Dance

Dance at Bath Spa University is known for its work in both live and screen-based performance practice. The masters programme (new for 2013) is ideal for those interested in the interface of contemporary dance, site, and digital media.

The course is aimed at those with a specialist interest in screen-based dance practice and/or interdisciplinary work where the texts of dance and one or more other media intersect to create new work. We are now accepting applications for September 2014.

Why study Dance?

If you are interested in spending a year (or 2 years part-time) in a supportive and highly creative environment to explore and develop your skills as a dance artist, to work creatively with other artists, and to learn the entrepreneurial skills needed to succeed in what is a challenging and changing workplace, this may be the course for you.

Ratio of applications to places

No data - new programme for 2013.

National student survey results

No data - new programme for 2013.

Course structure

Studying for your MA in Dance will mean that you will be with us for one full year, or two if you choose to study part time. As a full time student you will take two 30 credit modules in term one, two 30 credit modules in term 2, and one 60 credit module (your final project) in term 3. As a part time student you will take 2 modules in your first year and three in your second, the last of which is your final project.

Where practical, the taught elements of the course will be undertaken in short intensive blocks and, where appropriate, tutoring may be done on-line to create flexibility and to help those who may not wish to move to the area for the full duration of the course.

Your work will be assessed through practical project essays, portfolios and seminar presentations. In practical projects, assessment may focus on your creative process, or on the final product. All work is assessed against a generic criteria so you can compare your achievements against your previous work.

Modules

DA7001: Research Project.    30 credits

This module gives you the opportunity to develop a sophisticated understanding of, and ability to, research at a professionally applicable level. Engaging with current scholarship and research in an area that is of relevance to your own practice, you will engage with key methodologies and critical evaluation skills in the undertaking of a substantial project. Your focus may be orientated towards practice, or may embrace a solely theoretical approach. Your research may inform work in an upcoming module or work beyond the curriculum of this course. 

This module is designed to be partly undertaken through distance learning employing e-learning strategies.

Assessment: Submission of a 7,500 word research paper, or a combination of written and practical work as negotiated with your tutor. 

DA7002: Interdisciplinary or Screen Based Performance Practice.    30 credits

This module concerns itself with ‘live’ interdisciplinary, or screen-based, performance making. Interdisciplinary work might exist at the interface of dance and at least one other ‘media’ which might include, for instance, video, writing, painting, textiles, or it may involve practice not normally associated with the arts, such as engineering, chemistry, or architecture. Screen-based performance, in the context of this module, focuses on ‘screendance’ as a creative interface between choreography and digital technology to design and produce work for the single screen. At the core of this module is an exploration of possibilities, leading to the development, construction, and performance/screening of an original work.  In addition to this you will design on-line marketing material to support a public performance of your work.

Assessment: Performance/screening of work. 70%  On-line journal 30% 

DA7003: Work-Based Learning.   30 credits

This module locates you in an individually relevant professional environment, which may be your existing workplace, a negotiated placement of your own, or with one of our placement hosts.

You will negotiate with your tutors and placement providers to devise a project that contributes to the host organisation or individual while allowing you to develop your own professionality within an appropriate area. This may, for instance, be in the areas of funding, project management, marketing, or research.

This module gives you the flexibility to design your own timetable.  Tutorial support, either face to face or on-line, is a key feature of the learning process.

Assessment: Presentation 50%  Written 50%    

DA7004: Site Responsive Collaborative Performance Practice.    30 credits

This module responds to the huge potential offered by non-theatre performance locations and draws on collaborative opportunities to work with artists and students studying other BSU masters courses to construct cross-disciplinary performance work that responds to a ‘site’ of your own choosing. Investigations into the potential of an ‘assembly of texts’ forms a key element to this module. Drawing on site, choreography, sound, and other art forms, an understanding of the impact upon individual texts when layered against one another, will be central to your own creative process in the construction of a major performance work.

In addition to the creative aspect of this project, you will be expected to negotiate with your chosen site’s stakeholders and deal with all issues relating to health and safety and performance management.

Assessment: Performance 80%   Journal 20%

DA7005: Final Project.    60 credits

Your final project will draw upon skills and knowledge acquired in modules 1, 2, 3, and 4. The content is negotiated with course tutors but might, for example, be a work for the single screen, an interdisciplinary site-specific work, or a stage performance work that draws upon an area of practice that is central to your interests and aspirations. This project will commence with tutor guidance but will become self-directed in its later stages. A single summative assessment will conclude this, the final module of your masters degree.

Assessment: Performance  100%

Course assessment

Work is assessed through a range of methods including: Performances, Presentations, Written Work, Journals and a 7,500 word Research Paper. 

A characteristic of the Masters is that it is taught as much as possible in intensive weekend or week-long sessions. 

Dance facilities at our Newton Park campus include three equipped dance studios, the University Theatre, a Mac editing suite, and additional rehearsal spaces for independent study. In addition to film-making equipment, we have access to filming and editing facilities at Corsham Court, and make full use of Minerva, the university’s virtual learning environment, and other on-line tutoring facilities. In addition, site-specific work takes advantage of our outstanding campus and the architecture and history of the City of Bath. Our greatest resource is perhaps the professionalism and experience of the tutors who teach on the course, as well as our professional partnerships. 

Teaching methods

In addition to your work on the campus, teaching supports e-learning, e-tutorials and placements. You will be given the opportunity to undertake some study from a distance, while studio and edit suite facilities for your creative practice will be negotiated, as much as possible, to fit in with your calendar and timetable needs.

Application method

An applicant's suitability will be assessed through: An application statement, a sample of work on video, accompanied by a short, 500 words (maximum), explanation/contextualisation of the work, and an on-line interview (Skype or similar). 

To apply for the programme, please email our Admissions team at admissions@bathspa.ac.uk and we will then contact you to discuss matters further, or telephone +44(0)1225 875624. We are now accepting applications for September 2014.

Course enquiries

For any other enquires about the course, please contact Chris Lewis-Smith on +44(01)1225 876121 or email c.lewis-smith@bathspa.ac.uk

Entry requirements

A dance-based first degree (2:2 or above) or a relevant professional qualification/experience equivalent.

Career opportunities

Having a post-graduate qualification opens up a range of options in the world of dance related work, and beyond. Postgraduate dance studies at Bath Spa University focus closely on you as an independent dance artist and you may choose to go on to be a choreographer, performer, teacher, filmmaker, or a combination of these things. However, the course is also designed to help you develop versatility and understanding of how to market and present your work in a professional manner. These skills, and the skills associated with creativity and performance, are highly transferrable to a wide range of creative working situations.

Graduates from the BA Hons Dance at Bath Spa University achieve above average ‘graduate level’ jobs 6 months after graduating at 71.4% and a 98% overall employment rate (2010/11 BSU data). We anticipate that our graduates' success will be continued as this existing successful programme provides its first Masters level study opportunity from 2013.