This qualification emphasises practical creativity alongside research and theoretical understanding. Students learn through experience, seeing theatre and making theatre for themselves. Students are introduced to a wide range of theatrical styles and contexts as they explore plays practically, devise and work on performances.

The first component is a 3 hour written exam focused on knowledge and understanding of drama and theatre, the study of two set texts and analysis and evaluation of the work of live theatre makers. Component two is a performance and working notebook focused on the process of creative devised drama influenced by the work and methodologies of a prescribed practitioner. Practical exploration of three extracts forms the final component. Extract three is performed as a final assessed piece and students will produce a reflective report examining theatrical interpretation of all three extracts.

Higher education institutions value and respect the skills that drama and theatre qualifications give students. Students of drama and theatre develop skills that are not just essential for drama but applicable to a wide range of higher education subjects and in the workplace. Students grow in confidence and maturity as they successfully realise their own ideas. Whatever the future holds, students of A Level drama and theatre emerge with a toolkit of transferable skills preparing them for their next steps.