musical theatre students will need a range of footwear for the different dance styles e.g. jazz and tap.
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Will I have to do a work placement?
At level 2 and 3 you will be expected to complete a work placement. The central work placement team can help find you an opportunity. This is a great way to get your foot in the door and maybe even move into a job.
All of our students will be able to also get engaged with our learning companies, which provide in-house opportunities to gain real-world experience. Performance students may be asked to play a part in videos for local employers.
Not answered your question? Then ask your teacher
Send your questions to your teachers using our simple online form.
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