Duration:
1 year (full-time)
2 years (part-time)
Number of credits:
180 credits
Start date(s):
September 2027
Go higher with a degree built around you. This is a programme for dance professionals with industry experience who want to understand practice as a form of research.
Modules
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Skills
Get the skills needed for an exciting career in dance.
This programme is designed for experienced professional choreographers, dancers, performance makers and interdisciplinary artists who wish to deepen their choreographic or performance practice through studio-based enquiry and research.
You will also gain a range of reflective and critical skills including:
- writing and documentation strategies
- advanced dramaturgy
- the capacity to understand your work and interests in broader political, cultural and artistic frameworks
Why study Dance at Roehampton?
You'll be part of a school that's home to the internationally recognised Centre for Research in Arts and Creative Exchange, which aims to interrogate what arts research is and can be in the current climate, and to lead, invent and innovate on how research is conducted. Through seminars, forums and conferences involving staff and international guests, the Centre you'll be part of supports a compelling research culture.
We are ranked number one in the UK for the impact of our research in dance (Research Excellence Framework 2021).
Our BA Dance course is number one for learning resources in London (National Student Survey 2020).
Learning
Choose a course that fits how you like to work.
This programme has a flexible and supportive approach which makes it possible for you to strengthen your professional practices while working towards a higher degree.
- "Practice as research" is a growing focus for experienced dance artists, choreographers, and performers. Led by top artist-scholars, the course encourages inquiry through studio practice and research influenced by contemporary theory.
- Receive support in developing and presenting a comprehensive choreographic and/or performance portfolio, facilitating practice, reflection, articulation, and independent research.
- Benefit from strong connections with dance companies and creative organisations.
- Our campus, close to London's dynamic dance scene, features excellent studios, a new library, and a state-of-the-art theatre for dance students.
Course staff
You will be taught by artists and researchers who are leading specialists in their fields and provide an excellent springboard for you to thrive in your career in dance and the arts.
Dr. Chi-Fang Chao
Dr. Chi-Fang Chao specialises in dance anthropology and dance ethnography. She has studied dance cultures in several Asian regions, such as Taiwan, Okinawa and the latter’s diaspora communities. Her major research interests include ritual, spirituality and embodiment, and indigenous dance theatre in the post-colonial era.
Dr. Nicola Conibere
Nicola Conibere is a choreographer and academic. Her research uses choreographic practices to explore the potentials of how bodyminds relate. She is interested in the politics of performance and the potentials of spectatorial exchange: her work often investigates theatricality, public appearing and social choreography.
Hanna Gillgren
Hanna Gillgren (SE) is choreographer and curator for H2DANCE and Fest en Fest an artist-run festival for expanded choreography for UK and Nordic-based choreographers. She is part of the inaugural artistic cohort at Rose Choreographic School Sadler’s Wells East London (2024-26).
Professor Sara Houston
Sara is an award winning researcher and teacher. She won the BUPA Foundation Prize in 2011 for her pioneering work in dance and Parkinson’s. In 2014 she was a Finalist in the National Public Engagement Awards for her work engaging the general public in her Parkinson’s and dance research.
Professor Alexandra Kolb
Alexandra has lectured at universities and conservatoires in the UK and internationally, following her Ph.D. from Cambridge University. She draws on a background in Literature, Art History and Philosophy alongside Dance and Theatre to convey to her students a sense of the dance field’s breadth and its many overlaps with other artistic and scholarly developments.
Lalitaraja
Lalitaraja (Joachim Chandler MA) is a dance artist, educator and Feldenkrais practitioner based in the dance department at Roehampton University where he teaches choreography, contact improvisation and improvisation. As a performer he has worked with Scottish Ballet, Michael Clark, Adventures in Motion Pictures, Laurie Booth, Yolande Snaith and Charles Linehan among others.
Dr. Heike Salzer
Heike Salzer is a German dancer and artist-scholar. She fluidly moves between performance, choreography, and site specific screendance. In 2014 she founded WECreate Productions together with Ana Baer Carrilllo (US/MX) jointly directing award winning screendances, installations and multi-media performances that have been encountered by thousands of audiences in Asia, Europe, Middle East and the Americas.
Dr. Tamara Tomić–Vajagić
Dr. Tamara Tomić–Vajagić works across visual culture, digital media, and performance and is a Senior Lecturer in Dance Practices. She teaches across undergraduate and postgraduate degrees as well as researches and supervises doctoral projects on the themes of dance and visual art, mediated choreography, and dance history, aesthetics, and performance studies.
Mike Toon
Michael Toon trained at the Legat School and Urdang Academy before performing with London City Ballet, Vienna Festival Ballet and as an international freelance soloist. Alongside his stage career he co-founded Capitol Chamber Ballet Project and Heart of the Jester Productions, creating opportunities for collaboration between dancers, musicians and technicians.
Careers
This course offers professional development for independent artists and choreographers.
Some graduates follow careers in research or teaching, or go onto further academic study such as a practice-led PhD.
You could go on to become a:
- Company Director
- Educator
- Researcher
- Arts Administrator
- Critic
- Dance Consultant
- Dance Therapist
- Arts and Culture Manager
- Event Producer
- Festival Organiser
- Curator
Our careers team is available to support you from the start of your studies until after you graduate. We will help you build your CV, prepare for interviews, and meet and learn from successful graduates working at the top of their careers. You’ll also have opportunities to work with our partners across London and beyond, and to attend a Roehampton jobs fair where you can find out about graduate opportunities and meet employers.
The Student Futures team is here to support you throughout your time at Roehampton and beyond.
They offer services tailored to your needs, helping you take confident steps towards your future.
You’ll have access to a wide range of career workshops and events, where you can engage with employers and develop the skills you need to succeed in the workplace.
These opportunities will help you build your CV, prepare for interviews, and connect with successful Roehampton graduates who are thriving in their careers. You’ll also be able to engage with our partners across London and beyond.
Wherever you want to go in the future, you'll be preparing for the world of work from your very first day.
#1 in London for postgraduate students
WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2026
Open days
Get a real taste of our campus, community and what it’s like to study at Roehampton
Applying
UK postgraduate students apply through our direct application system.
Specific entry requirements
Evidence of essay-writing ability may be required.
General entry requirements
September 2025 entry tuition fees (UK)
| Level of study | Full-time | Part-time* |
| MRes | £11,250 | £5,625 |
*Year 1 fee
We offer a wide range of scholarships and bursaries. See our financial support pages for UK students.
We also provide other ways to support the cost of living, including on-campus car parking, hardship support and some of the most affordable student accommodation and catering in London. Find out more about how we can support you.
International postgraduate students apply through our direct application system.
Specific entry requirements
Evidence of essay-writing ability may be required.
General entry requirements
September 2025 entry tuition fees (international)
| Level of study | Full-time | Part-time* |
| MRes | £18,250 | £9,125 |
*Year 1 fee
We offer a wide range of scholarships and bursaries. See our financial support pages for international students.
We also provide other ways to support the cost of living, including on-campus car parking, hardship support and some of the most affordable student accommodation and catering in London. Find out more about how we can support you.
Need help or advice before applying?
Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Integrating the creative dynamism of arts and digital industries with the deep-rooted traditions of humanities and social sciences.
