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Why a Dance Degree is Worth It: Exploring Career Paths & Benefits

Why a Dance Degree is Worth It: Exploring Career Paths & Benefits
Why a Dance Degree is Worth It: Exploring Career Paths & Benefits

For those with a passion for movement, expression and performance, a dance degree can feel like a great step. But is a dance degree worth it? Yes, absolutely.

A dance degree isn’t only about learning choreography; it’s about expanding your career options, perfecting skills, and proving that you can dedicate yourself to something for three years.

Whether you dream of performing on the stage, becoming a choreographer, or teaching the next generation how to dance, a degree in dance can open so many doors.

The Benefits of a Dance Degree

Professional Training

One of the biggest benefits of dance degree courses is that you’ll receive high-level training. For example, Italia Conti trains versatile dancers through a broad curriculum of dance styles and techniques. This ensures our students graduate with the ability and adaptability to work in a variety of professional dance sectors.

Through classes in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, commercial and aerial/acrobatics, we shape students into multi-faceted performers.

Performance Experience

A dance degree gives you so many opportunities to perform in front of live audiences. Whether that’s just in class or in shows and workshops. These experiences refine your stage presence, and they can also help you build confidence and resilience, skills that are essential for a future career as a dancer.

Networking and Connections

In the world of performing arts, who you know can be just as important as what you know. A dance degree gives you a chance to connect with industry professionals, choreographers and fellow dancers, people who can help guide your career.

Many dance degree courses will also offer guest workshops that give you a chance to collaborate with other industry professionals.

What Can You Do with a Dance Degree?

A dance degree doesn’t limit you to being a dancer. There are plenty of opportunities open to you after university, both on and off-stage. Below are some of the possible careers you might transition into after completing a professional dance course.

Professional Dancer

We’ll start with the most obvious one: many of our graduates become professional dancers after our BA Hons Dance Course. Whether that’s on the stage, in music videos or on cruise ships, a dance degree prepares you for life as a professional dancer.

Choreographer

If you love creating movement, a career in choreography could be right for you. Choreographers can work across film, theatre, TV, music videos and live performances, creating movement that brings stories to life. To be a choreographer, an understanding of and experience in dance is important, so a dance degree will best prepare you for this role.

Movement Director

A dance degree can also lead to work as a movement director. Movement directors help actors physically prepare for the stage and screen. Productions, such as films and TV programmes, will often require movement directors. They help actors prepare for fight scenes, period dances or stylised characters.

Is a Dance Degree Worth It?

We think so! A dance degree is an investment in your future career, whatever you go into. Whether you want to perform, teach, choreograph, or work behind the scenes, the skills and experience you gain from professional training will be incredibly valuable.

  • “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.”

    - Sarah Collinge – Musical Theatre Performer Current Student, Class of July 2024
  • “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.”

    - Kate Drummond – Actor Current Student, Class of July 2024
  • 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!”

    - Amy-Jo Sumner – Musical Theatre Performer
  • “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.”

    - Rachel Ward – Performing Arts Tutor Graduate, BA Top up Class of Sept 2022
  • 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

    - @ginamusaelyan2307 – Italia Conti Virtual
  • I’ve watched a lot of your videos and I love every single one that she teaches. THANK YOU. Gorgeous movement.

    - @debbied3464 – Italia Conti Virtual
  • Amazing class, one of the best I’ve ever done. So easy to follow, thank you!

    - @yellowbeachgirl – Italia Conti Virtual
  • 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. 🖤

    - @SarahPaceSings – Italia Conti Virtual
  • Best ballet teacher on the internet Great explanation, enthusiasm and commentary throughout the exercise!

    - @annajones6805 – Italia Conti Virtual