The Technical Theatre course covers a wide range of disciplines and skills required for employment within the performing arts and live events industries. Production arts provides the ideal opportunity for students interested in all aspects of technical theatre to apply their skills in a professional setting, with over 35 productions each year.
BIPA has amazing resources, including Studio 22, an 80-seat studio theatre equipped with an ETC Nomad digital lighting desk, a 16-channel analogue sound desk and projection mapping facilities. Our main theatre, the Olympus, is a 250-seat theatre with a state-of-the-art ETC Ion digital lighting desk, which controls our in-house stock of generic lighting and our Martin and Robe automated lights. We have a 32-channel analogue Allen and Heath sound desk, as well as a 32-channel Yamaha LS9 digital sound desk.
You will study:
• Lighting design and operations
• Sound design and operations
• Scenic construction and design for stage
• AV design and operation
• Stage management
The performing arts and leisure industry is one of the few areas in the jobs market that has sustained levels of employment and has even shown areas of growth in the present economic climate.
There is a work experience requirement linked to your programme and all students will complete industry-related placements.
4 GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above, including English and Maths. Exceptional entry may be possible if a high level of skill in technical theatre can be demonstrated. People over 19 without formal qualifications will be considered.
A UAL Extended Diploma takes two years to complete. Upon successful completion this qualification is the equivalent of three A-Levels.
Part-time is only available on selected programmes, please contact admissions for further information.
An FdA qualification takes 2 years full-time to complete. A BA (Hons) qualification takes 3 years to complete full-time.
Part-time is only available on selected programmes, please contact admissions for further information.
We believe training should be affordable and accessible for all. That's why our audition and interview process is completely FREE.
We've designed our audition and interview process to be as relaxed as possible, we want to see the best version of you, in an environment you feel comfortable and supported to achieve your best.
To apply for a degree or university course you must apply via UCAS. If you'd like to talk through your application before submitting, please contact our admissions team.
Once you've successfully submitted your application our admissions coordinator will be in touch, you will then be allocated the next available audition/interview date.
University level admissions are coordinated centrally by the SGS Degree and University Student Experience and Recruitment Team.
Once you're happy that you've chosen the right course, you need to apply. You can either do this online, by selecting 'apply online' at the top of this page, this will launch the SGS online applications portal, or by downloading and printing out an application form.
If you'd prefer to apply by paper please contact our admissions team.
The Bristol Institute of Performing Arts is part of SGS College and our level 1-3 admissions are coordinated by the SGS College Admissions team.
Due to the unprecedented situation the country is facing with the Covid-19 pandemic, SGS is providing all students who have applied for a place on a college course with an automatic offer for September 2021. In early 2021, we will invite you to start our PreparED programme, this will ensure you're on the correct course and provide you with materials so you feel better equipped for studying with us next year. In addition, you will also get to meet your tutors and others on the course.
The FdA qualifications take two years to complete full-time or four years part-time. Upon successfully completing a FdA or HND programme you can progress onto a "top-up" level 6 bachelors qualification. This additional top-up course would allow you to achieve a BA (Hons) qualification in one year full-time or two years part-time.
Part-time is only available on selected programmes, please contact admissions for further information.
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All our Further Education (FE) college courses are FREE to UK residents who are under 19 years old on the 31st August. You will be expected to contribute towards the cost of specialist materials and resources (material fee). However, depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for financial help to cover part or all of your material fee from SGS College's Money Management Service. You should apply for financial support as possible. If you are aged 19 or over on 31st August 2019 and you are a UK/EU resident you will normally be required to pay a course fee. If you're over 19 years of age, please contact admissions for full fee information.
Don't let the cost of funding your future put you off. All our university level programmes are eligible for Student Finance England, Wales or Scotland. If eligible Student Finance will cover the full tuition cost of your university programme, you may also be eligible for a maintenance loan to support your living/travel expenses. Part-time course fees are reduced by 50% of the full-time fee per academic year.
> College Level | Bursaries (SGS College Money Management Service)> University Level | Bursaries & Scholarships
The Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma in Performing & Production Arts are designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills and understanding necessary to access and progress to degree level study or employment in the performing arts. The course provides an opportunity for those who have an interest in the performing arts to explore, develop and test their creativity within a qualification structure which is stimulating, demanding and provides a supportive transition from general to more specialised study. More information - https://www.arts.ac.uk/partnerships/ual-awarding-body/qualifications/performing-arts
FdA - A foundation degree is a degree level qualification, which combines academic study with work place learning. Designed in association with employers, they are qualifications to equip people with the relevant skills, knowledge and understanding to achieve academic results as well as improve performance and entry into the profession. You can "top-up" an FdA qualification to a Bachelors degree by studying an additional year on either on of our "top-up" programmes or one at another institution. This is known as a 2+1 study mode.
FdA - A foundation degree is a degree level qualification, which combines academic study with work place learning. Designed in association with employers, they are qualifications to equip people with the relevant skills, knowledge and understanding to achieve academic results as well as improve performance and entry into the profession. You can "top-up" an FdA qualification to a Bachelors degree by studying an additional year on either our "top-up" or at another institution. This is known as a 2+1 study mode.
BA (Hons) - Our BA (Hons) courses are the typical three year degree programmes.
HND - An HND is equivalent to the second year of a Bachelors degree. It takes two years of full-time study to complete, or three to four years part time, and is designed to equip you with skills relevant to your chosen career
The Bristol Institute of Performing Arts is proud to be part of South Gloucestershire and Stroud College.
The Bristol Institute of Performing Arts was previously known as the South West Academy of Dramatic Arts (SWADA) at Filton College.
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A key requirement for obtaining many jobs is to achieve a good standard of English and maths. Therefore, learners that do not yet have a GCSE grade 4 (C) in these subjects will be enrolled on either a GCSE or functional skills course alongside their main study programme.