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The three year programme of study at Ballet West is comprised of two separate courses. A two year HND in Professional Dance Performance followed by a one year BA (Hons) Dance (completion award). Ballet West is an Approved Centre to deliver the HND for the Scottish Qualifications Authority and the degree is validated by Northumbria University. You will be enrolled as a Ballet West student throughout your time at the school and all teaching will take place at Ballet West in Argyll.
Students with appropriate entry qualifications can enter the degree course only. You may also exit after two years with an HND qualification and return to complete your degree at a later date or go on to study elsewhere.
The programme prepares you for a career in the performance and choreography of ballet and other dance forms. The HND gives a grounding the technique and performance of various dance styles and the choreographic process, including individual choreographic projects. It also includes units in the teaching of dance and its social and artistic context.
The degree year builds on the skills attained during the HND and concentrates on the choreographic process and the technique and performance of ballet. As a graduate, you will have become a reflective and creative dancer with excellent technique and considerable performance experience.
There are no part-time equivalents to these courses
All courses begin on 5th September 2016
The school has a considerable international reputation as a centre of excellence for ballet training. The HND and BA(Hons) courses give you a range of experiences which is broad in years one and two but allows specialisation in year three and always cultivates your creative and reflective skills.
In addition to the academic qualifications, students at Ballet West benefit from the unique aspects of training at the school that have set it apart from other schools, particularly in classical ballet. You can be prepared for and enter Royal Academy of Dance examinations up to Solo Seal level. You will also participate in the Ballet West performing company which tours full-length ballets around Scotland and abroad. The company gives you the invaluable experience of working with professional dancers in class and in performance for audiences in a variety of venues, thus preparing you for your dancing career.
You will have the opportunity to work with choreographers who are also working closely with companies such as the Royal Ballet and have a wealth of experience and contacts in the dance world. The size of the school enables the highly trained staff to give intensive and tailored training to students who aspire to a career in the performing arts. Resident staff are supported by a wide range of guest professionals who provide links between you and the performing arts industry. This all enables you to become a reflective practitioner of your art, enabling a critical awareness of your work and the work of others.
HND Professional Dance Performance
This is a varied and broad ranging course which gives experience of a number of dance styles and academic disciplines. All units are compulsory and you must pass all assessment tasks to achieve the HND award.
The majority of assessment is through observation of your dance classes and performance of prepared practical work. Other modes of assessment include
HND Professional Dance Performance YEAR 1
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Classical Ballet Techniques 1 |
Studio based, technical dance classes involving creating and performing new choreography |
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Jazz Dance Techniques 1 |
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Commercial Dance Techniques 1 |
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Contemporary Dance Techniques 1 |
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An Introduction to Performance and Production |
A rehearsal and performance based unit culminating in a public performance |
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Anatomy and Injury Prevention for Dancers |
A lecture based unit, teaching basic anatomy as it relates to dance |
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Choreographic Skills |
A practical and studio based introduction to the choreographic process |
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Body conditioning |
A basic practical course in body conditioning in which students develop a personalised exercise plan |
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Professional Dance Performance: Graded Unit 1 |
An independent project in which student develop their own choreography on themselves and others. This unit develops individual research and creative skills. Practical work is supported by a written project and the unit is graded. |
HND Professional Dance Performance YEAR 2
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Classical Ballet Techniques 2 |
Studio based, technical dance classes involving creating and performing new choreography |
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Jazz Dance Techniques 2 |
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Commercial Dance Techniques 2 |
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Contemporary Dance Techniques 2 |
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Advanced Performance and Production |
A rehearsal and performance based unit culminating in a public performance |
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Dance Teaching Skills |
A practical unit giving students the skills to teach dance through development of teaching plans and teaching theory and practice. |
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Audition and Portfolio for Dance |
Preparation for professional auditions and self-marketing. Includes skills relating to website production and video editing |
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Contextual Studies |
A lecture based unit setting dance in an artistic, social and political context |
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Body conditioning advanced |
A more advanced course in body conditioning |
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Professional Dance Performance: Graded Unit 2 |
An independent project in which student develop their own choreography on themselves. This unit develops individual research and creative skills. Practical work is supported by a written project and the unit is graded. |
BA(Hons) Dance (Completion award)
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Dance Company Class |
Technical dance classes in ballet |
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Dance Company |
This module comprises three parts
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Representation and Performance |
A classroom based module exploring the social contexts of dance |
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21st Century Choreography |
A practical module looking at the choreographic process |
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Independent Dance Project |
Students’ own projects. You can choose between producing a piece of choreography or a long research essay |
Other training opportunities
In addition to the formal qualifications on offer at Ballet West you will also take part in –
Year 1
The minimum academic entry requirement is
The minimum dance entry requirement is to attend an audition and to be familiar with the Royal Academy of Dance Intermediate syllabus, or equivalent.
Year 3
The minimum academic entry requirement is
Applicants with non-standard entry qualifications may be required to undertake additional training to ensure equivalence to HND professional dance performance.
Submit your application form (either enclosed with this prospectus or downloaded from https://www.balletwest.co.uk/full-time-training/how-apply/ ) You will need to include and audition fees of £40 and photographs of yourself in dancewear
1. Demi plié in 1st position with arms in 2nd
2. Tendu devant effacé (open position) with arms in 4th
3. Tendu a la seconde a terre en face with arms in 2nd
4. 1st arabesque en l’air de côté (facing side)
We invite all applicants to audition at a mutually convenient time. We advise that students who have a lot of travelling to do arrive in Taynuilt on the evening before your audition and we can advise on local accommodation.
You will usually audition on your own or with one or two other prospective students and will take part in a ballet class with existing students. Your audition will be followed by an interview with the principal where you can ask anything about the school and your training.
You will receive an offer or rejection of your place shortly after your audition and will be required to send in a deposit to secure your place on the course.
The fees for UK and EU students for 2016-17 are £9,000.
Fees are paid as follows –
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On acceptance of a place at the school |
Non-refundable deposit |
£1000 |
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On 1st May 2016 |
1st instalment |
£2000 |
Student funding loans and grants may be available to assist with balance of fees (£6000) depending on your home address (see below). Any fees not covered by student finance should be paid in 10 equal instalments from August 2016 – June 2017.
For students liable for the full fees and following payment of the initial non-refundable deposit, discounts are available for payment of the balance of fess in advance (at any time prior to 1st May 2016) of one, two or three years of fees.
OTHER COSTS
There is an audition fee of £40, which is paid on application.
While a student at Ballet West, you will have basic living costs for rent, food, travel etc. In addition you are required to provide your own dance wear and shoes, including Ballet West uniform leotards (available from Dancia at £30 each). You will also need to make an allowance for books and stationery.
The funding you can apply for depends on where you live. The amount of assistance you will receive for your living expenses will also depend on your parents’ income. You may also be eligible for other grants and loans and should consult your funding body’s website for more details.
OVERSEAS STUDENTS
If you are an Overseas student, you will need a Tier 4 (general) visa from the UK Visa and Immigration service. Students from a non-majority English speaking countries are required to have a Secure English Language Test such as IELTS or equivalent. You should achieve CEFR (Common European Framework for languages) level B2, which is an overall IELTS band score of 6, with no element being less than 5.5. (further details of requirements for a student visa are to be found at https://www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visaThis site includes lists of countries considered to be English speaking and a list of the approved centres worldwide for the SELT)
Audition by DVD is possible for overseas students, however it is advisable for you to visit the school prior to joining the course.
OVERSEAS FEES
The fees for overseas students for 2016-17 are £15,000.
OTHER COSTS
There is an audition fee of £40, which is paid on application.
While a student at Ballet West, you will have basic living costs for rent, food, travel etc. In addition you are required to provide your own dance wear and shoes, including Ballet West uniform leotards (available from Dancia at £30 each). You will also need to make an allowance for books and stationery.
"I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Ballet West.
You have made me the person that I am today and for that I thank you… You never really know what you’ve got until it’s gone…
I did gain a family – a family that I was privileged to be part of.
I am proud to be a graduate of the Ballet West School".
- Ballet West Graduate
For information on how to apply, please click here »
Ballet West
Ichrachan House - Taynuilt - Argyll - PA35 1HP - Scotland - UK
t. 01866 822641 - f. 01866 822020 - e. [email protected]
Ballet West is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status
Company Number 175325 - Scottish Charity Number SCO22105
