Begin your professional dance training from age 16 through an intensive conservatoire programme, with a defined progression into degree-level study. Fast-track route to a full BA (Hons) degree by age 19
The FdA Dance at Italia Conti is a two-year, full-time vocational programme designed to develop strong technical foundations and performance skills across a wide range of dance styles. On successful completion, you progress directly into the final year of the BA (Hons) Dance, graduating with a full degree.
Training focuses on building strength, coordination and consistency across ballet, jazz, contemporary and commercial dance, alongside choreography, aerial and acrobatic work. You will develop the versatility and adaptability required to work across stage and screen.
Across the two years, training moves from technical development to integrated performance. You will take part in projects and productions that reflect professional rehearsal processes and prepare you for the demands of degree-level training.
Alongside studio practice, you will develop audition technique, performance awareness and professional discipline. You progress into the final year of the BA (Hons) Dance as a technically secure and performance-ready dancer.
In first year you focus on the fundamentals of the core disciplines (Ballet, Jazz, Commercial and Contemporary) and early skill integration.You will explore jazz tech, jazz performance and jazz elements, alongside two commercial dance classes. Ballet classes will also include a weekly pointe class. 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, technical and athletic dancer.
You will develop a grounding in choreography through dance improvisation and developing skills in a range of practitioner approaches, you will acquire the tools and knowledge necessary to create sound choreography which communicates meaning to an audience.
Fundamentals in supporting skills will allow you to develop further performance skills in acting, singing and tap dance. You will learn to apply the skills you have learnt holistically in dance projects, with emphasis placed on performance and collaboration. Each week you will take an industry guest workshop which invites a range of further dance styles and industry professionals into the studio to work with you.
Contextual Practice develops reflection and critical thinking. You apply historical and contextual study directly to studio work and develop as a thinking performer. You will explore health and safety as an emerging performer in theatre. This focuses on areas such as safe practice in class, injury prevention and overall positive health, and well-being. Lessons are also used to contextualise the landscape of dance and themes covered in other classes.
Typical projects in this year may include:
In second year, core technical training continues at a more advanced and integrated level. Project work becomes more sustained and intensive.
You will consolidate existing skills in ballet, jazz, commercial and contemporary and explore a wider range of performance styles within the dance genres as well as deepening their technical and expressive abilities. Aerial and Tricks classes become more advanced, and you will be encouraged to implement the honed skills into extended choreographed sequences and musical phrases.
Your choreographic journey will include developing your own artistic voice, whilst nurturing others’ work as dance captain, assistant choreographer roles on projects and in dance performance work.
Additional training in acting, singing and tap dance continue to support those students who may like to perform in musical theatre and cruise entertainment industries upon graduation. You will also get 1:1 singing lessons in Year 2 which will allow you to develop your voice, build confidence in singing performance, and find songs suitable for you. Each week you will take an industry guest workshop which invites a range of further dance styles and industry professionals into the studio to work with you.
Contextual Practice continues to develop reflection and critical thinking. You integrate practice-research approaches into theatre-making, preparing for the Independent Performance Project in Level 6. you will explore the history of dance. This focuses on the development of dance as a social and politic influence, as well as recognising the chronologic evolution of theatrical trends. Lessons are also used to contextualise the landscape of dance and themes covered in other classes.
Typical projects in this year may include:
Students on the 2-year FdA Dance programme are automatically offered the opportunity to complete their degree with a third year of study at Italia Conti and will ultimately be awarded a BA (Hons) Dance qualification. No audition is required, but students must complete and pass the FdA to be eligible to progress into the top-up year.
Students can choose to leave at the end of the 2-year FdA Dance Programme. Students may leave to enter employment or complete further study.
In third year the emphasis is on preparing you for a career as a professional dancer. This final year bridges the gap between professional training and the professional dance world.
You will continue to study core dance disciplines of ballet, jazz, commercial and contemporary to keep your performance skills en pointe. You will have a weekly acting through song class to prepare vital audition material, alongside a 1:1 singing lesson to ensure your voice is developing.
Professional Preparation and Employability workshops will hone audition technique to ensure that you have all the skills necessary to embark upon a successful professional career. This also extends to preparation for all wider soft-skills and supporting areas for professional practitioners including sourcing and choosing headshots and bodyshots, joining and populating Spotlight, creating personal showreels and meeting with leading industry creatives and choreographers, agents and casting directors to begin networking. You will also take part in an audition workshop with New Adventures can lead to invitations to Swan School and invitation-only classes.
You will participate in one dance theatre production, a dance film shot on location, a West End Industry Showcase and an industry panel day. You will be working with external industry choreographers/directors alongside full time faculty for all of your productions and performances. Agents, casting directors and other industry professionals are invited to performances to facilitate representation and exposure.
You will also complete a practical Independent Performance Project (dissertation) in the third term where you can put your choreography skills into practice as you devise, choreograph and perform your own piece of dance theatre, encouraging independent and professional working practices in the development of your own work in response to question, theme, or stimulus.
Tuition Fees | £9,790 per academic year, paid in advance in termly instalments.
Student Finance | Student finance is available, including access to a Tuition Fee Loan and a Student Maintenance Loan.
Audition Fee | £45 (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 for eligible applicants.
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.
Applications are made directly to Italia Conti and do not require a UCAS application. Applicants 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.
Applicants are only required to apply for one programme, and encouraged to express on the form if they 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.
Self Tape Recorded Audition
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.
In Person Audition Day
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 FdA Dance requires the following:
Admission through recognition of non-standard entry qualifications/experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis for 16-17 year old applicants who have not completed Level 3 study but demonstrate exceptional talent or who can satisfy the panel of their ability to successfully complete the FdA 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.
1st September – 11th December 2026
4th January – 2nd April 2027
26th April – 23rd July 2027
Check back soon for term dates for September 2027 entry.
Join us at an Open Day to learn more about the FdA Dance programme
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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