HND Professional Dance Practices

This course has been designed for people who have a passion for the performing arts industry and have completed their HNC Level 4 qualification. The skills developed on the programme are essential if you wish to study dance at a higher level or to pursue a career as a performer, choreographer, producer, stage manager, or teacher. The focus is on practical training with the opportunity to perform at least four times in the academic year in a variety of settings and genres, experience which is essential for building the skills and knowledge to sustain a career in the industry. The programme can be studied full time over one year (attending college two days per week) or part time over two years (attending college one day per week).

The training and qualification gained on this course will enable students to achieve longevity in their careers by providing a basis for the development of existing skills, the acquisition of new skills, and in-depth knowledge of the performing arts industry with a particular focus in dance and its associated industries. The programme is designed to cover a wide range of performing arts disciplines within a variety of contexts, from filmed performance to live movement and dance performance within large and small-scale venues. Students will develop their production and business skills within the performing arts and build knowledge essential to becoming a professional in the performing arts industry.

The teaching staff on this course have extensive experience within the performing arts industry, from choreographing regional and national productions to performing in theatre in venues across the country. They bring their knowledge and understanding of the industry to ensure that training throughout the course is current, exciting, and innovative.

The HND consists of the following mandatory units:

• Creative research project (Pearson-set)
• Working in the performing arts industry
• Jazz dance 2
• Commercial dance 2
• Choreography 2
• Contemporary dance 2
• Dance for musical theatre.

Please note that modules listed are indicative and may be subject to change. We do not guarantee that a non-mandatory unit will always run in any given academic year as options may be dependent on student numbers, sector requirements, and staff expertise.

You will be assessed during the course as each unit is taught and completed. You will be assessed through assignment work, practical projects, portfolios, presentations, case studies, reports, and research.

The course prepares you for professional industry work in the performing arts sector. There is also the possibility of advancing onto the first, second or third year of a university degree programme (the entry year will depend upon the particular university).

Warrington & Vale Royal College is dedicated to enhancing your employability skills and knowledge of the industry you are aiming for. Throughout your course you will take part in guest lectures and workshops with employers, directors, and choreographers, as well as undertaking live performance projects for local community groups and employers. You will work with a variety of external agencies in order to strengthen your knowledge and experiences, including Culture Warrington, Warrington Museum, Community Objectives and various professional theatre projects. The expert professional tutors on this course have excellent links with industry professionals, and students will benefit from these working partnerships through valuable work experience placements. In the last two years, students have had the opportunity to perform at Parr Hall and the Liverpool Empire in professional projects. Previous students have gone on to have careers in the West End, Disney, prestigious showcases, pantomimes, plays, cruise ships, events management companies, and technical crew.

All HE students receive termly one-to-one tutorials with their programme leader to support them with their progress on programme. You will also have access to an online tutorial programme which provides guidance on a wide range of topics such as mental health, managing finances, support for single parents, and working online. In addition, you can access a programme of workshops throughout the year to support with topics such as study skills, academic writing, and time management.

We have a team of staff dedicated to providing learning support if it is required, and a Welfare Team that is on hand to offer guidance, support, and help when needed. All HE students have access to a designated progress coach who can also provide welfare support.

Click here for learning support: https://wvr.ac.uk/college-life/learning-support

Click here for finance support: https://wvr.ac.uk/study/higher-education

The college offers a very high-quality education for HE students. HE student feedback is strong, and students are highly complimentary of their learning experience. HE students have access to specialist facilities and resources to support their programme of study as well as designated HE learning spaces to support independent study.

Here at Warrington & Vale Royal College we have a team of dedicated, experienced staff who can share their extensive knowledge and skills with you. Learning in a friendly and inclusive environment, you will be fully supported to achieve your goals.

You will typically have one of the following:

• A HNC in Performing Arts (Dance)/Professional Dance Practice, as the HND one year programme is a direct follow on from the HNC.

AND

• A* to C grade and/or 9 to 4 in GCSE English (language or literature)
• A* to C grade and/or 9 to 4 in GCSE maths is also recommended.

Non-native English speakers who have not undertaken their final two years of schooling in English need to demonstrate capability in English at a standard equivalent to the levels identified below. This is necessary before being recruited to the programme, as the programme is both taught and assessed in English:

• Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) level B2
• IELTS 5.5; reading and writing must be 5.5.

All HNC/HND programmes require the completion of a personal statement and curriculum-set task prior to an admissions interview being offered. Further information on this will be provided to you upon receipt of your application. You will also be required to provide a reference from one of the following options:

• A previous course leader/teacher (if progressing from a recently attended further or higher education course)
• A recent or current employer
• An appropriate professional who can provide a character reference (if you have not been in recent education or employment).

Students applying to study on a Higher Education course can apply for a HE student loan at www.gov.uk/student-finance.

For further finance support and enquiries please visit https://www.wvr.ac.uk/higher-education/higher-education-funding-support/.

Students will need to purchase the following uniform and equipment for the course. Costs will be confirmed upon enrolment. Some students may already have these items already and so will not need to purchase new items:

• Ladies’ leotard
• Ladies’ tights
• Male leggings
• Male T-shirt
• Ballet shoes
• Jazz shoes
• Trainers
• Water bottle
• Jazz pants
• Body warmers or a tracksuit
• Hair bands and grips for buns or ponytails
• Vest top
• Towel.

In previous years, students have attended trips to The Lowry theatre and other regional theatres during the duration of their course, at an average cost of £10 per student per trip.

We visit London for an overnight stay each year at a cost of approximately £80 per student.

The college provides all students with £3 print credit. Any further printing will incur a cost.