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Dance

The course will challenge you both physically and mentally and push you to become a thinking dancer whilst developing strong creative and technical dance skills. This course promotes both professionalism and artistry and is excellent preparation for those wishing to study and train in dance at higher level. At the same time it is also accessible to anyone with a genuine interest and passion for dance.

The course is an exciting and practical two-year programme of study that is assessed via practical internal and external assessment, coursework and vocational projects. There will be trips to see a diverse range of performances, as well as the chance to work with visiting dance companies and professional choreographers. Students will have a number of performance opportunities throughout the year.

You will:

  • Study a range of work by cutting edge choreographers and learn and perform repertory from these works.
  • Learn how to choreograph innovative and creative work for live performance.
  • Experience the world of the working dancer through a range of classes and workshops.
  • Learn how to experiment with movement and develop creativity.
  • Work together as a professional company in a creative environment to produce a full-length piece of work that is performed in a professional theatre space, during the summer term.
  • Learn about professional practice, develop your artistic voice, skills in improvisation and gain audition insights and tools preparing you for HE and industry auditions.
  • Gain valuable work experience, assisting and stage managing at Let’s Dance at The Dome, Brighton.
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Course Essentials

Courses Available

BTEC Level 3 Foundation Diploma (equivalent to 1.5 A Levels)

Entry Requirements

PLUS

Proven successful dance experience

How The Course is Assessed

Vocational assignments

Career Pathways

HE courses in Dance, Performing Arts, Physical Theatre and Drama. Previous students have gone on to study Dance at Trinity Laban, Northern School of Contemporary Dance, London Contemporary Dance School, LIPA, Kingston University, University of East London, Falmouth, Surrey University and Chichester University. Many alumni are working professionally as performers and/or teachers and choreographers.

Transferable Skills

Creativity; teamwork; leadership skills; problem solving; independence; how to work effectively with external clients; funding & performance arts marketing.

Other Information

Due to the qualification pathway of this BTEC course, you cannot take BTEC Dance alongside BTEC Performing Arts. You must choose one or the other.

Enquiries To

Chess Dillon-Reams: cdr@varndean.ac.uk

Creative Arts Showcase 2024

Varndean College’s annual Creative Arts Showcase is a dynamic and vibrant celebration of the outstanding creativity and diverse talents of the year’s graduating students. It features live music, dance and drama performances, interactive gaming and film screenings, alongside exhibitions of 3D design, textiles, graphic design, art and photography.

What are the Standard Entry Requirements?

CourseGeneral GCSE Grade minimum entry requirements
IB Diploma or 4 A levelsA mixture of at least 7 GCSEs at Grades 9 – 6 including English, Maths and Science.
3 A LevelsA mixture of at least 6 GCSEs at Grades 9 – 4 including English.
A mixed programme at Level 3, to include at least one vocational courseA mixture of at least 5 GCSEs at Grades 9 – 4 including English.
Foundation Level (Level 2)At least 4 GCSEs at Grade 3, including English. At least one GCSE should be at Grade 4 or above.
Any student who has not achieved a grade 4 or C in GCSE English and/or Maths must include further study of these subjects in their programme.