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HND in Dance
Start Date: 1st September 2025
Other start dates:
2nd September 2024

- Length 2 Years
- Study Full-Time
- Location Kidderminster College
Qualification Gained
Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Performing Arts: Dance
Levels ExplainedMore about the course
Designed by professional dance practitioners, this HND combines training and performance with creative and academic workshops to help you develop the skills you need to become a versatile performer, choreographer or teacher.
You will develop your technical skills and explore a range of dance techniques and styles, with training in contemporary, ballet, jazz, tap and commercial. You will also develop a creative approach to dance-making through choreography and the use of digital media.
You will learn from course tutors with extensive dance experience and engage with industry to grow your technical, performance and creative skills as well as your leadership abilities.
Entry requirements:
In order to qualify for this Higher Education course you must have:
A minimum of 64 UCAS points (from related Dance and/or Performing Arts subjects). Applicants are normally expected to have achieved grade 4 or higher in GCSE Maths and English of the Level 2 equivalent (i.e. Functional Skills or Adult Literacy/Numeracy).
Mature applicants (21 years and above) with suitable background or experience may be accepted without formal qualifications, subject to interview.
Shortlisted applicants are invited for an audition and interview.
If you are a current Kidderminster College student and successfully meet the published Level 3 entry criteria in an appropriate subject(s), you will be guaranteed a place on this course.
What will I achieve?
Upon successful completion of this course, you will receive a Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Performing Arts: Dance
There is also the opportunity to complete a Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Performing Arts: Dance by completing the first year of this course only. If wishing to apply to complete a HNC, please contact us directly to discuss if this will be suitable.
What will I learn?
Year 1
- Contemporary Dance 1
- Jazz Dance
- Ballet 1
- Commercial Dance
- Choreography
- Dance for Camera
- The Performing Arts Industry
- Professional Development
Year 2
- Contemporary Dance 2
- Ballet 2
- Tap
- Contact Improvisation
- Performance Project
- Creative Research Project
- Working in the Performing Arts Industry
For those interested in pursuing a career in Musical Theatre, we may be able to offer alternative units specific to this discipline (subject to student demand).
How is the course taught?
Lectures will be a mix of theoretical and practical work.
You will be required to tackle various tasks and assignments throughout the course study period.
You will be taught through practical technique classes, creative workshops, industry observation, seminars, lectures, tutorials, 1 to 1 support, classroom activities, self-directed training, rehearsal and study.
You will be studying at IGNITE DANCE CENTRE at Kidderminster College for 3 days a week with lectures taking place throughout these days and on some evenings. There is an expectation that, when preparing for upcoming shows and during show weeks, you will be required to attend for 5 days a week.
Classes generally run between 9am-5pm but may vary. Timetables will be given to all students during enrolment and induction week.
The HE dance course team has established excellent links with the dance industry, including professional performers, dance companies, choreographers and community dance artists. These connections are often utilised by students when arranging their own placements.
How am I assessed?
- Practical technique exercises
- Performance of set repertoire and newly choreographed works
- Practical and creative tasks
- Academic essays and reports
- Creative portfolios
- Research and dissemination
Work experience opportunities:
Our students benefit from strong links with local and national companies and practitioners. You will be encouraged to take up placement and performance opportunities and will work within a simulated dance company environment.
Where can I progress?
The course opens up a range of careers and career opportunities, including: dancer, freelance choreographer, dance teacher, dance therapist, dance artist in the community and arts administrator.
You may wish to continue your studies with us on our BA (Hons) in Creative Industries Top-up degree.
Course costs:
Tuition fees vary depending on the course and mode of study. Read more about tuition fees and financial support.
Get in Touch
Meet our tutors and students

Kimberley Clarke
Tutor - DanceI am the Course Leader for Dance in Higher Education at Kidderminster College. I have toured as a dancer with several UK-based contemporary companies, worked as a choreographer on several local and national community-based projects, and received Arts Council Funding for my own independent work. In more recent years, my career has become solely focused on education and helping nurture the talent of future performing artists.
Dance
Gallery

What can I do with a qualification in Dance?
Daily tasks:
- Plays pre-recorded music at nightclubs, discotheques, and private functions.
- Conducts interviews and prepares reports for news broadcasts, current affairs programmes and documentaries.
- Introduces and presents radio and television programmes, reads news bulletins and makes announcements.
- Trains animals to perform entertaining routines and may perform with them.
- Performs singing, comedy, acrobatic, illusion and conjuring routines.
- Assumes character created by a playwright or author and communicates this to an audience.
- Studies script, play or book and prepares and rehearses interpretation.
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Daily tasks:
- Demonstrates and directs dance moves, monitors and analyses technique and performance, and determines how improvements can be made.
- Participates in dance performance.
- Attends rehearsals to develop and practice dance routines for performance.
- Builds and maintains stamina, physical strength, agility and general health through fitness exercises and healthy eating.
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What can I do with a qualification in Dance?
Actors, Entertainers and Presenters
Daily tasks:
- Plays pre-recorded music at nightclubs, discotheques, and private functions.
- Conducts interviews and prepares reports for news broadcasts, current affairs programmes and documentaries.
- Introduces and presents radio and television programmes, reads news bulletins and makes announcements.
- Trains animals to perform entertaining routines and may perform with them.
- Performs singing, comedy, acrobatic, illusion and conjuring routines.
- Assumes character created by a playwright or author and communicates this to an audience.
- Studies script, play or book and prepares and rehearses interpretation.
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Dancers and Choreographers
Daily tasks:
- Demonstrates and directs dance moves, monitors and analyses technique and performance, and determines how improvements can be made.
- Participates in dance performance.
- Attends rehearsals to develop and practice dance routines for performance.
- Builds and maintains stamina, physical strength, agility and general health through fitness exercises and healthy eating.
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