Entry Requirements

You will need a minimum of 64 UCAS points from one or more of the following:

• Access to Higher Education Diploma
• A Levels
• T Levels
• BTEC/UAL Extended Diploma
• Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (Level 3 or 4)
• Or equivalent EU/International qualifications, such as International Baccalaureate Diploma
• And English GCSE passes at grade 4 or above (grade A*-C) 

This list is not exhaustive, other qualifications may be considered. Entry to this course will also be determined by the quality of your application, looking primarily at your portfolio/showreel of work,
personal statement and reference.

Entry to this course will also be determined by the quality of your application, personal statement and reference.

Audition requirements

Dance pathway (4B22)

• No face to face interview
• Prospective students must prepare and perform a 2 minute solo in a style and genre of their choice.
• You will also be required to record yourself performing and must state your name clearly at the beginning to clearly identify yourself.

Exceptional Entry

Applications from mature students who do not possess the entry requirements as listed above, but who possess related professional experience or professional qualifications, are welcome to apply. In the first instance we suggest you contact HEAdmissions@southessex.ac.uk to discuss your application.

Course Structure

This programme is offered in two specialist pathways for you to choose from: Dance and Acting.

Contact hours

15 hours per week, which is a full ,three days in college, split five hours, theory and 10 hours practical.

Both the acting & dance pathways have an expectation for students to further develop their performance practice through rehearsal & workshops outside of timetabled classes for which the studio spaces will be made available.

Validated by Pearson Edexcel, students will have access to Thurrock Campus and High House Production Park, Purfleet.

Dance Pathway

Students will complete the required units for the  HNC in year 1 of the programme.

In the Dance pathway, you will train in a range of techniques and styles, including contemporary dance, classical ballet, commercial,  jazz and tap, and choreography for group and solo performances. An emphasis is placed on vocational training, and the skills required to enter into the professional worlds of performing arts. You will have opportunities to explore current industry trends in order to prepare you to step into the industry. The course will prepare you for auditions and castings, in addition to nurturing your own creativity, allowing you to pursue the diverse range of employment routes current within the dance industry.

Year one units

• Performing arts industry
• Professional development
• Jazz dance 1
• Ballet 1
• Contemporary 1
• Commercial dance
• Tap 1
• Choreography

Year two units

• Creative research project
• Working in the performing arts industry
• Jazz dance 2
• Contemporary 2
• Commercial dance 2
• Choreography 2
• Performance project

Timetables

Timetables are normally available one month before registration, though we endeavour to let you know an outline as soon as possible. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week and may include twilight sessions. Typically, year groups are expected to attend lessons for 15 hours a week spread over three days. We expect you to build on this learning through Independent Study for at least a similar period. For this time, we usually have space available within the Campus or at the Forum in Southend.

Field trips

You will benefit from industry-related work experiences including:

• Overseas performance project to Italy working with internationally acclaimed theatre company Teatro dei Borgia
• Workshops with current practitioner (dance pathway) including: Joss Arnott Company, Joseph Toonga (Just Us Dance Theatre) and Avant Garde Dance

Teaching & Learning

The learning outcomes in year one facilitate the discovery of key theories and principles, in acquiring basic practical skills, and in developing a knowledge framework with a limited amount of independence. In year two the learning outcomes are geared towards industry requirements, in developing professional skills, and in synthesizing knowledge with independence.

Throughout the programme there is an emphasis on self-direction, working in teams, and in problem solving. These are inherent within the unit learning outcomes. Units are delivered through a variety of methods of teaching and learning. These include practical workshops and demonstrations, technique classes, group and individual projects, peer group presentations, lectures, seminars and tutorials. All courses emphasise active participation and experiential learning, in combination with the development of research, analytical and critical skills.

Independent learning

When not attending lectures, seminars and workshops or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, rehearsing, undertaking research in the library, preparing coursework assignments and presentations. A range of excellent facilities, including the library, the Learning Resource Centre and the Forum, supports your independent learning.

Assessment & Feedback

You will be assessed via rehearsals, research projects, technical application, and journals.

There are no exams.

Course Cost

Adult, full_time: £7000 per year

Fees are per academic year for Home/UK students.

The following course-related costs are included in the fees:

• Guest speakers, visiting lecturers and industry focussed workshops will be included in your course over the three years.
• Final Year students will have the opportunity to showcase their final year work at the end of their studies. This may be a local, national or online platform. Event/exhibition costs will be covered by the Faculty of HE. In the past this has included Festivals and at the Towngate Theatre. Students will be responsible for any additional costs associated with the production of their personal project (ie: printing, materials).
• A residential trip is included in your course fees. The terms of this trip varies from year to year but links directly to unit content and assessment.
• Annual £20 of printing credit per year.
• Free Car Parking at Backstage Centre, Purfleet.

Additional course costs can be found here

What Next...

During your second year, you will discuss careers options with your tutor.

Our students have successfully progressed onto a range of BA (Hons) top-up programmes to complete their full degree training, including musical theatre programmes at Bath Spa, acting & dance degrees at Brooksby Melton & Colchester Institute, the performance art course at Arden School of Theatre, Manchester & level 6 dance programmes at Performers College, Middlesex & Bird.

As well as further academic study and performance training, students have also taken up teaching through embarking on the PGCE programme offered here at South Essex.

Other graduate destinations (dance pathway) include:

• One of our dance graduates is working on the X-Factor as a backing dancer
• One of our HND graduates has created her own company making showreels and head shots for performers in addition to completing her top-up year at the Creative Academy
• One of our graduates is currently performing as a dancer at Disneyland Paris