The BA (Hons) Ballet Education is a full time modular programme which provides an opportunity to gain a degree and prepare for a career in dance teaching.
Content
The programme combines the study of ballet and dance with teaching, to provide students with a unique dance teacher education. Each module is an integration of practical and theoretical study through a combination of technique classes, repertoire workshops, choreographic workshops, lectures and seminars. Whilst ballet remains a focus, the programme is designed to locate ballet within a broader concept of dance, providing a wider platform for a career in teaching.
Year 1 (HE Level 1)
Modules: The Dancing Body (1), Frameworks and Perspectives, Postmodernism and Dance, Ballet Classicism, Early Dance, Dance Modernism and Dance Teaching Contexts.
In the first year, most of your time will be spent dancing in order to secure your own dance technique and to learn about dance through selected repertoire. You will also take part in visits to observe dance teaching in a variety of different contexts, including schools (both public and private sector), community dance projects and dance company education.
Year 2 (HE Level 2)
Modules: The Dancing Body (2), RAD: A Question of Style? Ballet: Genre and Style, Choreographic Styles, Professional Placement (1) and Professional Placement (2).
As a second year student you will continue to work on your own dance skills, develop your choreographic skills and study dance from historical and critical perspectives. In addition, you will undertake two Professional Placements in which you will make the journey from observing and assisting teaching, to teaching a group of students yourself. At all stages, you will be supported by qualified, experienced staff from the placement school or organisation and the RAD.
Year 3 (HE Level 3)
Modules: Performance Practice, Choreographic Practice, Critics and Scholars, Dissertation, Education Studies, Professional Placement (3) and Portfolio Career Management.
In the final year students are able to choose whether to focus on performance, choreography or critical studies for their module option. All students undertake a dissertation which is individually tutored and draws on knowledge and skills gained in Years 1 and 2. Teaching skills are developed through a final professional placement supported by theoretical study of education policies and practices as relevant to the dance teacher. The Portfolio Career Management module prepares students for entry to the world of work and today’s professional dance environment.
Delivery
The programme is three years full time and delivered across two semesters each year. In Year 1, students spend most of their time in classes, lectures and workshops at the RAD. In Years 2 and 3, the amount of independent study increases, as does the number of hours spent ‘off-site’ on teaching placements.
Assessment
Modules are assessed through a variety of practical examinations, written assignments and assessment of teaching.
Award
Successful completion of the programme leads to the award of BA (Hons) Ballet Education validated by the University of Surrey.
Further Study and Career Development
Students enrolled on the BA (Hons) Ballet Education may apply for a place on the Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Dance (LRAD) programme and study for this award alongside their degree. For more information on the entry requirements for the LRAD see page xx.
Following successful completion of the BA (Hons) Ballet Education, graduates may wish to apply for the Postgraduate Certificate in Education: Dance Teaching.
