Dance

BA (HONS) DANCE

Qualification | Degree

Course Leader | Graham Newell

Validated by | University of East London (UEL)

Location | Woking

Course Length | 3 Years, Full-Time

Start Date | September 2024

COURSE OVERVIEW

BA (Hons) Dance at Italia Conti is a three-year, full-time vocational course for anyone aged 18+ wishing to become a professional dancer working across a huge range of styles.

The course is validated by University of East London (UEL). Full government funding is available through Student Finance England for Home students.

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COURSE SUMMARY

Training to be a professional performer in Dance requires many things

  • Dedication and determination
  • Strong technique, strength, fitness and flexibility
  • The ability to think, to research, to analyse and to critique your own work
  • Bravery: emotional and physical

Training to be a professional dancer is one of the most exciting and rewarding journeys that students will ever take and we believe that there is nowhere better to take it, than here at Italia Conti.

Italia Conti trains versatile dancers through a broad curriculum of dance styles and techniques to ensure students graduate with the adaptability to work across genres in the professional dance sector. Through classes in ballet, jazz, contemporary, commercial, tap, choreography, aerial and acrobatics skills and supporting skills in singing and acting, students are sure to graduate into the professional dance industry as highly employable multi-faceted performers.

Italia Conti has a proven track record of nurturing talent at the very highest level.

COURSE STRUCTURE

Level 4

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.

Level 5

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.

Level 6

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 two professional shows and an industry showcase, 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.

FEES & FUNDING

UK Tuition Fees | £9250 per academic year, (paid in advanced termly instalments)
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 the School and will be refundable on completion of the course, without interest, less any outstanding sums owed by the student to Italia Conti.)

Terms & Conditions

Terms and conditions apply upon acceptance to Italia Conti.

Funding

The BA (Hons) course offers the following funding options:

  • Private Funding
  • Student Finance

Audition Fee Waiver

Italia Conti welcomes applications for audition fee waivers for those who are eligible.

Deposit Fee Waiver

Italia Conti welcomes applications for deposit fee waivers for those who are eligible.

  • It’s fantastic. Showcases, shows, summer shows, carol concerts. It’s very full on but I don’t wake up regretting coming here. It is the best thing ever!

    - Sam Tutty – BA (Hons) Musical Theatre graduate
  • “The college provides you with a disciplined, yet family atmosphere that trains you to become the best of the best moving forwards into the performing arts industry.”

    - James Kemp – Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre Graduate
  • “Italia Conti has helped me in terms of my acting development, but also as a person and how I engage and view the world, which aids me as an actor.”

    - Henry Brackenridge – BA (Hons) Acting Graduate
  • “The building and staff inside welcome you with open arms, guide you through your training and proudly push you, prepped with the best tools for the job.”

    - Amy Johnson – BA (Hons) Acting Graduate
  • “Italia Conti allowed me to do my favorite thing, every day in a safe space amongst talented, supportive people. Being taught by skillful tutors was invaluable. The small classes ensured my voice was always heard and helped me hone my skills.”

    - Ruby Valentino – BA (Hons) Acting Graduate
  • “My training at Italia Conti has challenged, fulfilled, and broadened me as an actor and as a person. The buffet of techniques on offer will allow me to meet all challenges in any avenue.”

    - Henry Holmes – BA (Hons) Acting Graduate
  • “The influx of inspiring people flowing through the building creates an atmosphere for greatness and I am honoured to be a part of that.”

    - Posi Morakinyo – Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre Graduate
  • “I couldn’t have asked for a more understanding place to spend these crucial moments. The door is always open for us to come back ‘home’ for advice, or even for a cup of tea!”

    - Susannah White – Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre Graduate
  • “Having the most supportive faculty (many of which are working professionals), who are always pushing you to be the best version of yourself has made my transition into the industry a seamless one.”

    - Awen Jones – Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre Graduate

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

ENTRY TO BA (HONS) DANCE REQUIRES THE FOLLOWING:

  • 18+ by the 31st August in the year of entry​.
  • Level 2 English and Maths at GCSE Grade 4 or above or recognised equivalent qualifications.
  • 64 UCAS points or admission through recognition of non standard entry qualifications/experience:
    • A level: CC
    • Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: MPP
    • Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma: MM
    • Access to HE Diploma: M = 15 credits, P = 30 credits
    • IELTS Level 6
  • Legal right to reside/study in the UK for the full period of the programme.
  • Successful audition through Italia Conti, details of which can be found below.
  • Evidence in hard copy of all the above must be provided.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

After completing the application process, you will be invited to submit an audition tape where you will be required to demonstrate a variety of skills. Information about auditions can be found below.

Successful applicants will be invited to a recall audition on site.

APPLICATIONS

Application to the BA (Hons) Dance course is to be made through UCAS only. Please note that our listing on UCAS is University of East London (UEL) – Dance.

This course will be available on UCAS soon for September 2023 entry.

UCAS Institution Code | E28
UCAS Course Code | W414

Once applicants have applied for the BA (Hons) Dance programme through UCAS they will receive an email from UEL containing a link to Italia Conti’s BA (Hons) application form. Applicants must complete this form and pay the audition fee (£45) in order to be considered for the course. Applicants cannot apply through UCAS alone for this programme.

Applicants should have completed Italia Conti’s application form and paid the audition fee by the 26th January in the year of application in order to be considered for audition.

Applicants who have applied through UCAS and who have not received an email containing a link to Italia Conti’s application form should contact

admissions@italiaconti.co.uk before the 26th January in the year of application.

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.

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.

AUDITION CRITERIA

UPDATE- Due to the volume and standard of applications received this year, Italia Conti need to extend our turnaround time for us to inform candidates of their result. Any first round applicant will receive the result from their audition submission within to 3-4 weeks of receipt. We apologise for the delay but every submission deserves our full time and attention.

FIRST ROUND AUDITIONS

BALLET AUDITION

Please record yourself performing the below Plié exercise from 8 minutes 22. Prior to this, the exercise is taught in full by our Head of Ballet.

TECHNICAL CENTRE PRACTICE AUDITION

Please record yourself performing the below Jazz sequence from 9 minutes 50.

SOLO DANCE AUDITION

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.

 


RECALL AUDITION

You will be required to participate in three dance classes at your recall; Ballet, Technical Centre Practice, a class where a set piece of Jazz choreography, and a contemporary dance class will be taught. 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.

 

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CAREER PROSPECTS

INDUSTRY LINKS

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.

Alumnx & graduate success

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.

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