- Location
- Anniesland Campus
- SCQF Level
- 8
- Start Date
- 28 Aug 2023
- Qualification Type
- HND
- Course Type
- Full-Time
- Duration
- 2 Years (August to June)
This HND Dance Artists course is aimed to further develop your skills if you have successfully completed the 1 or 2-year dance programme at NQ level, can demonstrate your suitability for professional dance training and have proven academic ability. A variety of dance forms and related subjects will be studied and, whilst the course is largely practical, there will be an appropriate theoretical input.
What will I learn?
The aim of this HND Dance Artists course is to equip you with the skills required to gain employment in a highly competitive field. A successful dance artist needs to be as versatile as possible and therefore equal importance is placed on performance, teaching and choreography.
- Anatomy and injury prevention for dancers
- Body conditioning
- Choreographic skills
- Classical ballet
- Contact improvisation
- Contemporary dance
- Contextual studies
- Dance history
- Dance: Performance and production
- ISTD examinations syllabi
- Jazz / Tap dance
- Teaching skills
- Work placement
- Sound editing for choreography.
The award-winning Dance Studio Scotland is based in the fantastic purpose-built facility at Glasgow Clyde College's Anniesland Campus. Equipped with three large studios and a multi-gym, it offers a thorough and disciplined four-year professional training, which prepares students for a variety of careers in the dance industry.
Alongside recognised SQA qualifications at NC/HNC/HND levels, there is also the opportunity to take ISTD examinations in classical ballet, tap, modern and jazz in the first two years of full-time study. The outstanding teaching staff have had extensive performing, teaching and choreographic experience and the department enjoys a very high level of graduate success.
Watch the highlights from this year's Pulse performance.
Entry requirements (minimum)
Entry is subject to a practical audition and group interview.
- NC Dance or strong dance technique which includes a minimum of 2 years classical ballet training (RAD, ISTD) or equivalent
- A minimum of one Higher, which should be English at Band C or above
- The physical potential to undergo professional dance training.
If you do not meet the above requirements, you may also be considered, but you must demonstrate exceptional technical ability and complete a written assignment, prior to audition.
If you hold a relevant HNC, it may be possible to access Year 2 of the HND. Please contact the Faculty directly.
Entry requirement equivalency table
If you do not meet the entry criteria for your chosen course, you may be offered an alternative course in the same subject area.
Employer and industry links
Students at Glasgow Clyde College frequently work with professional dancers and industry bodies. We regularly invite world-class guests from the professional world into the department, which provides a rich source of inspiration and allows our students to network. We have hosted and participated in workshops/ residencies with Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, Richard Alston Dance Company, Scottish Ballet, Rambert Dance Company, Nederlands Dans Theater, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, BalletBoyz and the National Dance Company of Wales.
In addition, we commission at least one new piece of professional choreographic work per year, which allows the HND students to forge working relationships with potential employers.
Articulation Routes
We have a formal articulation agreement (for a minimum of 2 places) with The Scottish School of Contemporary Dance at Dundee and Angus College. Our students can progress directly to their one -year BA(Hons) Dance. We also have strong links to many other degree programmes across the UK.
Jobs and further study
You may progress to degree-level study or develop careers as freelance dance artists. 100% of graduates from the last 3 years are either on degree programmes or are working in the industry. Former HND graduates have continued their professional training at the following institutions:
- Bird College of Dance, Music and Theatre Performance
- Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance
- London Studio Centre
- London Contemporary Dance School
- Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance
- Institute of the Arts, Barcelona
- Laine Theatre Arts
- The Urdang Academy
- Northern School of Contemporary Dance
- The Scottish School of Contemporary Dance
- Addict Dance Academy
- MGA Academy of Performing Arts.
The department enjoys an excellent graduate employment rate and careers can be extremely varied. Former students are working as performers, teachers, choreographers, community dance artists and dance administrators. Self-employment is also very common and many graduates are successfully running their own businesses.
Making an application
For courses starting in August, you can make up to two applications.
Applications are made to a course and a first choice of campus. If the course is oversubscribed at your first choice you will be automatically considered for alternative sites and may be made an offer without a further application.
I've applied — what happens next?
You will receive an automated email confirming that we have received your application and we will be in contact as per the following stages:
- You will be given a 'live' audition date which will take place at our studios, in Glasgow. You do not have to prepare anything in advance and information will be sent out detailing the content of the audition. You will be given a decision on the day
- Alternatively, you will be invited to submit filmed dance material for a ‘virtual’ audition. Details of exactly what you should include will be attached to the invitation and you should aim to send your short film within one week. We aim to inform you of the outcome within 48 hours of receipt of your video audition. The competition for places is high and we advise you do not delay this stage
- If an offer is made, you must accept within 14 days or risk losing your place.
- An invitation to our end-of-term production and an introductory Day of Dance will be sent in May
- Uniform requirements will be outlined at the Day of Dance in June
- Joining Instructions will normally be sent in early July.
