Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts (Contemporary Dance)

Credits 360 (3.0 EFTS)

Campus Mt Albert

Career opportunities

• Professional dancer

• Choreographer

• Dance and performance artist

• Dance teacher

• Performing arts manager

• Arts administrator

Highlights

• A rewarding and challenging experience that introduces you to an exciting and varied professional career in dance. Whether you create your own live work, dance on stage or screen, you’ll be joining an artistic community that includes many of our graduates.

• A focus on live performance including opportunities to both dance and choreograph.

• Daily studio practice under the guidance of experienced national and international industry practitioners.

• A close relationship with the dance industry and community.

• A chance to collaborate with other performing arts students: you’ll share classes with actors, directors, writers, and film and television students.

Start dates February

Duration Full-time for three years

Annual fees $10,500 (NZD)

(Approximate domestic fees only. Includes GST but excludes the Compulsory Student Services Fee levy)

Learn to choreograph and perform at a professional level by becoming part of the largest, full-time contemporary dance programme in New Zealand. Participate in a diverse array of performances ranging from solo and group work to commissioned works by guest choreographers.

Programme overview

This programme is the most established, full-time contemporary dance programme in New Zealand, and continues to develop a community of dance artists who contribute innovative choreography and performance excellence to the industry – and are seen in all major productions throughout New Zealand.

A comprehensive programme covering technique, choreography, dance studies and digital dance, you'll gain the knowledge, tools and abilities to pursue the range of opportunities available to you as a contemporary dance artist.

Technique and choreography for stage and screen

With emphasis on practical learning, you'll spend up to six hours a day in the studio, developing your craft in a range of dance techniques including contemporary, ballet, muscle and bone, pilates, yoga, choreography, partnering work and improvisation. You'll also develop skills in dance and multimedia through creating and performing in dance for film.

Performance

Live performance will be an integral part of your studies where you'll get to explore your technique and choreographic craft as an emerging practitioner. Taught by leading contemporary dance artists and choreographers, you'll develop numerous dance projects of your own. You'll choreograph and perform in dance works for theatre, events, festivals and film as well as gaining a hands-on understanding of funding and promotional activities. Technology also plays a key role in our learning environment. You'll gain practical experience in sound and music design, video editing, costume, lighting, props and scenery.

Dance studies and critical practices

Throughout your studies, you'll develop an understanding of dance histories and associated theories in our unique culture of critical studies. Alongside your future industry peers, you'll explore in-depth theoretical and critical thought, integrating theory and professional practice in an exciting cross-discipline environment.

Auditions

Around 100 people apply each year for the 30 places available in Year One. All auditions will be held over Labour Weekend (late October). You'll be given clear information at the time of your application about how to prepare. From this workshop, the final selection of trainee dancers is made for the following year.

Admission requirements

For this programme, you’ll need:

Academic

1. 42 credits at NCEA Level 3 or higher including:

• 14 credits in two different approved subjects; and

• 14 credits from up to two subjects (approved or non-approved)

2. 8 credits at NCEA Level 2 or higher in English or Te Reo Māori (4 in reading, 4 in writing)

3. 14 credits in NCEA Level 1 or higher in Mathematics or Pāngarau

4. Interviews, submissions and/or auditions will be required – we’ll tell you what we need when you apply.

5. Complete a medical declaration form

English

If English is not your first language, you’ll need one or more of the following:

• Achieved NCEA Level 3 and New Zealand University Entrance

• Provide evidence that you satisfy our criteria for existing English proficiency such as IELTS

• Achieved at least one English proficiency outcome in the last two years

If you don’t meet the English criteria above, we have a range of English Language programmes available.

There are additional English requirements for international students – you can find more information on our website.

Other options

If you don’t meet these requirements, you’ll need one of the following:

• A relevant qualification at Level 3 or above on the NZQF or equivalent

• Evidence to be eligible for special or discretionary admission

For more information download the programme regulations: unitec.ac.nz/dance

International Students, please visit unitec.ac.nz/international