Alumni
ITALIA CONTI HAS SEEN MANY FAMOUS FACES AND SUCCESSFUL PERFORMERS PASS THROUGH IT'S DOORS IN OUR 109 YEAR HISTORY.
3 YEAR DIPLOMA IN PROFESSIONAL
DANCE
Qualification | Diploma
Course Leader | Andrew Waldron, B.A. (Hons), FHEA, QTLS
Validated by | Trinity College London
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Location | Woking
Course Length | 3 Years, Full-Time
Start Date | September 2023
COURSE OVERVIEW
Level 6 Diploma in Professional Dance at Italia Conti is a three-year, full time vocational course, for anyone aged 16+ wishing to become a professional dancer.
The Level 6 Diploma in Professional Dance is awarded by Trinity College London and regulated by Ofqual. It is Level 6 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework.
COURSE SUMMARY
Level 6 Diploma in Professional Dance at Italia Conti aims to produce highly skilled, creative and thinking dance artists and provides students with a comprehensive training in all aspects of dance.
The course will give you the necessary technical, creative and performance experience and skills necessary to become a professional dancer. This is achieved through a rigorous curriculum, focused on studio-based practice and creative exploration, underpinned by key elements of contextual study.
The training programme offers core skills in a range of dance genres and skills, supplemented by supporting subjects that enable students to pursue their own interests.
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Workshops and masterclasses throughout the course offer students the opportunity to work with a wide range of professionals who specialise in particular areas of dance.
Public performances and an Industry showcase consolidate everything that has been learnt in the classroom and gives students the confidence and experience to perform in front of an audience.
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"I FEEL THE COLLEGE ALLOWED ME TO COMPLETELY WORK TO MY INDIVIDUAL STRENGTHS AND PUSHED ME BOTH AS A DANCER AND A PERFORMER TO BE ABLE TO GO OUT AND AUDITION. I FELT FULLY EQUIPPED TO FACE THE INDUSTRY AS IT STANDS NOW, AND GAINED ME FIRST PROFESSIONAL JOB WHILST STILL IN MY THIRD YEAR."
Molly Cleere
COURSE STRUCTURE
The delivery of the technique classes, across all years are structured to provide a balance of consistency and diversity. In the first and second year students work in depthly towards particular technical approaches. The breadth of teaching encountered over the course ensures that graduates are versatile with the ability to apply their technical skills to new and varied challenges. The range of techniques experienced is guided by the particular expertise and teaching philosophies of the dance faculty and how these relate to the needs of the particular group and the individual. This approach ensures that students receive relevant and current training. In the third year technical training is linked directly to the performance options chosen.
YEAR 1
Students are introduced to a wide variety of subjects and will predominately focus on re-evaluating and retraining existing technique to ensure that any pre-existing technical faults have been addressed. Understanding and awareness of safe practice, dancer's life' nutrition and injury prevention will be fundamental to any technical development. In addition to the core dance subjects such as ballet, contemporary, jazz and tap, students will follow acting and singing modules.
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By the end if the first year students are expected:
- To have made technical progress relevant to their starting point
- To have a clear understanding of human anatomy and physiology in the context of
professional dance training and safer practice
- To have a good knowledge of dance history
- To have a good knowledge of dance
composition
- To have the capacity to reflect and plan for
their ongoing progress
- To have completed and passed all
contextual requirements​​
YEAR 2
The second year places stronger emphasis on the core techniques with emphasis on developing the individual dancer's artistic and performance qualities. In consultation with the various Heads of Department, students will have the option to select more specific core subjects in preparation for third year options. Students who may be looking towards the musical theatre option will be guided toward additional singing and acting subjects.
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To have completed and passed all contextual requirements students take Contextual studies throughout the course to provide them with a theoretical understanding which underpins their practical work. It also provides opportunity for career progression in later life. Students will be expected to develop a portfolio of work accumulated throughout the course. Progress is monitored throughout each year.
By the end of the second year students are expected:
- To have adapted to complex movement,
demonstrating technique and performance
skills
- To have made sense of individual
corrections and directives to inform ongoing
progress
- To have the confidence to improvise and
create
- To have applied anatomic and health
principles for prevention of and care of
common injury
- To have objectively critiqued and referenced
contextual material
- To have evaluated and planned for their
ongoing progress
YEAR 3
The third year prepares students for their intended profession and therefore developing employment skills are essential.
By the end of the third year students are expected:
- To have achieved technical and artistic
development to a professional level
- To have quickly responded to complex
instructions and reproduce work with the
intended directives
- To have audition experience and an
awareness of the professional industry
- To have researched, referenced, critically
appraised and reflected all contextual work
- To have completed and passed all
contextual requirements
- To have established the necessary skills to
withstand the pressures of professional life,
adapt to change, and be self aware of the
need for continuing professional
development
FEES & FUNDING
Tuition Fees | £15990 per academic year, (paid in advanced termly instalments)
Trinity College Fee | £220 - £250 (paid per annum, set by Trinity College London)
Audition Fee | £45 (non-refundable)
Deposit | £275
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TERMS & CONDITIONS
Terms and conditions apply upon acceptance to Italia Conti.
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FUNDING
The Diploma course offers the following funding options:
- Private Funding
- Italia Conti Scholarships
- Advanced Learner Loans - for students aged 19+
- Charitable Trusts and Foundations
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Students registered for the diploma may be eligible for Dance and Drama Awards funding.
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DEPOSIT FEE WAIVER
Italia Conti welcome application for deposit fee waivers for those who are eligible.
"THE COLLEGE PROVIDES YOU WITH A DISCIPLINED, YET FAMILY ATMOSPHERE THAT TRAINS YOU TO BECOME THE BEST OF THE
BEST MOVING FORWARDS INTO THE PERFORMING ARTS INDUSTRY."
James Kemp
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
ENTRY TO DIPLOMA IN PROFESSIONAL MUSICAL THEATRE REQUIRES THE FOLLOWING:
- 16+ by the 31st August in the year of entry​.
- Legal right to reside/study in the UK for the full period of the programme.
- Successful audition through Italia Conti, details of which can be found below.
- Evidence in hard copy of all the above must be provided.
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AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
After completing the application process you will be invited to attend one of our audition days where you will be required to demonstrate a variety of skills. Information about auditions can be found below.
APPLICATION
Application to the Diploma in Professional Dance course can be made using our online application form.
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Applicants must complete the form and pay the audition fee (£45) in order to be considered for the course. Upon receiving your application we will contact you with your audition date.
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Audition fees are non-refundable. These fees act as both an administration fee for processing your application as well as a non-refundable deposit for a place on an audition day.
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In line with our admissions policy, Italia Conti reserves the right to alter or withdraw offers at any point. Places on our courses are limited; it is usual for drama schools to make more offers than there are places. Acceptances are dealt with on a first come first serve basis and so early acceptance is advised.
AUDITION CRITERIA
FIRST ROUND - ONLINE AUDITION
*UPDATE- Due to the volume and standard of applications received this year, Italia Conti need to extend our turnaround time for us to inform candidates of their result. Any first round applicant will receive the result from their audition submission within to 3-4 weeks of receipt. We apologise for the delay but every submission deserves our full time and attention.
RECALL AUDITION
You will be required to participate in three dance classes at your recall; Ballet, Technical Centre Practice and a class where a set piece of Jazz choreography will be taught. Each class will last 30 minutes.
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Required dress:
Jazz shoes or trainers that are suitable for dance (i.e. no Converse or similar fashion shoes that are not designed for dance). No loose clothing or jewellery is permitted.
CAREER PROSPECTS
INDUSTRY LINKS
Regular workshop sessions are held to give students the opportunity to work with directors, choreographers and industry professionals whilst training. Second and third year students also have to opportunity to join the Italia Conti Agency and undertake professional work should the opportunity arise. During the 3rd year students take part in Dance Productions and their final Showcase whereby agents are invited, and Italia Conti has connections with many of these.
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PROGRESSION
Italia Conti offer's a 1 year Top Up Degree for Diploma students.
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ALUMNI & GRADUATE SUCCESS
With over 110 years of Italia Conti history, our graduates populate the performance industries and include many famous faces. Recent graduates can be seen working on prestigious productions in all areas of the industry.
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