Dance

Dance is one of the oldest and most fundamental forms of human expression, used across cultures and throughout history to celebrate, grieve, worship, protest, and connect. As a discipline of study, it combines the physical and artistic demands of performance training with the critical and analytical engagement that contextualises dance within its cultural, historical, and social dimensions. It develops the body as an expressive instrument, the mind as an interpretive and creative intelligence, and the collaborative capacity to create and perform as part of an ensemble.

At Roehampton University, this three-year programme is taught by passionate lecturers who are advocates for dance and mentors committed to developing both your critical and professional skills. You will learn through hands-on engagement: dancing, creating, debating, and reflecting, building expertise in depth across performance, choreography, theory, and collaborative practice. Collaborative projects prepare you to work effectively in team settings, reflecting the reality of professional dance practice.

The programme includes a sandwich placement year and embedded work placement opportunities that connect your academic studies to the industry.

Dance graduates pursue careers as performers, choreographers, dance educators, community arts practitioners, dance therapists (with further training), arts administrators, and movement directors. The physical discipline, artistic intelligence, and collaborative skills the degree develops are also applicable in physical theatre, performance art, and the screen-based performance industries. Many graduates build portfolio careers that combine performing, teaching, and creating, reflecting the diverse and entrepreneurial nature of the contemporary dance field.

Further study at postgraduate level in dance, choreography, or dance science is an option for those wishing to specialise or develop a research practice.