Primary Research (where possible):
- go in person to visit the places you are considering
- attend Open events
- speak to current students on the courses you are considering
- ring and speak to the Admissions office with questions you have which are not covered by the online information
- keep a record of your thoughts and feelings about these places
Secondary Research – Part 1
Find out:
- the range of different options you have for Performing or Production Arts progression
- Acting or Dance or Musical Theatre or Production Arts University courses, which ones and why?
- Acting or Dance or Musical Theatre or Production Arts Conservatoire style courses, which ones and why?
- Acting or Dance or Musical Theatre or Production Arts Apprenticeships, which ones and why?
- Acting or Dance or Musical Theatre or Production Arts Employment possibilities, which ones and why?
- the different application processes and entry requirements of each of your found options including the required potential application / audition / portfolio material for each of them
- the date that applications open for each of your found options
- the costs associated with these progression routes
- application / audition fee
- tuition costs
- estimated living costs e.g. London will be much pricier than North West England for rent, food, travel, socialising
- availability of loans, grants, bursaries
- the breakdown of each course and how it will be delivered (course content? how many hours / days contact time with tutors? how much practical? how much academic? any work placements? how are final assessments done – practical or written?)
- how these different options you are considering are rated by the industry and by the students?
- the relevance of individual progression routes for your planned career ambitions
Secondary Research – Part 2 (for actors and musical theatre students only)
- Find appropriate audition material that suits your casting and skill set and which meets the criteria set by the places you intend to apply to (see Practical Skills page for the minimum requirements).
For ALL your secondary research you must use full Harvard referencing and create a bibliography. Here is the link to the college online guide to Harvard referencing. http://library.wsc.ac.uk/c.php?g=652536&p=4578089
Here are some useful websites to get you started:
Universities and Colleges Admission Service https://www.ucas.com
IMPORTANT: applications made through UCAS will need to be channelled through West Suffolk College so that we get your final results from UAL processed properly – the buzzword is: westsuffolk19
For applications for Conservatoire training https://www.ucas.com/?schemes=Conservatoires&theme=all_stages
Council for Dance Education and Training – accredited vocational professional courses (Musical Theatre and Dance) http://www.cdet.org.uk/vocational-training/accredited-professional-training
Federation of Drama Schools – accredited vocational professional courses (Acting and Musical Theatre) http://www.federationofdramaschools.co.uk/
SMA – accredited vocational professional courses (Production Arts courses) http://www.stagemanagementassociation.co.uk/links/drama-schools
Conservatoire of Dance and Drama – accredited vocational professional courses (Acting, Musical Theatre and Dance) http://www.cdd.ac.uk
Government information about student finance https://www.gov.uk/browse/education/student-finance
Government comparison of higher education course data https://unistats.direct.gov.uk/
Which? Independent review of university courses http://university.which.co.uk/
The Complete University Guide – course chooser http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/courses/search
The Guardian newspaper 2018 league table https://www.theguardian.com/education/ng-interactive/2017/may/16/university-guide-2018-league-table-for-drama-dance?CMP=share_btn_tw
UAL guide to writing effective Personal Statements
RESEARCH – UAL definition: The ability to select, edit, interpret and respond to relevant material in support of lines of enquiry, and the level of initiative, commitment, personal responsibility and resourcefulness demonstrated in developing and progressing identified goals
Fail
Little or no evidence presented or information does not relate sufficiently to task.
Pass
Sufficient relevant information has been gathered, documented and used in the development of ideas.
Merit
Thorough and sustained research and investigation of relevant sources, interpretation and synthesis of information used to inform, support and develop ideas.
Distinction
Independently identified, thorough and sustained research and investigation of a range of relevant sources, insightful interpretation and synthesis of information used to inform, support and develop ideas.
The above statements are guides to how evidence for the final unit (12) will be assessed. Tutors will let you know in their feedback how your evidence for this unit (10) compares to these achievement standards so that you are aware of the level you are currently working at.
leahsmithwsc 