BA (Hons) Dance, Performance and Teaching is a three year intensive programme of study which aims to prepare students to work with confidence within creative, educational and community settings through Dance.  Combining four intertwining strands of learning, (contextual studies, technique & choreography, teaching and somatic movement education) the course ensures that students have a strong well rounded education in Dance as well as specific skills within teaching.  As such this degree programme offers clear routes to employability within Dance related professions or serves as a solid basis for post-graduate study.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

If you left school or college some time ago and are without the normal entry qualifications, you will be considered equally for degree level study. Normally we look for alternative/professional qualifications, life experience, motivation and commitment to support such applications. APL (Accreditation for Prior Learning) and APEL (Accreditation for Prior Experiential Learning) are the terms used by UCLan to describe crediting your work or life experience.

260-300 points at A2 plus interview and audition

Course Content

Skills and techniques are taught throughout the course, and students will have the opportunity to integrate these within their performance and teaching work. Alongside this, students are encouraged to build and develop their research skills in order to inform and contextualise their own practice. This course is physically demanding, and therefore you need to maintain a reasonable level of fitness in order to abate the possibility of injury. Students are encouraged (through guidance) to become responsible for establishing and maintaining appropriate fitness levels. During tutor-led sessions, you will be given ongoing fitness guidelines, as well as health and safety instruction which should be implemented at all times.

Course at a Glance

Year 1

Semester 1 
DA1101 Modern Dance (Single)
DA1103 Technique & Improvisation (Single)

Semester 2
DA1102 Post-modern Dance & Current Trends (Single)
DA1104 Technique & Choreography (Single)

Semester 1 & 2
DA1105 (dbl) Somatic Movement Education (Double year long)

Year 2

Semester 1
DA2100 Technique & Choreography 2 (Single)

Semester 2
DA2101 Dance Cultures (Single)
DA2103 Dance, Physical Performance & Technique (Single)

Semester 1 & 2
DA2102 (dbl) Dance in Education (Double Year Long)
DA2105 Somatic Movement Education 2 (Single Year Long)

Year 3

Semester 1
DA3101 Technique & Performance (Single)
DA3103 Socio-Therapeutic Dance Forms (Single)

Semester 2
DA3104 Choreography (Single)

Semester 1 & 2
DA3102 (dbl) Teaching Practice in different contexts (Double year long)
DA3105 Independent Project (Single)

Assessment:

As the course is 75% practice, assessment takes place through a number of modes: practical (technical, creative and choreographic); written (essays, evaluations, reports and presentations). There are no written examinations.

Learning Environment:

Students will receive regular technique classes as well as sessions in choreography and improvisation which enhance both teaching practice and performance. A holistic approach to movement training informs the ethos of the course and as such students learn to be non judgemental towards their peers and self appraising of their own skills and development. Somatic Movement Education is an integral part of students’ learning and thus supports the development of self awareness and self-reflection, encouraging in depth movement experiences, self care and sensitivity to others.  

There are two double modules in teaching practice (one in the second and one in the third year) enabling students to work within a wide range of educational and community dance settings. There are a number of contextual modules that offer students grounded knowledge in the development of both traditional and contemporary dance forms, supporting understanding within educational, community and therapeutic practice.  A continuous strand of practical choreography modules enables students to hone their creative skills whilst realising dance theory in performance.

Careers:

The degree will equip you with skills to work effectively in various professions within the field of dance, most notably those of creative, educational and community focus. Whilst the course does not confer Qualified Teacher Status, (this is gained by completing a further 1 year PGCE course), it does provide a good grounding in developing and delivering dance curricula.

Other Opportunities:

Teaching placements throughout the second and the third year provide invaluable learning opportunities; students are also encouraged to engage in work-shadowing and observation of professionals working within the region. Technique, choreography and performance are important aspects of this degree; students are offered regular technique classes, the opportunity to perform in public and to work with established choreographers.

Fees and Finance

The standard fee for this course will be: £9,000 per year

For further information including the availability of bursaries/scholarships or student financial support please view our Fees and Finance pages.