Type: Higher Education
Qualification: Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) Cultural Dance Forms
Duration: 1 year (full-time) September - July
In September 2020 we updated the title of this course to reflect debates over the term 'urban'. Read more here
This course is designed to prepare you for further in-depth professional training. Develop your creative skills and explore techniques in a diverse range of cultural dance forms.
Through its broad curriculum, students encounter the history of these dance forms and understand their impact in shaping our global society.
CertHE programmes at NSCD have an excellent track record of helping students to progress to Conservatoires and Higher Education Institutions. 98% of students who completed this level of programme in 2018 accessed further dance training at NSCD, another conservatoire, or university.
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
Students on this course engage with a range of technical, creative and performance experiences. In a practical way, students examine the role of a number of cultural dance forms in telling the stories of individuals, communities and regions. Students study a variety of different styles such as Hip Hop (including popping, locking, breaking/BBoy, krumping), African and Caribbean carnival dances and Vogue. Contemporary and Ballet enrich the curriculum, so that students can develop their own unique movement language to communicate their own stories in both theatre and other social contexts.
Please note: this course is suited to individuals who would like more time to develop their technique and creative skills within a breadth of styles before applying to a 3-year degree programme. It is also a recommended route for applicants who are looking for a one-year intensive programme of study, or are undecided as to whether they are ready to commit to three years’ full-time training. This programme is also suitable for very talented 16-17 year olds as a full-time alternative access route to Higher Education.
Cultural Dance Forms focuses on four key elements:
Each is explored through cultural and social contexts, a variety of technique classes/workshops, creative practice and performance opportunities. You study modules comprising cultural dance styles, creative practice, Western theatre dance techniques, and performance projects. Half of the programme is devoted to dance techniques to prepare the body, offering a foundation for creative and performance work, whilst creative practices include improvisation and freestyle, alongside structures and choreographic tools which cross over all four key elements.
All of the practical work is understood through historical, social, political, gender, and cultural contexts, adding background, meaning and depth to your own and other professional works.
Entry is through successful audition. Additionally candidates should have normally gained four 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.
Exceptions are made for very talented 16 year olds & mature applicants. 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
You are taught through a combination of practical classes and workshops, lectures and seminars. 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 meetings with your academic tutors. You use industry-standard facilities throughout your course.
At Level 4 (as a guide) you typically have around 21 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:
Students receive ongoing feedback in practical classes and through the tutorial system in which professional and academic development are considered and evaluated.
The course operates on a modular basis. Most modules count for either 15 or 30 academic credits. Each credit taken equates to a total study time of around 10-20 hours. Total study time includes scheduled teaching, independent study, directed study and assessment activity. Full-time students take modules worth 37-45 credits per term. All students take a total of 120 credits for the CertHE as a whole.
Based on a comparison with other HE Dance programmes of the same price. We 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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