Three Year training in Dance at Italia Conti is a full-time vocational course for anyone aged 18+ (17+ from Scotland) who wishes to become a professional dancer. The training develops versatility across multiple dance styles and performance contexts, preparing students for sustainable careers on stage, screen, and in commercial, creative, and community settings.
Our Dance training is designed to develop adaptable and innovative performers, who embody technical excellence, artistic individuality, and a strong understanding of professional practice. Students gain the skills to perform, create, and collaborate, supported by contextual knowledge that reflects current and emerging demands of the dance industry.
The programme offers a rigorous and immersive training experience, with students taught across streams aligned to their intended qualification outcome.
See our other performance training options and specialisms:
BA (Hons) Dance & AVT
Our Dance training will fully prepare students for professional performance, developing their practice and thinking in an integrated way. Through training in ballet, jazz, contemporary, commercial, tap, choreography, aerial and acrobatics, supported by skills in singing and acting, students will graduate as versatile dancers able to work across genres of the professional dance sector.
Training to be a professional performer in Dance requires many things:
Training to be a professional dancer is one of the most exciting and rewarding journeys a student can take, and we believe that there is nowhere better to take it than here at Italia Conti.
There is a reason why Italia Conti is one of the most recognised names in performing arts training. For over a century we have helped students to fulfil their potential as performers and to work at the very highest level in every aspect of the performing arts industry. We provide a programme of training that responds to industry needs and current teaching and learning developments.
Italia Conti has a proven track record of nurturing dancers at the very highest level. Our graduates work internationally across stage and screen, in musicals, plays, national and international tours, commercial projects, cabarets and cruise ships, and in film and television.
As an Associate College of The University of Chichester, Italia Conti delivers the BA (Hons) Dance programme. This three-year, full-time vocational course 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 on the degree course are eligible to enroll on Italia Conti’s Advanced Vocational Training (AVT) alongside their degree course.
At Level 4 students focus on the acquisition of core skills in Ballet, Jazz and Contemporary and provide the foundation for their training as a Dancer/ Performer. Students will develop a grounding in choreographic principles and practices. Through dance improvisation and developing skills in a range of practitioner approaches, students will acquire the tools and knowledge necessary to create sound choreography which communicates meaning to an audience.
Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of a range of aerial skills such as hoop and silks. Fundamentals in supporting skills will allow them to develop further performance skills in acting, singing and tap dance. Students will learn to apply the skills they have learnt holistically in a dance project, with emphasis placed on performance and collaboration.
At Level 5 these core skills become more advanced and integrated. Students will consolidate existing skills and explore a wider range of styles within the dance genres as well as deepening their technical and expressive abilities. More project work is introduced, in which the core disciplines become interdependent. A Dance Performance module provides students with the opportunity to develop their collaborative, creative, rehearsal and performance skills in two contrasting Dance Projects.
Students take part in exciting extracurricular activities to prepare skills for industry. This includes a weekly guest workshop with an industry guest, and an end of year Musical Theatre and Dance showcase to friends and family. Students also further hone their skills by taking additional skills classes such as Jazz Styles, Commericial, Pointe and Virtuosity. Students will also receive biweekly 1:1 Singing lessons and undertake an intensive project with Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures in Year 2.
At Level 6 the emphasis is on preparing students for a career as a professional performer. This final year bridges the gap between professional training and the professional dance world. The priority for this year is to develop students’ capacity to engage with the profession in multiple ways, maximising their employability and innovative skills in readiness for entry into the dance profession.
The Professional Preparation and Employability module will hone audition technique to ensure that students 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, joining and populating Spotlight, creating personal showreel performance reels and meeting with leading industry creatives, agents and casting directors to begin networking.
Students will participate in one professional show and an industry panel day, working with external industry choreographers/directors. Agents, casting directors and other industry professionals are invited to performances to facilitate representation and exposure.
Students will also complete a practical Independent Performance Project (dissertation) in the third term where they will present their own dance performance, encouraging independent and professional working practices in the development of their own work in response to question, theme, or stimulus.
Students continue to take part in exciting extracurricular activities to prepare skills for industry. This includes a biweekly 1:1 singing lesson, a weekly guest workshop and weekly mock audition with an industry guest.
AVT students will have an additional public performance opportunity our Dance Film Project and an Industry Showcase in a West End Theatre. These two opportunities provide networking opportunities with industry that are beyond the demands of a degree qualification in its own right.
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. Advanced Vocational Training Diploma | £2800 + VAT, (paid in advanced termly instalments). These private fees are payable directly to Italia Conti. 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!
Evidence in hard copy of all the above must be provided at enrolment.
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 Musical Theatre, in addition to the course directly being applied for.
All applicants are considered for the One Year Foundation Courses, by standard.
You will also be asked to indicate if you are opting out of the Additional Vocational Training (AVT) diploma, which is offered to applicants to enhance their vocational training.
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.
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.
Regular workshop sessions are held to give students the opportunity to work with directors, choreographers and industry professionals whilst training. During the 3rd year students take part in their final Showcase whereby agents are invited, and Italia Conti has connections with many of these.
Since 1911 our graduates have gone on to 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