Overview
Whether you are an Actor, Dancer or Musical Theatre student our one-year courses are designed to expand, unleash and develop skills which will give you the opportunity to gain the appropriate performance skills to progress on to the next step in your development.
The courses are intensive, exciting and industry lead, which are designed to hone technique in your chosen area and fully prepare you to progress either directly into industry or onto further specialised training. All three disciplines are heavily practical with a theoretical underpinning which will expand your techniques, skills and industry knowledge to a high standard.
The courses are designed to be diverse, practical and industry relevant to reflect careers within the performing arts profession. Students will learn how to market themselves as artists and be given guidance on Equity, Spotlight etc from industry professionals as well as audition technique.
Our students have successfully gone on to professional work within the acting industry including:
- The National Youth Theatre
- Regional theatre
- National theatre
- TV and Commercial work.
Students have gone on to gain places in prestigious accredited Drama Schools including, most recently The Royal Central School for Speech and Drama and Manchester School of Acting, as well as continuing on with The Arden School of Theatre.
Other potential pathways include teaching, training, stage managing and forming your own theatre company.
Want to apply for one of these courses?
Complete your UCAS application today.
What you will study
Explore unit by year below.
How you'll learn
Each pathway is designed to improve your skills in every area of your discipline. Our course team are highly experienced in preparing students for both drama school audition or entering directly into industry.
You will receive expert advice at each stage of your journey in order for you to successfully progress to the next stage of your development and career.
Meet some of our team
Kerry Kawai
Head of HNC Acting
Rebecca Tonye
Head of HNC Dance / Musical Theatre
Further Details
Please select an accordion below for more information:
Academic Entry Requirements
In order to assess your potential as a performer all applicants at The Arden are required to audition. Each course has its own unique way of auditioning in order to ensure we see your full potential at audition. For a more detailed overview of our audition processes on our programmes please click here.
Non Academic Criteria
In order to assess your potential as a performer all applicants at The Arden are required to audition. Each course has its own unique way of auditioning in order to ensure we see your full potential at audition. For a more detailed overview of our audition processes on our programmes please click here.
Students will be assessed using a variety of methods including:
- Practical demonstrations of work
- Viva voce’s
- Research
- Written submissions.
The fees for this HNC Performing Arts are currently £7,200 per year.
See more about fees, finance and funding on the UCEN Manchester website here.
All courses are fundable through Student Finance England.
All of the books required for the course are available from the library. However, many students choose to buy some of the core textbooks for the course and/or a laptop. Students may also need to print their assignments and other documents. Campus printing costs start from 5p per page. Estimated costs are £300 for a laptop up to £100 each year for books and printing.
- Theatre Blacks/Dance Wear £50-100
- Approximately £100 for theatre tickets- discounted Lowry and Manchester fringe theatre tickets
- You will need to purchase digital storage device up to 1TB at an approximate cost of £20-50
- Optional participation in residential trips
Want to apply for one of these courses?
Complete your UCAS application today.
