These pages are designed to give basic information about studying community dance at Higher Education level. They are intended as an
initial starting point for background information and to signpost you to courses, institutions and places to get further information. You can jump to each section using the links below.
Higher
education courses lead to a degree, diploma or certificate validated or
awarded by a university or training institution. Universities typically
offer first degrees e.g. Batchelor of Arts with Honours (BA Hons). Some
universities offer BTEC Higher National Diplomas (HNDs), which are
generally equivalent to the first year/two years of a degree. Some
independent higher education institutions and vocational dance training
schools award degrees, but also offer Diplomas of Higher Education (Dip
HE) or Certificates of Higher Education (Cert HE).
Community dance in higher education
If
you want dance training to study community dance, it is most likely
that you will study at a university, as vocational schools tend to
cater for those students wishing to pursue a career as a performer,
choreographer or dance teacher in the professional dance performance,
commercial, and private sectors.
Most university dance courses
will involve the study of community dance in some form or another. Even
where a course does not specify community dance as a feature, a great
deal of what you study will provide a useful contextual and skills base
for working in community dance, and many dance programmes include
independent or negotiated study units that can be tailored to
individual interests, such as community dance.
There is no
formalised or prescribed route to a career in community dance, and many
artists currently working in the community dance sector have not
necessarily had access to specialised education at undergraduate level.
Like them, you may choose to undertake a generic dance degree (or other
types of formal education) and pursue more specialised training through
professional organisations or postgraduate courses at a later stage.
However,
if you do wish to specialise at this stage of your education, or you
are a practising professional wishing to return to formal education and
gain a higher education qualification to support your Continuing
Professional Development (CPD), this information sheet will help you to
identify those institutions where you can study community dance as part
of an undergraduate programme.
There is one course listed here
which is not an undergraduate degree. The Post Graduate Certificate:
Dance in Community at Laban Centre London is included as the only
course of its kind offering a full time, HE-accredited, vocational
training in community dance.
What might I gain from studying community dance at university?
By
studying dance at a university you will be part of an education
framework that enables you to achieve a nationally recognised
qualification. This can be beneficial as a measure of achievement for
yourself, as a foundation for your future professional development, and
can be valuable in easing your route to paid employment. Many, if not
most, employers in the community dance sector (and most certainly in
other non-arts sectors) will recognise - or be reassured by -
attainment of a first degree.
By embarking on a course where
community dance is offered as an area of study it means that you will
have already begun to APPLY and FOCUS your dance skills to the area of
work within which your career goals lie. Furthermore, such is the range
of skills and attributes required to work in this field that you will
carry with you a highly desirable range of competence and understanding
that will be beneficial to whatever area of dance you wish to pursue in
the future.
What kind of things will I study on the course?
All
courses differ, but there are commonalities in undergraduate dance
study based on the core skills, knowledge and understanding deemed
appropriate to a higher education in dance. Whilst each course will
have its own particular identity or specialism, they are all likely to
include practical and/or theoretical study in many, if not all, of the
following areas: dance technique, choreography, performance,
anatomy/dance science/somatics, dance history, critical and contextual
studies, dance teaching, dance in education/community settings, dance
management, work based learning/project work, research/independent
study, professional/business/career planning.
A degree course
that has a focus on community dance is likely to place greater emphasis
on those areas of study connected to dance teaching, working with
different groups of people, project planning, work based learning and
historical and contextual studies relating to community dance i.e. its
purpose, place and identity.
How will I find a course that specialises in community dance?
We
have provided a list of institutions below, but this information is not
definitive, nor can we guarantee the currency of information on
specific courses and institutions. It is important to research
thoroughly via individual websites and course literature, the
Universities Central Admissions Service (UCAS) or other websites we
have listed under ‘useful contacts’.
Once you have an overview
of what is available, it pays to follow up with enquiries direct to the
individual institutions and, where possible, visits to the university
and discussions with course staff and existing students. It is
important to do everything you can to ensure that, as far as possible,
you will be getting the dance education that you want and that best
suits your current and longer term needs.
The
following courses offer the opportunity to specialise in community
dance throughout the degree, or through optional ‘pathways’ within the
degree:
University of Suffolk BA(Hons) Dance in the Community Working
with experienced resident and visiting practitioners, this course
builds and develops through a series of progressive models that deal
with the study of dance as a discipline and its relationship with
community practice. Programmes of study will include:
University of Teesside BA (Hons) Dance and the Community This
practice-based degree is designed for graduates aiming to work within
the broad field of the dance industry. It recognizes the need for
versatile graduates with a knowledge and understanding of the contexts
in which they will work, experience of a wide range of styles and
disciplines, and a familiarity with the facilitation skills required to
work with different groups and sections of society. The practical study
of dance is coupled with a knowledge of different traditions and uses
of dance, and an understanding of dance's place in society. Modules
include: Dance Technique, Fundamentals of Choreography, Dance in
Education, Dance Science, Dance Contextual Studies, Dance in
Performance, Dance Facilitation, Dance and Camera, Dance Management,
Professional Performance practice. Tel: 01642 384019 Email:arts@tees.ac.uk Website: www.tees.ac.uk
Middlesex University BA (Hons) Dance Studies (Community Dance) This
programme places emphasis on experience of ‘real’ community dance
practice via two placements with companies/venues/organisations and
visits to various community groups. Year 1: technique, anatomy,
choreography, performance, dance and technology, dance history,
community dance, Arts in London. Year 2: technique, choreography, jazz,
dance history, jazz dance choreography/T’ai Chi, choreography in the
community, critical studies, cultural diversity, admin placement. Year
3: choreography, independent project, teaching dance technique,
community dance, dance in society. Tel: 020 8411 5555 Email:admissions@mdx.ac.uk Website: www.mdx.ac.uk
University of Surrey BA (Hons) Dance Studies Offered
as either a three-year or a four-year programme. The four-year
programme (which includes a placement in Year 3) is designed for those
already motivated towards a specific dance career e.g. community dance.
Students can specialise from Level Two onwards with modules in leading
dance, managing dance and a professional project. In their Professional
Year students are required either to enrol for a professional award at
a suitable level or engage in a supervised work placement with a dance
organisation. On their return, at Level 3, they resume studies and can
select options, such as popular dance and professional investigation,
which enable continued focus on their chosen specialism. Tel: 01483 686509 Email:dance@surrey.ac.uk Website:www.surrey.ac.uk
Liverpool John Moores University BA (Hons) Dance Studies All
students undertake the same areas of study Year 1: technique, anatomy
and safe practice, choreography, performance, historical/contextual
studies, dance teaching, self-management, planning and teamwork. From
Year 2, students can opt to specialise on the community and education
pathway, where in addition to core dance studies they will study
project planning, leadership and dance management, teaching in
education/community settings and contextual issues in community dance.
Students undertake substantial work placements in Years 2 and 3. Tel: 0151 231 5090 Email:recruitment@livjm.ac.uk Website:www.livjm.ac.uk
University of Lincoln BA (Hons) Dance This
programme blends the theoretical and historical academic study of dance
with practical and creative areas of technique, notation, choreography
and production. The course is offered in conjunction with Lincolnshire
Dance, enabling Sstudents go on to link their academic and practical
study to outside, community-based dance projects in order to experience
how dance functions as a creative enterprise in the twenty-first
century. Tel: 01522 886097 Email: admissions@lincoln.ac.uk Website: www.lincoln.ac.uk
Laban Centre, London Post Graduate Certificate: Dance In Community A
fully accredited vocational training in community dance that can be
done over one year full-time or two years part-time. Acceptance onto
the programme does not necessarily require you to have a first degree -
equivalent undergraduate qualifications or experience are considered.
Compulsory modules focus on building essential skills and knowledge for
community dance practice: dance technique, choreography, teaching
dance, and contextual studies in community dance and dance in
education. Elective modules are selected from a wide range of options
including the following areas of study: contextual studies, education
and community practice, health and fitness, Laban studies and
performance studies. An important aspect of the programme is the work
placement in a community setting. Tel: 020 8691 8600 Email:info@laban.org Website:www.laban.org
University of Strathclyde BA (Hons) Community Arts
This course offers practical
training in art forms and arts management, with the opportunity to specialise
in two of the following four key disciplines: Visual Arts, Dance, Drama, Music. The course explores working with a variety of client groups, including
young children, youth, adults and those who may feel marginalised or
have difficulty accessing the arts.
The following courses offer the possibility of significant study of community dance through several modules on the degree:
University of Derby BA (Hons) Creative Expressive Therapies Throughout
the three years, students combine study in one arts specialism (art,
dance and movement, drama or music) with integrative arts approaches
and therapeutic theories applicable to a variety of settings including
community, education and therapy. Tel: 01332 591167 Email:enquiries-admissions@derby.ac.uk Website:www.derby.ac.uk
University of East London BA (Hons) Performing Arts: Community Development Year
1 covers community and urban studies, performance, collaboration and
improvisation, and arts administration. Year 2 includes production,
composition and performance, arts education and policy and a project in
a community setting. Year 3 includes an extended placement with an
arts/community organisation. Tel: 020 8223 3333 Email:admiss@uel.ac.uk Website: www.uel.ac.uk
University of Wales Institute, Cardiff BA (Hons) Dance The course content is focused through two key concepts: • Making and Presenting Dance - technique, choreography and performance •
The Dance Infrastructure - dance culture (historical and critical
appreciation), dance systems (management, administration policy and
politics), dance context (dance theatre, community dance and dance
education) Tel: 029 2041 6044 Email:uwicinfo@uwic.ac.uk Website:www.uwic.ac.uk
Coventry University BA (Hons) Dance and Professional Practice Alongside
studying contemporary dance technique, students’ teaching skills are
developed with the emphasis on examining dance in a community context.
In Year 3 a collaborative project gives further opportunity to explore
community work. Tel: 02476 790 790 Email:info.rao@coventry.ac.uk Website:www.coventry.ac.uk
Sunderland University BA (Hons) Dance The
course concentrates on dance as a performing art. One module in both
levels two and three focus on art in the community, when you will have
the opportunity to take part in community projects. Tel: 0191 515 2000 Email: student-helpline@sunderland.ac.uk Website:www.sunderland.ac.uk
University of Leeds BA (Hons) Dance There
are opportunities to study community dance throughout the three years.
Year 1 includes an Understanding Dance module, an optional module in
Year 2 is Dance in Context, and in Year 3 an optional module is the
Industry Study that can be used to explore community dance further. Tel: 0113 243 1751 Email:enquiry@leeds.ac.uk Website:www.leeds.ac.uk
University of Bedfordshire BA (Hons) Dance and Professional Practice This
course emphasizes learning through practice. The Leadership in Dance
strand develops your ability to create, manage and deliver dance-based
projects through teaching and workshop leading. In Year 3 University
Dance Company gives opportunity to gain experience in delivery of
outreach and education programmes. Tel: 01234 793 279 Email:admission@beds.ac.uk Website:www.beds.ac.uk
Section 3
The
following courses explicitly offer at least one module on community
dance, though there may be other areas of the course where community
dance is featured:
University of Wolverhampton BA (Hons) Dance Practice and Performance Tel: 01902 322222 Email:enquiries@wlv.ac.uk Website:www.wlv.ac.uk
Section 4
If
you are interested in studying community dance within a broader context
of community arts, arts management, social justice etc. then you may
wish to search for Joint Honours degree courses which offer the
opportunity to study dance in combination with another subject, such as
Dance with Community Arts at Manchester Metropolitan University or Arts
Management and Dance at De Montfort University, Leicester.
If
you are aware of any HE institutions offering community dance that are
not listed here, or if this information needs updating, please email info@communitydance.org.uk
If
you want to study community dance but feel that a university degree
course is not right for your needs, there are other options available.
Some
universities and FE colleges offer HND courses, which are usually two
years in duration. Some HNDs, such as the Dance Artists HND at
Edinburgh’s Telford College, include aspects of community dance. Visit
the UCAS website www.ucas.org.uk and do a search under ‘dance’.
If
you already have a first degree, or its equivalent, you may wish to
undertake a higher (Masters) degree. There are currently no courses in
existence that focus purely on community dance, but it may be that you
are able to pursue community dance as a specialism within a negotiated
Masters programme. Visit www.prospects.ac.uk to find out about UK
universities offering higher degrees in dance.
Outside of the
formal education sector, various dance agencies and organisations
within the professional sector offer training courses and professional
development opportunities, some of which are accredited, such as the
Community Dance Practitioner course run by East London Dance, or the Dance Leaders in the Community course run by the Laban Guild.
Most professional courses are part time, and some are occasional or
‘one-off’ short courses, allowing you to build an individual
training/professional development portfolio according to your needs and
circumstances.
For more information on courses and opportunities available, visit the CPD Opportunities page or go to the Useful contacts page to contact your regional and local dance agencies.
Once I find the course that I want, how do I apply?
Applications
to universities in the UK are managed through UCAS. If you want to
apply for a particular course, contact UCAS and request an application
form. It is advisable to apply for more than one course, in case you
are not accepted onto your first choice. Your completed application is
forwarded to the relevant university/ies where academic tutors within
the subject area will decide whether or not they think you are a
suitable applicant for their course. If you are successful at this
first ‘short listing’ stage, you will usually be asked to attend an
interview and/or practical audition.
How do I finance my higher education?
How much you pay for your higher education course depends on your eligibility and the eligibility of the course for HE funding.
Accredited
courses attract government funding to limit the fees that students pay;
if you follow a standard university degree course, you are therefore
eligible for mandatory HE awards which cover the greater part of
tuition fees. You have to make a contribution (top up) to this fee and
you can apply for a student loan for living expenses and help towards
your fee contribution. How much you pay in tuition fees and your
eligibility for student loans varies and is assessed against your
own/your parents’/your spouse’s income. There are also various other
grants, benefits and learning allowances for which you may be eligible
depending on your circumstances.
For non-accredited courses
offered by institutions and vocational training schools in the private
sector, there is a scheme called The Dance and Drama Awards. This is a
scholarship scheme funded by the Department for Education and Skills
(DfES).
University Central Admissions Service (UCAS) UCAS
is the central organisation that processes applications for
undergraduate courses at UK universities and colleges. It offers a
searchable website of current courses and institutions. Address: PO Box 28, Cheltenham, GL52 3LZ Tel: 0870 112 2211 Email:enquiries@ucas.ac.uk Website:www.ucas.ac.uk
Learn Direct A free help line and website giving impartial information about education and learning opportunities. Tel: 0800 100 900 Website:www.learndirect.co.uk
Department for Education and Skills (DfES) Find
out which student loans, grants, bursaries and other help you could
qualify for, and apply online for student loans and grants. Includes
full information on repaying student loans. Website:www.direct.gov.uk or www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport
Student Awards Agency for Scotland The university grant application service for Scotland. Address: Gyleview House, 3 Redheughs Rigg, Edinburgh, EH12 9HH Tel: 0845 111 1711 Email:saas.geu@scotland.gsi.gov.uk Website:www.student-support-saas.gov.uk
Education and Library Boards (Northern Ireland) Students apply for financial assistance through one of five local ELBs. More information can be found via the online resource. Website:www.education-support.org.uk
Department for Employment and Learning (Northern Ireland) Offers financial information for students entering higher education. Address: Student Finance Branch, Room 407, Adelaide House, 39-49 Adelaide Street, Belfast, BT2 8FD Tel: 028 9025 7777 Email:del@nics.gov.uk Website:www.delni.gov.uk
The Student Loans Company The
Student Loans Company (SLC) organises the payment, maintenance and
collection of government student loans which are designed to help
students meet their living costs while at university or college. Address: 100 Bothwell Street, Glasgow, G2 7JD Tel: 0800 40 50 10 Website:www.slc.co.uk
The Education Grants Advisory Service (EGAS) EGAS
provides information and advice on funding for post-16 education
including loans, grants, benefits, access funds, hardship funds,
bursaries and charitable trusts Address: 501-505 Kingsland Road, Dalston, London, E8 4AU Tel: 020 7254 6251 Email:egas.enquiry@fwa.org.uk Website:www.egas-online.org.uk
Dance and Drama Awards A scholarship scheme funded by the DfES, the Dance and Drama Awards fund a number of places at schools in the private sector. Website:www.direct.gov.uk/danceanddrama
Aim Higher A
project initiated by the DfES encouraging young people to enter further
and higher education. The website offers straightforward and
user-friendly support and advice for those considering higher
education. Email: see website for online enquiry form Website:www.aimhigher.ac.uk
The National Union of Students (NUS) Produces NUS welfare information pack including information on grants, awards and alternative financial assistance. Address: 2nd Floor, Centro 3, Mandela Street, London, NW1 0DU Tel: 020 221 8221 Textphone: 020 7380 6649 Email:nusuk@nus.org.uk Website:www.nusonline.co.uk
The Council for Dance Education and Training (CDET) Provides
information, advice and guidance on education and professional
development for dancers, with a particular focus on the private
vocational sector. Address: Old Brewer's Yard, 17-19 Neal Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9UY Tel: 0207 240 5703 Email:info@cdet.org.uk Website: www.cdet.org.uk
