BA (HONS) CONTEMPORARY DANCE

at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance

The BA (Hons) Contemporary Dance programme is designed to encourage you to develop as an independent, autonomous learner and grow into a confident, creative dance practitioner. In the first year you will focus on the development of skills, imagination and new ways of seeing. The second year will encourage your versatility, individuality and risk taking, while the third, final year, stresses independent and indepth research as well as technical, creative and professional skills development.
 

The programme consists of three parts (Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3) which are undertaken over three consecutive academic years on a full time basis. Each Part is undertaken over three terms and consists of modules which are structured to support progressive development in your training and studies. Advancing through the programme you are increasingly encouraged to develop as an independent learner and dance artist.
 

Year One (Part 1)

Part 1 focuses on dance technique, creative development and approaches to learning in dance which will enhance your understanding of movement and enable you to develop your potential as a dance artist, leading to a performance project at the end of the year. Alongside this you will develop choreographic skills and an understanding of frameworks for reflection on contemporary dance and arts practice.

Year 1 (Level 1)

Modules    

• Technical Practice 1:
• Contemporary Technique
• Classical Ballet
• Experiential Anatomy
• Physical Awareness and Development
• Pilates
• Creative Practice 1:
• Improvisation
• Choreological Studies
• Choreography
• CoLab
• Performance Practice 1:
• Performance Project
• Investigating Dance Practice 1
• Ways of Seeing
• Historical Perspectives on Dance
• Research Methods 1
   

Year Two (Part 2)

Technical training continues alongside the development of choreographic and performance skills, culminating in a repertory performance project. Analytical and theoretical frameworks for the understanding of dance in its various contexts are further developed. You will be able to choose a specialised area of related study, and an independent assignment during the year will bring you into contact with the professional dance world.

Year 2 (Level 2)

Modules   

• Technical Practice 2:
• Contemporary Technique
• Classical Ballet
• Contact Improvisation
• Creative Practice 2:
• Resourcing Performance
• Choreography
• Choreological Studies
• CoLab
• Performance Practice 2:
• Dance Repertory Project
• Investigating Dance Practice 2:
• Cultural Perspectives on Dance
• Research Methods 2
• Dance Industry Engagement 1
• Dance and the Moving Image*
• Dance Artists in Education and Participatory Settings*
• Performance Design*
   

*Students are required to select one of the three component options
 

Year Three (Part 3)

Alongside your advanced technical training you will undertake an Independent Project during which you develop, within a negotiated framework, a substantial piece of self-directed research with a devised, performance or written outcome. You will also work with faculty members and visiting artists who will lead you in intensive performance projects to prepare you for the pace and focus of the professional working process. There are three options in Part 3 (from which you can select two) that allow you to develop further skills according to your strengths and interests. These have distinct focuses: choreographic, performance, technical, teaching.
 

All final year students will participate in degree shows at the end of the year which will present a diverse range of selected student work and new pieces devised by in-house and visiting choreographers.
 

Year 3 (Level 3)

Modules    

• Technical Practice 3
• Contemporary Technique
• Classical Ballet
• Performance Practice 3:
• Commissioned Work
• Investigating Dance Pratice 3
• Dance Industry Engagement 2
• Dance Artist as Choreographer*
• Dance Artist as Teacher (Contemporary Technique)*
• Extended Technical Practice*
   

*For completion of this module students are required to select a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 2 options. Where a student selects two options only the highest grade awarded will count towards the calculation of the degree classification.
 

• Creative Practice 3:
• Independent Research Project
• Research Methods 3

• Practical experience of at least one dance form

• 5 GCSEs 9-4 (or A*-C)

• Two A Levels at Grade E or above

• For overseas candidates: International Baccalaureate, Abitur and Gymnasium are recognised. Alternatives may be considered.
   

English language requirements (if applicable):
 

IELTS (General or Academic Training) minimum 5.5 in all four areas; or B2 First (Cambridge English) minimum 160 in all four areas; or Trinity College London – Integrated Skills in English level II or above.
 

If you require a Tier 4 (General) Student visa to study in the UK you may require a Secure English Language Test (SELT). 
 

Entry is by audition, where you will need to demonstrate the commitment and potential to study dance at a professional level. You will normally have dance experience, be curious and willing to be challenged, and have enthusiasm for the physical demands of intensive dance training. Auditions usually consist of:

• Contemporary Technique Class

• Classical Ballet Class

• Creative Class

• An individual interview

• Overseas applicants who cannot attend auditions in person may submit recordings of themselves in technique class and in performances. The recordings are auditioned in the same way as live auditions and are considered by relevant tutors. These applications are submitted using Embark.

BA (HONS)  CONTEMPORARY DANCE

Home    £9,250

International    £21,210

Graduates from this programme have gone on to perform with leading dance companies and/or establish themselves as acclaimed choreographers. Other graduates enjoy successful careers as teachers, community dance artists, arts managers and dance writers.
 

Below is just a small selection of our recent BA graduates that have gone on to perform, and the company they are working/have worked with:
 

• Jack William Parry (2018) – New Adventuresopens in a new window
• Marine Tournet (2017) – National Dance Company Wales
• Olivia Edginton (2016) – Candoco Dance Companyopens in a new window
• Jasmine Orr (2016) – Jasmin Vardimon Company
• Sebastian Abarbanell (2015) – Sidra Bell Dance New Yorkopens in a new window
• Saara Hurme (2015) – Proteinopens in a new window
• Eeva Juutinen (2014) – Tilted Productionsopens in a new window
• Matthew Sandiford (2012) – BalletBoyzopens in a new window
• Adam Russell (2012) – BalletLorentopens in a new window
• Elly Braund (2011) – Richard Alston Dance Company
• James Pett (2011) – Company Wayne McGregoropens in a new window
• Luka Owen (2010) – Motionhouse
• opens in a new windowPetros Treklis (2010) – Sydney Dance Companyopens in a new window
• Lisa Rowley (2010) – Tavaziva
• Ian Gardside (2008) – DV8opens in a new window
• TJ Lowe (2008) – Akram Khan Companyopens in a new window
• Vince Virr (2008) – Barrowland Ballet
• Dylan Crossman (2006) – Merce Cunningham Dance Company
• opens in a new windowMandeep Raikhy (2005) – Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company