Private school270

Northern School of Contemporary Dance

Leeds, England

Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

40+ StudentsStudy Abroad

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

40+ StudentsStudy Abroad

Browse programs

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BA (Hons) Contemporary Dance Performance

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

40+ StudentsStudy Abroad

Quick Links

BA (Hons) Contemporary Dance Performance

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

40+ StudentsStudy Abroad

Quick Links

BA (Hons) Dance: Choreography, Producing and Teaching

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

25-40 StudentsStudy Abroad

Quick Links

CertHE Dance

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

25-40 Students

Program Recognition

•England's only conservatoire for contemporary dance outside London

•Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation

•96% NSS overall student satisfaction

•TEF Silver, QAA Quality Assured, GuildHE member

Training

•24 hours of weekly studio classes across contemporary, ballet, and Afro-fusion

•On-site Riley Theatre for public performances

•Work with guest artists including Hofesh Shechter Company, Gary Clarke Company, Motionhouse, and Stopgap

•Site-specific practice, dance film, and collaborative working opportunities

•Approximately 60 places per intake

•Over 75% international teaching faculty with professional company experience

Notable Alumni

•Akram Khan MBE (Akram Khan Company)

•Gary Clarke (Gary Clarke Company, Olivier Award winner for COAL)

•Tamsin Fitzgerald (2Faced Dance Company)

•Carlos Pons Guerra (DeNada Dance Theatre)

•Sharon Watson MBE DL (CEO & Principal of NSCD)

•Max Revell (BBC Young Dancer winner)

•Graduates perform with Hofesh Shechter Company, DV8, Scottish Dance Theatre, Candoco, Phoenix Dance Theatre, and more

Academic info

Snapshot

86%

Grad Rate

270

Enrollment

Costs & Aid

Home Tuition

£9,790

UK/EU students

International Tuition

£19,570

overseas students

View full data on Discover Uni

Program info updated 4d ago

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•England's only conservatoire for contemporary dance outside London

•Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation

•96% NSS overall student satisfaction

•TEF Silver, QAA Quality Assured, GuildHE member

Training

•24 hours of weekly studio classes across contemporary, ballet, and Afro-fusion

•On-site Riley Theatre for public performances

•Work with guest artists including Hofesh Shechter Company, Gary Clarke Company, Motionhouse, and Stopgap

•Site-specific practice, dance film, and collaborative working opportunities

•Approximately 60 places per intake

•Over 75% international teaching faculty with professional company experience

Notable Alumni

•Akram Khan MBE (Akram Khan Company)

•Gary Clarke (Gary Clarke Company, Olivier Award winner for COAL)

•Tamsin Fitzgerald (2Faced Dance Company)

•Carlos Pons Guerra (DeNada Dance Theatre)

•Sharon Watson MBE DL (CEO & Principal of NSCD)

•Max Revell (BBC Young Dancer winner)

•Graduates perform with Hofesh Shechter Company, DV8, Scottish Dance Theatre, Candoco, Phoenix Dance Theatre, and more

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•England's only conservatoire for contemporary dance outside London

•Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation

•96% NSS overall student satisfaction

•TEF Silver, QAA Quality Assured, GuildHE member

Training

•24 hours of weekly studio classes across contemporary, ballet, and Afro-fusion

•On-site Riley Theatre for public performances

•Work with guest artists including Hofesh Shechter Company, Gary Clarke Company, Motionhouse, and Stopgap

•Site-specific practice, dance film, and collaborative working opportunities

•Approximately 60 places per intake

•Over 75% international teaching faculty with professional company experience

Notable Alumni

•Akram Khan MBE (Akram Khan Company)

•Gary Clarke (Gary Clarke Company, Olivier Award winner for COAL)

•Tamsin Fitzgerald (2Faced Dance Company)

•Carlos Pons Guerra (DeNada Dance Theatre)

•Sharon Watson MBE DL (CEO & Principal of NSCD)

•Max Revell (BBC Young Dancer winner)

•Graduates perform with Hofesh Shechter Company, DV8, Scottish Dance Theatre, Candoco, Phoenix Dance Theatre, and more

Key Info

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Fee

£20Waiver

Program AppApplication

Auditions

In-Person Audition (NSCD, Leeds)Dec 8, 2025

In-Person Audition (NSCD, Leeds)Dec 9, 2025

In-Person Audition (NSCD, Leeds)Feb 16, 2026

In-Person Audition (NSCD, Leeds)Feb 17, 2026

In-Person Audition (NSCD, Leeds)Feb 18, 2026

In-Person Audition (NSCD, Leeds)Feb 19, 2026

In-Person Audition (NSCD, Leeds)Apr 13, 2026

Audition Requirements

Dance

In-Person Audition

•Improvisation and icebreaker session

•Contemporary technique class

•Ballet class

•Afro-fusion class

•Group choreography task

Preparation

•Learn the set movement phrases provided by NSCD in advance of your audition date

Video Audition

•Creative/improvisation task (max 2 minutes)

•Technical practices task (max 5 minutes): perform four set movement phrases plus one additional phrase of your choice (e.g. contemporary, ballet, hip-hop, breaking, voguing, house)

Additional Materials

Headshot (required)

•Passport-style photo accepted

•Does not need to be a professional headshot

Statement (required)

•What are your future dance ambitions? (up to 250 words)

•What is your biggest artistic inspiration? (up to 250 words)

•What excites you about training at NSCD? (up to 250 words)

Official Source

Good to Know

Application Logistics

•Apply via NSCD's online portal (Quercus)

•Video auditions must be submitted with the application

Eligibility

•Five GCSEs at grade C/4+ including English Language, plus two A-Levels or L3 BTEC National Diploma (or equivalent)

•Exceptions for 17-year-olds who have not completed A-Levels

•Equivalent overseas qualifications accepted

•International applicants require CEFR B2 English proficiency

•Direct entry into BA2 or BA3 is possible for advanced students

Important Notes

•Application fee waivers available for households under 25,000 GBP annual income

•Also available for care leavers and estranged or adopted students

What's The Process

Audition Expectations

•Single audition: in person at NSCD or by video submission

•Video auditions must be submitted at the same time as the application

•Full-day format (approximately 10:30 to 16:00)

•Includes group discussion

•Auditions at NSCD, 98 Chapeltown Road, Leeds LS7 4BH

•Provide as a single YouTube or Vimeo link

•Include verbal discussion (max 4 minutes): respond to tasks and explain reasons for wanting to train at NSCD

Assessment Criteria

•Physical potential regardless of previous training

•Creativity and curiosity

•Performance ability and physical communication

•Critical awareness and self-reflection

Outcomes

•Results within 2-3 weeks of in-person audition

•Video outcomes during January, March, or April

•Possible outcomes: offer (3 weeks to accept), shortlist, or no offer

Academic info

Snapshot

86%

Grad Rate

270

Enrollment

Costs & Aid

Home Tuition

£9,790

UK/EU students

International Tuition

£19,570

overseas students

View full data on Discover Uni

Program Recognition

•England's only conservatoire for contemporary dance outside London

•Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation

•96% NSS overall student satisfaction

•TEF Silver, QAA Quality Assured, GuildHE member

Training

•24 hours of weekly studio classes across contemporary, ballet, and Afro-fusion

•On-site Riley Theatre for public performances

•Work with guest artists including Hofesh Shechter Company, Gary Clarke Company, Motionhouse, and Stopgap

•Site-specific practice, dance film, and collaborative working opportunities

•Approximately 60 places per intake

•Over 75% international teaching faculty with professional company experience

Notable Alumni

•Akram Khan MBE (Akram Khan Company)

•Gary Clarke (Gary Clarke Company, Olivier Award winner for COAL)

•Tamsin Fitzgerald (2Faced Dance Company)

•Carlos Pons Guerra (DeNada Dance Theatre)

•Sharon Watson MBE DL (CEO & Principal of NSCD)

•Max Revell (BBC Young Dancer winner)

•Graduates perform with Hofesh Shechter Company, DV8, Scottish Dance Theatre, Candoco, Phoenix Dance Theatre, and more

Updated 4d ago

Northern School of Contemporary Dance

Browse programs

Program Highlights

Key Info

Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Academic info

Program Highlights

Program Highlights

Key Info

Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

School Info

Northern School of Contemporary Dance

Browse programs

Program Highlights

Key Info

Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Academic info

Program Highlights

Program Highlights

Key Info

Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

School Info