If you choose a dance degree or apprenticeship, you'll combine a mixture of practical training, creativity and performance. You’ll work on solo projects, small group projects, and larger ensemble work. You’ll develop your critical thinking skills, and your own style and preferences.
There are so many directions you can then choose to take, from dance performance to choreography, film production, acting, teaching or dance therapy. You’ll also benefit from visiting companies and professionals who can inspire you on where to go next.
Dance is a growing industry, with 3.18% job growth predicted over the next eight years.
- Choreograph a dance sequence or series for a theatre, television or film production.
- Perform live in the West End as part of a dance or theatre troupe, or in your own dance production.
- Work as a dance therapist to help people improve their self-esteem and body image, express themselves through movement, and develop new coping strategies.
- Dance technique
- Performance project
- Choreography project
- Embodying dance contexts
- Health and wellbeing for artistic practice
- Exploring screendance
- Dance industry
- Dance styles and techniques
- Choreography
- Marketing
- Talent sourcing and management
- Communication and teamwork
- Teaching
- Organisational skills
- Innovation
- Leadership
What is a…. somatic therapist?
A somatic therapist, or somatic practitioner, uses methods like dance to help patients release pent-up emotions in their body. It’s a form of therapy incorporating mind-body healing, following the theory that the body can physically hold on to trauma and negative emotions.
You could help someone to heal from a difficult past or experience through dance.
Getting in: Entry requirements
Find out more about what you'll need to study dance at university or as an apprenticeship.
Average requirements for undergraduate degrees
Entry requirements differ between university and course, but this should give you a guide to what is usually expected from dance applicants.
The expert view
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Why Dance Matters podcast
David Jays, who edits the Royal Academy of Dance magazine, Dance Gazette, interviews some of the most influential people in the world of dance. -
TED@UPS – How dance helps me deal with stress
A delightful demonstration by Yami Joshi of how dance can help deal with stress. Lots of other TED resources too, exploring the role of dance. -
BBC News – Dance
You’ll find all the latest dance news and features in this section of the BBC News website.
- How can you demonstrate your passion for dance? Have you been going to a dance club since you were young? What performances have you been involved in? Think about what you learned from those experiences too.
- What do you hope to achieve with your dance training? Are there dancers or choreographers you admire? Have you been to particular shows that you enjoyed or want to emulate? Can you critically appraise those performances and what you did or didn't like about them?
- What books, websites, podcasts or other resources do you read or listen to that further your understanding of dance? How can you demonstrate what you know about the industry and the place you’d like within it?
- Do you do any other types of sport or movement, like martial arts, physical theatre or even circus skills? What makes you stand out? You could also think about hobbies or times where you have tried and failed, and what you learned from those experiences.