Prepare for conservatoire dance training through focused development in technique and performance.
The CertHE Dance is a one-year, full-time programme for students aged 18+ designed to strengthen technical foundations and audition readiness ahead of degree-level study.
Training focuses on core dance disciplines including Ballet, Jazz and Contemporary, supported by classes in Commercial, Tap, Choreography, Aerial and Acrobatics. You will develop strength, coordination and consistency, alongside performance quality across styles.
Across the year, you will apply your training through rehearsal projects, solo choreography development and mock auditions, preparing material for degree-level applications.
Alongside studio practice, you will develop audition technique and professional awareness. You complete the programme prepared to audition for degree-level dance training.
In a competitive training landscape, early access to a degree is not always the strongest route. A Foundation year allows you to build the technical and performance standard required to succeed at conservatoire level.
Students who enter training with secure foundations are able to sustain progress and reach a higher professional standard. A strong foundation leads to stronger outcomes.
You will be introduced to the core disciplines of dance training,. Core disciplines include Ballet, Jazz, Commercial and Contemporary. You will be introduced to the fundamentals of a range of aerial skills such as hoop and silks and acrobatics skills such as tricks and tumbling.This forms the basis of your fundamental training as a versatile and emerging dancer.
Audition practice sessions begin to support students in choreographing solo performane work and preparing for group classes at recall auditions. You will also have weekly audition based skills classes in ballet, jazz and contemporary that focus on pickup, audition performance and confidence.
At the end of the term students will perform in the Italia Conti Christmas Carol Concert alongside the musical theatre students from year 1-3.
During the second term, you will build on the foundations from term 1, whilst refining and developing your audition skills and participating in mock auditions to consolidate interview and audition preparation skills. Contextual Studies classes and workshops broaden students’ understanding of the dancers’ craft and the dance school audition and application process.
Rehearsal and Performance work introduces students to the process of a professional rehearsal period, culminating in an in-studio sharing at the end of term.
All students on the CertHE programme will also have the opportunity to audition for the BA (Hons) Dance for the following year. It should be noted that attendance on the CertHE programme does not guarantee a place on the BA (Hons). However, you will be trained to be ready for, and given the opportunity to explore the requirements of Italia Conti auditions through your time on the foundation programme. Through the year you will be introduced to a range of dance schools through an outreach workshop series. You will also have access to many in-house auditions to provide access to a broad range of progression opportunities whilst reducing the costs and time required to attend auditions across the UK.
CertHE Tuition Fees are £9790 per academic year, (paid in advanced termly instalments).
Student Finance | Student finance is available, which includes access to a Tuition Fee Loan and a Student Maintenance Loan.
Audition Fee | £45 and are non-refundable.
Deposit | A deposit of £275 is required to hold and accept a place on the programme.
Fee Waivers | Audition Fee and Deposit Waivers are available.
An outline of associated programme costs and more Info on Fees Waivers are available on the Fees and Funding page
Scholarships are awarded upon outcome of audition. You may apply for a bursary after receiving an offer of study by contacting admissions@italiaconti.co.uk
For further information on international student fees, please see our International Applications page.
What Additional Costs Should I Expect?
Other Optional Costs:
Applications are made directly to Italia Conti and do not require a UCAS application. You must complete the application form and pay a non-refundable £45 audition fee to be considered. These fees act as both an administration fee for processing your application as well as a non-refundable deposit for a place on an audition day.
You are only required to apply for one programme, and encouraged to express on the form if you have interest in any other programmes, in addition to the programme directly being applied for.
Places on our programmes are limited; it is usual for drama schools to make more offers than there are places. Acceptances are dealt with on a first come first serve basis and so early acceptance is advised. Once a programme offer has expired, an offerholder will be moved to the waiting list.
The application deadline for this programme is 28 February 2026. Late applications may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
After completing the application process, you will be invited to prepare, record and submit an audition self-tape where auditionees will be required to demonstrate a variety of skills. First round applicants will receive the result from their audition submission within 4 weeks of receipt. This is to ensure that every submission deserves our full time and attention.
This stage enables us to explore your work in greater depth, assess your responsiveness to direction, and understand how you engage within a training environment.
The recall day is also an opportunity for you to experience the ethos of the school, meet the faculty and students on our programmes, and gain insight into the training you would undertake. Recalled applicants will receive the result from their recall audition within 2 weeks.
Full information on what to prepare for your auditions can be found here:
Check back soon for recall dates for September 2027 entry.
Entry to CertHE Dance requires the following:
• Applicants must be 18+ by the 31st of August in the year of entry (17+ for Scottish applicants).
• Successful audition through Italia Conti
• Equivalent to 64 UCAS points (e.g. 2 ‘C’ grades at A Level or equivalent achievement in Level 3 vocational qualifications including but not limited to BTEC, UAL, RSL, OCR Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Access to HE qualifications and T-Levels.)
• English and Maths at GCSE Grade 4 or above (or recognised equivalent Level 2 qualifications)
• IELTS Level 6 (for applicants for whom English is not their first language and who do not have GCSE English or equivalent)
Admission through recognition of non-standard entry qualifications/experience may also be considered on a case-by-case basis for candidates who demonstrate exceptional talent or who can satisfy the panel of their ability to successfully complete the programme. Non-standard entry is assessed at audition and interview. Students without a Level 2 English qualification may be asked to complete a non-standard entry written task.
Applicants must have the legal right to reside/study in the UK for the full period of the programme.
Entry to CertHE Dance requires the following:
• Applicants must be 18+ by the 31st of August in the year of entry (17+ for Scottish applicants).
• Successful audition through Italia Conti
• Equivalent to 64 UCAS points (e.g. 2 ‘C’ grades at A Level or equivalent achievement in Level 3 vocational qualifications including but not limited to BTEC, UAL, RSL, OCR Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Access to HE qualifications and T-Levels.)
• English and Maths at GCSE Grade 4 or above (or recognised equivalent Level 2 qualifications)
• IELTS Level 6 (for applicants for whom English is not their first language and who do not have GCSE English or equivalent)
Admission through recognition of non-standard entry qualifications/experience may also be considered on a case-by-case basis for candidates who demonstrate exceptional talent or who can satisfy the panel of their ability to successfully complete the programme. Non-standard entry is assessed at audition and interview. Students without a Level 2 English qualification may be asked to complete a non-standard entry written task.
Applicants must have the legal right to reside/study in the UK for the full period of the programme.
Autumn Term 2026
1st September – 11th December 2026
Spring Term 2027
4th January – 2nd April 2027
Summer Term 2027
26th April – 23rd July 2027
Join us at an Open Day to learn more about the CertHE Dance programme
CTA LINK TO OPEN DAY PAGE
Italia Conti offer a range of Audition Ready short courses to prepare for auditions. These programmes allow students to work with full time faculty, gain feedback, and experience a mock recall audition for the programme.
Italia Conti offers fee waivers to eligible applicants who meet set criteria, helping to ensure that financial circumstances do not act as a barrier to applying.
You get to work with people who have different techniques and different ways of working. also people who are in the industry. You’re not only getting taught by industry professionals every day, but you’re getting an insight in the projects from someone who’s actually currently working in the industry.
My training at Italia Conti has truly inspired me. During my time, I felt welcomed into a creative, supportive environment. The facilities are great, they give us everything we need to experiment, rehearse, and perform. Having access to such great studios and performance spaces has really helped me feel more prepared and confident as I grow in my training into becoming a professional artist.
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