Move with purpose.
Perform with impact.
Build your artistry.

For the performer who wants to put dance at the centre of their training, BIRD’s BA (Hons) in Professional Dance and Performance offers intensive conservatoire training designed to develop technically accomplished, versatile and expressive dance artists.

Register to Apply for BIRD!

About the BA (Hons) in
Professional Dance and Performance

Award……………….. BA (Hons)

Duration……………. 3 years, full-time

Start Date………….. September 2027

Location……………. BIRD Conservatoire, Sidcup, South-East London

Validation………….. Delivered in partnership with and validated by the University of Greenwich

Application fee….. £45 total; applicants may be considered for up to two of BIRD’s three performing arts degree programmes

Application stage.. Applications open in mid-October 2026; register your interest now

September 2027 Applications Opening Soon

Applications for September 2027 entry will open in mid-October. Register your interest now to receive an update when applications open and start preparing for your audition using our Video Audition Guidelines.

Why apply?

Who is this programme for…

You’ll build strong technical foundations, develop versatility across a range of dance styles and learn to take your craft beyond technique into artistry, storytelling and performance. Through studio training, creative exploration, collaborative rehearsal and performance, you’ll develop the physical resilience, individuality and professional discipline needed to respond confidently to the demands of today’s dance and wider performing arts industry.

If you want to lead with movement and develop as a versatile dance artist – this is your programme.

Course Overview

The BA (Hons) Professional Dance and Performance is a technically demanding three-year conservatoire degree for aspiring professional dancers. Training spans ballet, technical jazz, commercial/street, contemporary and other specialist practices, supported by performance projects, industry-led repertoire and tailored personal development that reflects professional rehearsal and production environments.

Throughout the programme, you’ll work across contrasting movement vocabularies and performance aesthetics, developing precision, musicality, dynamic range, stylistic adaptability and interpretive skill. Regular live, recorded and collaborative performance work supports the development of artistry, stage and camera craft, and a confident individual performance identity.

Alongside intensive technique and performance training, you’ll engage with wellbeing and sustainable practice, reflective learning, research and professional development. By graduation, the aim is for you to be an adaptable, expressive and industry-informed dance artist with the technical proficiency, creative intelligence and professional mindset to build a sustained career.

In response to changing industry demands and opportunities, this course prepares students for real-life professional outcomes in dance and performance.

Programme Lead

Why study Professional Dance and Performance at BIRD?

  • Put dance at the centre of your conservatoire training, with sustained technical development across ballet, technical jazz and commercial/street.
  • Broaden your versatility through contemporary, tap, partnering, acro, choreography and improvisation, repertoire and coaching at different stages of the degree.
  • Move from technique into artistry through performance workshops, creative projects and industry-led repertoire.
  • Work in rehearsal and production environments designed to reflect professional expectations, including collaborative, live and recorded performance.
  • Develop the physical resilience, self-management, reflective practice and employability skills needed for a sustainable career.
  • Complete your final year with advanced technical training and CRE8 Dance Performance, working with external creative leadership on substantial live and/or screen work.

What You’ll Study

Students receive a high number of contact hours per week.

Year 1 – Build Your Foundations

Year 1 establishes the technical, artistic and professional foundations of your training. Core work in ballet, technical jazz and commercial/street is complemented by contemporary, tap, conditioning, acro foundations, choreography and improvisation, and partnering. Performance workshops introduce professional rehearsal processes, ensemble work and contrasting choreographic styles.

  • Core Techniques for Professional Dance
  • Expanded Practice for Professional Dance
  • Dance Performance Workshops
  • Personal Development and Wellbeing

Year 2 – Refine Your Versatility and Artistry

In Year 2, you’ll deepen technical proficiency and begin to shape your individual strengths. Ballet, technical jazz and commercial/street continue alongside contemporary and repertoire/coaching, with opportunities to choose specialist electives such as choreography and improvisation, partnering, acro and tap. A sustained Dance Performance Project develops rehearsal discipline, collaboration, interpretive depth and performance craft.

  • Refining Techniques for Professional Dance
  • Developing Practice for Professional Dance
  • Dance Performance Project
  • Professional Development and Employability
  • Reflective Practice and Research

Year 3 – Train and Perform at an Advanced Professional Level

Your final year focuses on advanced technique, professional readiness and the transition into industry. You’ll continue intensive work in ballet, technical jazz and commercial/street while developing selected specialist areas. CRE8 Dance Performance places you in an industry-focused creative process with external creatives, culminating in substantial live and/or screen performance work.

  • Advanced Techniques for Professional Dance
  • CRE8 Dance Performance
  • Independent Research Project

BA (Hons) Entry Requirements

BIRD welcomes applications from all sections of the community regardless of ethnicity, religion or gender. The Conservatoire is committed to meeting the requirements of students with special educational needs. The following requirements must be met for entry to BIRD:

  • A minimum of 96 UCAS Tariff points, or an accepted equivalent UK or international qualification
  • GCSE Mathematics at grade 4/C or above, or equivalent
  • GCSE English Language or English Literature at grade 4/C or above, or equivalent
  • Applicants must be aged 18 by the end of the first term of study

Applicants who do not meet the standard academic requirements may still be considered where they can demonstrate relevant experience and/or alternative qualifications. Academic entry requirements may be waived at BIRD’s discretion following individual assessment.

Applicants for whom English is not a first language are normally required to demonstrate an appropriate level of English language proficiency. An overall IELTS score of 6.5 or above is required for entry to the programme.

All applicants must also successfully complete BIRD’s two-stage audition process: 1) first submitting a video audition and; 2) should the candidate be successful, they will be invited to a live audition on our campus in South-East London. Please note: a separate UCAS application will be required.

Overseas Students

BIRD Conservatoire is an approved UKVI Sponsor, with a Private Provider Status, and is able to sponsor international students via the Student Visa Route. Applicants for whom English is not a first language must sit an IELTS (International English Language) test to assess their ability in reading, writing and spoken English at an academic level. An overall result of 6.5 or more is requires for entry to the programme. Applicants should contact their local British Council office for further details.

79% of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.

Data for Professional Dance and Musical Theatre (Full time) at Doreen Bird College of Performing Arts Ltd.

For more official course information visit Discover Uni.

Funding for the BA (Hons) Professional Dance and Performance

UK tuition fees for 2027/28 are to be confirmed. BIRD intends to set the UK tuition fee in line with the tuition fee level supported by the relevant UK undergraduate student finance arrangements for the 2027/28 academic year, subject to applicable regulations. For further information, please visit this link.

Eligible UK students may apply for undergraduate student finance. Further information on eligibility and the support available should be checked through the relevant student finance body.

Overseas Students

International tuition fees for 2027/28 are to be confirmed. For further information, please visit this link.

Other Costs

Course texts and other study resources are available from the Libraries at BIRD and the University of Greenwich (Stockwell Street). You may wish to purchase your own copies.

Students on this course are also required to pay the Conservatoire’s Extra-Curricular Fund (ECF).  The ECF is spread over your three years of study. A range of payment options are available.

The ECF covers multiple resource costs at the Conservatoire, including headshots/publicity photos, in-house theatre tickets, lockers and entry systems. The ECF also contributes towards an individual vocal scheme where the student contribution triggers other funding.

How to Apply For September 2027

Applications for September 2027 entry will open in mid-October 2026. Before applications open, prospective students can register their interest and begin preparing their first-round self-tape.

  • Complete BIRD’s online application when applications open; register your interest here to be notified of when the application portal opens.
  • Pay one £45 application fee. The same £45 fee allows you to be considered for up to two of BIRD’s three performing arts degree programmes.
  • Submit one self-tape link with your application, following the relevant Video Audition Guidelines.
  • If you apply for two programmes, you only need to submit one video link. Include the required sections for both programmes and do not duplicate any sections that are the same.
  • Within four weeks of receiving your application and self-tape, BIRD will let you know whether you have been invited to a live audition at our Sidcup campus.
  • Applicants invited to the second stage will receive full information about their live audition separately.

Self-tape at a glance: a maximum 90-second introduction, followed by two contrasting dance solos of no more than 60 seconds each. Choose two styles from ballet, jazz, contemporary, commercial or hip hop. Full-body framing is required for dance material.

Download the full video audition guidelines for BA (Hons) Professional Dance and Performance here.

About Our Audition Process

For September 2027 entry, BIRD is introducing a two-stage audition process. Stage One is your self-tape, designed to give the panel a quick sense of you as a performer and as a person. We are not looking for a highly produced film: we want to see your potential, personality and performance clearly.

Applicants who are successful at Stage One will be invited to Stage Two: a live audition at BIRD Conservatoire in Sidcup. Live audition dates and full preparation information will be published on the Applications page.

Frequently asked questions

Applications will open in mid-October 2026. You can register your interest now and begin preparing your self-tape using the Video Audition Guidelines.

The application fee is £45. One fee allows you to be considered for up to two of BIRD’s three performing arts degree programmes.

Yes. You may ask to be considered for up to two programmes within the same application and £45 fee. You will submit one self-tape link containing the material required for each programme.

BIRD will review your application and first-round video audition and, within four weeks, let you know whether you have been invited to a live audition at our Sidcup campus.

Yes. Applicants to the BA (Hons) programmes will also be required to submit a UCAS application.

Potentially. Applicants with relevant experience and/or alternative qualifications may be considered individually, and standard academic requirements may be waived at BIRD’s discretion.

You must be aged 18 by the end of the first term of study.