The CertHE Introduction to Dance is designed to train students in the dance skills needed to embark on a full-time degree course in dance or performing arts.
Students will embark upon a one-year, full-time course, leading to a Certificate of Higher Education Introduction to Dance after successful completion of study. The course is designed to give a clear understanding of what professional dance training and the work of a professional dancer entails and students will begin to develop the skills that form the foundation of a dancer’s professional training.
CertHE Dance (Foundation)
CertHE Dance is a one-year, full-time course for students aged 18+ who want focused dance training and preparation for further study or early professional work across stage, screen, commercial and multi-platform performance. You build core technique in ballet, jazz and contemporary, with commercial and tap, plus conditioning, flexibility and choreography. Supporting studies in acting and singing extend your performance range, with contextual practice and rehearsal projects. Validated by the University of Chichester. Eligible Home students can access full government funding through Student Finance England. Designed as a foundation for entry to three-year dance or musical theatre training at drama school or university, with targeted audition preparation.
As an Associate College of The University of Chichester, Italia Conti delivers the Certificate of Higher Education Acting (Foundation).
This one-year (two terms), full-time vocational course is for anyone aged 18+. The course is organised into modules with various modes of assessment.
Full government funding is available through Student Finance England for Home students.
Students will study Ballet, Jazz, Aerial skills, alongside other dance and movement forms. The basis of the work is to provide them with the basic foundational skills in each of the dance styles as well as embedding key skills such as safe practice, anatomy and physiology and expressive skills.
Students will explore the requirements of an audition through a variety of workshops, masterclasses, and projects to prepare them for auditions at dance conservatoires and institutions.
A core audition discipline for Dance courses is contemporary dance, therefore this discipline is honed through this module alongside audition practice. This module is essential for preparing students as reflective and self-evaluative artist for further dance study.
This module focuses on the development of students’ rehearsal and performance skills, their ability to implement and synthesise dance skills and develop choreographic skills.
The module follows the process of rehearsal through to the sharing of dance work and dance performance.
This module prepares students as critical, reflective and informed performers in the wider field of dance study. The module prepares students for the written requirements of the application process for dance conservatoire training as well as developing critical reflection skills through essay writing and presentations.
Furthermore, the Italia Conti approach is one of developing students’ skills to become an autonomous and reflective learner. Students will construct a personal way of working, which they can continue to develop at other dance conservatoires, institutions or other learning environments. On completing the CertHE Introduction to Dance students will have knowledge of the skills necessary to develop as a dancer entering professional training and the capacity to apply them.
Degree Tuition Fees | £9535 per academic year, (paid in advanced termly instalments). Student finance is available, which includes access to a Tuition Fee Loan and Student Maintenance Loan. These payments are made to directly to the University of Chichester. Scholarships and Bursaries | Available for our AVT fees. Scholarships are awarded upon outcome of audition. You may apply for a bursary here by contact admissions@italiaconti.co.uk
Audition Fee | £45 (non-refundable) Deposit | £275 (The deposit is refundable within 14 calendar days of the payment being received by Italia Conti but will not be refunded thereafter for non-enrolment. It will be held by Italia Conti and will be refundable on completion of the course, without interest, less any outstanding sums owed by the student to Italia Conti.)
For further information, please see our International Applications page.
Italia Conti welcomes applications for audition fee waivers for those who are eligible.
Terms and conditions apply upon acceptance to Italia Conti.
HE & AVT Terms & Conditions
“I have just graduated from Liverpool Theatre School with a Level 6 Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre. I wanted to do the BA Hons (Top Up) in Professional Arts Practice course to further develop my skills for the industry. It is the perfect balance between academic writing and creativity. I already have seen improvements, both in my academic and performing work, and I now really value the ability to critically reflect on past experiences in order to improve my current skills.”
“I have found that my first term at Italia Conti has been better than I could’ve imagined. I am working with driven, passionate, likeminded people within all different realms of the performing arts industry. I find that the course is very tailored to each individual and the content is broad enough to apply to everyone but specific enough to challenge each person within their abilities. I find the course to be a place where I can collaborate and interact with people who I’d never had met otherwise. I only look forward to what the next few months of the course bring and feel more motivated than ever.”
Current Student, Class of July 2024“The course is allowing me to reflect on my past practice, current position, and future endeavours. I really enjoy how flexible the course is, with regards to being able to tailor my studies to my own practice, enabling me to maximise the benefits of this on my future career. I expect my professional development to be impacted exponentially and I am excited to continue!”
“Italia Conti’s BA Top up course was the one for me! Creating a business in under 9 months has been a massive accomplishment! The course really helps shape your future, enables you to meet professional contacts to support your research, and gives you lots of time to understand the area of the industry you want to specialise in.”
I’m a professional dancer but have taught only ballet. These classes are EXACTLY what I was looking for to show some basics of contemp for my students !! Absolutely love every single Video
I’ve watched a lot of your videos and I love every single one that she teaches. THANK YOU. Gorgeous movement.
Amazing class, one of the best I’ve ever done. So easy to follow, thank you!
I’m a dancer in LA and can’t keep up with my peers on how often they take dance classes. This channel has been so helpful for me to keep up my training. Thank you for sharing this with the world. I feel like we are all dancing together even though we are all doing this at different times and in different spaces. 🖤
Best ballet teacher on the internet❤ Great explanation, enthusiasm and commentary throughout the exercise!
Applications to Italia Conti are made by direct application via the link below only.
Applicants DO NOT need to complete a UCAS application for Italia Conti.
Applicants must complete the application form and pay the audition fee (£45) in order to be considered.
Audition fees are non-refundable. 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 encouraged to express on the form interest in any other courses/streams they would like to be considered for e.g. Three Year Acting (Musical Theatre), in addition to the course directly being applied for.
All applicants are considered for the respective Three Year Courses, by standard.
In line with our admissions policy, Italia Conti reserves the right to alter or withdraw offers at any point. Places on our courses 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.
After completing the application process, you will be invited to submit an audition tape where auditionees will be required to demonstrate a variety of skills. Successful applicants will be invited to a recall audition on site. Information about auditions can be found below.
If there’s something that might shape your experience with us – such as access requirements, a disability, being neurodivergent, something related to a protected characteristic, or anything else you’d like to share – please let us know. This kind of information isn’t always obvious from an application.
You can contact:
We’re here to listen and discuss what support or reasonable adjustments could help you feel confident and supported throughout the process.
First round applicants will receive the result from their audition submission within 3-4 weeks of receipt. This is to ensure that every submission deserves our full time and attention.
Please record yourself performing the following exercises as taught in the video:
Ballet:
Jazz:
Auditionees should prepare one dance piece in your preferred style, no longer than one minute. This should showcase your strengths and highlight any special skills.
Required dress:
Please wear tight fitting clothing to allow the panel to see your movement fully.
You will be required to participate in three dance classes at your recall; Ballet, Technical Centre Practice, a class where you will learn a set piece of Jazz choreography, and a contemporary dance class will be taught. You will also be asked to perform your first round self tape solo dance and explore this movement further through guidance and redirection from the panel. Each class will last 30 minutes.
Required dress: Jazz shoes or trainers that are suitable for dance (i.e. no Converse or similar fashion shoes that are not designed for dance). No loose clothing or jewellery is permitted.
Graduates of Italia Conti’s CertHE Dance course either continue their dance training at Italia Conti or other established conservatoires, change performance course and pursue Musical Theatre or Acting, or move into other creative fields such as choreography, directing, producing, and production roles. Some graduates pursue more formal academic routes within their chosen disciplines, and some graduates change course completely and take up other subjects and pursuits, but still continue to utilise the transferable skills gained on this course.
With over 107 years of Italia Conti history, our graduates populate the performance industries and include many famous faces. Recent graduates can be seen working on prestigious productions in all areas of the industry.
Free online dance classes on the Italia Conti Virtual YouTube Channel
Qualification | Foundation Degree (FdA)
Validated by | University of Chichester
Course Length | 2 Years, Full-Time (with top-up to Degree in third year)
Start Date | September 2025