Performance is at the heart of the course, so you will work with an ensemble and as a soloist to devise and realise original and devised routines, and perform to the dance-lovers in the public.

In recent years, dance students at UCW have performed in professional venues including Loco Klub in Bristol and in our spectacular end of year show in Weston’s Playhouse Theatre.

The course is taught by still-practising dance and performing arts professionals, and you will also learn from expert guest lecturers who will help you develop your online portfolio and encourage you to make a professional network within the dance industry.

You will also gain an understanding of performance physicality and explore the key historical and stylistic developments, practitioners and productions in dance and undertake projects in areas of academic and professional interest.

The programme’s international emphasis extends beyond the syllabus, with students on this course having recently had the opportunity to visit Los Angeles at an additional expense.

The UCW Academy of Performing Arts has also developed a partnership with the Studio School in LA, with students from both institutions collaborating to produce a music video.

The course is taught in the recently-renovated rehearsal spaces and dance studios in the UCW Academy of Performing Arts at our Knightstone Campus. You’ll also attend lectures in the brand new learning and teaching facilities in the University Centre of our Winter Gardens building, which is also in the centre of Weston.

Please contact the course leader Rachel Hickie or UCW’s HEART team if you have any questions. It would also be great to meet you and show you around at our next Open Day.

All of the modules on this course are compulsory and worth either 20, 40 or 60 credits each. Successful completion of all three years is worth 360 credits and will lead to the award of a degree at Level 6.

Year 1:

• Ballet 1 (20 credits) 
• Commercial Dance Technique (20 credits)
• Dance Skills (20 credits) 
• Jazz Dance 1 (20 credits) 
• Performance and Creative Practice (20 credits)
• The Dancer’s Body (20 credits)

Year 2:

• Ballet 2 (20 credits) 
• Commercial Dance Technique (20 credits)  
• Dance Skills 2 (20 credits)
• Jazz Dance 2 (20 credits) 
• Performance and Creative Practice 2 (20 credits)
• Personal Reflective Practice 2 (20 credits)

Year 3:

• Dance Independent Study (20 credits)
• Professional Dance Projects (60 credits)
• The Professional Dancer (40 credits)

This course is taught and assessed via a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, skills classes, in-class performances of devised work, presentations, individual and group work, written assignments and public performances. UCW’s Academic Development team also deliver a series of sessions on degree-level research and academic writing to all first-year students. When not in scheduled lectures and seminars, students are expected to continue learning through independent self-study. This involves reading relevant literature, working on individual and group projects, and undertaking research in preparation for coursework.

This course has an average of 26 hours of scheduled teaching per week.

Assessment is via a combination of practical exams and coursework. The assessment breakdown is 75% practical assessment and 25% coursework. There are no written exams on this course.

• Graduates are eligible to apply for postgraduate courses such as the Master’s Degree in Dance at Bath Spa University.
• Graduates could also seek freelance and contracted dance and choreography roles and, subject to further study, aspire to work in mainstream or specialist dance education.

Industry Insight

Almost a third of dance graduates who enter employment with six months of graduating are employed as dancers or choreographers.

• A level - CDD
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MMP
• Access to HE Diploma - M: 30 credits
• International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 32 points
• T Level - M
• We will contact all applicants shortlisted for audition by email with full details.
• We will contact all applicants shortlisted for interview by email with full details.

We try to ensure that all as many costs for the programme you will study will be included within your tuition fees. We will endeavour to keep any additional costs you may have to pay to a minimum and some of the extra costs may be considered optional where it is deemed extra to your programme. 

To be clear, your tuition fees pay for the following: 

• All teaching and lectures  

• Use of specialist facilities at UCW 

• Specialist Guest Lectures at UCW 

• Annual photocopying budget of £10 

• Use of computer equipment at any UCW campus  

• Access to Microsoft 365 whilst enrolled at UCW. 

• Access to careers advice during and after completion of your programme of study. 

• Use of Libraries and access to Journal databases, e-books and physical books. 

Additional Costs that will need to be incurred to study your programme: 

• Photography costs for headshots and body shots. Costs vary from £25-£250+ 
• Dance wear suitable for all styles you will be training in. Costs vary significantly depending upon what dance wear you might already possess and your chosen retailer. Standard costs start at £50. 

Additional costs that you may incur should you wish to: 

• Visits/Exhibitions that are seen as optional. Total costs are usually £30-£50. 

• Cost of travel to any extra-curricular events such as performances in Bristol or London. Total costs are usually around £150 

• Residentials that are seen as programme enhancement and are thus optional. Costs in 2023/34 were around £160 for third year students. 

• Additional videographer costs for showreel. Costs vary significantly from £50-£250+ 

• Participation in the Turing Scheme in your third year. In 2024 students participated in our New York with a cost of £1800.    

• Extra photocopying and printing above the initial £10
• The cost of books you may wish to purchase. 

Programme Specification

Course Handbook

Bath Spa University Terms and Conditions

UCW Terms and Conditions