A new Royal Conservatoire of Scotland dance degree breaking down barriers to training has been named a finalist in national education awards in its first year.

The BA (Bachelor of Arts) Dance Artist degree is nominated for the Widening Access Award at the Herald Education Awards, which celebrate innovation and excellence across Scotland’s further and higher education sectors.

The awards ceremony takes place on Wednesday 20 May.

The one‑year, full‑time ‘top‑up’ course enables students who already hold a Level 8 qualification, such as an HND, to progress to a full BA degree, creating an accessible route into higher education and the professional dance sector.

Designed to bridge further and higher education, the BA Dance Artist combines intensive technical training across contemporary, jazz and commercial styles with performance, improvisation and choreography, equipping graduates with the versatility required for today’s industry.

Alongside the BA Dance Artist, RCS’s School of Dance also offers the three-year Bachelor of Arts Modern Ballet degree, delivered in partnership with Scottish Ballet

Kerry Livingstone, Director of the School of Dance, said the award nomination recognises RCS’s commitment to improving access to arts education.

“By providing a clear progression from further education into higher education, we’re helping to remove barriers and support students who may not have previously seen a pathway into conservatoire‑level training.

“To see this programme recognised in this way speaks to the importance of flexible, inclusive approaches to professional training, and the role we can play in shaping a more diverse and representative future for the sector.”

The BA Dance Artist programme is structured to reflect the realities of a modern dance career. Alongside performance and creative practice, students develop choreography and teaching skills to prepare them for roles in education and community practice.

Students join RCS’s interdisciplinary learning environment, working alongside peers from dance, music and stage and screen.

“This means our dancers graduate as versatile artists with a deeper understanding of the profession and the skills they need to sustain a career in dance,” said Kerry.

Training takes place in RCS’s purpose-built Wallace Studios at Speirs Locks, with students also benefiting from guest workshops, masterclasses and opportunities to work with professional musicians and industry practitioners.

Interested in studying on the BA Dance Artist or BA Modern Ballet degrees? Visit the School of Dance homepage for more information.

Images: BA Dance Artist students perform at the School of Dance annual performance © Andy Ross