What is A Level Drama?

If you love drama and theatre and are choosing your A Levels, you might be considering A Level Drama.

Offered by AQA (opens in a new tab), Pearson Edexcel (opens in a new tab), OCR (opens in a new tab) and WJEC (Eduqas (opens in a new tab) in England and CBAC (opens in a new tab) in Wales), A Level Drama combines practical creativity with research and understanding.

This guide walks you through what the course covers, how it's assessed, what you need to take it, and where it can lead.

Key Takeaways

• AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR and WJEC all offer A Level Drama under the title ‘Drama and Theatre’

• The assessment structure varies depending on the exam board

• The course blends theory with practice, and it includes a non-exam assessment (NEA)

• While GCSE Drama is not technically required, many schools ask for it

• A Level Dance can lead to Drama degrees and performing arts schools, as well as careers in performing, therapy and education

What is A Level Drama?

A Level Drama develops your skills as both a performer and a writer.

Known as A Level Drama and Theatre, it comes under Creative and Performing Arts subjects in the list of A Levels.

Which exam boards offer A Level Drama?

The following exam boards offer A Level Drama:

• AQA, the UK’s largest exam board

• Pearson Edexcel

• OCR

• WJEC (Eduqas in England and CBAC in Wales)

What do you study in A Level Drama?

AQA A Level Dance has three core areas:

1. Drama and theatre

2. Creating original drama

3. Making theatre

The other exam boards cover very similar content, but under different names. Check your school’s exam board specification for more information.

How is A Level Drama assessed?

The table below provides an overview of how AQA A Level Drama is assessed:

For information on how Pearson Edexcel, OCR and WJEC assess A Level Drama, the best place to look is at the relevant specifications.

How is A Level Drama different from A Level Dance or BTEC Performing Arts?

Many students find it hard to decide between A Level Drama, Dance and BTEC Performing Arts. Here are the key features of each:

A Level Drama, like all A Levels, is typically taken by learners aged 16 to 18. It is offered by AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR and WJEC under the full name ‘A Level Drama and Theatre’. It has an uneven split between practical components and the written exam.

A Level Dance, unlike Drama, is only offered by AQA. It teaches performance, choreography and critical engagement, and has an even split between a practical component and a written exam.

BTEC Performing Arts offers Level 2 or Level 3 qualifications for learners aged 16+. It is offered by Pearson (opens in a new tab) and includes a range of programmes, but the key difference is its broader focus on different types of performing, like dance, theatre, screen acting and comedy.

If you're choosing between them, consider your interests and aims for further study/careers. A Level Drama is better if you’re interested in theatre; A Level Dance is great if you want an academic qualification that focuses on dance alone; and BTEC Performing Arts is better if you want a vocational qualification with wider coverage of the world of performing.

Do you need GCSE Drama to take A Level Drama?

The course has no prior learning requirements. However, AQA recommends that students have the skills and knowledge from GCSE Drama (or an equivalent qualification). It’s therefore helpful to know what GCSE Drama is. You can also refer to AQA’s GCSE Drama Glossary (opens in a new tab) to help you understand terms used in the A Level specification.

Many schools ask for students that have taken GCSE Drama, and/or have had plenty of training at a private drama school. Talk to your Drama teacher to find out exactly what your school requires.

How hard is A Level Drama?

Though it’s listed as one of the easiest A Levels, some students may still find A Level Drama hard.

Around 60% of your grade comes from practical components. You might find this tricky if you experience performance anxiety, but you’re in good company if you do – even seasoned professionals like Ewan McGregor and Stephen Fry get stage fright (opens in a new tab)! 

The written exam is also difficult for some students, especially those who find it hard to write essays.

Don’t let this put you off, as A Level Drama is a highly rewarding subject for committed students.

What can you do with A Level Drama?

Here are just some of the pathways A Level Dance can open up for you:

Further Study

• Degrees in Drama and joint honours, e.g. Drama & Film

• Conservatoires, which specialise in performance-based higher education (e.g. the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA))

Careers

• Performing, e.g. professional actor

• Health, e.g. drama therapy

• Education, e.g. drama teacher

Is A Level Drama right for you?

If you studied (and enjoyed) GCSE Drama, have a passion for performing and analysing theatre and want a blend of theory and practice, A Level Dance is truly worth considering.

If you’re not a fan of performing or essay writing, it’s likely not for you. BTEC Performing Arts is better if you want a broader, more vocational qualification.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is A Level Drama respected by universities?

Yes. Universities, conservatoires and performing arts schools all accept A Level Drama as a recognised A Level worth standard UCAS points.

It's particularly valued for performing arts, drama and musical theatre degrees.

Do you need to perform in A Level Drama?

Yes. All exam boards contain performance assessments, and for most courses, around 60% of your A Level consists of practical components.

Is there coursework in A Level Drama?

Yes. The NEA makes up around 60% of your final grade across all UK boards. 

The other 40% comes from a written exam taken at the end of Year 13.

Which playwrights and practitioners are studied in A Level Drama?

Common set playwrights include Sophocles, Shakespeare and Ibsen. Practitioners might include Mike Alfreds, Steven Berkoff or Alison Chitty.

Set playwrights and practitioners can change, and they vary across exam boards. Check the latest specification of your school’s exam board for the most up-to-date information.

As a creative qualification with transferable skills in collaboration, analysis and research, A Level Drama is a great choice for those who want to blend theory and practice.

Consider your interests in drama and theatre to decide if it’s right for you.