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Commercial Dance (Full-time) (BA Hons)

Cardiff
3 Years Full-Time
96 UCAS Points

Are you an aspiring dance artist looking to start your career in the commercial dance and performing arts sector? Our Commercial Dance Degree offers a comprehensive platform to help you achieve your goals. This course is designed to equip you with the necessary skills and understanding of the industry, ensuring you can work professionally and meet the growing demand for skilled, versatile, and reliable performers. 

This intensive programme focuses on vocational training in dance, providing a practical, studio-based learning environment where you can develop your technical and artistic skills. Through professional training, you’ll have the opportunity to hone your technique and enhance your performance skills under the guidance of experienced industry professionals. 

Led by staff with extensive professional backgrounds, you will work alongside an interdisciplinary campus, engaging in a variety of dance projects. This approach not only improves your dance skills but also prepares you for a professional dance career. The course aims to help you create work opportunities and secure positions within the creative industries. 

A significant advantage of this degree is the access to a wide range of tutors from various creative industries. These experts will work closely with you, providing support and assistance throughout your studies. Their insights and guidance will be invaluable as you navigate your career path. 

The course includes several shared modules with other WAVDA  performance programmes, promoting collaboration and exposing you to multidisciplined projects. This experience broadens your horizons and enhances your vocational possibilities. Working on these projects allows you to apply what you’ve learned in a real-world context, fostering a deeper understanding of the dance industry. 

Our Commercial Dance Degree is ideal for those who want to turn their passion for dance into a professional dance career. By focusing on practical studio-based learning and offering opportunities to develop your technical dance skills, this course provides a solid foundation for your future in the dance industry, preparing you for a successful career in the dynamic field of commercial dance.  

Course details

Start date:
ÃÜÌÒ´«Ã½ modes:
  • On-campus
  • Full-time
Language:
  • English
  • Welsh
Institution code:
T80
UCAS code:
COD1
Course length:
3 Years Full-Time
Entry requirements:
96 UCAS Points

Undergraduate Fees
Home (Full-time): £9,535 per year
Overseas (Full-time): £15,525 per year

Why choose this course?

01
This course prepares you for a career within the commercial dance industry, no matter what your background or dance experience is.
02
The course provides opportunities to work with current practitioners and choreographers working within the industry to develop projects and performances.
03
Throughout the three years you will gain relevant insight into the industry, preparing you for employment after graduating.

What you will learn

Our Philosophy 

Our philosophy centres on providing practical learning experiences. We believe in nurturing each student’s unique talents through rigorous vocational training in dance, ensuring you develop both technical and artistic skills. We will help you become your own unique dance artist with an excellent understanding of the current dance industry and the skills to sustain your own creative career. Our interdisciplinary approach encourages collaboration, preparing you for a professional dance career. 

This year will focus on your understanding and development of a diverse range of technical dance skills required for the commercial dance industry. You will build upon your skills, whilst learning about all important fitness, nutrition and injury prevention to withstand the demands of the industry. You will also engage in introductory modules on dance history and industry contexts, helping you understand the broader landscape of the creative industries. This year will culminate in a performance project that will be led by a guest choreographer.

Learning in the Digital Era

(20 credits)

Acting Class

(10 credits)

Commercial Dance 1

(30 credits)

Contemporary Dance 1

(20 credits)

Performance Project

(20 credits)

Dance Training 1

(20 credits)

Your second year focuses on advancing your dance skills and enhancing your performance abilities. You will participate in more complex dance projects, receive professional training from industry experts, and begin to specialise in your chosen dance styles. Focusing on audition techniques and collaboration with peers on interdisciplinary projects will broaden your vocational possibilities.  

Changemakers: Building your Personal Brand for Sustainable Employment

(20 credits)

Dance Training 2

(20 credits)

Collaborative Project

(20 credits)

Audition Technique

(10 credits)

Commercial Dance 2

(30 credits)

Dance Laboratory

(20 Credits)

In the final year, you will refine your technique and prepare for your transition into the professional dance world. This includes advanced performance projects, readying you for a successful career in the commercial dance industry. 

Independent Project

(40 credits)

Creative Industries

(20 credits)

Final Production

(30 credits)

Professional Practice for Performance

(30 Credits)

Disclaimer

  • The modules outlined above provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent academic teaching. We continuously review our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.

    You’ll typically complete 120 credits per year of study on a full-time course. For more information visit our Student Agreement.

testimonial

Staff

Our People

You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses. 

FACILITIES

Three students practise dance moves: a swaggering step to the right with finger snaps.

Performance, Dance and Musical Theatre Facilities Cardiff

Based in Haywood house our students studying in Cardiff have access to several rehearsal studios, including a dance studio with Harlequin dance floor, portable mirrors and Ballet Barres along with a Yamaha PA system and stage piano, a recital room and a computer lab all within walking distance of the city centre.

Further information

  • 96 UCAS Tariff Points  

    e.g. A-levels: CCC, BTEC: MMM, IB: 30 and Audition 

    The UCAS tariff score is applicable to you if you have recently studied a qualification that has a UCAS tariff equivalence. UCAS provides a  for you to work out what your qualification is worth within the UCAS tariff. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

    We are interested in creative people who demonstrate a strong commitment to performance and, therefore, we welcome applications from individuals from a wide range of backgrounds. 

    We arrange auditions and interviews for all applicants to assess suitability for the chosen course. 

    ³Ò°ä³§·¡²õ  

    GCSE grade A*-C (grade 9-4 in England) in English and Mathematics is also required. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

    Admissions Advice and Support  

    We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, such as your background, experiences and individual circumstances. This is known as ‘Contextual Admissions’. For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

    English language requirements  

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

    Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses. 

    Visa and funding requirements  

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

    For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

    International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;

    For full information read our visa application and guides. â¶Ä¯â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

  • The university may consider applicants without formal qualifications if they are able to demonstrate an exceptional level of ability and practical experience.

    As part of the audition process, you will be required to participate in the following:

    1. A technical Jazz class which includes warm up, technical jazz exercises and a short combination or routine.
    2. A technical Commercial class where you will work on a short piece of choreography.
    3. An interview with the Programme Director & team, where you will be asked a series of interview questions. You will then be given the opportunity to ask the team any questions you may have about the course.

    In some circumstances, we may accept an online audition process. Please see below for online submission requirements:

    You are required to perform a series of set jazz exercises: 

    Step 1 : Self-tape Submission

    1. Standing on the spot, 4 jazz kicks to the front and 4 jazz kicks to the side on both legs.

    2. A single pirouette in parallel to the right and to the left.

    3. With turned out legs – 8 jumps in first and 8 jumps in second.

    4. With parallel legs – 8 jumps in parallel first and 8 jumps in parallel second.

    5. A short Jazz routine, no longer than 2 minutes. If you already have a recorded or filmed routine, please ensure that it is clear who you are if it is a group routine.

    6. Lastly, a short Commercial routine (style of your choice), no longer than 2 minutes. If you already have a recorded or filmed routine, please ensure that it is clear who you are if it is a group routine.

    Make sure you state clearly at the beginning of the tapes the following info:

    • Full Name
    • Name of degree you are applying for

    STEP 2: Interview

    You will be invited to a short interview with the programme team online, which will take the same format as above.

    Following a successful audition applicants will be offered a place. There are limited places available each year.

  • Assessment on this programme is by a range of methods offering opportunities to present learning in a variety of different ways throughout the course. A number of the methods include performances, portfolios, mock auditions, classroom assessments, podcasting, essay writing and presentations.

  • Additional costs would include purchasing the following:

    • Ballet shoes
    • Jazz shoes
    • Tap shoes
    • Leotard
    • Ladies ballet tights
    • Unisex black leggings
    • Men’s dance top
    • Women’s character shoes
  • Some modules in this course are available to study through the medium of Welsh either fully or partially. In all cases students will be able to submit written assessments through the medium of Welsh.  

    If you choose to study your course either fully or partially through the medium of Welsh, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships and bursaries to support you with your studies. 

    We are continuously reviewing our Welsh medium provision, the precise availability of modules will vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course offers modules available through the medium of Welsh this may vary from year to year, and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific Welsh medium modules cannot be guaranteed.  

    Extracurricular Welsh Opportunities 

    There are many ways to engage with Welsh culture and life at UWTSD, including joining clubs and societies for Welsh speakers and becoming a member of our vibrant Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol branch. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

    Opportunities to Learn Welsh 

    We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;

  • You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.

  • This course is designed to equip you with the necessary skills to be a successful dance artist. As a BA Commercial Dance graduate, you will be prepared to undertake roles such as:

    • Performer
    • Choreographer
    • Touring
    • Digital Dance

    This degree also opens up an array of other opportunities in other fields by developing key transferable skills throughout the three years.