Bachelor of Dance (VCA)

The three year Bachelor of Dance course consists of specialist studies in dance as well as theoretical and cross-disciplinary collaborative studies in the Centre for Ideas.
Specialist Studies
Studio practice provides the foundation for developing the dance artist at the VCA. Daily technique classes in ballet and contemporary dance form the paradigm for training versatile, kinaesthetically, intelligent dance artists and are closely interrelated with studies in choreography and performance. Students in their first and second year of study may elect from a selection of Allied Dance Studies, giving them the flexibility to pursue their own interests in contemporary dance or ballet. Allied Dance Studies includes Duo, Pas de Deux, Ballet Repertoire, Contemporary Repertoire, Improvisation and Pointe. Students also undertake studies in Performance Management, Career Planning and Management, Music, Dance Analysis, Kinetic Studies and Production as part of the specialist dance program.

Throughout the course students have regular performance experience replicating the professional environment.

Students are encouraged to take risks and challenge their own practice by engaging with new processes and physical methodologies.

By third year there is a greater emphasis on developing artistic autonomy. By working with emerging and leading Australian choreographers in preparation for the diverse challenges of current dance practice students maximise their potential to become dancers of technical excellence and artistry.

The objectives of the course are:

• to produce professional dance practitioners including performers, choreographers, collaborators and artistic leaders with a high degree of expertise;
• to encourage the simultaneous development of students’ conceptual, artistic and technical abilities by providing practical and theoretical dance studies across various aesthetic domains;
• to foster a spirit of inquiry and initiative towards the development of dance;
• to encourage individual talents in both performance and creativity;
• to encourage students to develop an awareness of their relationship and responsibility to their cultural environment and society by providing opportunities for informed critical enquiry, social interaction and cultural exploration during their studies;
• students to prepare for postgraduate study.

Completion of this course requires satisfactory completion of all subjects in the structure shown below.

Bachelor of Dance

First Year

Second Year

Third Year

Entry requirements

Applicants are required to have satisfactorily completed VCA or Year 12 equivalent with a study score of at least 25 in Units 3 and 4 English/English Language/ Literature or at least 30 in ESL. An audition and interview is required. Prior training in ballet and contemporary dance is recommended.

Selection Procedures
Applicants are required to undergo a physical examination by a qualified physiotherapist to establish the applicant’s suitability to undertake dance training and to have the Physiotherapy Examination form signed off by the physiotherapist. The Examination report should be submitted to VCA with the Application form.

At the audition, applicants are taken through practical dance classes over a 5-6 hour period. Selected students may also be invited to attend an interview

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, this course requires all students to actively and safely participate in classical and contemporary dance. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their participation are encouraged to discuss this with the Subject Coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This course is designed to provide students with competencies and creative opportunities that are relevant to careers in dance and the creative arts, and to take advantage of the development and diversification of dance opportunities within our cultural framework.

At the completion of the Bachelor of Dance, students should be able to:

• demonstrate extensive ability within particular contemporary movement and ballet techniques and a high level of kinaesthetic awareness in all their practical work;
• exhibit extensive practical and theoretical knowledge of dance across its various aesthetic domains, including current professional dance practice, relevant skills in allied disciplines and developments in the field;
• demonstrate capacities for artistic imagination, creativity, transformation and interpretation;
• demonstrate practical skills in respect of critical analysis, problem solving, report writing, team work and oral and written communication;
• embody an informed respect for the principles, discipline and ethics of the practising, professional artist;
• demonstrate interpretive abilities in performing new and existing performance work;
• participate effectively as a team member in projects with a shared focus;
• demonstrate with a flexible, imaginative and innovative approach to explore, investigate and resolve unfamiliar problems and challenges;
• confidently communicate, both orally and in writing, opinions, ideas and observations with regard to their dance practice and that of others, in group and individual situations;
• contribute to a range of performing arts environments as artistic collaborators and leaders;
• demonstrate an open, independent and inquiring attitude towards contemporary cultural developments and new ideas;
• independently research and investigate areas of theoretical and practical relevance from a wide range of sources;
• critically and creatively engage with topics of cultural significance and effectively participate in or contribute to contemporary cultural discourses;
• develop effective planning, management and self-promotional skills.