Dance is an art form where we use movement to express our ideas, feelings, and experiences. Aside from historical books and documentaries, it is one way to learn about history, beliefs, and culture. It has always existed around us in various forms, whether it is theatrical dance, in which dancers perform for an audience, or participatory dance, in which everyone is encouraged to dance together.
There are different types of dance, including modern, contemporary, ballet, ballroom, folk, jazz, hip-hop, and many more. If you enjoy dancing, you’re probably aware that it’s also physically demanding; it requires a certain level of fitness, discipline, and perseverance.
Continue reading to learn more about some of the best countries to study dance in.
Best Countries to Study Dance
1. The USA
The United States was the first to introduce dance into formal education. It is also home to prestigious dance schools that have established themselves in the industry.
Being an international student will not be a problem because English is the primary language. Another advantage is that campus life in almost all universities is very much alive. Since most students stay in dorms inside the campus, students mostly stay together, and thus, making friends will not be as hard.
Most schools provide a four-year dance program, with tuition ranging from $28,000 to $35,000 per year for international students, and on-campus boarding costing up to $13,000 per year. International students are also allowed to apply for part-time work within their university.
The United States is the best country to study dance because of the prestigious schools below:
See Also: Cheap Universities in USA
2. Australia
Significant figures from Australia have helped shape and influence dance, such as Edouard Bouvansky in ballet and Gertrude Bodenweiser in contemporary dance.
Australia is also an English-speaking country; however, its campus life differs from the US. Australian students mostly stay off-campus, either in an apartment or living together with their families.
Some schools need proof of eligibility in addition to auditions and other requirements before you can apply to their dance program of 6 months to 3 years. Tuition ranges from $13,000 to $29,000 per year, and a one-bedroom apartment costs between $800 and $1000 per month. Furthermore, you can apply for work part-time for up to 20 hours per week.
The following are the top dance schools in Australia:
Learn More: Best Scholarships in Australia
3. England
England, in the early twentieth century, established the mother of their dance schools, the Royal Ballet and Dance Rambert, which sparked the birth of modern dance. Since then, England has become one of the top countries to study dance because it has produced internationally renowned artists in this field.
Dance in England is offered in a three-year program with tuition ranging from $14,000 to $29,000 per year and accommodation costs ranging from $89 to $228 per week. International students are also permitted to work part-time for 20 hours per week while enrolled in the program; after graduation, they can stay for another two years to practice their degree within the country.
Some schools with high ratings and positive student feedback are listed below:
4. France
France is known as the origin of ballet, and it was named the 9th best international student destination in 2019.
English is not its primary language, because of this, international students must be fluent in French or are required to take additional French lessons.
Dance programs in France take 4 years to complete. However, enrolling through the IES abroad/exchange program can be taken as a full year or per term. Tuition is $3,000 to $5,000 yearly, and housing costs an average of $908 to $1,400 per month. Work is permitted while enrolled in classes, allowing an international student part-time work of 964 hours per year.
- Paris Marais Dance School
- Conservatoire National Superior Musique et Danse de Lyon
- Beauville Arts
5. Russia
Russia is the birthplace of world-renowned ballet companies such as the Bolshoi Ballet and the Moscow Ballet.
The language of instruction in Russia is mostly English, and you can enroll in their dance program for a one-year traineeship or a three-year diploma. Tuition averages $19,700 annually, with housing ranging from $50 to $150 per month. International students with work permits are only permitted to work in the region where their university is.
- The Bolshoi Ballet Academy
- Vaganova Ballet Academy
6. Germany
Germany is another excellent country to study dance and is known to have influenced expressive dance or free dance as we know it today.
Unlike in Russia, classes are not taught in English, thereby requiring international students to take language lessons before or during their study in Germany.
Dance programs are available for completion in four years, with tuition averaging $17,000 per year and living expenses estimated at $1000 per month. Scholarships are readily available for qualified international students, and they are also allowed 120 full days of part-time work per year on top of their studies.
- Palucca Hochchule fur Tanz Dresden
- The School of the Hamburg Ballet
- Iwanson International School for Contemporary Dance
- Goethe University Frankfurt
7. South Korea
Korea’s dance culture can be traced back to its beliefs and customs. Their traditional dance rituals performed by shamans are one feature that distinguishes them.
To study in South Korea, it is a must to have a Korean Topik level 3 or higher, this is because most of the people in the community find it hard to communicate in English.
Korea has a four-year dance program with tuition ranging from $4,000 to $20,000 per year and housing costing an average of $2,100 per semester. Scholarships are available to international students through their universities or from the government. They are also allowed to work for 20hrs per week after getting a permit from immigration.
Korea is becoming well-known for its ballet, and most of the international students enroll in the dance programs of the schools listed below.
We hope this article on the best countries to study dance was informative and insightful. If you’re interested in studying abroad, make sure to check out the Available Programs for International Students!
