Building a career in dance takes sustained training, discipline, and creative development. A degree in dance can help aspiring performers and choreographers strengthen their technique while studying the artistic, historical, and theoretical dimensions of the field.
Dance programs commonly combine practical and theoretical education. Students may develop their performance skills through studio work while also building a deeper understanding of dance as an art form.
The life of a dance student can be demanding, with regular training, workshops, performances, and research. This preparation can help students understand the discipline expected in professional settings.
Europe is home to a range of dance schools and university programs. Here are some of the best dance schools in Europe.
Top Dance Schools in Europe
1. Performing Arts Research and Training Studios
- Study Program
- Location: Belgium | Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s
The Performing Arts Research and Training Studios (P.A.R.T.S.) in Brussels, Belgium, offers a Bachelor Training Cycle and a Master STUDIOS Cycle. Its programs focus on contemporary dance and artistic development.
The Bachelor Training Cycle takes 3 years to complete, while the Master STUDIOS Cycle takes 2 years. Bachelor’s students study the technical and artistic foundations of contemporary dance, including body awareness, theater, musical training, creative and compositional skills, and theoretical reflection. The master’s program is designed for choreographers and performance makers who want to deepen their artistic research.
The Bachelor Training Cycle opens to new students every 3 years. Pre-selection locations and dates vary by cycle, and selected candidates proceed to final auditions in Brussels.
2. Fontys University of Applied Sciences
At its Zwijsenplein campus in Tilburg, Fontys University of Applied Sciences brings together 17 arts programs in music, dance, theater, circus, design, art education, and architecture. Its dance offerings include the full-time, English-taught Dance – Dance Arts in Context bachelor’s program.
The 4-year Dance – Dance Arts in Context program allows students to choose from three profiles: Contemporary, Contemporary Urban, or Choreography. The program challenges students artistically, physically, and theoretically and includes opportunities to perform and collaborate.
Fontys also offers a 2-year, part-time Joint Degree Master in Choreography in partnership with Codarts University of the Arts in Rotterdam. The program is delivered through 2-week intensive sessions held three times a year at either the Codarts campus in Rotterdam or the Fontys campus in Tilburg. Both campuses provide dance, theoretical, and circus facilities.
3. Falmouth University
Falmouth University offers its Dance & Choreography BA(Hons) at Penryn Campus. The program combines technical dance training with the development of an individual choreographic practice.
The degree can be completed in 3 years of full-time study or in 4 years with a professional placement. It is designed to help students develop physical, technical, critical, performance, and choreographic skills.
In the final year, students undertake two major research projects, including practical and written work. They also collaborate to produce, market, choreograph, and perform an original work for public performance.
4. University of the Arts Helsinki
The Theatre Academy at the University of the Arts Helsinki (Uniarts Helsinki) offers education in performing arts and writing from the bachelor’s to the doctoral level. Its offerings include dance, choreography, and dance pedagogy.
The Bachelor of Arts (Dance) is a 3-year, 180-ECTS program taught in Finnish. Its studies focus on movement, performers’ practices, the use of voice, and artistic projects. Contextual studies also include art and dance history, art philosophy, and performance theory.
At the master’s level, students can pursue Dance Performance, Choreography, or Dance Pedagogy. These programs are designed as 2 years of study, but degree languages and admissions schedules vary by program. Uniarts Helsinki also offers doctoral education in performing arts. Full-time doctoral studies can be completed in 4 years.
5. Institute of the Arts Barcelona
The Institute of the Arts Barcelona (IAB) states that its dance programs focus on developing the technical, creative, and artistic skills needed for a competitive profession.
IAB combines practical and intellectual skills in a university and conservatory environment. Students learn from experienced dance lecturers and have opportunities to work with industry-relevant choreographers and creative guests.
Bachelor’s applicants can choose between the BA (Hons) Contemporary Dance and BA (Hons) Commercial Dance programs. Both take 3 academic years to complete and are validated by Liverpool John Moores University. IAB’s current dance page also lists a Foundation Dance course.
6. Folkwang University of the Arts
- Study Program
- Location: Germany | Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s
Established in 1927, Folkwang University of the Arts has campuses and event venues in Essen, Bochum, Duisburg, and Dortmund. The university has approximately 1,600 students and more than 430 teachers.
The standard period of study for the full-time Dance BA is 4 years. Folkwang emphasizes interdisciplinary cooperation among the arts and hosts more than 400 public concerts, exhibitions, dance and theater performances, symposia, lecture series, and interdisciplinary productions each year.
The full-time Dance Composition MA takes 2 years to complete and offers fields of study in Choreography, Interpretation, and Movement Notation / Movement Analysis. Folkwang also offers a separate Dance Pedagogy MA.
7. Bath Spa University
Bath Spa University offers BA (Hons) Dance and MA Dance programs. At its Newton Park campus, students have access to three fully equipped dance studios, the University Theatre, a Mac video editing suite, additional rehearsal spaces for independent study, and green screen film studios.
The 3-year, full-time BA (Hons) Dance includes a fast-paced, challenging first year with regular solo, small-group, and large-ensemble performance projects. Students also take part in regular sessions with visiting companies and artists. Part-time study is also available.
The MA Dance can be completed in 1 year of full-time study or 2 years of part-time study. It supports creative dance practices, including choreography for live performance and film.
We hope that this article on dance schools in Europe was helpful. If you are interested in learning more, check out the Available Programs in Europe for International Students!
