Professional Placement Scheme in Dance (Taught)

Immersive Experience with Professional Dance Companies

The MA Professional Placement Scheme in Dance (PPS) is designed for creative individuals keen to bridge the gap between educational training and working in a professional environment. The course aims to inspire students to gain knowledge, experience, confidence, and maturity in working within the professional contemporary dance world.

The distinctiveness of this programme lies in the offer of a placement with a professional dance company for up to 8 months. Students work alongside professional dancers at their chosen host company, experiencing roles within the company such as creation, rehearsal, production, teaching, organisation, marketing and/or community outreach work. Each placement is designed to embed students within the company structure and day-to-day operations so that their experience mirrors, with appropriate support, those employed within the company environment.

The MA PPS in Dance provides students with a mentored and inspiring environment to enhance their individual artistry as performers and to challenge their physical and reflective skills as facilitators. Students develop their network with guest artists/choreographers to support them in their future careers. The programme also gives a rigorous grounding in research practice and the ability to apply these skills in professional contexts.

**Companies/hosts participating in the PPS scheme for 26/27:

2Faced Dance Company
Balbir Singh Dance Company
balletLorent
Dance United Yorkshire
Holsterbro Dansekompagni
Motionhouse
National Dance Company Wales
Phoenix Dance Theatre
Scottish Dance Theatre
Soul-Xpressions
Southpaw Company
Stopgap Dance Company**

How will the course do this?
- Experience life in a professional dance company – gain direct entry into the industry and absorb tangible creative skills from experienced artists, helping you master what it takes to be in a professional dance company.
- Advance your performance skills – experience real-world professional rehearsal and performance practices, enhancing your versatility, discipline, and artistry to aid your journey from dance student to working professional artist.
- Gain mentorship from dance professionals – learn directly from experienced choreographers, directors, and company members, equipping you with industry knowledge, personalised guidance and encouragement so you can progress faster in your dance career.
- Build professional dance connections – work alongside experienced dance artists, helping you grow your professional network and credibility, to support future career opportunities.
- Encounter new artistic perspectives – investigate different creative processes, artistic styles and problem-solving approaches to broaden your artistic range and adaptability, and help you discover your unique identity as a dance artist.

Company Placement (60 credits) Compulsory Module
Reflective Portfolio (15 credits) Compulsory Module
Performance (45 credits) Optional Module
Artist as Facilitator (45 credits) Optional Module
Research Project (60 credits) Compulsory Module