Are you 16 or over and ready to turn your passion for performing into a professional career? The Higher National Certificate (HNC) and Higher National Diploma (HND) at Jazzart provide an intensive, industry-focused pathway to becoming a highly employable, versatile performer.
This is more than just a college course—it’s your launchpad into the professional world
The Jazzart Advantage for Students in Scotland’s Performing Arts
Jazzart is frequently cited as one of Scotland’s most successful private performing arts colleges due to a focus on employability, high-level technical training, and strong industry connection.
As a trusted SQA partner for over a decade, we offer full-time HNC and HND qualifications in Professional Dance Performance and Musical Theatre designed for dedicated performers aiming for professional careers.
"The performing arts tends to unify people in a way nothing else does." – David Rubenstein
Our success is built on several key pillars that differentiate us in the performing arts education sector
The college’s primary aim is to produce “industry-ready graduates”, as demonstrated by the impressive proportion of alumni who move directly into professional roles. At Jazzart, we take pride in maintaining one of the highest rates of graduate employment in the sector. Students gain invaluable practical experience throughout their studies by performing in touring pantomimes, musicals, and corporate events, enabling them to assemble a professional CV and showreel before graduation. Our wide-reaching network, encompassing guest tutors, consultants, and agencies both nationally and internationally, frequently results in students securing professional contracts even before completing their course.
This is a full-time, in-person commitment that demands dedication. You will be in college 4 days per week, with essential time required outside of these hours for self-practice, rehearsals, and performance development.
September to June
Vocal Training: Establishing robust technique, sight-singing, and performance confidence
Acting Technique: Mastering core methods, stagecraft, and scene study
Dance Foundation: Building strength and flexibility across core styles.
Professional Studies: Audition technique, industry practice, and essential performance theory.
Advanced Vocals: Advanced repertoire, harmonisation, and professional vocal arrangement.
Advanced Acting: Acting for camera/mic, advanced character development, and complex text work.
Advanced Dance: Complex choreography, partnering, and specialised styles for professional shows.
Career Development: Creating your industry-facing portfolio, business management, and networking.
Productions and Showcase: The final professional showcase—your opportunity to perform for industry guests.
Beyond the studies – Real-World Performance Experience
Students gain crucial practical experience that mirrors professional theatre company practice. These opportunities include:
Large-Scale Productions: Fully staged, intensive rehearsals and performance periods that mimic a professional production schedule.
Industry Showcases: Creating and performing a final professional showcase to an invited audience of agents and casting directors.
Industry-Led Projects: Collaborative performance modules, often directed by visiting professional creatives.
External Events: Opportunities to represent the college and perform at professional, civic, or community events, building confidence in diverse venues.
Employability First
Our HNC and HND programmes are specifically designed to give you the triple-threat skills and professional etiquette that casting directors and employers demand.
Industry-Level Training: You’ll work an average of 25+ practical hours per week, building the stamina and technical mastery required for demanding professional contracts.
Real-World Experience: Students gain invaluable experience by performing in pantomimes, musicals, repertoire performances, and cabaret throughout the academic year.
Building Your Portfolio: We actively encourage students to start their professional journey while studying, creating showreels and online content to kickstart their careers.
Industry Connections: Jazzart is a specialist, independent centre with an extensive network of guest tutors and consultants currently working internationally and, in the UK, ensuring your training is current and connected.
The ultimate measure of our training is where our alumni perform.
Our dedicated focus on employability ensures our graduates are not just ready for the industry—they are in demand around the world performing in:
West End & Touring Musicals: Starring in principal and ensemble roles in major theatrical productions
Cruise Ship Entertainment: Securing coveted contracts as lead production vocalists, and dancers
Theme Park & Resort Contracts: Performing year-round in high-energy, professional shows at world-class resorts and theme parks.
Television & Commercials: Utilising camera and voice skills in TV roles, commercials, and voice-over work.
Fees, Funding, and Scholarship Opportunities
As a specialised private college and an SQA Centre of Excellence with Charitable Status, our underlying mission is simple: to provide exceptional, industry-leading training without the excessive fee structures often associated with elite vocational colleges. Our fees represent a direct investment in the high-contact teaching, dedicated faculty, and professional resources necessary to deliver this standard of excellence. – Link to Scholarship Page
Accessibility and Longevity
Jazzart’s approach is to make professional training accessible, and our long history contributes to our strong reputation.
Charitable Status: JazzartUK is a charitable organization, which helps us keep tuition fees competitive and ensure the training is good value.
Scholarship Opportunities: Full and Part Scholarships are offered to ensure that financial barriers do not prevent talented students from accessing specialised private college training.
Decades of Experience: The institution’s roots go back nearly 80 years to The Clark Theatre School (1944), giving it a long, established history and a vast alumni network.
In short, our Jazzart reputation is largely based on a proven track record of turning students into working professionals through intensive, high-quality, personalised and connected training.
