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Northern School of Contemporary Dance

Leeds, England

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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

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

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

School Info

Snapshot

86%

Grad Rate

270

Enrollment

Costs & Aid

Home Tuition

£10,050

UK/EU students

International Tuition

£19,570

overseas students

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

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Fee

£20

How To Apply · nscd.ac.uk

Program AppApplication

Fee

Audition Fee

£20

Deadline

Application DeadlineMar 17, 2027

Auditions

In-Person Audition (NSCD, Leeds)

Dec 7–8, 2026Feb 15–18, 2027Mar 31 – Apr 1, 2027

Ba Hons Contemporary Dance Performance · nscd.ac.uk Apply Ba Contemporary Dance Performance · nscd.ac.uk

Audition Requirements

These requirements are from the Fall 2026 entry cycle. Fall 2027 requirements are typically posted between August and October and usually change only slightly — confirm on the official source before submitting.

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)

Video (Required for Video Audition)

Provide a single YouTube or Vimeo link as part of the online application

Include the program's required video audition tasks from the NSCD guidance

Apply Ba Contemporary Dance Performance · nscd.ac.uk

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

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

Post-Enrollment

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

School Info

Snapshot

86%

Grad Rate

270

Enrollment

Costs & Aid

Home Tuition

£10,050

UK/EU students

International Tuition

£19,570

overseas students

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

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