Drama, theatre and performance can transform how we think, act and understand the world. They help us remember the past, change the present and imagine alternative futures.

This course is for you if you’d like to:

Site-specific theatre, live art, durational performance, contemporary playwriting, choreography and composition, visual arts, creative writing, acting and directing – you’ll learn from tutors who bring their passion to their teaching. Our campus facilities include the Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts, which hosts professional theatre, music and dance by UK and international companies. We’re committed to antiracist pedagogy, and inclusive teaching and learning. Throughout your degree, you’ll:

When you graduate, you’ll be curious, critically informed and self-reflective. You’ll be able to make sophisticated performance, and shape cogent arguments in written work and discussion. Your skills as a critical thinker, creative practitioner and knowledgeable researcher will set you up for your future career.

Produce the perfect sounds in cutting-edge studios and collaborate with the community of creatives out of Southampton’s vibrant music scene.

Solent’s music production programme is ideally suited to students who want to combine that unique mix of technical and musical skills, while developing an understanding of the industries that await them. Applicants should previously have studied music technology or a related subject, or be able to demonstrate some music making experience.

Recent graduates have gone on to work in diverse areas such as live sound, game audio, recording studios, film and television sound, and technical support – working at organisations such as Bang Post-Production, Sony Music, Envy Post-Production, Global Documentary, Columbia Records, Metropolis Studios, EMI Music Licensing and Stage Miracles.

Our ethos is really important to us; we are here as artists and practitioners, creators, thinkers and learners, here to encourage your development, understanding and appreciation of theatre and drama as powerful tools in the examination of human interaction, and to help you respond in a personal and creative way. We are a department of collaboration, creation and innovation and you will be involved in the lively artistic life of the College as a ClassAction practitioner. Everyone will always be encouraged to find their own unique artistic voice as a practitioner.

The course demands practical, creative and communication skills in equal measures. You will be expected to extend your ability to create drama and theatre, either in a performing or a production role. You will write about drama and develop your powers of analysis to become an informed critic. The course will involve taking part in productions as well as studying plays, playwrights and theatre practitioners.

The teaching is done using a variety of approaches designed to suit different abilities and learning styles. Our staff work closely together and operate a team-teaching approach for practical units to encourage the widest range of creativity.

Popular Music: Production & Performance provides you the opportunity to learn in industry-standard facilities and be taught by industry practitioners.

The programme embraces a practical approach to learning with a balance of practical workshops and lectures, promoting different learning styles.

This course is ideal for School Leavers who want to pursue a career in the music and music technology industry. This programme is equivalent to three A Levels and provides a route into university or higher education.

Whether you are looking to succeed as a musician or would like to work behind the scenes, you will need talent, creative ability, passion, and determination to make it into the competitive world of music. This course is designed to develop your skills and understanding of music and music technology, as well as the wider music industry.

At Farnborough, you will learn in a very practical environment and be taught by highly experienced industry professionals. You will work in our Mac suite, perform live on stage around the college and at various events, and will record songs in our professional studio. You will also cover areas such as music marketing and business, learning how to use a variety of industry standard equipment and software.

This course is ideal for School Leavers who want to pursue a career in the music and music technology industry.

This qualification is designed to introduce you to music and music technology. You will learn in a very practical environment and be taught by highly experienced industry professionals, using the Mac suite for your computer music work, performing live on stage and around the college at various events, and recording in our professional studio. You will cover a broad number of topics including the music business, studio recording and live sound mixing. You will have the benefit by being surrounded with performing arts, creative arts and media students and staff.

Who is this programme for?

This course is aimed at aspiring musicians who want to make a start in the music and music technology fields and wish to get the basics down before progressing on to a Level 3 course in Music and Music technology.  If you are looking to further your knowledge and experience of music and music technology in a very practical and exciting way, in our purpose built recording studio and live stage performance spaces, this course will essentially give you all the skills that you will require to progress. For students who have a passion for this subject area and are very well motivated this could be the beginning of a truly exciting and rewarding experience. 

Cost: The course is free for school leavers up to the age of 18, and all students will be expected to own and maintain good quality instruments, and will also need a good quality set of over ear headphones and a min 4GB USB Drive. 

This course is ideal for School Leavers who want to pursue a career in the performing arts, or other areas of work where performance skills are useful. It is equivalent to three A Levels and provides a route into university or higher education.

This qualification aims to develop your skills and understanding of acting, dance and performance by learning in a practical environment with industry professionals. You will perform frequently in our on-site theatre and rehearse in our dance studio, surrounded by music, creative arts and media students and staff.

Entertainment is one of the largest industries in the UK with a wide range of careers spanning:

This varied industry includes a wide range of specialities including sound work, lighting design and programming, AV design, stage management, set design and prop making.

Production Arts is the ideal course if you are looking for an exciting creative and technical career working behind the scenes in the entertainment industry.

You will be taught by industry professionals and will benefit from our outstanding facilities, gaining hands-on experience in our state-of-the-art hub theatre as well as external venues. The course is designed for students of all ages and abilities – we just ask you have a passion for the industry.

This two-year course has a 100% pass rate, is equivalent to three A Levels and successful completion will provide you with the same UCAS points to enter university.

UCAS Tariff – Earn up to 168 UCAS points for university entry Spotlight on Production Arts booklet cover 1st Choice College in the area logo. Source: Vector Rankings 2022

On this course you will study a wide range of makeup application skills and techniques, you will also learn how to style and dress hair and wigs.

You will take part in a range of exciting work experience placements which will build on your portfolio and build connections with employers. We also support our students to enter WorldSkills UK competitions each year, where you can showcase your creative skills and technical expertise.

On this course, you will explore an exciting range of styles including tap, ballet, jazz, street and contemporary (including Graham, Cunningham and Limon technique). Dancers will also discover their creative voice through choreography and improvisation workshops.

We have exciting opportunities for dancers to participate in including:

HSDC is proud to be working in partnership with the University of Winchester to support our Performing Arts students with masterclasses, audition preparation, collaboration projects and progression opportunities.

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