The Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Music Performance is intended to be an Applied General qualification. It is for post-16 learners who want to continue their education through applied learning and who aim to progress to higher education and ultimately to employment, possibly in the music sector or the creative sector as a whole. The qualification is equivalent in size to one A Level and aims to provide a coherent course of study covering both performance and the music industry. It is designed to be taken alongside other Level 3 qualifications. No prior study of the sector is needed, but learners should normally have a range of achievement at level 2, in GCSEs or equivalent qualifications.