Program Overview
The Bath Spa University BA (Hons) Dance program empowers aspiring dance professionals with the skills and knowledge to create, perform, and teach dance. Through practical studio work, students delve into various dance styles, explore self-expression, and develop a critical understanding of the art form. The program prepares graduates for diverse careers in performance, choreography, community dance, teaching, and arts management.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
This BA (Hons) Dance program at Bath Spa University is designed to equip students with the skills and experience necessary to become creative dance professionals. The program emphasizes practical studio work, exploring dance as a means of self-expression and understanding the world. It focuses on developing skills in creating new work for performance, with a strong emphasis on contemporary techniques. The program aims to foster a critical and analytical mindset alongside creative exploration, ensuring students develop a holistic understanding of safe and healthy dance practices.
Outline:
Year One (Level 4):
- Body in Training 1: The Healthy Dancer: This module focuses on building a strong foundation in safe and healthy dance practices, ensuring students can work sustainably and ethically.
- Dance Making 1: Introduces students to the fundamentals of dance creation, exploring solo, small group, and large ensemble work.
- Exploring Screendance: This module explores the intersection of dance and digital media, introducing students to the world of screendance.
- Body in Training 2: The Mindful Dancer: This module delves deeper into the relationship between the mind and body in dance, promoting mindfulness and self-awareness.
- Dance Making 2: Students continue to develop their dance-making skills, building upon the foundation established in Year One.
- Performance Project 1: Students engage in practical performance projects, applying their developing skills in a real-world context.
Year Two (Level 5):
- Body in Training 3: The Responsive Dancer: This module focuses on developing responsiveness and adaptability in dance, exploring how to react to different stimuli and environments.
- Creative Worlds: Students explore the diverse contexts and possibilities of dance, expanding their creative horizons.
- Performance Project 2: Students continue to refine their performance skills through practical projects, building upon their previous experience.
- Applied Techniques: This module delves deeper into specific dance techniques, providing students with a more nuanced understanding of different styles.
- Performing Self: Students explore the concept of self in performance, developing their personal artistic voice and presence.
- Creative Lab: This module provides a space for experimentation and exploration, encouraging students to push creative boundaries.
Year Three (Level 6):
- The Company: This module provides students with an immersive experience in the world of professional dance companies, working alongside industry professionals.
- Dancing Knowledge: Students delve into the theoretical and historical aspects of dance, developing a deeper understanding of the art form.
- Professional Practice: This module prepares students for the professional dance world, covering topics such as career development, networking, and industry knowledge.
- Independent Project (20 credits): Students undertake a substantial independent project, allowing them to explore a specific area of interest in depth.
- Independent Project (40 credits): Students continue their independent project, further developing their research and creative skills.
Assessment:
Students are assessed through a variety of methods, including:
- Practical Performances: Demonstrating technical proficiency, creative expression, and performance skills.
- Presentations: Communicating ideas, research findings, and artistic concepts.
- Portfolios: Showcasing creative work, development, and progress.
- Essays: Analyzing and critically evaluating dance concepts, theories, and practices.
Teaching:
The program utilizes a variety of teaching methods, including:
- Workshops: Practical sessions led by qualified staff and visiting choreographers and artists.
- Technique Classes: Developing technical proficiency in various dance styles.
- Creative Sessions: Encouraging exploration, experimentation, and creative problem-solving.
- Digital Technology: Integrating digital media into creative practice and teaching. The program benefits from a specialist team of tutors and industry contacts, providing students with access to a wealth of expertise and professional experience.
Careers:
Graduates from this program pursue a variety of careers in the dance world, including:
- Performance: Working as professional dancers in various companies and productions.
- Choreography: Creating and directing dance works for stage, screen, and community settings.
- Community Dance Work: Engaging in dance education and outreach programs.
- Teaching: Instructing dance in various educational settings, including schools, studios, and universities.
- Dance Movement Therapy: Utilizing dance as a therapeutic tool for individuals with various needs.
- Students have the opportunity to complete work placements with professional dance organizations, gaining valuable industry experience.
- The program features a robust visiting guest artist program, bringing in leading dance professionals to provide workshops and residencies.
- Students have access to a wide range of facilities, including dance studios, a University Theatre, Mac editing suites, TV studios, green screen facilities, and specialist technical resources.
- Bath Spa University offers a free equipment loan service (SISO), providing students with access to laptops, iPads, projectors, cameras, and other equipment.
- Students have access to the media creation app Adobe Spark for mobile and web, supporting their digital projects.
- The program emphasizes the importance of developing a global perspective, offering the Certificate in Global Citizenship for full-time undergraduate students.
- The program offers an optional Professional Placement Year, allowing students to gain professional experience in the dance field.
2024 entry Student Annual tuition fee UK full time £9,250 UK part time £4,625 International full time £16,905 Professional Placement Year During the placement year, the fee is reduced to 20% of the full time fee. This applies to UK and EU/International students. UK: £1,850 International: £3,381
