Postgraduate Courses at NSCD
MA Dance & Creative Enterprise– click here to Apply Now
Qualification: MA Dance & Creative Enterprise
Duration: 1 Year (September to August) (Subject to Validation) Beginning in September 2017
Validated by: The University of Kent
Our MA in Dance & Creative Enterprise enables dance graduates and professionals at varying stages of their careers to evolve and advance their artistic practice, whilst gaining further understanding of its value as a creative enterprise.
At NSCD we believe dance artists in the 21st Century need to understand the ‘business’ of dance.
The programme enables dance graduates and professionals to gain a broader perspective on the arts sector, realise their ideas and find a potential market for their work. This course will encourage further development as a creative artist through its use of individual and collaborative approaches to arts practice and entrepreneurship. The MA explores artistic principles and theoretical concepts closely related to the art form, as well as the practices of project management, funding within the arts, audience engagement, publicity and marketing (including digital technologies). Alongside the creation and performance of work during the course, which can be individually led, focus will be given to developing academic and entrepreneurial skills by framing work as a collective, with guidance from some of the UK’s leading dance academics and practitioners, in both the art and business of dance.
Course Overview:
Stage 1 (leading to PG Dip in Dance & Creative Enterprise)
120 credits
— Dance Research and Practice in Perspective
— Arts Project Management
— Fundraising for Creative Industries
— Marketing & Digital Media Representation
OPTION
— Creative Modes of Enquiry OR Dance Technique
— Professional Performance Practice Project or Placement Or Arts Admin/Teaching Placement
Stage 2 (leading to the qualification of MA)
— Research project
During the third term of study (usually early June to August) students from all of our MA Programmes undertake a substantial independent or collaborative project and carry out research at an advanced level, relative to the field of study. The research project facilitates in-depth investigation into an aspect of contemporary dance practice, likely to be drawn from the experience and learning encountered through an earlier aspect of their course. The MA stage of study is characterised by practice as research, with the guidance of a supervising tutor or mentor. Students who do not complete this term of study (Stage Two) may be eligible for an award of Postgraduate Diploma.
Entry Requirements
Entry is through a remote online application via the submission of a show reel, written piece of work and an online skype interview. The MA in Dance & Creative Enterprise is open to graduates of two/three year dance training programmes at higher education level, who would therefore usually be 21+ years of age, or to dance artists with some professional experience and equivalent vocational dance training at an appropriate level.
See below for information on how to apply.
For applicants requiring a tier 4 visa, apply and submit your audition online by 30th June 2017.
For all UK and EU applicants, the deadline for applications and submission of audition online is 31st July 2017.
Before you begin your application please read the following information: MA Dance & Creative Enterprise Application & Audition Information
Application Form Link (MA Dance & Creative Enterprise) (click to open)
For all enquiries please contact Kate Kramers at admissions@nscd.ac.uk
MA Contemporary Dance Performance (Verve)
Qualification: MA Contemporary Dance Performance VERVE
Duration: 1 Year (September to August)
Validated by: The University of Kent
This one-year, full-time programme offer dancers a safe and inspiring space to grow as an artist, rigorously challenge their physical skill and build an understanding of the professional working environment.
VERVE is the postgraduate company of the Northern School of Contemporary Dance. The MA equips students with Professional performance skills as members of a touring Contemporary dance company. Each year VERVE commissions choreographers to create a distinct, engaging, and thought provoking programme of work.
The programme offers emerging dance artists the opportunity to challenge and develop their skills across a varied repertoire of work, guided by the Artistic Director, alongside an exciting range of guest teachers and visiting artists. The programme enables students to take creative risk with their practice, to grow their individual artistry and develop their identity as a performer.
VERVE undertakes a tour across the UK and to select international venues seeking connection with partner institutions, industry professionals, choreographers, and companies, to broaden and enrich the dancers understanding of the professional dance world and their future options within it. Verve works with established and emerging choreographers, giving dancers an appreciation of the breadth of what is happening in dance. Choreographers who have worked with the company include, Akram Khan, Gemma Nixon and Jonathan Goddard, Ben Wright, Ben Duke, James Wilton, Kerry Nicholls, Anton Lachky, James Cousins, Luca Silvestrini, Lea Anderson and Frauke Requardt.
Course overview
Stage 1 (leading to the award of PG Dip in Contemporary Dance Performance)
— Dance Technique
— Company Module (Rehearsal, Professional behaviour & application, Public Performance)
Stage 2 (leading to the Award of MA in Contemporary Dance Performance)
— Research Project (term 3)*
Employment
Verve students have excellent employment prospects and are finding work with large and small scale dance companies and as independent artists. A number of employment offers have been made whilst students were still in training.
Entry Requirements
Entry is through successful audition and interview, plus completion of a written task. Our postgraduate programmes are open to graduates of two/three year dance training programmes at higher education level, who would therefore usually be 21+ years of age, or to dance artists with some professional experience. Application to VERVE can also be made through a remote audition for EU, EEA and International applicants (see the website for details).
MA Contemporary Dance Performance (Postgraduate Apprentice Scheme – PAS)
Qualification: MA Contemporary Dance Performance PAS
Duration: 1 Year (September to August)
Validated by: The University of Kent
This one-year, full-time programme provides an opportunity for students to undertake extensive professional development and refine their skills as a performer, whilst being an apprentice with a professional dance company.
The distinctiveness of this programme lies in the offer of a work placement with a professional dance company of between five and nine months.
As Postgraduate Apprentices, students work alongside professional dancers at their chosen host company, experiencing the creation, rehearsal, production and touring of a professional performance programme or project, including any related education and community outreach work. Whilst on their placement, students are supported by a tutor at NSCD.
The placement experience is supplemented by a wide range of technical and creative work delivered at NSCD, involving performance platforms, classes with VERVE and research-based activities. Crucially, apprentices develop an understanding of the wider skills required of a professional dance artist, through small-scale projects, introductions to local networks and awareness of a variety of activities such as workshop teaching and project management.
Companies in which students have previously been placed include:
2faced, ACE Dance and Music, Company Chameleon, Phoenix Dance Theatre, Protein Dance, BlackBox Dance Company (Denmark), Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company and Mark Bruce Dance Company.
Course overview
Stage 1 (leading to the award of PG Dip in Contemporary Dance Performance)
— Dance Technique
— Company Module (Rehearsal, Professional behaviour & application, Public Performance)
Stage 2 (leading to the Award of MA in Contemporary Dance Performance)
— Research Project (term 3)*
Employment
PAS students have excellent employment prospects and are finding work with large and small scale dance companies. Due to the bespoke matching of individuals to companies, a significant number of apprenticeship scheme graduates secure professional employment with their host companies following their placement.
Entry Requirements
Entry is through successful audition and interview, plus completion of a written task. Our postgraduate programmes are open to graduates of two/three year dance training programmes at higher education level, who would therefore usually be 21+ years of age, or to dance artists with some professional experience. Please note: PAS is not open to applications from International students due to UKVI restrictions.
Important Information for Postgraduate International Applicants (from outside the UK/EU)
Please note that unfortunately NSCD, along with other conservatoire schools, is unable to accept applications from international students for the Postgraduate Apprenticeship Scheme pathway of our MA Contemporary Dance Performance. This is due to the nature of the course being mainly ‘off-site’ and therefore does not allow us to meet our Tier 4 duties.
We are, though, able to accept applications for our MA Contemporary Dance Performance (VERVE) and MA Dance & Creative Enterprise from all international students.
To apply for a postgraduate audition please click here
