Introduction

Delivered in partnership with Scottish Ballet

This programme is designed to help you build a robust classical technique and prepare you for the profession as a confident, versatile and technically strong dancer. You will graduate with the skills required by professional ballet companies as well as the ability to communicate effectively with an audience through the performance of a wide variety of classical, modern, and contemporary choreography.

Our partnership with Scottish Ballet provides numerous opportunities, allowing you to gain invaluable insight into professional life. You will work regularly with Scottish Ballet staff and dancers, and internationally-acclaimed teachers and choreographers. You will also have the opportunity to participate in performances or placements.

We are the only UK conservatoire to offer training in all of the performance art disciplines and are dedicated to enabling, and encouraging, students to work collaboratively to expand their artistic horizons. You might find yourself performing on film for our filmmaking students, choreographing a piece with our composers, or on stage at one of Scotland’s major theatres.

Our facilities are among the best in Europe and feature state of the art dance studios and professional venues, as well as a whole range of other facilities to support you.

You will take part in numerous performance opportunities, within a variety of environments and contexts, further enhancing the breadth of training, and enhancing your employability. We aim to train you to be versatile and adapt across a variety of styles to prepare you for work both in the UK and internationally.

You will be offered a plethora of exciting opportunities during your time with us, from performance to collaboration to work based learning, all of which are designed to nurture your individual development as a distinctive and intelligent artist, as well as allowing you to focus on the style of dance most suited to your unique talents and interests.

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Programme structure

Year one

Your first year of training is focused on developing a sound technical and artistic basis in both classical ballet and contemporary dance. This grounding will be enhanced by supporting subjects such as Pilates, pas de deux, pointework, virtuosity and contextual studies. In repertoire classes, corps de ballet work and solos are introduced and you will learn the fundamentals of creating work in the ‘Introduction to Choreography’ module. You will end your first year with a performance in the end of year show.

Year two

In second year, you will focus on building upon the skills learned in first year both technically and artistically. In repertoire, you will gain skills as a solo performer (in both ballet and contemporary) including learning works from the classics. The collaborative element of choreography is developed through the opportunity to work with other departments on the creation of a new work and you will have more performance opportunities, including the Piano and Dance festival and a specially commissioned work created for the annual performance.

Year three

Third year is a year of refinement of individual strengths (focusing more intensively on either ballet or contemporary dance), development of artistic and performance skills and preparation for auditions for professional employment. You will have the opportunity to work with Scottish Ballet and other professional companies in Company Class, gaining invaluable professional experience. The ‘Solos Evening’ is a highlight for the third years, where you perform your chosen classical and contemporary graduation solos and your training will culminate in the annual graduation performance in June.

A typical week

In addition to the daily ballet class, students will have classes in pas de deux, contemporary dance, repertoire, pointe work, virtuosity, contextual studies, Pilates and Gyrotonics. Students will also have the opportunity to work individually with tutors on technique and repertoire solos. In addition, there will be observation sessions at Scottish Ballet and work with Company members where appropriate. The timetable is predominantly practical (generally 9am-5pm), with additional Saturday morning sessions.

Student profiles

Natasha Boon

19 year old Natasha moved from her home in Singapore to study on the BA Modern Ballet programme, enrolling in the second year of the degree.

She spoke to us about her experience of being an international student in Scotland and why she chose to study here.

Staff and masterclasses

Kerry Livingstone
Head of BA Modern Ballet; Head of Associate Programme, Scottish Ballet

Fabrice Maufrais
Lecturer, ex-Principal Dancer, Scottish Ballet and Nantes Opera Ballet (ballet, virtuosity, repertoire and pas de deux)

Louisa Ross
Lecturer, ex-Scottish Ballet dancer (ballet, repertoire, female solos)

Diana Loosmore
Lecturer, BA Modern Ballet; ex-soloist, Scottish Ballet

Kara McLaughlin
Lecturer (ballet, repertoire, pointework, ladies solos)

Guest Teachers/Choreographers

• Glauco Di Leito – (repertoire and pas de deux)
• Eleanor Moore – (coaching and repertoire)
• Eve Mutso – (coaching and repertoire)
• Steinvor Palsson – (contemporary technique)
• David Hughes – (contemporary)
• Aaron Vickers – (contemporary)
• Kerry Nicholls – (contemporary)
• Paul Liburd – (contemporary and repertoire)
• Mikah Smillie – (contemporary and repertoire)
• Rowan MacGregor – (jazz)
• Penny Withers – (coaching)
• Gordon Cunningham – (TRX and mens conditioning)

Accompanists

• Alan Costello
• Andrew Brown
• Christopher Nicol
• Edward Cohen
• Elizabeth Hart
• David Robertson – Accompanist/Drummer (Contemporary)

Scottish Ballet

• Christopher Hampson – Artistic Director and CEO
• Oliver Rydout – Rehearsal Director
• Maria Jiminez – Rehearsal Co-ordinator
• Sophie Martin – Principal Dancer
• Constance Devernay – Principal Dancer
• Sophie Laplane – Choreographer in Residence
• Jamiel Laurence – Soloist

In addition, students have a wide range of guest lecturers/choreographers. Recently, these have included:

• Nicolas Blanc – Ballet master, Scottish Ballet
• Patricia Lent – Cunningham Foundation, New York
• Maria Himenez – Ballet Mistress, Scottish Ballet
• Scottish Dance Theatre
• Alvin Ailey dance Company
• English National Ballet Company
• Rambert Dance Company

Why choose us?

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is in the World Top 5 for performing arts education.

• Delivered in partnership with Scottish Ballet
• Small class sizes
• World-class facilities
• Excellent staff-student ratio
• Opportunities for artistic collaboration across RCS
• Compete in various international competitions, including the Genée International Ballet Competition, Cecchetti International Ballet Competition, Prix de Lausanne and Young British Dancer of the Year during study
• Opportunity to complete the Royal Academy of Dance internationally-recognised vocational graded examinations

100% of Modern Ballet graduate respondents are in employment or further study (HESA, 15/16)

How to apply

Applications for the BA Modern Ballet programme should be made through the UCAS Conservatoires website. There is a UCAS application fee of £25 (which is in addition to the audition fee) which allows you up to six choices of programme of study.

For more information on how to apply, please visit the Apply section.

Before applying we recommend that you read the Guide for Applicants which provides information regarding entry requirements, and the full application and audition process.

Begin your Applicant Journey here.

Entry requirements

• National 5s – 5 passes (equivalents such as Standard Grades (Grade 1-3) or Intermediate 1 or 2 are also considered)
• GCSEs – 5 at grade C or above
• Knowledge of ballet vocabulary to a minimum of Intermediate level (or equivalent)
• Appropriate physical qualities for a career in professional classical dance

We offer a flexible approach to students taking Highers over more than one academic year and/or who achieve their qualifications in more than one sitting.

Entrance to the Conservatoire is based on talent, potential and ability, therefore consideration will be given to relevant experience which is deemed to compensate for any traditional education. We accept a wide range of qualifications, including international qualifications. If you wish to check the suitability of your qualification/experience, please contact us admissions@rcs.ac.uk.

English Language

The language of study is English. Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of proficiency in English. We accept the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Other equivalent English Language qualifications may be considered, please contact us admissions@rcs.ac.uk for more information.

• IELTS – 6.5 with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component

Fees & scholarships

Tuition fees for academic year 2018-19

• Scottish/EU Students – £1,820
• Rest of UK (RUK) Students – £9,250
• International (Non EU) – £16,026

Scottish/EU students

The Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) will pay tuition fees for all eligible full-time Scottish-based and other non-UK undergraduate EU students, who are studying in Scotland at degree level for the first time. Students should apply to SAAS for payment of tuition fees even if they are not applying for any other means of support. Eligible students can also apply for student loans through SAAS. For further advice and to check eligibility contact SAAS directly on 0300 555 0505 or visit their website.

Rest of UK students

Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland studying in Scotland will be eligible for the same funding/loan package that they would benefit from if they attended an institution in their home country. For further advice please visit student finance England , student finance Wales , or student finance Northern Ireland as appropriate.

International students

Students from outside the EU typically fund higher education by a variety of resources, depending on the home country. More specific information on funding options relevant to specific countries can be found here .

Scholarships

Any potential student who auditions for a place at the Royal Conservatoire will automatically be considered for a scholarship. They are awarded on a combination of talent, potential and financial need. More information about Scholarships is available on our Fees and Funding page.

Sources of external funding

For more information about alternative funding sources, including external scholarships and bursaries, please visit Fees and Funding.

The Conservatoire’s International and Student Experience team are available to advise and assist applicants and current students in respect of queries about funding your studies at the Conservatoire. Please email or telephone +44 (0)141 270 8281/ +44 (0)141 270 8223 for further information.

Graduate destinations

Our graduating students have been contracted to a range of renowned companies including:

• Scottish Ballet
• Northern Ballet
• Joffrey Ballet Apprenticeship
• Geneva Junior Ballet
• Balletto di Roma
• Alberta Ballet
• Mystic Ballet
• Moravian Theatre Ballet
• Northern Ballet Graduate Apprenticeship
• National Dance Company of Wales Apprenticeship
• Universal Ballet Korea
• David Hughes Dance Company
• Vienna Festival Ballet
• National Theatre of Scotland
• FX Saldy Dance Theatre

Facilities

The main dance facilities are located within the Wallace Studios at Speirs Locks, designed by the award-winning Malcolm Fraser Architects. The Wallace Studios are a short walk away from the Renfrew Street building and houses four large high-specification dance spaces, dressing rooms, showers and a gym.

See the facilities here.

Images and videos

Modern Ballet Graduation Showcase 2016

Modern Ballet Graduation Performance 2015

Modern Ballet Graduation Performance 2014

Auditions

Auditions are held throughout the year, both at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and on location around the UK and internationally.

Auditions are held between February and April at RCS and in London.

Attending an audition

You will participate in a classical ballet class which is taught by a qualified teacher and accompanied by a pianist. A panel will observe the class and will notify you of the outcome shortly after the audition.

• Applicants will be expected to participate in a classical ballet class which will consist of barre work, centre practice, adage, pirouettes and allegro. Additionally, girls will be given pointe work.
• The class will consist entirely of ‘free’ work.
• The class will be taught by a qualified teacher and accompanied by a pianist.
• The vocabulary and enchainements will be at an Intermediate level.
• The class will be of approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes duration.
• The class will be observed by a panel and applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their audition shortly after.

In the course of the audition, the panel will be looking for evidence that in most, if not all of the following aspects you are able to demonstrate:

• evidence of technique, style and the physical fitness to cope with the intensive demands of the programme
• the ability to understand and apply instruction given by the teacher
• the ability to communicate effectively with the teacher/choreographer and other members of the group

Candidates who are successful at the preliminary auditions will be invited to attend a recall audition.

You can find more information in our Guide for Applicants Journey.