If you choose a dance degree or apprenticeship, you'll combine a mixture of practical training, creativity and performance. You’ll work on solo projects, small group projects, and larger ensemble work. You’ll develop your critical thinking skills, and your own style and preferences.
There are so many directions you can then choose to take, from dance performance to choreography, film production, acting, teaching or dance therapy. You’ll also benefit from visiting companies and professionals who can inspire you on where to go next.
Dance is a growing industry, with 3.18% job growth predicted over the next eight years.
The impact you could make
- Choreograph a dance sequence or series for a theatre, television or film production.
- Perform live in the West End as part of a dance or theatre troupe, or in your own dance production.
- Work as a dance therapist to help people improve their self-esteem and body image, express themselves through movement, and develop new coping strategies.
What you could study
- Dance technique
- Performance project
- Choreography project
- Embodying dance contexts
- Health and wellbeing for artistic practice
- Exploring screendance
- Dance industry
Example module
Example assignment
Subjects it's useful to have studied first
Some dance courses or apprenticeships will have requirements for previous qualifications in certain subjects. Entry requirements vary, so always check with the provider.'Dance
GCSEs English language and maths
Hard skills you'll develop
- Dance styles and techniques
- Choreography
- Marketing
- Talent sourcing and management
Soft skills you'll develop
- Communication and teamwork
- Teaching
- Organisational skills
- Innovation
- Leadership
Careers: Where it can take you
Find out more about your career prospects from studying dance. The following information is based on a typical dance or choreographer role.Average salary
Available jobs
Career options
Dance and choreography
What is a…. somatic therapist?
A somatic therapist, or somatic practitioner, uses methods like dance to help patients release pent-up emotions in their body. It’s a form of therapy incorporating mind-body healing, following the theory that the body can physically hold on to trauma and negative emotions.
You could help someone to heal from a difficult past or experience through dance.
Find your ideal career
Take our careers quiz to find your ideal job matched to your personality type.Getting in: Entry requirements
Find out more about what you'll need to study dance at university or as an apprenticeship.
Average requirements for undergraduate degrees
Entry requirements differ between university and course, but this should give you a guide to what is usually expected from dance applicants.
Audition and interview
A levels
Scottish Highers
Vocational
Audition advice
Find out what to expect at a conservatoire assessment.Other subjects you may be interested in
Dance has been such a natural thing for me since I was a little girl that it’s taken a while to realise its impact on how I live my life and the benefits of it on my mental and physical health.
I think it’s important for all humans to move, but to move to music, feeling in sync with the sounds you’re hearing and reacting to, that takes on another dimension and that sometimes feels like a form of meditation. Dancing can be so liberating, getting to that place where your body feels free and boundless and letting go of any tensions in your mind. I find it’s a form of self-care that is so incredibly fun.
Explore further
Go deeper into topics around dance with the following:-
1
Why Dance Matters podcast
David Jays, who edits the Royal Academy of Dance magazine, Dance Gazette, interviews some of the most influential people in the world of dance. -
2
TED@UPS – How dance helps me deal with stress
A delightful demonstration by Yami Joshi of how dance can help deal with stress. Lots of other TED resources too, exploring the role of dance. -
3
BBC News – Dance
You’ll find all the latest dance news and features in this section of the BBC News website.
Application advice
Whether it's personal statement tips or what to write in a cover letter. our application advice will help you get ahead in your dance journey.Skills, experiences, and interests to mention
- How can you demonstrate your passion for dance? Have you been going to a dance club since you were young? What performances have you been involved in? Think about what you learned from those experiences too.
- What do you hope to achieve with your dance training? Are there dancers or choreographers you admire? Have you been to particular shows that you enjoyed or want to emulate? Can you critically appraise those performances and what you did or didn't like about them?
- What books, websites, podcasts or other resources do you read or listen to that further your understanding of dance? How can you demonstrate what you know about the industry and the place you’d like within it?
- Do you do any other types of sport or movement, like martial arts, physical theatre or even circus skills? What makes you stand out? You could also think about hobbies or times where you have tried and failed, and what you learned from those experiences.
