BA (Hons) Dance course preparation

To help you feel confident and ready to begin your BA (Hons) Dance studies, we’ve put together everything you need to start preparing. Below you will find key department contacts, where you’ll be learning and practical tips to help you make a smooth transition to university. Read on to find out what’s waiting for you.

Prepare for university

We know that you’re aware that studying at university will include hard work. But succeeding at university is more than academic ability alone. There are a few skills that you can start developing now, so that you’re a pro when it comes to the start of your studies in September.

• Time management – you may have to juggle assessments, lectures, work and social activities. Developing strong time management skills early on will help you to prioritise deadlines, stay organised and make the most of your time.
• Critical thinking – university study encourages you to question ides, evaluate evidence and form your own informed decisions. You’ll be expected to engage critically with the work you’re studying in a professional, academic manner. Your opinions matter, so don’t be afraid to share them.
• Teamwork – some modules may require you to work with others on your course to complete tasks and discuss analytical findings. Learning how to contribute confidently and work collaboratively as part of a team is a key professional skill.
• Independent work – in contrary to the above, it’s also important to be able to work independently. The majority of your work will need to be submitted individually, so it’s important you take ownership of your learning. And if there is something that you don’t understand, make sure you ask your tutor.
• Self-motivation – you’ll be encouraged manage your own workload. That means you won’t have a teacher chasing you for deadlines. So it’s important that you hold yourself accountable and make the decision to put the work in.

Your Timetable:

Available from 3 August

You will receive full timetable information from your department during Induction Week.

Ahead of this you can access the provisional course timetable on Student Calendar. You will need to select Courses from the drop-down menu, search for your course in the Resource(s) box and find the year one timetable from the list. Then just use the arrows to scroll forward to your course start date.

If you are going to be studying part-time with us, please look at the individual module timetables according to your planned curriculum.

Please note that all timetables on Student Calendar are subject to change. Check regularly for updates from your department.

Useful websites:

Researching, viewing and engaging online effectively allows you to be in touch with Dance practitioners and companies throughout the world. Here’s a list of recommended viewing for you to delve into:

• Our lecturers recommend award-winning Company Chameleon based in Manchester who tour internationally and work with many community projects
• Pina Bausch is a very important dance artist to explore and study. The Bausch foundation continues to make her legacy visible, with lots of online sources
• Numeridanse, for some exciting British and European contemporary, urban, jazz, ballet and social dance. be sure to click on all the options to discover a rich, diverse range of work.
• If you’re thinking about the future and careers in the Performing Arts, visit the following websites: Arts Professional and Arts Jobs
• Why not follow key British and European companies and artists on social media to stay up to date with the world of dance. Here are just a few suggestions:
  • Rambert
  • Phoenix Dance Theatre
  • English National Ballet
  • Scottish Dance Theatre
  • Shobana Jeyasingh Dance
  • Rosas
  • Hofesh Schechter
  • Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui

Watch some live performances:

Where possible we want you to see as much live performance work as you can throughout your degree programme, as this is a key resource in understanding performance practice.

It’s a good idea to maintain a personal journal about the work you see as this will become useful in preparing for seminar presentations, essays, portfolios and other assignments in the future. Remember to note down the title, data and names of key artists.

Whilst at Edge Hill, you’ll have the advantage of being able to see professional touring performance work at the Arts Centre, our on-campus Arts venue. And you should aim to see as much of the programmed dance, film, theatre, music and comedy as possible. Attendance at some performances will be compulsory as part of your modules, for example for the purpose of writing reviews or live performance analysis.

Your first week will be filled with introductory talks, activities and workshops in Dance and some IT to help you settle in. You’ll have time to get to know staff, our wonderful facilities, and your fellow students on Dance and other degree courses.

Materials you may need:

It’s a good idea to wait until you start your course to buy any books or specific equipment as your tutor will be able to provide more details about what is essential. And our library may be able to provide you with reading materials. But there are a few things you may want to consider.

• Academic diary – a staple to help you with your time management as well as upcoming tasks in both your academic and personal life.
• Notepads and pens – all modules are a balance of theory and practice. Therefore, you should always have a notebook and pen with you in all practical sessions.

And of course, anything else that you like to use for your academic studies, like highlighters, flashcards and folders.

In your practical sessions, it’s vital that you can move safely, without restriction and that your tutor can see you, to correct alignment and placing. Therefore, we ask that you come prepared with the following kit:

• leggings or tights with shorts
• leotard/unitard or close-fitting vest top
• corrective supportive underwear
• jogging bottoms and top for warm-up activities and some somatic work
• soft knee pads
• a good pair of running/aerobic trainers. Please note that Jazz, Ballet and Character shoes are optional, but may be useful for some modules and production work, and for clubs and societies.
• Drinking water bottle

Before you arrive, check out our UniSkills workshops. These sessions are designed to help you to build the academic skills that you’ll use throughout your time with us and beyond. Keep an eye on your emails for more information.

Your department contacts:

Accessibility

At Edge Hill, we want you to feel supported and comfortable so that you can thrive. To help you achieve your goals, we offer a wide range of resources, both online and on campus.

Through our Assistive and Accessible Technologies Toolkits, all students have access to software and apps on their devices, including Mind Mapping, Text-to-Speech, Help and learn, and Note-taking on their devices. You can find out how to use these toolkits here:

Assistive technology | Library and Learning Services | Edge Hill

We pride ourselves in being accessible to all, helping you make the best out of your university experience. With over £350m invested, Edge Hill offers state-of-the-art facilities, dedicated study spaces and on-campus accommodation.

We also have created a range of guides to help you plan and navigate life at Edge Hill. You can gain access to these guides here:

Accessibility on Campus – Edge Hill University

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