Dance and Choreography

Entry requirements

• Applicants should normally hold a first degree of dance.
• Equivalent experience and achievement will be taken into account for applicants with less formal qualifications. Evidence of equivalence of knowledge, understanding and skills appropriate to a first degree are required.
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is used both to provide evidence of equivalence for entry and as evidence of advanced standing for entry. Applicants can be awarded up to a maximum of 80 RPL credits on proof of articulation with the programme content.
• All applicants will be asked to attend an interview with members of the Programme Team which may involve a practical element. The purpose of the interview is to gain a fuller understanding of your particular research interest and reasons for wanting to enrol on the programme, as well as making sure we will be able to support you fully.

Months of entry

September

Course content

The MA Dance and Choreography is a practical MA that allows a dance artist to create work supported by their own research and tutor guidance. It provides a fantastic opportunity for artists to further their practice within this growing field and be at the forefront of sector development.

Why choose this course?

Artists will have the opportunity to tap into regional, national and international networks and have access to an exceptional body of infrastructure and resources. Key areas that will be covered include:

• Narrative Development and Dramaturgy – the outside eye
• Role/involvement of the audience in a work (the fourth wall and when/how/what happens when you break it)
• The unique challenges of making work for indoor and outdoor contexts
• Funding landscape and opportunities
• Partnerships – who to develop them with and how to establish them
• Developing commissions
• Basics of health and safety in relation to the field (safe working practices/risk assessments/rigging)

How you'll learn

You will learn in the working environment of Déda, a sector leading organisation for dance and choreography based in Derby city centre. You will learn through creative lab sessions in our dance studios, where you will be able to try out new ideas on your peers, yourselves and others that you choose to work with.

You will be supported by the MA Programme Leader, as well as specialist guest lecturers from the dance sector, including specifically those working with choreography and generating funded performances.

You will be able to create work that will be professionally presented by Déda’s Technical Stage Management Team in the Déda Theatre or at an alternative venue/location as required. This unique opportunity will enable you to work in a professional capacity, providing knowledge and connections for producing work after your MA.

Assessment will be through a mixture of papers, practical demonstrations, performances and vive voce (oral examination).

Careers

Students who complete this programme will be able to produce their own work and have a wider network to allow themselves to further their work as choreographers and dancers.

You will be pioneers in this field and it is therefore anticipated that you will either have your own companies or undertake commissions for work from other parties.

Aside from generating your own work, you will also have the ability to be Creative Directors, Movement Directors and have the chance to produce papers discussing your specific area of choreography.

Information for international students

Where English is not the first language for international applicants, applicants need to provide a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 or equivalent. Students, especially those who enter with this minimum score, are encouraged to engage with additional study in order to develop their knowledge and application of academic English.

Fees and funding

Learn more at the funding page.