Contemporary dance degree
BA (Hons)
Contemporary Dance
A CONTEMPORARY FOCUSED DANCE Programme
Overview
Programme Name
Bachelor Of Arts with Honours in contemporary dance
Duration
3 academic years (Full time)
Language
English
Sara Colomino
Creating versatile dance artists for today’s contemporary dance scene
Programme availability
- Applications open
Start date
Monday 15 September, 2025
Our BA (Hons) Contemporary Dance programme is taught in classic conservatoire style. As a result it is rigorous, intensive and highly creative.
This undergraduate degree is constructed and designed to both develop you as a versatile artist and equip you with all the skills and knowledge to pursue a successful, sustainable career in dance.
Study CONTEMPORARY DANCE Techniques
To ensure our students are rounded and versatile artists, our curriculum offers a variety of contemporary dance techniques for you to explore and improve upon. All of these techniques will be put into practice during the multiple productions and opportunities the artists get during the 3 years.
You will be training in the main techniques of:
- Release technique
- Floor work
- Flying Low technique
- Horton-based classes
- Cunningham-based classes
In addition, you will work on:
- Improvisation techniques
- Contact improvisation techniques
- Partnering
- Repertoire
Our BA (Hons) Contemporary Dance training provides instruction across a comprehensive range of contemporary disciplines, with each class geared to preparing students physically and mentally to be as strong, agile, responsive and expressive as possible.
You will study in 7 different modules: Contemporary Techniques, Classical Techniques, Associates Techniques, Creative Enterprise, Creative Practice and Research, Production and Performance and Contextual Studies.
- Contemporary Dance Techniques
- Ballet
- Improvisation
- Hip Hop Styles
- Choreography
- Contextual studies
- Partnering
- Text and voice
- Production knowledge
- Historical perspective on dance
- Academic skills
- Physical and mental wellbeing
- Industry studies
- Contact improvisation
- Repertoire
- Cultural perspective on dance
- Research methods
- Dance pedagogy
- Dance Film Project
- Arts and Events Management
- Performance Project
- Industry Focused Masterclasses
- Audition Preparation
- Two Productions
- Individual Research Project
*These classes are repeated over the three years.
programme highlights
Become a creative dance artist
Choreography and innovation
Our comprehensive choreography and movement research modules provide you with multiple opportunities (classes and projects) to develop choreographic skills and collaborative practice to prepare you for today’s artistic field.
You will train in all aspects of performance making from conception through to staging your own projects, taking full advantage of our theatre spaces and site-specific locations.
Jointly with your peers, you will host a public, immersive dance festival at the IAB directing a cast of first-year students.
Preparing you for the dance scene
- Filming your own solo with a team of professional videographers for your dance reel.
- Well-recognised guest artists will choreograph pieces to perform in different stages.
- You will have the opportunity to audition for agents and attend masterclasses and Q&As.
- You will take part in a series of audition technique sessions led by professional choreographers
- You will get classes on how to build your performer resume, choose the perfect headshot, negotiate with agents and build networking skills.
Dance Performance opportunities
Throughout the course, you will have multiple opportunities to put your training to the test. Have a look at some of the previous performances:
Dance shows
Dance film project
Creart Fest (Dance festival)
How to apply
- 1. Submit your application
- 2. Attend the audition
- 3. Wait for the result
1. Submit your application
To apply for our BA (Hons) Contemporary Dance course, you must submit an application and select which audition you would like to attend.
2. Attend the audtition
What does the audition consist of?
Pre-Audition: Dance Solo Video
You will be asked to submit a dance solo through video.
Live Audition
- Pre-Selection
During the live audition you will take part in:
- Ballet class
- Contemporary class, including improvisation and technical exercises
2. Invited candidates only
- Contemporary dance repertoire workshop
- Interview
3. Wait for the result
The audition results can take up to 4 weeks to process.
Our tuition fees are made up of a number of different components and are determined by your nationality, country of residence and programme of study.
ANNUAL TUITION FEES
- €11,900
Additional annual fees:
- €500 – Non-refundable registration fee
- €80 – IAB Health Clinic membership
Fees
ANNUAL TUITION FEES
- €16,900
Additional annual fees:
- €500 – Non-refundable registration fee
- €80 – IAB Health Clinic membership
Successful audition, IELTS 6.0 or equivalent, and the national university entry academic qualification of your country equivalent to 104 UK Tariff points or 24 points from an International Baccalaureate. Mature applicants without recognised university entry-level academic qualifications are assessed on their experience to date.Â
Find out more about our entry requirements.
A graduation will be arranged by the IAB for all graduating students. Further information is provided directly to graduating students.Â
Degree of Bachelor of Arts in Contemporary Dance
After successfully completing your BA (Hons) Musical Theatre, you will receive a UK university certificate and transcript of studies issued by Liverpool John Moores University.
The certificate wording will state:Â
Degree of Bachelor of Arts with (classification) having followed an approved programme of study in Contemporary Dance
You can find alumni of our bachelor of arts in dance working in:
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