Dancer

You'll usually need a degree or diploma in professional dance or musical theatre. These take 2 to 3 years to complete and are offered by dance schools , performing arts schools and universities.

Academic qualifications may not be essential if you show enough talent at audition.

You could get a Dance and Drama Award to help with fees and living costs.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

• to pass an audition

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

There is no set entry route to become a dancer but it may be useful to do a relevant subject like:

• Level 2 Diploma in Performing Arts
• Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts - Dance
• A level Dance

For entry to some courses at level 3 and above you may need to attend an audition.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• search for courses|/find-a-course

Dancing is very competitive and you'll need to develop your skills by getting as much dancing experience as possible.

You could do this through:

• amateur dance clubs
• college and university dance societies
• student dance festivals and competitions

This can also help you to build a network of contacts in the dance profession. This will be useful when looking to get experience or a job.

You can apply directly to become a dancer, if you have a high level of training and ability in at least one form of dance.

Most professional dancers start taking dance classes from a young age. You can take graded exams from awarding bodies like:

• Royal Academy of Dance
• Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing
• bbodance (ballet)

Career Tips

Classical ballet dancers start training very young, usually at 10 or 11 years old. It's possible to make a career in contemporary dance if you start at a later age, if you're prepared to work hard and put in a lot of training.

The amount of hours you work as a dancer will vary depending on your job. It can range from a few sessions a week to over 40, including rehearsals, if you're working on a show.

Professional and Industry Bodies

You could join One Dance UK and Equity for professional development and to make industry contacts.

Further Information

You can find out more about becoming a dancer from:

• One Dance UK
• Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre

You'll specialise in a form of dance, like:

• classical ballet
• contemporary dance
• modern stage dance, like jazz, tap, and musical theatre
• African or Asian dance
• street dance

Typically you could:

• rehearse routines
• prepare for and go to auditions
• take part in dance classes and maintain your fitness
• perform in front of a live audience or to a camera
• promote yourself as a performer

You could work in a creative studio, in a theatre, at a TV studio, at a film studio, on a cruise ship or in the community.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding, you'll travel often and you may spend nights away from home.