BA (Hons) Dance and Performance with Foundation Year

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.

Our well-rounded course offers you the chance to use a range of our 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 us, 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?

We have excellent facilities at BNU including a well-equipped gym, dance studios, fitness studio and a brand new Human Performance Lab. Our lecturing team have a wealth of industry and academic experience and will nurture your learning and professional development throughout your time with us.

Our 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.

We also have access to the Wycombe Swan Theatre and Wycombe Town Hall as part of our Wycombe Swan Residency. The Swan Theatre sits adjacent to the University and is one of the UK’s leading regional theatres.

Find out more about what life in the School of Dance and Performance is like.

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 us.

We 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.