Type: Undergraduate
Qualification: BA (Hons) Dance (Contemporary)
Duration: 3 years (full-time only)
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:
Applications for 2021 entry are now closed
Applications for September 2022 entry open in October 2021
Open Days: Our 2021 Open Day events will be announced in June
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.
To note for information:
In 2019, NSCD took the decision to follow its own journey towards becoming an independently registered Higher Education Provider (HEP) and is currently in the process of making its application to the Office for Students (OfS). As we work through a positive notice period with the Conservatoire for Dance and Drama (CDD), who will no longer be NSCD’s HEP from 2023, we would like to inform applicants that you will begin your studies as a student registered with CDD, and in September 2023 (your final year), your registration will be with NSCD directly. CDD and NSCD continue to work together so that your education and training encounters no disruption during your time with us.
Should you have any questions, please contact Darren Carr (Vice Principal & Director of Studies) at darren.carr@nscd.ac.uk
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
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:
NSCD employs a wide variety of assessment methods including formative, continuous and summative assessment.
Assessment evidence is collected through:
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 FileWe are devoted to the experience we give our students. Based on a comparison with other HE Dance degrees of the same price, we offer the following as ‘value added’:
Plus
Future Now is an evening of performances by students graduating from NSCD’s BA (Hons) course. In 2019, students performed original choreography as well as works by guest choreographers Antonia Grove, Vinicius Salles and Alleyne Dance.
