University Degrees

What is a degree? What doors does it open?

As an aspiring dancer, there are two pathways available to you after Key Stage 5 (College or Sixth form), one being going to University for a degree. There are many available courses a dancer can take as stated below, I have also narrowed down the choices to look at in detail 3 specific UK universities and a key course they each have available.

Possible Courses

• Musical Theatre

• Dance

• Dance and Exercise

• Performing Arts

• Commercial Dance

• Dance/Sociology

• Dance Education

• Dance Teaching

Three UK Universities

Dance University Bournemouth: This university offers a degree in 'Dance' and the courses key features are listed below.

• Talks about dance as being a ‘big business’ and ‘competitive market.’

• You’ll finish as a versatile, creative and articulate dance professional, with the skills to be a dance entrepreneur.

• It equips students with entrepreneurial, critical and transferable skills to sustain and manage a performing art practice. As well as skills such as project management, effective marketing and knowing the policies of dance organisations in the UK

• Offers classes/workshops: Ballet, Pilates and Contemporary techniques such as Release, Cunningham, Contact Improvisation and Graham

• 28% coursework, 72% performance based

Alumni:

Lawrence James graduated from Dance University Bournemouth and with his qualifications, paved the way for an apprenticeship and UK tour with Jasmin Vardimon. He then continued to become the resident choreographer for FuZe8 Dance Company and most recently danced and performed on ITV and cinematic production.

University of Bolton: This university offers a more style specific degree in Professional and Commercial Dance with key features below.

• Gain core skills in ballet, jazz, contemporary and commercial dance, and develop the knowledge/practical experience needed for employment in a variety of professions.

• 3 years

• intensive practical dance training and regular performance opportunities

University of Central Lancashire: This university offers a degree in Dance performance and teaching. Key details are listed below.

• It’s a programme built around three things: Studio Practice, Creative Practice and Facilitation

• Provides contemporary technique training.

• You’ll have the opportunity to deliver dance workshops to peers and local schools.

• You’ll work with some of the country’s leading dance practitioners and companies

Alumni:

David Darcy graduated in 2014 and started his career as a performer/session assistant for an inclusive dance charity, DanceSyndrome. Not only that but he returned to UCLan to dance with a wide range of dancers of differing abilities and ages as part of the University’s 190th celebrations

When comparing the 3 courses at the 3 universities mentioned above, they do have some differences and so may be more suitable for different individuals. Bournemouth seems to educate on the business side of dance including marketing and business management and so may be more suitable for someone aspiring to become part of a dance business such as a company, much like alumni Lawrence James did. I believe Bolton universities would be more suitable for someone less interested in the coursework and who is a very versatile dancer. It seems very practical and performance based but in many dance styles. The course at Lancashire, though also very practical based would be suitable for someone that wants to learn about dance and also teach it too. Not only does the course mention teaching but seems to be looking for extremely creative dancers.

Where can a degree take you after University and who is it suitable for?

A degree, much like a qualification from a conservatoire can lead to a Bachelor's degree. A university degree however goes into more detail on the theory side of a subject. A dance degree requires good fact recall because of the historical element, good analytic skill and an interest in the philosophy and psychology of the performing arts. A degree would be suitable for a more academic person or someone planning to take their dance skills into teaching or physical fitness (trainer/therapist)