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Dance students at De Montfort University

Dance BA (Hons)

Develop your technical and performance skills in a range of contemporary practices that will broaden your understanding of dance and help you find your creative voice.

Overview

Take a look at DMU's University Dance Festival rehearsals, showcasing original choreography and energetic performances.

Intellectually and artistically demanding, this course offers daily dance classes in contemporary techniques, ballet for contemporary dancers, fusion (street, urban, hip-hop), improvisation and African principles.

Alongside developing an outstanding dance technique, you will acquire critical thinking, technical and artistic skills to prepare you for a range of dance-related careers. With a diverse and inclusive approach, the curriculum explores themes at the forefront of today’s industry and you can choose to specialise in areas such as education, choreography and creative media.

We have strong industry links, providing opportunities to engage with national and international organisations, work with local community groups and hear from visiting lecturers and artists. Employability and performance opportunities are embedded throughout the curriculum, with flexibility for you to develop your skills and personal interests towards your career aspirations. You will also benefit from great facilities that have contributed to DMU being recognised as a Centre for Excellence in Performance Arts, reflecting our commitment to innovative and excellent teaching and learning.

Key features:

  • DMU is recognised as a Centre for Excellence in Performance Arts with great facilities providing specialist studios and rehearsal spaces designed specifically for dance and performance learning activities.
  • Gain industry experience and boost your exposure in the field through our excellent links with local, national and international dance organisations and artists such as Maverick TV, One Dance UK and Serendipity Arts.
  • World-renowned choreographer and DMU alumnus, Akram Khan MBE, is Chancellor of the university, reflecting our commitment to championing performance arts. Students recently went behind the scenes of his latest production at Leicester's Curve theatre, find out more.
  • Real-life experience is offered though placements and industry focused projects. Students have recently worked with Moving Together, Fuelled Dance Theatre and New Art Club.
  • Our graduates are creative, entrepreneurial practitioners who are able to respond to the ever-changing demands of the current dance profession. Previous graduates have gone on to a variety of work and performance opportunities, including a role as the head of dance, performing in music videos, and participating in Channel 4’s First Acts and  Let’s Dance International Frontiers festival. 
  • Benefit from the cutting edge research and practice carried out by Dance staff in the Research Institute of Drama, Dance and Performance Studies Research.
  • Benefit from Education 2030, where a simplified ‘block learning’ timetable means you will study one subject at a time and have more time to engage with your learning, receive faster feedback and enjoy a better study-life balance.

Student work gallery

A lone dancer stood on dark stage with isolated spotlights behind them
A dancer striking a dramatic pose against a green backdrop
Two dancers in airborne poses on a white background
Dancers under mottled purple light
Group of dancers

 

Follow us on our DMU Dance Facebook page and DMU Dance Instagram account.

Student success:

DMU's annual dance festival makes a triumphant return to campus

DMU dance artists commissioned by Birmingham Royal Ballet

  • UK
  • EU/International

Institution code: D26

UCAS course code: W500

Duration: Three years full-time, four years full-time with a placement. Six years part-time.

Fees and funding: 

2023/24 tuition fees for UK students: £9,250.

Find out more about tuition fees and available funding.

Additional costs: Here at DMU we provide excellent learning resources, including the Kimberlin Library and specialist workshops and studios. However, you should be aware that sometimes you may incur additional costs for this programme.

Contact us: For more information, call us on +44 (0)116 2 50 60 70.

How to apply

Submit a study-related enquiry

Duration: Three years full-time, four years with placement

Fees and funding: 

2023/24 tuition fees for international students: £15,250

Additional costs: Here at DMU we provide excellent learning resources, including the Kimberlin Library and specialist workshops and studios. However, you should be aware that sometimes you may incur additional costs for this programme.

Contact us: For more information, call us on +44 (0)116 2 50 60 70.

How to apply

Application guidance document

Submit a study-related enquiry

I found a new home

Kadafi’s friends, tutors and societies became a new family who pushed him to succeed at every turn.

Entry criteria

Typical entry requirements 

  • 112 points from at least 2 A'levels or
  • BTEC Extended Diploma DMM or
  • International Baccalaureate: 26+ Points
  • T Levels Merit

Plus five GCSEs grades 9-4 including English Language or Literature at grade 4 or above.

  • Pass Access with 30 Level 3 credits at Merit (or equivalent) and GCSE  English (Language or Literature) at grade 4 or above.

We will normally require students have had a break from full-time education before undertaking the Access course.

  • We also accept the BTEC First Diploma plus two GCSEs including English Language or Literature at grade 4 or above

 

English language requirements

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each band (or equivalent) when you start the course is essential.

English Language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

Interview and audition

Applicants with relevant qualifications will be invited to submit an audition clip. Please see our digital audition advice for full details.

Non-standard applicants may be invited to attend an online interview via MS Teams with an audition clip.

Applicants who receive an offer for this course for 2023 entry will be invited to attend an offer holder day. You’ll get to spend time with our teaching team, current students and be able to experience our fantastic facilities. Your email invite will be sent to the address you used to register when you applied, so keep an eye out and book to join us.

Structure and assessment

Education 2030

We want to ensure you have the best learning experience possible and a supportive and nurturing learning community. That’s why we’re introducing a new block model for delivering the majority of our courses, known as Education 2030. This means a more simplified timetable where you will study one subject at a time instead of several at once. You will have more time to engage with your learning and get to know the teaching team and course mates. You will receive faster feedback through more regular assessment, and have a better study-life balance to enjoy other important aspects of university life.

Read more about Education 2030
 

Course modules

Teaching and assessments

 

First year

  • Block 1: The Responsive Dancer

  • Block 2: Rethinking Dance

  • Block 3: Space, Place and Connections 

  • Block 4: Ensemble Performance and Production

Second year

  • Block 1: Style, Production and Artistry

  • Block 2: Applying Your Practice: Dance Artists, Communities and Education

  • Block 3: The Healthy Practitioner: Wellbeing and Self-management

  • Block 4: Digitising Your Artistic Voice

Third year

Blocks 1 and 2: Select two from the list below:

  • Facilitating Practice: Teaching and Leading Dance  
  • Industry practice: Choreography, Performance and Producing 
  • Personal Research Project 
  • Education and Performing Arts

Block 3: Select one from the list below:

  • The Bridging Project 
  • Creative Media in Performance

Block 4: Dance Company and Production

See detailed module information

 

Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

See pre-Education 2030 version of Dance | Arts and Festivals Management and Dance | Dance Joint Honours

Overview

Teaching takes place through practical classes, seminars, workshops, discussions, tutorials, rehearsals, theatre and community visits, screenings, and performances. Learning through practice is essential to this course and you will engage in active, experiential and reflective learning throughout.

There is a varied mix of assessment to develop a range of skills including solo and group choreography and performance work, solo and group presentations, teaching practice, class work, viva voces, blogs, portfolios, marketing packs, action plans, and reflective and evaluative essays.

We have one of the largest teams of dance staff in the UK and, as they are practising artists and researchers, you can be assured of keeping up-to-date with current research and trends in dance. Our excellent teaching and research was acknowledged when DMU was designated a Centre for Excellence in the Teaching and Learning of Performance Arts.

Our academic dance staff have international reputations for performance, choreography, research and innovative teaching. World-renowned choreographer and former student, Akram Khan MBE, has acknowledged the “inspirational teaching” he experienced at DMU.

Dance staff work closely with local, national and international dance organisations including Fabric (formerly Dance4) and People Dancing. We also enjoy close links with artists and professional organisations, such as the Akram Khan Company, New Art Club, Moving Together and Serendipity Arts who have offered students work experience and internships.

Contact hours
In your first year you will normally attend around 15 hours of timetabled taught sessions (lectures and tutorials) each week, and we expect you to undertake at least 22 further hours of independent study to complete project work and research.

 

Facilities and features

This is my moment.

Performance facilities

Recognised nationally as a centre for excellence in performance arts, DMU has outstanding courses, teaching and facilities. Our Performing Arts Centre for Excellence (PACE) building provides sector-leading spacious studios, rehearsal rooms and fully equipped performance spaces. There are further fully equipped performance spaces in our Campus Centre and the Venue@DMU, a purpose-built space created to host events, performances and celebrations. 

All of our spaces can be transformed to turn your ideas into a reality. Your creative work is supported by expert technicians and you can book rehearsal space and equipment such as digital video cameras, sound recording equipment and editing suites. 

Take a look at our stunning showcase of the PACE building and facilities at dmu.ac.uk/perform 

More flexible ways to learn

We offer an equitable and inclusive approach to learning and teaching for all our students. Known as the Universal Design for Learning (UDL), our teaching approach has been recognised as sector leading. UDL means we offer a wide variety of support, facilities and technology to all students, including those with disabilities and specific learning differences.

Just one of the ways we do this is by using ‘DMU Replay’ – a technology providing all students with anytime access to audio and/or visual material of lectures. This means students can revise taught material in a way that suits them best, whether it's replaying a recording of a class or adapting written material shared in class using specialist software.

Campus Centre

The home of  De Montfort Students' Union, (DSU) our Campus Centre offers a welcoming and lively hub for student life. Conveniently located at the heart of campus, it includes a convenience store, a Subway and a Starbucks. Here you can find the DSU-owned charitable accommodation service Sulets and DSU’s shop, SUpplies, selling art supplies, stationery and clothing, and printing and binding services. The building is also home to the DSU officer team. 

Opportunities and careers

Find the people who will open doors for you

DMU's award-winning careers service provides guaranteed work experience opportunities DMU Careers Team
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Placements

During this course you will have the option to complete a paid placement year, an invaluable opportunity to put the skills developed during your degree into practice. This insight into the professional world will build on your knowledge in a real-world setting, preparing you to progress onto your chosen career. 

Our Careers Team can help to hone your professional skills with mock interviews and practice aptitude tests, and an assigned personal tutor will support you throughout your placement. Recent placements at Moving Together, Fuelled Dance Theatre and New Art Club have allowed our students to gain valuable knowledge within a professional organisation. 

#DMUglobal Dance students in India

DMU Global

Our innovative international experience programme DMU Global aims to enrich your studies and expand your cultural horizons, helping you to become a global graduate, equipped to meet the needs of employers across the world. Through DMU Global, we offer a wide range of opportunities including on-campus and UK-based activities, overseas study, internships, faculty-led field trips and volunteering, as well as Erasmus+ and international exchanges.

Students on this course have previously undertaken DMU Global trips to Copenhagen, to explore and experience the city’s cultural and historical performance landscape, as well as visited Berlin and destinations further afield such as New York.

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Graduate careers

Graduates of this course are creative, entrepreneurial practitioners who are able to respond to the ever-changing demands of the current dance profession. They are equipped to successfully work in a range of dance-related careers as educators, performers, and choreographers, as well as managers and producers.

Our students have gone on to work as heads of school and college dance departments, university lecturers, community dance practitioners, as well as the former Director of Dance at Arts Council England and award-winning choreographers, such as Akram Khan.

Graduates also have the opportunity to progress on to postgraduate study at DMU such as the Performance Practices MA and Choreography MA in collaboration with FABRIC (Dance4 and DanceXchange together).

Graduate, Rosie Russell, decided to undertake a master’s degree after the course opened her eyes to the career possibilities in the dance sector and praises DMU for teaching her to be entrepreneurial as a dance artist. She said: “The range of techniques offered means that I am now a more versatile dancer and the structure of classes over the three years helps you develop your own dance identity. Each staff member has their own area of expertise so you not only have your personal tutor, but you have an endless network of knowledge with the team of lecturing staff.”

Take your next steps

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