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Introduction

Our Foundation programme offers you an intensive year of contemporary dance study to help you prepare for undergraduate study. Students who pass the foundation year will automatically progress to year 1 of the BA (Hons) Contemporary Dance Programme at Trinity Laban.

Key Features

  • develop your performance skills through a dedicated practice-based programme of study.
  • learn about current concerns, thinking, and methodologies relating to fitness, safe practice, health and wellbeing of the dancer.
  • develop strong technical, creative and choreographic skills, while gaining an understanding of the analytical frameworks that support this development.
  • learn about the diverse historical and socio-cultural contexts within which current contemporary dance work has been/is created and performed.
  • benefit from a learning environment that nurtures creativity, innovation, reflection, critical thinking, and collaborative approaches.
  • engage in new approaches to learning and creative practice.
  • develop a respect for the viewpoints of others, and confidence to communicate ideas and contribute to critical discussion and creative enquiry.

HOW TO APPLY 

 

Programme Details

The programme comprises four modules:

  • Module 1: Technical Practice
  • Module 2: Creating Dance
  • Module 3: Exploring Dance through Time and Location
  • Module 4: Performance Platform

The dance modules are designed as an integrated learning experience. Where relevant, learning will be cross-referenced across modules: for example, the learning in Modules 1 & 2 will be linked through the way in which they are taught and in the assessment tasks; Modules 3 & 4 will link to the learning in Modules 1 & 2, exploring themes and topics that are relevant across the areas of learning.

For further details see our Programme Specification.

Teaching and Learning

Hours

The Programme consists of 1200 learning hours, made up of contact hours in class, and self-directed learning hours which include preparation for assessment components.

How will I learn?

Learning will take place through a blend of formal tuition, experiential learning and self-directed study.

  • Formal taught classes
  • Workshops
  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials

Learning and teaching methods support the acquisition of knowledge and skills, alongside critical thinking and reflective evaluation. Students will be encouraged to be active learners in contributing to discussion, peer observation and feedback, and group work.

 

Self-directed study

Alongside the taught elements of the Programme, hours are allocated for self-directed study to support your learning in the taught sessions. In this time, you will be expected to undertake a variety of tasks, including exploration and experimentation within the studio; rehearsals; reading, research and viewing of works on film; alongside an expectation for individual reflection.

 

Extra-curricular activities

An important aspect of the programme is increasing your knowledge of the art form, and you are encouraged to attend as many performances, exhibitions, showings etc. in as many different art forms as you are able. These do not have to be performances in major professional venues; there are many local arts events and activities that are of high quality and reasonably priced or sometimes free of charge. During the year there are performances by visiting professionals in the Laban Theatre and these will often be used as starting points for discussion in lectures and seminars. There are also many other internal performances, showings and sharings of work from programmes in the Faculty of Dance and the Faculty of Music at Trinity Laban, all of which contribute to your learning experience.

 

Performance opportunities

Students on the Foundation year will participate in an end of year Performance Platform (Module 4). If you move on to the BA (Hons) Contemporary Dance you will have many more opportunities to perform in a range of contexts.

Find out more about dance performance opportunities.

TEACHING STAFF

 

How will I be assessed?

  • practical classes
  • structured tasks
  • practical presentations
  • performance
  • oral presentations
  • essay
  • portfolio

A schedule of assessment tasks will be published each year. You will receive an assignment sheet which details the requirements of each formal assignment/presentation.

 

Feedback

Formative feedback takes the form of:

  • in-class dialogue and discussion on a continuing basis
  • tutorials with the module/component tutors and/or the Programme Leader at key milestones during the year

Summative feedback is provided for each formally assessed task in the form of a mark awarded in accordance with the published marking criteria.

Students also receive written feedback for each assessment task, relating specifically to the standard achieved against the assessment criteria.

 

Entry Requirements

  • Normally, applicants to the Foundation Programme will be 17+
  • Practical dance experience of one dance form is expected (e.g. contemporary dance, classical ballet, urban dance)
  • 5 GCSEs (including English Language), grades A*-C / or 9-4 (in 2017 GCSEs) or a combination of 2/3 GCSEs (including English Language), grades A*-C / or 9-4 (in 2017 GCSEs), plus a BTEC First Diploma (Level 2)
  • Advanced GCE (A-level) or an AS GCE (AS-level) or equivalent, including level 3 Graded and Vocational Graded qualifications in Dance on the NQF/RQF (allocated points on the UCAS tariff): e.g. level 3 qualifications of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD); Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) orBTEC National Diploma: Dance or a named Dance or Performing Arts pathway or combinations of the above level 3 qualifications.
  • Equivalent qualifications and/or relevant prior experience will be considered.

English Language Requirements (if applicable)

Normally the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) B2 (IELTS 5.5 min in all areas).

Auditions

Assessed at audition: applicants will be expected to demonstrate technical expertise and potential, and imaginative responses to creative tasks set; commitment and potential to study dance at a professional level; and enthusiasm for the physical demands of intensive dance training.

Dance Auditions

Please note students registering at Trinity Laban on a Higher Education programme should normally be at least the age of 17 by the date of registration.

Fees and Finance

Undergraduate Fees

Home student tuition fees are aligned with the maximum tuition fee cap set by the UK Government.  International tuition fees are subject to annual inflationary increases based on RPI-X.

Accommodation and Living Costs

This information can be found on our Accommodation and Costs of Living pages.

Financial Support

Read about financial awards and external funding opportunities in the Fees and Finance section.

Information for UK and EU Applicants

The provision for automatic progression to Trinity Laban’s BA (Hons) Contemporary Dance programme means that if UK applicants are successful at audition for the Foundation programme they may be eligible to apply for a UK government tuition fee loan for their Foundation Year, through the Student Loan Company. The government loan is available on the basis that the Programme offers Foundation Entry to the BA (Hons) Contemporary Dance, in other words, it is a 4-year programme for applicants meeting the required thresholds for progression.

You can find more information about who qualifies for Student Finance here.

Key Facts

UCAS 203F
Location Laban Building
Start Date September
Study in London Tower Bridge 622x468

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What our students say

Tommy Cattin / BA (Hons) Contemporary Dance