3DRA

NCEA Level 3 Drama

Course Description

Teacher in Charge: Ms C. Saunders.

This course is for students who have a keen interest in drama, literature and performance. The course requires self-discipline and personal commitment as it is both practical and academic.

Students will be required to attend rehearsals both in and out of school time. This is a full-year general course for students interested in a career in various entertainment fields or tertiary study. It focuses on developing and analysing drama techniques and complex performance skills.

Drama at NCEA level is a University approved academic subject.

This is a full-year general course for students interested in a career in various entertainment fields. It covers topics including: 

  • Drama techniques
  • Devise and perform a drama
  • Demonstrate features of a drama/theatre form
  • Perform an acting role in a scripted production
  • Writing your own short play



The skills learned in drama prepare students for further study or a career in the arts as well as building confidence in their interpersonal and presentational skills that they can utilise in whatever they choose to do beyond school. 

The senior courses build on the foundational concepts introduced at the junior level. Students can expect to play characters with increasing complexity, both scripted and created through the devising process.

Students will expand their knowledge of established theatre forms and experiment with techniques and conventions particular to that form.  They will also be encouraged to critically reflect on their creative process as well as their own worldview. 

Drama students are creative, collaborative problem-solvers which makes them excellent employees, team-mates and citizens.

Recommended Prior Learning

For Level 3 it is essential to have gained Level 2 Achievement Standards.

Contributions and Equipment/Stationery

These may include performances by professional groups depending on availability, or travel to National Festivals, auditions for Toi Whakaari or NASDA, or attendance at drama courses and workshops.

Credit Information

You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.

This course is approved for University Entrance.

Total Credits Available: 22 credits.
Externally Assessed Credits: 4 credits.
Internally Assessed Credits: 18 credits.

Assessment
Description
Level
Internal or
External
Credits
L1 Literacy Credits
UE Literacy Credits
Numeracy Credits
A.S. 91512 v2
NZQA Info
Drama 3.1 - Interpret scripted text to integrate drama techniques in performance
Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4r *
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91513 v2
NZQA Info
Drama 3.2 - Devise and perform a drama to realise a concept
Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 5
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0 *
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91514 v4
NZQA Info
Drama 3.3 - Interpret a text from a prescribed playwright to demonstrate knowledge of a theatre form or period
Level: 3
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4r,4w *
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91515 v2
NZQA Info
Drama 3.4 - Select and use complex performance skills associated with a drama form or period
Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4r *
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91517 v2
NZQA Info
Drama 3.6 - Perform a substantial acting role in a significant production
Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 5
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 5r *
Numeracy Credits: 0
Credit Summary
Total Credits: 22
Total Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
Total University Entrance Literacy Credits: 17
Total Numeracy Credits: 0

Approved subject for University Entrance

Number of credits that can be used for overall endorsement: 22

Only students engaged in learning and achievement derived from Te Marautanga o Aotearoa are eligible to be awarded these subjects as part of the requirement for 14 credits in each of three subjects.