Qualification | Degree
Course Leader | Graham Newell
Validated by | University of Chichester
Location | Woking
Course Length | 3 Years, Full-Time
Start Date | September 2025
BA (Hons) Dance at Italia Conti is a three-year, full-time vocational course for anyone aged 18+ wishing to become a professional dancer working across a huge range of styles.
The course is validated by University of Chichester. Full government funding is available through Student Finance England for Home students.
Applications Now Open
Training to be a professional performer in Dance requires many things
Training to be a professional dancer is one of the most exciting and rewarding journeys that students will ever take and we believe that there is nowhere better to take it, than here at Italia Conti.
Italia Conti trains versatile dancers through a broad curriculum of dance styles and techniques to ensure students graduate with the adaptability to work across genres in the professional dance sector. Through classes in ballet, jazz, contemporary, commercial, tap, choreography, aerial and acrobatics skills and supporting skills in singing and acting, students are sure to graduate into the professional dance industry as highly employable multi-faceted performers.
Italia Conti has a proven track record of nurturing talent at the very highest level.
At Level 4 students focus on the acquisition of core skills in Ballet, Jazz and Contemporary and provide the foundation for their training as a Dancer/ Performer. Students will develop a grounding in choreographic principles and practices. Through dance improvisation and developing skills in a range of practitioner approaches, students will acquire the tools and knowledge necessary to create sound choreography which communicates meaning to an audience.
Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of a range of aerial skills such as hoop and silks. Fundamentals in supporting skills will allow them to develop further performance skills in acting, singing and tap dance. Students will learn to apply the skills they have learnt holistically in a dance project, with emphasis placed on performance and collaboration.
At Level 5 these core skills become more advanced and integrated. Students will consolidate existing skills and explore a wider range of styles within the dance genres as well as deepening their technical and expressive abilities. More project work is introduced, in which the core disciplines become interdependent. A Dance Performance module provides students with the opportunity to develop their collaborative, creative, rehearsal and performance skills in two contrasting Dance Projects.
At Level 6 the emphasis is on preparing students for a career as a professional performer. This final year bridges the gap between professional training and the professional dance world. The priority for this year is to develop students’ capacity to engage with the profession in multiple ways, maximising their employability and innovative skills in readiness for entry into the dance profession.
The Professional Preparation and Employability module will hone audition technique to ensure that students have all the skills necessary to embark upon a successful professional career. This also extends to preparation for all wider soft-skills and supporting areas for professional practitioners including sourcing and choosing headshots, joining and populating Spotlight, creating personal showreel performance reels and meeting with leading industry creatives, agents and casting directors to begin networking.
Students will participate in two professional shows and an industry showcase, working with external industry choreographers/directors. Agents, casting directors and other industry professionals are invited to performances to facilitate representation and exposure.
Students will also complete a practical Independent Performance Project (dissertation) in the third term where they will present their own dance performance, encouraging independent and professional working practices in the development of their own work in response to question, theme, or stimulus.
UK Tuition Fees | £9535 per academic year, (paid in advanced termly instalments) Audition Fee | £45 (non-refundable) Deposit | £275 (The deposit is refundable within 14 calendar days of the payment being received by Italia Conti but will not be refunded thereafter for non enrolment. It will be held by the School and will be refundable on completion of the course, without interest, less any outstanding sums owed by the student to Italia Conti.)
Terms and conditions apply upon acceptance to Italia Conti.
The BA (Hons) course offers the following funding options:
Italia Conti welcomes applications for audition fee waivers for those who are eligible.
Italia Conti welcomes applications for deposit fee waivers for those who are eligible.
“I have just graduated from Liverpool Theatre School with a Level 6 Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre. I wanted to do the BA Hons (Top Up) in Professional Arts Practice course to further develop my skills for the industry. It is the perfect balance between academic writing and creativity. I already have seen improvements, both in my academic and performing work, and I now really value the ability to critically reflect on past experiences in order to improve my current skills.”
“I have found that my first term at Italia Conti has been better than I could’ve imagined. I am working with driven, passionate, likeminded people within all different realms of the performing arts industry. I find that the course is very tailored to each individual and the content is broad enough to apply to everyone but specific enough to challenge each person within their abilities. I find the course to be a place where I can collaborate and interact with people who I’d never had met otherwise. I only look forward to what the next few months of the course bring and feel more motivated than ever.”
Current Student, Class of July 2024“The course is allowing me to reflect on my past practice, current position, and future endeavours. I really enjoy how flexible the course is, with regards to being able to tailor my studies to my own practice, enabling me to maximise the benefits of this on my future career. I expect my professional development to be impacted exponentially and I am excited to continue!”
“Italia Conti’s BA Top up course was the one for me! Creating a business in under 9 months has been a massive accomplishment! The course really helps shape your future, enables you to meet professional contacts to support your research, and gives you lots of time to understand the area of the industry you want to specialise in.”
I’m a professional dancer but have taught only ballet. These classes are EXACTLY what I was looking for to show some basics of contemp for my students !! Absolutely love every single Video
I’ve watched a lot of your videos and I love every single one that she teaches. THANK YOU. Gorgeous movement.
Amazing class, one of the best I’ve ever done. So easy to follow, thank you!
I’m a dancer in LA and can’t keep up with my peers on how often they take dance classes. This channel has been so helpful for me to keep up my training. Thank you for sharing this with the world. I feel like we are all dancing together even though we are all doing this at different times and in different spaces. 🖤
Best ballet teacher on the internet❤ Great explanation, enthusiasm and commentary throughout the exercise!
After completing the application process you will be invited to submit an audition tape where you will be required to demonstrate a variety of skills. Successful applicants will be invited to an in person recall audition at our Woking site. Information about auditions can be found below.
At the audition, applicants for the BA (Hons) Dance course are automatically considered for the CertHE Introduction to Dance course and vice versa.
Application to the BA (Hons) Dance course is to be made through both UCAS and direct application via the link below. Applicants must complete this form and pay the audition fee (£45) in order to be considered for the course. Applicants cannot apply through UCAS alone for this programme.
Audition fees are non-refundable. These fees act as both an administration fee for processing your application as well as a non-refundable deposit for a place on an audition day.
Direct Application Form (italiaconti-apply.co.uk)
Direct application is now open. Please note that our listing on UCAS is shown as a University of Chichester course.
UCAS Institution Code | C58 UCAS Course Code | ICW5
Applicants who have applied through UCAS and who have not completed Italia Conti direct application form should click the link above or contact admissions@italiaconti.co.uk for support.
In line with our admissions policy, Italia Conti reserves the right to alter or withdraw offers at any point. Places on our courses are limited; it is usual for drama schools to make more offers than there are places. Acceptances are dealt with on a first come first serve basis and so early acceptance is advised.
First round applicants will receive the result from their audition submission within 3-4 weeks of receipt. This is to ensure that every submission deserves our full time and attention.
Please record yourself performing the following exercises as taught in the video:
Ballet: Plié and tendu exercise Battement Fondu and Rond de Jambe en l’aire exercise Adage Pirouette combination Petit Changement
Jazz: Kicks and Pirouette combination Jump combination
Auditionees should prepare one dance piece in your preferred style, no longer than one minute. This should showcase your strengths and highlight any special skills.
Please wear tight fitting clothing to allow the panel to see your movement fully.
You will be required to participate in three dance classes at your recall; Ballet, Technical Centre Practice, a class where you will learn a set piece of Jazz choreography, and a contemporary dance class will be taught. You will also be asked to perform your first round self tape solo dance and explore this movement further through guidance and redirection from the panel. Each class will last 30 minutes.
Required dress: Jazz shoes or trainers that are suitable for dance (i.e. no Converse or similar fashion shoes that are not designed for dance). No loose clothing or jewellery is permitted.
Regular workshop sessions are held to give students the opportunity to work with directors, choreographers and industry professionals whilst training. During the 3rd year students take part in their final Showcase whereby agents are invited, and Italia Conti has connections with many of these.
Since 1911 our graduates have gone on to populate the performance industries and include many famous faces. Recent graduates can be seen working on prestigious productions in all areas of the industry.
Title | Audition Ready
Pathways | Acting, Dance or Musical Theatre
Date | 30 & 31 October 2024
Time | 9am - 5pm
Age | 15+
Cost | £190.80
Qualification | Level 6 Diploma in Professional Dance
Course leader | Graham Newell
Validated by | Trinity College London
Course length | 3 Years, Full-Time
Start date | September 2025
Qualification | Certificate of Higher Education
Programme Length | 1 Year, Full-Time
Qualification | Foundation Degree (FdA)
Course Length | 2 Years, Full-Time (with top-up to Degree in third year)