Vocational: RSL (rock School London)
In November 15th, DESS College became the first school in the world to be accredited as an International Centre of Excellence by Rock School London (RSL), the provider of contemporary vocational qualifications in music, performing arts and creative digital media.
Launched in 1991, RSL Level 3 Awards are offered to teachers and students in 50 countries as an alternative to A levels and BTEC. The programme’s alumni include music celebrities Jess Glynne and Ed Sheeran.
Each of the vocational and technical Awards programmes is designed for students seeking a flexible and highly personalised qualification that equips them with the practical skills needed to flourish in a contemporary creative career. They are popular among aspiring musicians, actors, dancers, performers, and sound technicians.
Though Key Stage 5 students at DESS College are no strangers to RSL’s Level 3 CAPA (Creative and Performing Arts) and MUSPRA (Music Practitioner) Diploma programmes as A-Level alternatives, this is the first year in which they have replaced A-Level Drama and Music respectively, at DESS College. CAPA modules include Acting Workshops, Acting for Camera, Ensemble Dance and Acting through Song. MUSPRA modules include Musical Theatre, Music Technology, Sound Engineering and Backstage Management.
Each Vocational Qualification (VQ) has been developed in collaboration with industry professionals and earns students UCAS points; the entry currency used by British universities and colleges. Other RSL VQ paths include television company apprenticeships, recording contracts, and live sound work.
Students who might otherwise have studied for A Levels or BTECs find the VQs flexible and practical, and GCSE Drama and Music students enjoy the step up to a Level 3 course that allows them to create a bespoke programme of study to suit their individual talents and interests. It’s this flexibility that sits behind DESC’s astonishing record of every Level 3 CAPA and MUSPRA student having achieved a Distinction* over the past four years during which we’ve offered the VQs as A-Level alternatives. Last year, the MUSPRA VQ scored the highest value added across all our A Level results at DESS College. We are quietly confident that we will enjoy similar success again this year.
In terms of outcomes, but BTEC and RSL pathways have consistently produced outstanding results, enabling students to access a wide range of top-tier universities. The coursework demands are high, but the potential for excellent results is significant, offering students a broad spectrum of higher education and career opportunities.
There are two Level 3 RSL courses to choose from:
Outcomes:
Both our vocational pathways have led to outstanding results, with students gaining access to prestigious universities and competitive courses worldwide. The comprehensive nature of BTEC and RSL qualifications ensures that DESS College students are well-prepared for success in higher education and beyond.