Dance and Drama BA Hons (Dance) with Kingston University London

Course overview

The BA (Hons) Dance and Drama degree at Edinburgh College is an intensive industry training course delivered by Kingston University. Challenge your potential as you immerse yourself in the art of Dance and performance through a range of techniques. This is a university-level course that will ensure you are prepared to an industry standard to progress into a career as a portfolio artist.

You will develop a range of transferable skills to equip you for the demands of a competitive world. Dancers have the ability to influence society and this course aims to show you how you can become a part of that influence. You will critically engage in industry practices and learn how to take a simple performance idea and bring it to life. Throughout the course, you will gain essential experience in professional environments and make crucial connections with industry professionals. 

Performing Arts Studio Scotland (PASS) has a range of exceptional professional facilities including the Pass studio theatre as well as dance, acting and aerial studios. Many of the BA Performances take place in external venues such as Festival Theatre Studio, Traverse Theatre and Assembly Roxy. 

Spotlight Membership

The BA course is also a member of the Spotlight Graduate scheme, our BA students can apply to become Graduate Spotlight members during the first term of the year. 'Spotlight is the industry's leading casting platform helping to connect performers, agents and casting directors. Spotlight graduate membership is the stamp of professionalism that puts you in the best place to promote yourself to the industry as you complete your training. 

Further Performance Opportunities 

Cross Currents - Dance end-of-year show, where BA students work with their peers from other courses and external choreographers to showcase and celebrate their skills in a venue in Edinburgh City. 

Edinburgh Fringe Festival - The BA cohort have the opportunity to showcase their work on a platform which runs as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 

Babel FAST Festival - Students have the opportunity to devise and perform at this International theatre festival in Romania. They are also able to participate in workshops delivered by well-known artists from around the world and get free entry into all of the shows in the festival programme. 

Please see the audition information below.

Core Modules are:

• Access to Professional Workplace
• 21st-century choreography
• Production Project: Making a Performance
• Ensemble Performance

You will also participate in classes to develop your skills in:

• Body Conditioning for Performers
• Study Skills for Performing Arts
• Fundamental Dance Techniques - Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary and Commercial
• Audition Technique
• Personal & Professional Planning

Placement information

Access to Professional Workplace - Enables students to organise and undertake a placement with a professional dance organisation in a career path of their choice such as 

• Community dance teaching
• Dance education
• Community dance management
• Dance event organisation
• Dance company management
• Dance Outreach

This module allows you to gain a greater understanding of current practice and expectations when working in the professional dance industry with a range of contexts and settings, allowing you to start to define who you are as a practitioner, artist or creator. 

How the course is assessed

• You will be assessed through practical, portfolio, presentations and written assessments

Number of days per week

• 5 days per week

Entry requirements

• HND Dance Artist or Professional Dance performance (Graded Unit A/B result)
• HND Musical Theatre with a Graded unit A/B result

Information on Tests / Auditions / Interview Requirements

Audition Process 

Our BA Audition consists of 3 stages - Application and solo, Practical Audition & Interview

Stage 1: Complete the application form and attach the following evidence

• Creative Solo: You will have to submit a 1.5-minute solo piece exploring one of the following themes; political corruption, the Importance of social classes, cultural identities, and the influence of technology on individual or gender classifications. The final choice of the theme must relate to one of these four categories; therefore, you have a lot of artistic freedom as to what the focus of your solo will be.  This recording can be uploaded to a private Youtube page but the video must be unlisted to be viewed and assessed.  Please upload in the space provided for evidence on your application or email it to DramaDanceBA@edinburghcollege.ac.uk 
• Please upload your response to the following question within your application in the personal statement section.

Written Task: 500 words that address the following question: 

Question: If dance is a reflection of the world in which we live and our position in it – what do you want to say? Who do you want to say it to? And how will you say it? 

Stage 2: Practical Audition

You will be invited in-house at our Granton Campus to participate in a Jazz, Contemporary and Ballet Class. On one of the following Dates:

• Monday 27 Feb
• Monday 20 March
• Tuesday 16 May 

Stage 3: Interview

You will be interviewed by two of the BA teaching faculty who will ask you a series of critical questions to further assess your suitability for the course. 

If you have any questions please email the DramaDanceBA@edinburghcollege.ac.uk

Applications must be fully submitted before an Audition or interview date is sent out.

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Progression and Articulation Routes

• MA in Dance Science at Edinburgh University
• MEd Learning and Teaching in the Performing Arts at RCS
• PGDE at Edinburgh Napier University, University of Edinburgh
• MA Programme at Institute of the Arts, Barcelona

Career options

• Teaching
• Performing
• Choreographing
• Directing
• Dance Management
• Community Dance Artist