Dance at the University of Surrey has a great variety of modules compared to other dance degrees available. I was drawn to the mix of dance techniques and diverse theory modules, which allowed me to expand my knowledge and then tailor my studies to particular interests.
On our unique Dance and Culture degree programme, you experience and interrogate dance as an embodied practice which is embedded in our contemporary globalised culture. You encounter dance forms from ballet to South Asian dance, from tango to hip hop, and you study the histories, influences and contexts of dance in our cultures, Western and non-Western, past and present.
Our rich and varied programme gives you the vital knowledge and competence for a professional career as a dance teacher in education, a dance manager in the creative industries, or a dance researcher and reflective artist. The only programme of its kind, we offer a fully integrated programme and explicitly welcome differently abled bodies.
Almost 30 years ago, we at Surrey were the first university to set up an academic dance department and since then, we have continued to build on our reputation as an internationally leading centre for dance research. Our unique pedagogic approach rejects the artificial separation of ‘practice’ and ‘theory’, and instead develops your understanding of dance as a diverse, complex and most dynamic cultural practice where moving and thinking simply cannot be separated.
You are taught by our team of world-leading international experts whose research includes dance theatre, Latino dance performance, African and Afro-Cuban dance, dance in popular culture and film, dance dramaturgy, Laban, postcolonial dance, contemporary European dance and dance philosophy.
You study within the vibrant creative environment of the Surrey School of Arts, which, along with dance, includes theatre, film and music, as well as Guildford School of Acting (GSA) and the Digital World Research Centre.
Our unique Dance and Culture programme offers both three- and four-year degree pathways, the latter including a Professional Training placement year. As you progress through your studies, you will encounter a range of perspectives and approaches to dance, from various dance techniques to dance notation, dance history to dance policy, and anatomy to choreography. This will provide you with a broad and deep knowledge of dance.
With the opportunity to specialise in the final year of your studies, you will be perfectly prepared for your career in dance education, arts management and creative research. Dance Studies gives students studying the four-year degree the opportunity to participate in the highly regarded Professional Training placement year. During this year, you benefit from a unique mentoring scheme in an internationally or nationally renowned organisation, where work-specific techniques are enhanced by transferable skills in professional communication, organisational strategies and critical reflection.
Alternatively, if you are more vocationally minded, you may choose to take an award-bearing course to achieve a professional qualification in, for example, Labanotation.
Throughout the three years at Surrey, all modules are shared between both the three-year and four-year degree programmes.
The theme of Year 1 tackles the question, ‘What Is My Body?’ You develop new skills in academic study and you get started in creative research. You explore anatomy, the role of dance in culture and society, dance notation and choreography, and you encounter the foundations of dance techniques such as ballet, Asian dance, contemporary dance and African peoples’ dance, as well as somatic practices.
Modules include:
In Year 2, you begin to make and develop work, exploring the lead theme, ‘The Performing Body’. You engage with dance history, dance policy and politics, choreographic issues such as space and identity, movement analysis, and you further develop your dance practice. We work closely with outside partners, companies and organisations to offer you the opportunity to follow a performance project from inception to completion in performance.
Modules include:
If you choose to undertake a Professional Training placement, you will work with an established dance organisation, based within the United Kingdom or internationally. You may choose to specialise in a particular area of dance, for example, within dance management, community dance or dance company education, but whatever your specialism, you will find yourself involved in a wide variety of activities.
Year 3 offers you further opportunities to specialise in your chosen career direction and to develop your professional profile. The theme is ‘The Body as Resource’ and you concentrate, through independent work and a final dissertation project, on your expertise in choreography, dance education, arts management, creative research, dance notation, somatic practice or other areas. In addition to a range of module options, the core module, Researching Dance, introduces advanced topics and methodologies of dance research. The final year thereby further enhances your proficiency in independent creative research and autonomous critical practice, as well as collaboration.
Core Modules:
Optional modules include:
Our unique and optional Professional Training placement year gives you the chance to apply your knowledge and understanding in the context of a year-long placement, and to thereby build your experience in a professional dance environment, with high-quality mentoring and support from experienced placement hosts. Employers interviewing graduates have been impressed by the maturity and professionalism of those with placement experience.
A pioneer in integrated professional training, the University has operated its placement scheme in partnership with industry and professional bodies for the last 40 years. Although dance students do not usually receive a salary, they are paid a bursary by their employer, and all students receive high-quality mentoring and support over the year by experienced placement hosts. Employers interviewing graduates have been impressed by the maturity and professionalism of those with placement experience.
Organisations and companies that have participated in the scheme include Northern Ballet Theatre, Rambert Dance Company, Sadler's Wells, South East Dance and Birmingham Royal Ballet.
You will have practical classes, lectures, seminars and tutorials. Performance and choreography modules have higher class-contact time, while classroom-based modules have fewer contact hours. Yet they require independent study where you read, research, write and prepare work in your own time. You have the opportunity to develop computing skills using LabanWriter, in addition to word-processing, spreadsheet and database packages.
You are also able to participate in dance classes, events, performances, seminars and residencies on campus, including extracurricular classes in Guildford School of Acting’s evening programme. These are open not only to students studying Dance and Culture, but also to the wider University and the general public. This provides you with a lively and challenging dance environment.
All modules are assessed in a format that is most suited to the content and structure of each. We therefore use a variety of assessment methods, such as essays, portfolios, seminar presentations, lecture demonstrations and performances.
Our Dance degree programmes are well resourced and include the PATS dance studio and the state-of-the-art Ivy Arts Centre. The campus is home to a unique archive, the National Resource Centre for Dance, and the School of Arts.
Graduates of our Dance and Culture degree programme are currently employed in performance and choreography, education (including private, secondary, further and higher education), community dance settings, such as at arts centres, and on arts and dance projects, theatre management, dance company education, public relations and marketing. Dance graduates have received employment in some of the foremost dance institutions in the UK, including Greenwich Dance Agency, Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company, The Place Theatre and the English National Ballet.
Our graduates have an excellent track record in securing places on MA and PGCE courses in dance and related subjects. Over the last few years, Surrey Dance students have gone on to careers such as:
Come to one of our Open Days, when you can tour the campus, speak to students and academic staff, see our student accommodation and ask as many questions as you like. In the meantime, order a personal prospectus – tailored to only include the subjects that interest you.
There are no specific subject requirements. Dance at either A or AS-level (or equivalent) is preferable.
GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade C or above (or equivalent).
Offers are normally made in terms of grades. Suitable candidates may be invited for an audition and interview. During the visit to the University the candidate can find out more about the programme and meet staff and students.
Non-native speakers of English will normally be required to have IELTS 6.5 or above, with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-skill (or equivalent).
We offer intensive English language pre-sessional courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
| Award | Course Length | Professional Training | UCAS code | KIS code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BA (Hons) | 3 years | W552 | View KIS data set | |
| BA (Hons) | 4 years | W553 | View KIS data set |
We offer a range of bursaries, scholarships and other financial support.
See course information for students applying to start in September 2013.
Phone: +44 (0)1483 681 681
