N4/5 Drama
What will I learn?
Generate and communicate thoughts and ideas when creating drama
Develop skills for presenting drama
Develop production skills for presenting drama
Use drama skills in a drama performance
Explore form, structure and genre.
At National 5, you will learn:
How to respond to stimuli
About form, structure, genre and conventions
About production skills (lighting, sound, costume, make-up, set design and props)
About creating and performing characters How to evaluate your own, your peers and professionals work.
How will I learn?
The best way to learn in Drama is through practical experience of performing and production skill roles. You will work in groups and on individual tasks. Regular theory inputs lessons throughout the course will develop your knowledge and understanding.
How will I be assessed?
At National 4 you must complete 3 units to achieve your course award: Drama Skills, Production Skills and the Added Value unit. For each of these units you will create and present a piece of drama in a group. Your teacher will assess your progress regularly throughout the course.
At National 5 you will take part in a Performance Exam in which you will specialise as either as an Actor or a Production Role. This usually takes place around the Easter holidays and is worth 60% of your final grade. A written exam paper makes up the last 40% of your grade. This assesses the skills knowledge and understanding you have developed over the course. This happens in May each year.
Career opportunities
Actor, circus performer, Advertising, Teaching, Costume, PR, Stage management, Events management, Researcher, Drama Therapy, TV/Film/ Theatre producer, TV/Film/Theatre director, Playwright, musical director, speech therapy, armourer, retail, foley operator, TV floor manager, Voice over artist, Stunt designer, Sound, Festival organiser, Dramaturg, Youth work, Charity work, Puppeteer, tour guide, Youth theatre leader, Set design, Box office manager, Lighting, Usher, Critic, Dresser, Education officer, lecturer, TV/Film production runner, make-up etc.
SQA Links
Please use the link below to visit the SQA Drama National Qualifications page, there you will find the full course specification, past papers and marking schemes and a variety of useful documents:
National 4 Drama: https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/47386.html
National 5 Drama: https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/47390.html
