MA Professional and Commercial Dance

• Normally, you should have at least an upper second class (2.1) honours degree in a relevant subject to the creative discipline(s) you wish to study during this course (for instance, Dance).
• If you don’t have this qualification but do have alternative qualifications or significant experience in a relevant field, then we’ll be happy to consider your application.
• You’ll be required to attend an audition as part of the application process. The quality of the audition is the primary basis on which applicants, with at least the minimum entry requirements, are selected.
• We'll consider applications where appropriate work experience can be demonstrated in lieu of, or in addition to, the published academic qualifications in line with the University’s Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) procedures.
• If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
• This course is open to Home students only. Applications from International and EU students cannot usually be accepted because the study location for this course is not licenced by UKVI to sponsor students. Therefore, if you require sponsorship under the Student Visa Route to study in the UK, then, unfortunately, we'll be unable to consider your application for this course. Some EU students are eligible to study this course under the EU Settlement Scheme or Common Travel Area arrangement – for details, please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/studying-in-the-uk-guidance-for-eu-students.

Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.

This MA aims to provide an industry-relevant specialised education that will refine and nurture your skills, knowledge and expertise in a range of professional and commercial dance genres to a professional level alongside refining and developing wider employability skills to ensure career longevity.

Being able to provide our students with the best possible progression route is highly important to us. As a result of their hard work, our past and present students have performed with some of the biggest names in the dance and performing arts industry.

Credits include: Janet Jackson, Dua Lipa, Zara Larsson, Alexander Burke, Tinie Tempah, Rita Ora, Kendrick Lamar, Ludacris, Mabel, Hrvy, Steff London, Jax Jones, Mariah Carey, Cheryl Cole, Pixie Lott, French Montanna, Demi Lovato, Kylie Minogue, Paloma Faith, Zayn Malik, Will.I.Am, Jess Glyne, Black Eyed Peas, Lady Leshur, Flo Rida, Bebe Rexha, Fifth Harmony, Little Mix, Spice Girls Tour, Rai Elle, Stormzy, MTV VMA’s and EMA’s, BRIT Awards, The MOBO’s, X Factor, The Voice, Jingle Bell Ball, V Festival, Wireless, Parklife, Lovebox.

What can I do with this qualification?

Alternative career options

Graduates can also use the qualification as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers. For some of these roles, relevant experience and/or postgraduate study may be required. Possible areas of employment include:

• Teaching and education
• Arts administration
• Broadcasting
• Event management
• Dance therapy
• Marketing and PR
• Advertising
• Community arts
• Musical theatre
• Journalism and writing
• Mental health and wellbeing
• Dance critic
• Choreography
• Creative direction

Home/EU Fees

No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Bolton’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@bolton.ac.uk for more information.

International Fees

International applications are not possible for this course

As an international student you are not allowed to study this course because of the restrictions on your visa.

We offer a wide range of full-time courses in lots of different subjects, many of our courses start in September and January. If you would like to see what courses are available please visit our Course Search.

Bursaries

Click here for more information on our Master's Bursaries.

Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2025-26 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.

The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.

This programme is modelled upon that of a professional dance company therefore a variety of teaching and learning strategies are employed throughout the programme. This will ensure the acquisition and development of appropriate technical and artistic skills, professional etiquette and creative concepts alongside academic advancements.

A mix of teacher-directed and student-centred approaches will allow for learner autonomy to be developed and nurtured to refine individual creative and academic identities. At postgraduate level independent study and guided independent learning will form a significant part of the programme. This will include engaging with wider research and reading surrounding themes and issues will be explored both practically and theoretically alongside independent rehearsals to support practical development and advancement. A variety of teaching and learning methods allow for a range of learner needs. The methods employed include practice-based enquiry, self-directed study, lectures, seminars, critiques, tutorials, presentations and work-based learning. This programme adopts a blended style of learning and teaching including online delivery and engagement, where appropriate.

Some of the key assessment forms for this programme are in-studio technical assessments, practical skills assessments, showcase performances, practical project reports, portfolios, oral presentations, written coursework and a major research project. You’ll receive feedback on your assessments so that you’ll know what you have done well and where you can improve.

Modules

The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.

• Professional and Commercial Dance Company (Performance Practice)
• Critical Reflective Practice
• Professional and Commercial Dance Company (Creative Practice)
• Dance Administration and Management
• Masters Project: The Company

Assessment methods

Level	Assessment method
Level 1	Coursework 24% Practical exams 76%

Learning Activities

Level	Activity
Level 1	Guided independent study 57% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 43%

The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.