- As the only BFA Dance degree offered in the UK, this innovative four-year degree will focus on your development as a dance artist in preparation for a portfolio career in the field of dance and the arts.
- Roehampton has a global reputation for research, and is rated no. 1 for dance research in the UK (Research Excellence Framework 2014).
- Our international, friendly and diverse community of students and team of leading dance experts provide a supportive environment for building your professional dance experience.
- In your fourth year, you will have opportunities for work placement and internships in London or further afield.
UndergraduateDance (BFA)
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Summary
Transform your passion for dance into rewarding career opportunities on our Dance BFA. By joining Roehampton, you will be part of our friendly and diverse dance community and benefit from London’s vibrant cultural centre.
This innovative four-year degree enables you to develop your own creative identity as a dance artist. You have many opportunities to extend your potential as dancer engaging with dance as it is seen and performed in broad multicultural and artistic contexts. At the heart of this programme is dance-making, which is underpinned by our internationally recognised research disciplines within the Department of Dance.
Our programme offers a variety of exciting settings for you to engage in dance practice, choreography, improvisation, mediated choreography and dramaturgy. You will also develop a core understanding of codified dance techniques through classes in ballet, Cunningham, Graham, Limón, release and contact improvisation and work closely with experienced teachers, professional dancers and choreographers in classes with live music.
Our Dance BFA integrates theory and contemporary dance practice and you will gain knowledge in the scientific, philosophical and historical foundations of dance. You will be taught by our passionate leading dance experts who will encourage you to think about dance beyond performance, and focus on dance-making in a creative environment. You will be able to refine your dance practice in our spacious studios, designated Screendance facilities and in our well-equipped theatre.
You will learn how to underpin your practice with research in choreography and performance alongside the study of dance in its historical, social, cultural and digital contexts.
There are many opportunities on this degree to pursue your career interests using London as a hub of international dance culture. You may participate in extracurricular dance classes, performances, choreographic platforms and an annual summer dance festival that enables you to acquire a broad range of experience and skills alongside your academic programme. There is also a popular study abroad option in the second year of the programme.
In your fourth year you are encouraged to specialise, learning about curating and producing dance and teaching dance in a variety of settings. The programme is designed to develop your confidence, knowledge and identity as a dance artist as you locate your creative process in the field of dance practice as research.
Content
Throughout our Dance BFA, you will follow your interests and develop your ideas and creative potential thorough dance practice and choreography. You will experience dance in multiple ways to prepare you for a variety of careers in community dance, dance education, arts policy or screen dance, for example.
You will gain an in-depth understanding of the relationship between philosophical and aesthetic concepts and choreographic practice, Dance Science and safe dance practice. Our varied dance technique and practical classes, and improvisation and choreography workshops will link with lectures, tutorials seminars and professional Dance performances in London. Seminar group discussions and supportive feedback sessions will help you gain the confidence to lead your own presentations and contribute to debates about Dance.
The programme will enable you to be flexible and adaptable in thinking, communicating and working with others. You will develop a strong understanding of the synergies between theory, research and dance practice and the vibrant presence of digital technology in dance in mediated choreography. You will also gain vital critical thinking skills as you navigate the challenges of your own dance projects.
In your fourth year, you will have the opportunity to embark on a work placement module or internship and also to specialise in Curating Dance or Teaching Dance Practice. You may take the placement individually or within a small group. You will gain experience in your chosen professional context and reflect critically on your placement to develop knowledge about your audiences and public and community engagement with your own artistic dance practice.
You will be supported and encouraged to establish productive working relationships with fellow dance students and to seek out opportunities and experiences available to you through the Department of Dance’s extensive international dance practitioner network.
Modules
Here are examples of the modules we currently offer:
Year 1
Dance Practice 1
Dance Performance 1
Thinking Through Dance 1
Thinking Through Dance 2
Thinking Through Dance Project
Improvisation and Dance Composition
Year 2
Practice modules
Dance Practice 2
Dance Performance 2
Students are required to take both of the following:
Dance Science in Practice
Dance Analysis and Philosophy of Dance
Students take one of the following three modules:
Choreography and Collaboration
Choreography and Site
Choreography and Improvisation
Students take one of the Independent Study modules:
Dance International Report
Extended Essay
Year 3
Practice modules
Dance Practice 3
Dance Performance 3
Students are required to take both of the following modules:
Dance, Science and Somatics
Dance Philosophy and Aesthetics
Students take one of the following modules:
Dramaturgy and Collaborative Practice
From Process to Product
Vocational set module
The Teaching Artist
Applied Lighting and Production for Dance
Screendance
Year 4
Independent study module
Practice modules
Dance Practice 4
Dance Performance 4
Students take one of the following modules:
Teaching Dance Practice
Events Curation and Production
Vocational work-based module
Placement/Internship
Compulsory and Required modules
Compulsory and/or required modules may change when we review and update programmes. Above is a list of modules offered this academic year.
Optional modules
Optional modules, when offered as part of a programme, may vary from year to year and are subject to viability.
Career options
Graduates of this programme will be well prepared with the knowledge and skills to engage with the Dance industry in a range of career options including choreography, performance, dance production, community dance and teaching dance. Graduates will also gain experience in developing professional networks which will include dance companies, institutions and agencies specialising in dance research and policy-making for Dance.
Life at Roehampton
At Roehampton, we can offer all new students the opportunity to live in accommodation on our beautiful parkland campus, including affordable and high-end options.
We offer scholarships, provide hardship funding and help you find advice on managing your finances while you study.
We provide plenty of opportunities for you to get involved, through volunteering, playing sport or music, or joining one of our many active student societies.
Upcoming event
13Oct