Type: Undergraduate
Qualification: BA (Hons) Dance (Contemporary)
Duration: 3 years (full-time only). Year one - 10th September 2019 - 6th July 2020
Validated by: University of Kent
Our students become performers with highly-tuned technical and creative skills, developed through dance experiences in a variety of professional, studio and community contexts. NSCD’s approach is founded on an openness to explore related theory and practice. You are encouraged to be curious about the place of contemporary dance within the broader landscape of the professional arts. We provide opportunities for you to work in collaboration with other Arts organisations and professionals, and for you to engage with different audiences in a variety of settings.
Apply by: 15th January 2019
The BA (Hons) Dance (Contemporary) degree is a course of study specifically designed for the education and training of professional contemporary dance artists, performers, choreographers and artist facilitators. Our students become dance artists with highly tuned specialist knowledge, technical and creative skills, plus experience as a producer and teacher with understanding of project management and dance pedagogy. The range of technical training undertaken during the programme is designed to train the body, whilst developing artistic intelligence and an understanding of movement that enables the dancer to respond to the varied and changing demands of contemporary choreography. Students are encouraged to be curious about the place of contemporary dance within the broader landscape of the professional arts scene. We provide opportunities for students to work in collaboration with other arts organisations and professional settings, and for you to engage with different audiences at different stages of your professional training. Through the programme students embrace a range of industry relevant modes of working, such as dance film, site-specific practice, social responsibility in dance, collective working, as well as a thorough grounding in traditional theatre practice.
“I feel the course has given me a good basis of technique, strength and physical ability to develop in my career.” (NSS, 2017)
Entry is through successful audition and interview. Additionally candidates should normally have gained five GCSE passes (grade C/4 or above), which must include English Language, and two A Level passes or a L3 BTEC National diploma or professional/vocational training at an appropriate level. Equivalent qualifications may also be accepted depending on the strength of the grades achieved. Equivalent level overseas qualifications are also accepted. Further details can be obtained from admissions@nscd.ac.uk
“I feel the staff have challenged and pushed me to my full potential and have provided me with enough tools and skills to be able to then graduate with all the necessities for the outside world. I feel very prepared.” (NSS, 2017)
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
Students are taught through a combination of practical classes and workshops, lectures, seminars and ‘laboratory-style’ practical sessions. Seminars and small group tutorials enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups. In addition, you have timetabled tutorials with your academic tutors. You use industry-standard facilities throughout your course.
At level 4 (as a guide) you typically have around 30 contact hours per week, typically consisting of:
“I believe the communication between students and the staff/leadership at NSCD is outstanding as they utilize a range of methods for best possible communication.” (NSS, 2017)
NSCD employs a wide variety of assessment methods including formative, continuous and summative assessment.
Assessment evidence is collected through:
“The collaborative and research projects have given us the opportunities to grow while investigating our own practice.” (NSS, 2017)
Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, around 30 hours per week, on top of this independent learning which is expected to be at least 2 hours per module, rehearsals (varies) and assessment activity with each credit taken equating to a total study time of around 36 hours. While your actual contact hours may depend on the optional modules you select, the following information gives an indication of how much time you will need to allocate to different activities at each level of the course.
Download Course Fact File“There has been an outstanding number of workshops, extracurricular opportunities, and options to collaborate with other dancers and artists.” (NSS, 2017)
Based on a comparison with other HE Dance degrees of the same price, NSCD are devoted to the experience we give our students and to what we try to offer them as ‘value added’ for their course fees:
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All above quotes: NSCD student feedback, National Student Survey 2017
