Bachelor of Arts (Hons) -
DANCE AND PERFORMANCE WITH FOUNDATION YEAR
Gain a broad understanding of the dance industry and the ability to manage a successful career in this exciting field. Become a thinking practitioner of dance and spend time looking at performance development through choreography and dance science.
Focusing on jazz and commercial styles, this dynamic degree programme will also give you the opportunity to work with professional dancers, choreographers and arts organisations, as well as gain additional fitness qualifications.
Why study this subject?
Wake up every day knowing you’re doing what you love, turn your passion for dance and performance into your career.
Whether you end up being the star of the show or choreographing it, you will be able to use your degree to inspire others with the same passion and create out of this world entertainment pieces.
Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?
This degree programme will focus on commercial dance forms that range from street, to classical ballet. Jazz technique and the commercial dance industry is at the heart of this course, so if you are keen to learn about the wider commercial dance sector, this course could be for you.
BNU's well-rounded course offers you the chance to use a range of their state-of-the-art facilities on campus, including a well-equipped gym, dance studios, fitness studio and a brand new Human Performance Lab. Off campus you are only a short train journey away from London, where you can access and immerse yourself in the West End and the dance and performance industry.
During your time studying with Buckinghamshier New University, you’ll also have the opportunity to take advantage of regular masterclasses. Taught by leading industry professionals, these classes allow you to further develop performance technique and acquire a deep understanding of a range of dance styles. This also provides ample chances to network with professionals working in the field.
What facilities can I use?
BNU has excellent facilities at BNU including a well-equipped gym, dance studios, fitness studio and a brand new Human Performance Lab. Their lecturing team have a wealth of industry and academic experience and will nurture your learning and professional development throughout your time with them.
BNU Human Performance Laboratory has been designed to increase athletes’ performance through improved technique, and also assists with injury prevention and rehabilitation. The lab is home to an indoor three-lane running track that incorporates 3D motion-capture technology and is equipped for assessing a range of physiological, biomechanical and psychological parameters.
They also have access to the Wycombe Swan Theatre and Wycombe Town Hall as part of their Wycombe Swan Residency. The Swan Theatre sits adjacent to the University and is one of the UK’s leading regional theatres.
What will I study?
BA (Hons) Dance and Performance offers you the chance to study at an institution rich in culture, with The Wycombe Swan theatre next door and London West End just a short train ride away. This industry focused Programme is delivered through a variety of teaching mediums; studio classes, workshops, lectures and seminars, all designed to provide a stimulating environment with opportunities for you to work with local dance organisations and professional dance practitioners in the field.
The overall aim is to use innovative teaching and learning methods to guide you towards becoming more independent learners by the end of the programme, and to allow you to explore issues fully in the context of your work.
How will I be taught and assessed?
This course is offered as a four-year programme, including an initial Foundation Year. The Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, identifying your own strengths and development needs for progression onto an undergraduate degree.
During your three years you'll find the emphasis will be on enabling you to develop essential skills (both in practice and theory) and knowledge that are needed to learn and to demonstrate learning. You'll be expected to apply theoretical understanding in a variety of different scenarios, and employ a number of approaches to expression and articulation in assignments in self-directed modules.
Collaborative modules, such as Creative Dance and Community and Collaborative performance project and professional practice will allow you to learn additional skills e.g. film making, collaboration, business plans, making show reels, required to ensure success within the profession once you have graduated. This also allows for you to have a well-rounded portfolio when you leave BNU.
Buck's expect you to have attained a level of independent learning and the ability to apply the knowledge and theoretical understanding you have developed in the rest of the course to a particular case study or project of your own devising.
Masterclasses will be taught by industry professionals and will be used to expand your knowledge and understanding of a variety of dance genres as well as to develop and hone your technique.
What are your career prospects?
When you finish this degree you’ll have a variety of career prospects to explore. If you choose to pursue a career in performance, you may need to supplement this with employment in teaching, choreography or dance development. Having gained skills in entrepreneurship and enterprise, you’ll also have the skills necessary to be self-employed, or even launch your own dance related business venture.
Throughout your time with Buckinghamshier New University they’ll support you on the route to your chosen career. They will help you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising, employable and good leaders. They also help you find employment after graduation.
BNU's BA (Hons) Dance and Performance course will help prepare you for a range of career possibilities, such as:
- Dancer
- Entertainer
- Teacher
- Dance instructor
- Fitness instructor.
Previous graduates have gone on to do roles such as teachers (in schools, primary and secondary and in private dance schools), performers (abroad and in the UK), entertainers, exercise instructors, managers and dance artists.
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