Qualification | Certificate of Higher Education
Course Leader | Graham Newell
Validated by | University of East London
Location | Woking
Programme Length | 1 Year, Full-Time
Start Date | September 2025
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.
Applications Opening Soon
This course will introduce students to the basic principles of dance training, delivered through the four modules.
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.
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 and conditions apply upon acceptance to Italia Conti.
The CertHE course offers the following funding options:
Italia Conti welcomes applications for audition fee waivers for those who are eligible.
Italia Conti welcomes applications for deposit fee waivers for those who are eligible.
“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!
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.
Application to the Cert HE course is to be made through both UCAS and direct application. Please note that our listing on UCAS is shown as a University of East London course.
UCAS Institution Code | E28 UCAS Course Code | W415
Students are required to complete the Italia Conti Application form. The link to this form will be posted here when applications go live in the end of September 2024.
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 who have applied through UCAS and who have not completed Italia Conti application form should click the link above or contact admissions@italiaconti.co.uk for support.
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.
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. Successful applicants will be invited to an in person recall audition at our Woking site. Information about auditions can be found below.
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: Plié and tendu exercise Battement Fondu and Rond de Jambe en l’aire exercise Adage Pirouette combination Petit Changement
Jazz: Kicks and Pirouette combination Jump combination
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.
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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.
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.
Qualification | Level 6 Diploma in Professional Dance
Course leader | Andrew Waldron
Validated by | Trinity College London
Course length | 3 Years, Full-Time
Start date | September 2025
Qualification | Degree
Course Length | 3 Years, Full-Time
Qualification | Foundation Degree (FdA)
Course Leader | TBC
Validated by | University of Chichester
Course Length | 2 Years, Full-Time (with top-up to Degree in third year)