Dance


  • Start Date: 01/09/2025
  • Course is for: School Leaver
  • Course Length: 1 Year
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Gateshead’s innovative new Dance programme provides you with a strong foundation of all the essential techniques to build a strong core in dance with the opportunity to choose your own specialist pathway from Contemporary, Commercial or Music Theatre.

Informed by our production partners, our ground-breaking programme gives you control of your own development, whilst tapping in to your potential and giving you the confidence to ultimately seek employment in this exciting vibrant industry. Studying this course enables you to explore the full breadth of dance and to work creatively within a pathway that challenges and excites you!

You’ll choose one of three specialist strands to focus on:

Commercial Dance

This practical and physical programme will develop your commercial performance skills across urban / commercial, jazz, lyrical, ballet and choreography.

Contemporary Dance

Our contemporary course focuses on building technical skill and knowledge of the industry through technique, creativity and performance. Participation in contemporary, classical ballet, and technical jazz specialised classes is compulsory, along with the option to take additional classes in commercial and stamina classes.

Musical Theatre

This specialist pathway within dance will focus on the skills required in Musical Theatre performance. You will combine in-depth vocal and acting training with dance techniques in this unique pathway, tailored to explore material from the world of professional theatre.

 

Assessment

Through the University Arts London (UAL) qualification, you will build skills, competencies and confidence in the creative process. Learn how to reflect on your practice and unlock your creative potential. Assessment is formative and is designed to help you be the best you can. Practical work, concept development, design to how you creatively problem solve will all be developed.

At the end of  year one you will participate in a Major Dance Event, this will demonstrate a body of work that highlights your strengths and personal interests in areas in which you excel; reflecting and analysing research, contextualising, presentation and, of course, your practical skills.

Top-up onto the Extended Diploma in year two and you will advance your skill set and professional qualities building towards the Extended Site Specific Project, your chance to show how far you have come. Assessed on your professional portfolio of work, you will be ready to progress to higher education or other training routes.

 

Whatever support you need, we’re here for you and will make sure you get the most out of your time at college.

We have expert teams in place to look after every single one of our students.

Our specialist teams can help with:

  • Learning difficulties
  • Physical and sensory disabilities
  • Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD or other specific learning difficulties
  • Mental health and well being
  • Exam access arrangements
  • Money, finance and bursary advice
  • Careers advice, job and university applications

See here for more information, pop into one of our enrolment events, call us on 0191 490 4627

We will support you throughout your studies to help you take your next steps, be that studying for a degree at university or auditioning for a specialist vocational schools or conservatoires.

You will get to build a portfolio and make valuable contacts that could lead to opportunities working within industry leaders. If you want to go down an entrepreneurial route, we have that covered too with our award-winning Careers Team and their expert advice.

Our Dance graduates progress to top universities and specialist dance schools such as: Laban, The Place, Performers, Addict and Urdang.

Practical solo song and monologue audition and a group dance audition.

Four GCSE grades at 4 or above, including either English or maths, or a relevant qualification at Level 2 or appropriate experience plus an audition.

Our highly experienced, friendly team work with you and help you realise your true potential. We recognise that college is a very different environment to school and our team work hard to create an experience that mirrors best industry practice, to prepare you for a career in dance and the wider creative arts sectors.

We believe that hard work gets results, challenge is necessary for development and that people develop at a greater rate when given opportunities to take creative risks in areas they are passionate about.

 

“The best part of my job is seeing the students’ progression and development over the duration of the course. Getting to watch students perform as an artist and as part of a team in their end of year performance, is always a very proud moment for me!” Fiona Wyles, Curriculum Leader Commercial Dance

We work hard to make fantastic partnerships with employers to give you experience of the world of work. Career development is central to our courses and we continually work to gain you relevant, real world experience. Currently we offer workshop experience in schools, where you will create a dance piece for The Sage Dance Festival, Can You Dance? and Move it-London.

School Leaver Course Guide 2025/2026

View or download our course guide for 16-18 year olds.

Gateshead College School Leavers guide for 2025 - 2026