The FdA Dance course is taught by a team of experienced professional practitioners with a wide range of skills and specialisms. The course is designed to inspire you by providing opportunities to train, create, perform and teach dance as an evolving artform. With a focus on preparation for a career in dance and related disciplines, the course places a strong emphasis on technical and practical learning, providing training in contemporary, jazz, ballet and commercial dance styles as well as choreography, improvisation, teaching practices, and performance. A combination of technique classes and lectures delivered by highly experienced staff and guest workshop facilitators will ensure that you will become a skilled, versatile and confident dancer and practitioner. The programme also focuses on industry preparation and will equip you with the skills needed to enter the profession or other careers such as teaching and the wider leisure industry.
We provide the opportunity to perform and experience dance in a variety of venues. Previous tours have included Berlin, Holland, London and Bristol.
The Foundation Degree in Dance comprises two-year FdA (Levels 4 and 5). This can be followed by a BA (Hons) Top-Up (Level 6) at a dance school or other university course. This structure allows for maximum flexibility, enabling you to achieve a qualification after two years or to continue for the full Honours degree.
In the second year of the course you will continue to build on, and implement the technical skills acquired in the first year, through continued technique classes in Ballet, Jazz, Commercial and Contemporary dance. You will continue to strengthen and develop your performance mastery and this will be accompanied by guest lecturers and specialists within the industry. You will be responsible for staging your own group choreography as well as building professional industry skills.
You will work in a variety of performance contexts including a touring performance to schools, dance platforms and productions in our 250 seat Olympus Theatre and 80 seat Studio 22 venue.
64 UCAS points from a range of Level 3 qualifications (Eg. A-Levels,BTEC,UAL), the expectation is that one of these qualifications would be a creative subject and English 4/C. If you're over 21 and do not meet the standard entry requirements we will consider your application based on your previous experiences. All applicants are required to attend a FREE audition and interview.
A UAL Extended Diploma takes two years to complete. Upon successful completion this qualification is the equivalent of three A-Levels.
Part-time is only available on selected programmes, please contact admissions for further information.
The FdA qualifications take two years to complete full-time or four years part-time. Upon successfully completing a FdA or HND programme you can progress onto a "top-up" level 6 bachelors qualification. This additional top-up course would allow you to achieve a BA (Hons) qualification in one year full-time or two years part-time.
Part-time is only available on selected programmes, please contact admissions for further information.
We believe training should be affordable and accessible for all. That's why our audition and interview process is completely FREE.
We've designed our audition and interview process to be as relaxed as possible, we want to see the best version of you, in an environment you feel comfortable and supported to achieve your best.
To apply for a degree or university course you must apply via UCAS. If you'd like to talk through your application before submitting, please contact our admissions team.
Once you've successfully submitted your application our admissions coordinator will be in touch, you will then be allocated the next available audition/interview date.
University level admissions are coordinated centrally by the SGS Degree and University Student Experience and Recruitment Team.
Once you're happy that you've chosen the right course, you need to apply. You can either do this online, by selecting 'apply online' at the top of this page, this will launch the SGS online applications portal, or by downloading and printing out an application form.
If you'd prefer to apply by paper please contact our admissions team.
The Bristol Institute of Performing Arts is part of SGS College and our level 1-3 admissions are coordinated by the SGS College Admissions team.
Due to the unprecedented situation the country is facing with the Covid-19 pandemic, SGS is providing all students who have applied for a place on a college course with an automatic offer for September 2021. In early 2021, we will invite you to start our PreparED programme, this will ensure you're on the correct course and provide you with materials so you feel better equipped for studying with us next year. In addition, you will also get to meet your tutors and others on the course.
The FdA qualifications take two years to complete full-time or four years part-time. Upon successfully completing a FdA or HND programme you can progress onto a "top-up" level 6 bachelors qualification. This additional top-up course would allow you to achieve a BA (Hons) qualification in one year full-time or two years part-time.
Part-time is only available on selected programmes, please contact admissions for further information.
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All our Further Education (FE) college courses are FREE to UK residents who are under 19 years old on the 31st August. You will be expected to contribute towards the cost of specialist materials and resources (material fee). However, depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for financial help to cover part or all of your material fee from SGS College's Money Management Service. You should apply for financial support as possible. If you are aged 19 or over on 31st August 2019 and you are a UK/EU resident you will normally be required to pay a course fee. If you're over 19 years of age, please contact admissions for full fee information.
Don't let the cost of funding your future put you off. All our university level programmes are eligible for Student Finance England, Wales or Scotland. If eligible Student Finance will cover the full tuition cost of your university programme, you may also be eligible for a maintenance loan to support your living/travel expenses. Part-time course fees are reduced by 50% of the full-time fee per academic year.
> College Level | Bursaries (SGS College Money Management Service)> University Level | Bursaries & Scholarships
FdA - A foundation degree is a degree level qualification, which combines academic study with work place learning. Designed in association with employers, they are qualifications to equip people with the relevant skills, knowledge and understanding to achieve academic results as well as improve performance and entry into the profession. You can "top-up" an FdA qualification to a Bachelors degree by studying an additional year on either on of our "top-up" programmes or one at another institution. This is known as a 2+1 study mode.
FdA - A foundation degree is a degree level qualification, which combines academic study with work place learning. Designed in association with employers, they are qualifications to equip people with the relevant skills, knowledge and understanding to achieve academic results as well as improve performance and entry into the profession. You can "top-up" an FdA qualification to a Bachelors degree by studying an additional year on either our "top-up" or at another institution. This is known as a 2+1 study mode.
BA (Hons) - Our one year BA (Hons) "top-up" course provides students with the opportunity to "top-up" their FdA or HND qualification to a bachelors. You can also join us from another institute for your "top-up"
HND - An HND is equivalent to the second year of a Bachelors degree. It takes two years of full-time study to complete, or three to four years part time, and is designed to equip you with skills relevant to your chosen career
The Bristol Institute of Performing Arts is proud to be part of South Gloucestershire and Stroud College.
The Bristol Institute of Performing Arts was previously known as the South West Academy of Dramatic Arts (SWADA) at Filton College.
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Technique
You will take part in a wide variety of technique classes throughout the first year including Ballet, Jazz, Commercial and Contemporary. Some classes will be streamed according to your level so you will be placed in a class which reflects your ability. You will also have opportunities to take part in guest sessions delivered by professional artists and companies.
Choreography
You will develop choreography skills throughout the year and create your own solo choreography which you will perform in our 250 seat Olympus Theatre. You will also have opportunities to develop the devising process within a group context.
Teaching
You will develop the skills to lead dance workshops in community dance settings and have the opportunity to teach dance workshops within schools and the wider community.
Performance
Public performance opportunities will be present throughout the first year of the course and you will participate in productions in our 250 seat Olympus Theatre and 80 seat Studio 22 venue.