Dance A Level

Qualification: GCE A Level in Dance
Exam Board & Specification Code: AQA; 7237; Specification
Course Entry Requirements: 4 in Dance GCSE if taken or Grade 5 ballet. An audition is required if neither is held.
Please make sure that you have understood the overall entry requirements to study at BHASVIC. These are available here and outline the GCSE grades you need to take up one of the Study Programmes at the college.
Length and size of qualification: 2 year single course
Timetable hours: 4.5 hours per week + 1 Dance Technique lesson
Assessment method: 1 x 2.5 hour exam plus practical exam
Course charge: There is an annual charge of £50 for attending performances and participating in workshops throughout the 2 years of this course. Bursaries and payment plans are available, please read Our Support Service for further information.
BHASVIC Department: Performing Arts

Head of Department:  Ryan Stagg

Head of Department: - Ryan Stagg

What will I study?

This exciting course will help to develop you as a dancer, performer, choreographer and critic. You will be taught professional repertoire from some of the leading professional dance companies in the UK and abroad and you will be given the tools to create your own choreography. Through studying the work of others you will also develop skills of analysis. Assessment is 50% practical (performance in a solo and a quartet/ group choreography) and 50% written. Dance Technique: In addition to your core hours you will receive weekly dance technique classes.

Is this course right for me?

Dance at BHASVIC achieves outstanding results with 100% achieving A*- B in 2021. We believe this is because we offer a supportive and creative learning environment fostering individual talent in dance. If you enjoy watching and analysing dance, are happy to perform and are willing to try out new ideas then we think you will really enjoy the course.

Where next?

Our students have had great success after studying with us, attending dance conservatoires such as the Royal Conservatoire Antwerp,  Rambert, London Contemporary Dance School, Trinity Laban and Northern School of Contemporary Dance.  Many students have also gained places at London Studio Centre, Bird, Laines and Urdang. Possible related careers could include Professional Dancer, Choreographer, Dance Teacher/Instructor, Community Dance Practitioner, Dance Movement Specialist, Dance Company Manager or an Education Officer for Dance Companies. Useful websites to research careers and wider progression options could include One Dance, All About Careers and The Apprenticeship Guide.

Apply View Department

Last year, BHASVIC dance students went on to study at specialist Conservatoires  

Each year our Dance students receive places at the top Dance conservatoires, including The Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, Trinity Laban, London Contemporary Dance School and the Northern School of Contemporary Dance. They also receive places at other prestigious training schools such as Bird, Laines and London Studio Centre.  

Places to study: 

  • Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance 
  • London Contemporary Dance School 
  • Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance 
  • Northern School of Contemporary Dance 
  • London Studio Centre 
  • Laines Theatre Arts 
  • Bird College 
  • P.A.R.T.S 
  • Royal Conservatoire Antwerp 

 

Should I study Dance at degree level? 

Dance degrees cover a wide range of styles, from ballet to street dance. Courses at performing arts schools prepare you for a career as a professional dancer or choreographer and are highly competitive. 

Types of Dance 

You can choose to study Dance or specialise for example: 

  • Performance 
  • Urban Practice 
  • Professional Dance 
  • Musical Theatre 
  • Dance Education 
  • Dance Science 

Entry Requirements 

  • No Specific Requirements 

Useful to have 

  • Performing Arts 
  • An audition will be required 

Top Universities for Dance 

Surrey Bedford Bath Spa Chichester Falmouth Roehampton Coventry, Middlesex, Bretton Hall, Winchester, Canterbury – all very high student satisfaction scores 
LIPA, Lewisham. De Montfort, University of East London, Wolverhampton 

Many of our students choose a combined degree - applications from our students have included: 

  • Dance & Education 
  • Dance Science 
  • Dance and Arts Administration 
  • Dance & Social Science 

Example entry requirements (please check): 

A-Level/BTEC equivalents:  

Chichester College (UCAS points – 104-120) 

Why not try a degree or higher apprenticeship? 
music, dance, and visual arts for young artists aged 12-25 Futureleaders. org.uk 

Some examples of Dance-related degrees that our BHASVIC students have gone onto study in the past few years are: 

  • Dance 
  • Dance & Education 
  • Dance & Social Science 
  • Dance and Arts Administration 
  • Dance Education and Teaching 
  • Dance Science 
  • Musical Theatre 
  • Musical Theatre (Triple Threat) 
  • Musical Theatre and Dance 
  • Performance and Recording 

How BHASVIC helps: We have a wide range of information and resources to support students applying for university including subject area guides, personal statement and UCAS resources, super-curricular activity guides, open day and bursary information. We also cover university research, careers, art foundation and all other destinations in depth in tutorial and students can choose an appropriate pathway for them in the second year from UCAS, Employability & Enterprise, Visual Arts, Oxbridge and Medics. Our Spring Futures Fair brings in a huge number of university visitors with workshops and information stands and departments will bring speakers in wherever possible. 

For a subject area such as Dance we support any student looking to apply to an independent dance school just as we do through UCAS. 

A degree in Dance provides a combination of theoretical and technical skills that can apply to a wide range of jobs in the creative industries  

Studying dance allows students to combine a love of performing with development of choreography, cultural history, arts administration and management skills: 

What career paths can you follow after studying dance? 

  • Choreographer 
  • Community Dance Practitioner  
  • Costume/Set Designer 
  • Dance Performer 
  • Dance/Arts/Culture Officer 
  • Dance Company Education Specialist  
  • Dance Film Maker 
  • Dance Movement Therapist 
  • Dance Journalist 
  • Dance Lecturer or Academic Researcher  
  • Dance Photographer 
  • Dance Project Coordinator or Administrator 
  • Dance Producer 
  • Dance Science 
  • Dance Teacher 
  • Lighting Designer/Technical Production  
  • Management Specialist Notation/Choreology 
  • Pilates Instructor 
  • Press and Public Relations Specialist 
  • Yoga Instructor 
  • Youth Worker 

Career Prospects 

Many dance students, especially those who have gone onto study and specialise at a higher level, can go straight into dance or choreography jobs, and there are good employment rates overall.  

Work in education, in schools and colleges, or as freelance dance teachers, are also common. Be aware that freelancing and self-employment are what is termed 'portfolio careers' – having several part-time jobs or commissions at once, and networking can be very important for dance students to find their first job, so be prepared to work on your people skills. Studying dance should provide you with subject-specific skills that include an ability to communicate and influence an audience through performance; a knowledge of the history of dance and its effect on culture and the choreography, production, criticism and management of artistic performances.  

Developing your Skills 
 
Most dance students supplement their studies by creating, producing and performing their own work. This allows you to develop skills in other areas of the performance process, including operations and administration - you can also develop marketing, ticketing and event management experience by working on your own projects. Other options include internships, community projects, teaching dance classes, volunteering at festivals, writing reviews and opinion pieces for dance blogs and websites or creating your own workshops that allow you to explore your own personal interests.  

Examples of apprenticeships and opportunities include: 

  • Youth Drama Director - Young Actors Group 
  • Drama Project Creative Lead 
  • Apprentice Venue Technician 

How BHASVIC helps: We have an excellent Careers Hub and careers advisors who are available for appointments through student services. Local jobs are advertised and they will advise on skills and specialist areas such as degree apprenticeships. Students can choose an appropriate pathway for them in the second year from UCAS, Employability & Enterprise, Visual Arts, Oxbridge and Medics. Our Spring Futures Fair brings in a huge number of careers & apprenticeship visitors with workshops and information stands and departments will bring speakers in around the subject area. 

You will gain many transferable skills studying Film & Media that will be valued in the workplace including:  

Teamwork, Technical ability, Problem solving, Social Skills, Organisation, Numeracy, Communication, Attention to detail, Administration, Analytics, Discipline 

Local Skills 

The Local Skills agenda considers job prospects and employment in our local area of Sussex. Many of our students will contribute to the National Skills agenda and go onto find a career in a wide range of sectors. For students in Sussex our local skills are identified as the following sectors: 

  • Construction 
  • Creative & Cultural 
  • Digital (includes IT and Technology)  
  • Engineering & Manufacturing 
  • Healthcare (includes Bio Life Sciences and Pharmaceutical)  
  • Visitor & Hospitality  
  • Land-based (includes Agriculture and Viticulture)  
  • Green Skills 

Degree choices that match the Local Skills agenda for Creative & Cultural Industries that BHASVIC students have gone onto study in the past few years include: 

  • Dance and Arts Administration 
  • Dance Education and Teaching 
  • Musical Theatre (Triple Threat) 
  • Musical Theatre and Dance 
  • Performance and Recording 

Career choices that match the Local Skills Agenda for Creative & Cultural Industries that BHASVIC students have gone on to work in the past few years for Dance include: 

  • Arts Administration 
  • Dance Education and Teaching 
  • Dance Science 
  • Musical Theatre 
  • Musical Theatre (Triple Threat) 
  • Musical Theatre and Dance 
  • Performance and Recording  

How BHASVIC helps: Skills Week in A1 helps students build skills in the workplace and a focus on developing skills through tutorial in A1 and A2 supports students in writing outstanding Personal Statements and CVs. We know our students have already gained a wide variety of skills at home and with extra-curricular activities and will increasingly take up jobs. Our focus is on supporting them to evidence skills already gained, identify gaps and ensure that they transfer that to CVs and applications. This is in partnership with every curriculum area.