Program Overview
Dance
BA (Hons)
Undergraduate degree - single honours
Overview
Build the skills you need to become a creative dance professional. Create. Perform. Transform.
- Experience rigorous, practical training with daily technique and performance classes in our purpose-built dance facilities.
- Immerse yourself in a unique creative environment, making exciting new work for both live and digital performance environments.
- Gain industry experience and contacts, working regularly with our extensive network of professional artists and companies.
Staff
- Michelle Elliott - Subject Leader for Dance
- Zhi Xu - Senior Lecturer in Dance
- Luke Antysz - Lecturer in Dance
- Silvia Carderelli-Gronau - Teaching Fellow in Dance
- Chris Lewis-Smith - Associate Lecturer in Dance
- Sophie Northmore - Associate Lecturer in Dance
- Amy Foskett - Associate Lecturer in Dance
- Jack Sergison - Associate Lecturer in Dance
- Stephanie Scheubeck - Associate Lecturer in Dance
- Sarah Alexander - Course Leader for BA (Hons) Dance
- Vicki Hearne - Lecturer in Dance
Students and Alumni
- João Oliveira - BA (Hons) Dance
- Leanne Oddy - BA (Hons) Dance
- Matthew Howard - BA (Hons) Dance
- Raquel dos Santos - BA (Hons) Dance
- Rhiann Ashley - BA (Hons) Dance
- Jess McCormack - BA (Hons) Dance
- Bridie Doyle-Roberts - BA (Hons) Dance
- Keziah Benbow - BA (Hons) Dance
- Mason Palmer - BA (Hons) Dance
- Jasmine Hall - BA (Hons) Dance
- Sarah Stone - BA (Hons) Dance
- Holly Bartlett - BA (Hons) Dance
- Xavier De Santos - BA (Hons) Dance
What You'll Learn
Overview
On our BA Dance course, you'll be encouraged to make work for both the live and digital arena and you'll be supported by the expertise of a specialist team of tutors and industry contacts. We’ll encourage you to develop a critical and analytical mindset that will support your creative enquiry.
Course Structure
- Year one: Your first year will be a fast-paced, challenging experience that builds your skills in the key areas of performance, creativity, and critical thinking.
- Year two: You’ll stretch your creative and performance skills in exciting new directions. A wide range of practical sessions will deepen your understanding of how performance work can be created for different contexts.
- Year three: You'll focus on developing a specialist area of study and preparing for the employment market. You'll work regularly with industry practitioners to develop a broad understanding of dance employment routes.
Modules
- Year one (Level 4):
- Body in Training 1: The Healthy Dancer
- Dance Making 1
- Exploring Screendance
- Body in Training 2: The Mindful Dancer
- Dance Making 2
- Performance Project 1
- Year two (Level 5):
- Body in Training 3: The Responsive Dancer
- Creative Worlds
- Performance Project 2
- Applied Techniques
- Performing Self
- Creative Lab
- Year three (Level 6):
- The Company
- Somatics for Performance, Health and Wellbeing
- Dancing Knowledge
- Professional Practice
- Independent Project (20 credits)
- Independent Project (40 credits)
Opportunities
Study Abroad
As part of your degree, you could study abroad on a placement at one of Bath Spa’s partner universities.
Work Placements, Industry Links, and Internships
Our students have completed work placements with many professional dance organisations including Ballet Cymru, Hofesh Shechter, Pavilion Dance, ITV, The Egg Theatre, Impermanence Dance Theatre, Circomedia, Be U Dance Company, and Jean Abreu Dance.
Visiting Guest Artists and Companies
One of the key features of Dance at Bath Spa is the exciting variety of ways that professional artists and companies are integrated into the delivery of our courses. We have an extensive network of contacts who work alongside the Bath Spa teaching team on both weekly classes and intensive projects.
Facilities and Resources
Where the Subject is Taught
The course is taught at our Newton Park campus. You’ll work in our dance studios, which are fully equipped for choreography, performance, and work with digital media. We regularly host professional performances and workshops from leading dance artists in the University Theatre.
Specialist Technical Resources
You can hire out equipment through the SISO, Bath Spa University’s free equipment loan service. We provide a huge variety of equipment including laptops, iPads, projectors, and cameras. You'll also get access to the media creation app Adobe Spark for mobile and web to help you with your digital projects.
Fees
2025 Entry
- UK full-time: £9,535
- UK part-time: £4,768
- International full-time: £17,670
Professional Placement Year
During the placement year, the fee is reduced to 20% of the full-time fee.
- UK: £1,905
- International: £3,534
Additional Course Costs
You may need to pay additional course costs over and above your tuition fees, for example, for specialist equipment or trips and visits. Please check the course Programme Document for details of any additional costs.
Entry Requirements
We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry to our undergraduate programmes. The main ones are listed below:
- A Level: grades BBB-BCC including a grade B in Dance, Performing Arts or a related subject preferred.
- BTEC: Extended Diploma grades from Distinction Distinction Merit (DDM) to Distinction Merit Merit (DMM) in a related subject, or evidence of experience in Dance or Performing Arts.
- T Levels: grade Merit preferred in a relevant subject.
- International Baccalaureate: a minimum of 32 points are required in addition to evidence of involvement in dance or performing arts.
- Access to HE courses: typical offers for applicants with Access to HE will be the Access to HE Diploma or Access to HE Certificate (60 credits, 45 of which must be Level 3, at Merit or higher) together with evidence of involvement in dance and performing arts.
Interview and Portfolio Guidance
If you apply, we’ll ask you to attend an audition day so that we can assess your suitability for the programme. The audition gives you a chance to demonstrate your physical dance skills and your creative abilities. Your personal statement is your chance to show your skills and experience in dance. We want to know about what inspires you and what you hope to achieve with your training.
Auditions will consist of:
- Technique class: We're looking for commitment, enthusiasm, and physical evidence of dance training to an appropriate level (alignment, accuracy, energy).
- Creative workshop: We're looking for creativity and imagination, the ability to work as a group, and to create and present work in a contemporary style.
- Course overview/Q and A session: This session should clarify what you can expect from the course in terms of practical and written requirements, workshops, projects, and placements. We'll also be able to answer individual questions to help you decide whether this course is right for you.
Eligible applicants will be invited to auditions at our Newton Park Campus between December and March. We don't charge an audition fee.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
This BA (Hons) Dance program at Bath Spa University is designed to equip students with the skills and experience necessary to become creative dance professionals. The program emphasizes practical studio work, exploring dance as a means of self-expression and understanding the world. It focuses on developing skills in creating new work for performance, with a strong emphasis on contemporary techniques. The program aims to foster a critical and analytical mindset alongside creative exploration, ensuring students develop a holistic understanding of safe and healthy dance practices.
Outline:
Year One (Level 4):
- Body in Training 1: The Healthy Dancer: This module focuses on building a strong foundation in safe and healthy dance practices, ensuring students can work sustainably and ethically.
- Dance Making 1: Introduces students to the fundamentals of dance creation, exploring solo, small group, and large ensemble work.
- Exploring Screendance: This module explores the intersection of dance and digital media, introducing students to the world of screendance.
- Body in Training 2: The Mindful Dancer: This module delves deeper into the relationship between the mind and body in dance, promoting mindfulness and self-awareness.
- Dance Making 2: Students continue to develop their dance-making skills, building upon the foundation established in Year One.
- Performance Project 1: Students engage in practical performance projects, applying their developing skills in a real-world context.
Year Two (Level 5):
- Body in Training 3: The Responsive Dancer: This module focuses on developing responsiveness and adaptability in dance, exploring how to react to different stimuli and environments.
- Creative Worlds: Students explore the diverse contexts and possibilities of dance, expanding their creative horizons.
- Performance Project 2: Students continue to refine their performance skills through practical projects, building upon their previous experience.
- Applied Techniques: This module delves deeper into specific dance techniques, providing students with a more nuanced understanding of different styles.
- Performing Self: Students explore the concept of self in performance, developing their personal artistic voice and presence.
- Creative Lab: This module provides a space for experimentation and exploration, encouraging students to push creative boundaries.
Year Three (Level 6):
- The Company: This module provides students with an immersive experience in the world of professional dance companies, working alongside industry professionals.
- Dancing Knowledge: Students delve into the theoretical and historical aspects of dance, developing a deeper understanding of the art form.
- Professional Practice: This module prepares students for the professional dance world, covering topics such as career development, networking, and industry knowledge.
- Independent Project (20 credits): Students undertake a substantial independent project, allowing them to explore a specific area of interest in depth.
- Independent Project (40 credits): Students continue their independent project, further developing their research and creative skills.
Assessment:
Students are assessed through a variety of methods, including:
- Practical Performances: Demonstrating technical proficiency, creative expression, and performance skills.
- Presentations: Communicating ideas, research findings, and artistic concepts.
- Portfolios: Showcasing creative work, development, and progress.
- Essays: Analyzing and critically evaluating dance concepts, theories, and practices.
Teaching:
The program utilizes a variety of teaching methods, including:
- Workshops: Practical sessions led by qualified staff and visiting choreographers and artists.
- Technique Classes: Developing technical proficiency in various dance styles.
- Creative Sessions: Encouraging exploration, experimentation, and creative problem-solving.
- Digital Technology: Integrating digital media into creative practice and teaching. The program benefits from a specialist team of tutors and industry contacts, providing students with access to a wealth of expertise and professional experience.
Careers:
Graduates from this program pursue a variety of careers in the dance world, including:
- Performance: Working as professional dancers in various companies and productions.
- Choreography: Creating and directing dance works for stage, screen, and community settings.
- Community Dance Work: Engaging in dance education and outreach programs.
- Teaching: Instructing dance in various educational settings, including schools, studios, and universities.
- Dance Movement Therapy: Utilizing dance as a therapeutic tool for individuals with various needs.
- Students have the opportunity to complete work placements with professional dance organizations, gaining valuable industry experience.
- The program features a robust visiting guest artist program, bringing in leading dance professionals to provide workshops and residencies.
- Students have access to a wide range of facilities, including dance studios, a University Theatre, Mac editing suites, TV studios, green screen facilities, and specialist technical resources.
- Bath Spa University offers a free equipment loan service (SISO), providing students with access to laptops, iPads, projectors, cameras, and other equipment.
- Students have access to the media creation app Adobe Spark for mobile and web, supporting their digital projects.
- The program emphasizes the importance of developing a global perspective, offering the Certificate in Global Citizenship for full-time undergraduate students.
- The program offers an optional Professional Placement Year, allowing students to gain professional experience in the dance field.
2024 entry Student Annual tuition fee UK full time £9,250 UK part time £4,625 International full time £16,905 Professional Placement Year During the placement year, the fee is reduced to 20% of the full time fee. This applies to UK and EU/International students. UK: £1,850 International: £3,381
