Dance - BA (Hons) [Full time]

Overview

The BA Hons Dance programme is an exciting three year, practical training course which has been designed by professional dance practitioners to introduce and develop the skills and knowledge required to become a dance performer, choreographer, practitioner and/or teacher. It offers a unique opportunity to undertake a course which combines technical training, creative workshops, performance opportunities, academic and industry skills.

In addition to continuous training in Contemporary, Ballet and Jazz/Urban techniques, you’ll be encouraged to explore a variety of dance processes and movement styles to become a versatile performer. You will experience a range of creative and collaborative projects led by our teaching staff who are industry experienced, having worked in the dance sector for many years as performers, choreographers, and dance facilitators.

The BA (Hons) Dance programme is delivered within the Performance Academy, one of the most comprehensive training environments in the UK with state-of-the-art facilities including 9 full size dance and acting studios, the 250 seat Peter Sarah Theatre, a studio theatre, radio station, editing suite, recording studios and a music venue.

This course runs on the following dates:

Start Date: September 2021. For further information, please call 0191 200 4000 or email enquiries@ncl-coll.ac.uk.
Duration: 3 Years
Venue: Performance Academy, Rye Hill Campus

Work Ready Guarantee

As part of our BA (Hons) Dance work ready guarantee we have strong links established with dance companies and practitioners working regionally and nationally. As a result there are a variety of opportunities and placements throughout the year for you to participate in, which mirror current industry practices and inform your Industry Engagement and Industry Portfolio modules.

We are a centre for regional dance and have several partnerships with companies such as Fertile Ground, BalletLORENT, Kelly- Abbott Dance Theatre, EliotSmith Dance Company and Joelene English Dance Theatre who share our studios and resources to develop their work.

The BA (Hons) Dance programme hosts an Experience of Work week culminating in ‘Circulate’, an Industry Network Event to bring together dance students, industry practitioners and companies to create work and perform alongside each other.

In addition you will be given the opportunity to experience working within a simulated company setting led by a professional choreographer. Previous industry projects have been developed by Nicole Watson of Surface Area Dance Theatre, Caroline Reece and Gavin Coward of BalletLORENT, Tom Prichard, Anthony Lo-Guidice, Hofesh Shechter, Ellen van Schylenburch from the Merce Cunningham Company, Jenny Wren of Slanjayvah Danza, Holly Irving, Anna Hall and Tracy West of Braenna CIC, Kristen Kelly Abbott Dance Theatre, EliotSmith Dance Company, Jamie Neale, Alys North and Joelene English Dance Theatre. We have an excellent partnership with Fertile Ground who provide company class allowing you to train alongside professional dancers.

At level 5 you’ll be encouraged to gain work-placement experience to enhance your studies providing you with knowledge of the real working environments. At Level 6 your Professional Practice Company will require you to lead your own industry-based project and present your work around the region.
 

Who the course is for

This course is ideally suited to students who will thrive following an intensive practical dance training regime and who are interested in developing their skills within a range of dance techniques. You should be willing to grow your creative and leadership abilities as performers, choreographers, dance teachers and managers. So if you have a passion for dance and are prepared to experience a range of dance styles, techniques and processes then this is the course for you.

Qualification Gained

On successful completion you will be awarded a BA (Hons) Degree in Dance validated by NCG.

How to Apply

Apply 

Applications for full-time degrees at Newcastle College University Centre need to be made through UCAS. You can visit our institution page on UCAS here.

If you are an international student please visit our international application section for further information about how to apply and entrance requirements. Additional start dates may be available please speak to our International Office on +44 191 226 6323 or email international@ncl-coll.ac.uk

Online

Click on the "Apply for this course" button at the bottom of this page.

Course Content

Year one (level 4)

• Contemporary Techniques 1
• Ballet 1
• Urban, Jazz and Commercial 1
• Performance 1
• Understanding the Body
• Transferable Skills
• Choreography
• Dance Appreciation

The main aim of level 4 is to focus on the development of technical training and performance skills, with the Understanding the Body module providing anatomical and nutritional knowledge to maximise performance.

Choreography and Dance Appreciation encourage understanding of how dances are made within a range of dance genres, whilst Transferable Skills builds confidence in both academic and industry related skills. Students will experience working as a simulated performance company in projects led by internal and professional choreographers.

Year two (level 5)

• Contemporary Techniques 2
• Ballet 2
• Urban, Jazz and Commercial 2
• Performance 2
• Expanding Horizons
• Industry Engagement
• Choreographic Investigations
• Dance Management
• Dance Facilitation
   

Level 5 continues to build upon the training and performance modules of Level 4 whilst giving the opportunity to explore and experience a range of different skills such as aerial, tap, singing and/or acting within the Expanding Horizons module. Students are expected to engage with the local dance industry and begin to build their professional profile through projects and placements. In addition students will experience working as a simulated performance company in projects led by internal and professional choreographers.
Level 5 offers the option to tailor the programme through optional modules providing more specific knowledge of either Choreography, Dance Facilitation and teaching or Dance Management.
 

Year three (level 6)

• Technical Development
• Professional Practice – (Company)
• Industry Portfolio
• Research and Dissemination

Whilst refining their technical training, at Level 6 students will form a Professional Practice Company and will lead interdependent, industry based projects. They will build their Industry Portfolio to illustrate their current work and recent placements within the industry and develop their professional profile. Following from their option choice at Level 5, students are required to explore a process of Research and Dissemination within either an academic or practice based research project. They will present their work as performance, lecture demonstration, dissertation, industry report or peer reviewed article relevant to the career path of their choice.

Learning Methods

The BA (Hons) Dance programme operates through a varied and challenging timetable inclusive of practical technique classes, creative workshops, industry observation and placement, seminars, formal lectures, classroom activities and self-directed training, rehearsal and study.

Assessment methods include set practical technique exercises, the performance of set repertoire and newly choreographed works, practical/creative tasks, academic essays and reports, and creative portfolios. A range of enrichment workshops led by visiting practitioners/ professional dancers takes place for you to gain knowledge of current movement styles and techniques not directly assessed within modules.

Assessment will take the form of practical demonstrations of technical exercises and set repertoire studies in Ballet, Contemporary and Jazz/Urban styles in addition to performance of dance works, verbal presentations, written essays, reports and portfolios.
 

Career Opportunities

Previous students from the FdA Dance and BA (Hons) programmes have successful careers in both the commercial and contemporary industries, working within performance, choreography, teaching and dance production, in addition to related careers in the creative arts and leisure industries, notably fitness / personal training, events management and sports studies.

Entry Requirements

A minimum of 48 - 64 UCAS Tariff Points at A-level, BTEC QCF Subsidiary, 90 Credit, National or Extended Diploma; Pass in Diploma in Foundation Studies (Art and Design).

Applicants are normally expected to have achieved grade C in GCSE Maths & English Language or the Level 2 equivalents.

Mature students (age 21) will be considered only on the basis of relevant industry experience.
Applicants for whom English Language is not their first language are expected to achieve a minimum IELTS Score of 5.5 or the nationally recognised equivalent.
 

Further Information

If you have a query about this course or would like advice on your study options, you can contact Student Services by using the LiveChat function on this page, by emailing enquiries@ncl-coll.ac.uk or by telephoning 0191 200 4000. We are currently open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm.

Course Costs