Dance Professional Practice (MA)

About the Course

MA Dance Professional Practice locates the learners 'signature dance practice' at the heart of the course and addresses employability agendas. The course is designed around three strands: Dance Performance, Dance Making and Thinking through Dance. This course will balance taught and research elements, providing current methodologies towards research, knowledge and creativity which can be applied to the students' communities and/or developing artistic practice. Students will be encouraged to draw upon their dance culture, identity and movement experience alongside a curriculum designed to explore and develop their signature practice within the context of current research and industry perspectives.

This programme will appeal to students who want to learn and engage in a range of experiences and opportunities that directly reflect the dance industry of today. The delivery will be highly practical and students will benefit from Hope's Creative partnerships including English National Ballets' Dance for Parkinson's, Our Dance Democracy International Dance Festival held at Liverpool Hope, Everyman & Playhouse and 24 Hope Street Dance studios, learning to actively work in and alongside grassroots and professional organisations and agendas. There will be artist - led activities and ways of working that will support dance practitioners who wish to develop their performance making, marketing and promotional strategies, professional practice, teaching, community learning and participation alongside exploring working practices and contemporary modes which support environments that desire versatility, rigour, independent and reflexive dance artists.

Curriculum Overview

The MA is taught by specialist scholars with years of expertise and with engagement from practitioners – professional partnerships who support students at all levels. 

It is of utmost importance at Liverpool Hope that you will be mentored and receive personal development and students are encouraged through a Practice Led enquiry to develop your dance practice, research, analytical abilities and independence. Overall, the curriculum engages with 3 defined areas: Dance Performance, Dance Making and Thinking through Dance. This will involve a variety of choreographic approaches, site-based explorations, facilitation and applied practices and independent elements, which will encourage students to activate interdisciplinary approaches in research projects engaging with their professional community, applied practice and/or ideas developed whilst studying on the course. 

A range of assessments will appeal to a variety of students engaging both academic and practical skills. A range of assessment opportunities can take place in your professional contexts. 

Modules

Dance performance 

Learners are exposed to current practices and discourses in contemporary dance and performance practices and will create and perform their own work. Through the balance of taught and research element’s learners will develop skills in performance and performing, communication & performance psychology, ethics & audience engagement in a variety of contexts. Learners will develop critical reflection and innovative artistic processes in developing and performing dance work. 

Methods of Assessment

• Bid presentation – Signature Practice 30%
• Performance solo or something 30%
• Viva 20%
• Essay (research methods) 20%

Dance making 

Learners will develop creative practice in professional, applied, work-based learning environments. Developing signature choreographic approaches and dance work bespoke to the learners career & research aspirations. Entrepreneurial perspectives, management, fundraising and marketing in the dance industry.  Interdisciplinary specialist support in dance and music, dance and film, site installation practices, arts and facilitation. 

Methods of Assessment

1. Response/presentation (to something in the lecture series contemporary performance) 30% 
2. Making dance in situ – on site – in place- in position 30%
3. Website public document 40%

Thinking though Dance (Major Project)

Thinking through Dance is the final section of the MA - Dance Professional Practice programme.  Building upon Dance Performance and Dance Making creates the opportunity for the student to share-frame-articulate their signature practice in an extended body of work. 

The learner will complete a self - directed research project, locating their signature practice as the site of engagement. By focusing on creative processes and methodologies gained throughout the course the learner will create a performance project which applies directly to their research practice with the aim to assist and prepare for professional engagement and or apply directly into their community of practice. 

Methods of Assessment 

1. Performance (or equivalent) Practical Exam (Viva) - 50 %
2. Dissertation (or equivalent) Dissertation - 50 %

Entry Requirements

A minimum of a Second-Class Honours degree in a related discipline, (eg: Drama, Performing Arts, Dance) awarded by a UK university, or an equivalent higher education qualification.

International Entry Requirements

Possess a degree from an overseas institution that is judged by the Registrar or Nominee to be equivalent to an upper second class honours degree from a UK University.

For students whose first language is not English there is a language requirement of IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 minimum of all components. In addition to this, we also accept a wide range of International Qualifications, for more information please visit our English Language Requirements page.

For additional information about country specific entry requirements visit the your country pages. 

Teaching and Research

Students attending the MA Dance Professional Practice are graduates, mature students, mid/long standing career professionals and those with prior accredited learning interested in developing their signature practice as dance artists, choreographers, facilitators and those who wish to expand their remit of professional impact within their community of practice. 

MA Dance Professional Practice is designed to extend the students' knowledge and skills in the development of their signature dance practice. By the end of the programme, students will have engaged with a professional experience in practical, theoretical and applied fields qualifying them for a career pathway in dance, educational and creative sectors and related industries.

This course will draw from the diverse interdisciplinary practices housed in the School of Creative and Performing Arts. This context will provide the opportunity for the students to expand and develop their art making practice with dance as its focus. Graduates will have rigorous understanding of their signature practice framed by the political, environmental and social contexts within which they live, work and study.

UK/Channel Island Tuition Fees

2024/25 

Tuition fees for Home students are £7,500

2025/26

Tuition fees for Home students are £7,750

Funding

We offer a number of scholarships and loans to help fund your postgraduate studies. Visit our scholarships pages for more details.

EU/Non EU International Tuition Fees

2024/25 

Tuition fees for EU students are £7,500

Tuition fees for Non-EU International Students are £13,000

2025/26

Tuition fees for EU/Non-EU International students for 2025/26 are £16,500

Please be aware that the UK’s departure from the EU may affect your tuition fees. Learn more about your fee status and which tuition fees are relevant to you.

Careers

Due to the professional nature of the curriculum, and its explicit links to industry and professional mentoring, learners will have the opportunity to learn skills, practices and approaches, and directly apply them into your professional engagements.

As a graduate of the MA Dance Professional Practice learners will be able to focus on their professional development and progress towards a sustainable career in dance. Learners will be able to work in such roles; Dancer, choreographer, facilitator, community artist, educator, cultural leader, fundraiser, producer.