BA (Hons) Professional and Commercial Dance
Award
BA (Hons)
Start Date
To be confirmed
Duration
3 years
Mode
Full-time
Location
Shockout Arts
UCAS Points
104
UCAS Code
W660
On the BA (Hons) Professional and Commercial Dance delivered by Shockout Arts, you'll have the opportunity to gain core skills in ballet, jazz, contemporary and commercial dance, and develop the knowledge and practical experience needed for employment in a variety of exciting and demanding professions in the performing arts industry.
Course Overview
This course is taught by Shockout under a franchise delivery partnership with the University of Greater Manchester. Students will enrol directly with the University of Greater Manchester and will be taught by Shockout.The 3-year BA (Hons) Professional and Commercial Dance course, delivered by Shockout Arts in Manchester, offers you the opportunity to acquire and develop essential technical, artistic and theoretical competence through professional training to an advanced/level 6 standard. If you're an aspiring dance artist, successfully completing this industry-driven degree provides you with the platform to begin your professional career in the dance and performing arts industry. After graduation, you could continue your education at the master's level. The partnership between Shockout Arts and the University of Greater Manchester offers you access to a number of postgraduate opportunities.
You'll be based at Shockout Arts, studying and training in their world-class, purpose-built, high-specification campus that equals professional industry standards. Alongside your intensive practical dance training, you'll have regular performance opportunities to help you develop a diverse range of performance and production skills.
Teaching staff at Shockout Arts are qualified professional practitioners and choreographers. They are keen to make your time with them as stimulating and rewarding as possible and enjoy a well-deserved reputation for being approachable and interested in your progress. As teaching often takes place in small groups, you'll have access to individual support and guidance at every stage.
For full details about Shockout, their open days and accommodation, please visit http://www.weareshockout.com/.
The course venue is:
Shockout Arts
Valo Building
Brian Statham Way
Old Trafford
Manchester, M16 0PU
Highlights
- Shockout Arts is a dynamic and innovative dance school – the first in the country to offer higher-level qualifications in professional and commercial dance.
- This course provides you with the chance to interact, learn and work alongside professional artists from the dance industry. These can include professional dancers, directors, producers and choreographers.
- We offer you the chance to strengthen your CV and benefit from valuable networking opportunities.
- Shockout students have worked with some of the biggest artists in the music and performing arts industry. Credits include Janet Jackson, Kendrick Lamar, Little Mix, Stormzy, Mabel, X Factor and many more.
Key Features
- The practical elements of this course involve workshops and structured training in a range of dance genres and styles, supported and underpinned by contextual elements delivered through lectures, presentations, seminars and tutorials.
- You could develop transferable skills such as critical analysis, creative problem solving, working with other people, planning and time management, oral and written presentation, decision-making, and digital skills.
- You'll also have access to the University's e-learning resources, an extensive e-library and the support of the University's librarians.
- We offer you opportunities to learn and work with industry professionals from the UK and around the world.
Entry Requirements
- 104 UCAS points. We accept a full range of qualifications that carry UCAS points, including A-levels and BTECs. Please see our guide to the UCAS Tariff for examples of how to achieve these points. For most courses, we are also able to consider non-tariffable qualifications.
- Any subjects are acceptable at Level 3. Subjects that include experience of dance are preferred.
- You should also have five GCSEs at grade 4/C or above (or equivalent), including English and Mathematics.
- You'll be required to attend an audition and interview, staged at Shockout Arts.
- If you don't have the above qualifications but possess equivalent qualifications or experience, we'll be happy to consider your application. In addition to attending an audition and interview, we may require you to provide a portfolio of work or complete another form of test so that we can assess your application.
- All applicants must apply to both the University of Greater Manchester and Shockout Arts. The Shockout Arts application form can be accessed at www.weareshockout.com. For details of how to apply to the University of Greater Manchester, please see the How to Apply section of this web page.
- You'll need to provide a satisfactory medical report signed by your GP to confirm you are fit and well to undertake full-time intensive and rigorous physical training.
- If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
- This course is open to Home students only. Applications from International and EU students cannot usually be accepted because the study location for this course is not licenced by UKVI to sponsor students. Therefore, if you require sponsorship under the Student Visa Route to study in the UK, then, unfortunately, we'll be unable to consider your application for this course. Some EU students are eligible to study this course under the EU Settlement Scheme or Common Travel Area arrangement – for details, please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/studying-in-the-uk-guidance-for-eu-students.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
Career Opportunities
This honours degree provides an industry-relevant education that develops advanced technical, artistic and contextual understanding across professional and commercial dance. Performance, production and industry engagement help you build confidence, self-presentation, teamwork, communication and the ability to respond constructively to feedback. Entrepreneurial, research and digital skills support a sustainable career and progression to further study.
Shockout students and alumni have built an impressive portfolio of professional credits, working alongside some of the biggest names in the global music and entertainment industry, as well as appearing in major West End productions, UK tours, international concerts and televised events.
Credits include Burlesque The Musical, Death Note The Musical (West End), Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (UK Tour), Drake, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Janet Jackson, Dua Lipa, Kendrick Lamar, Mariah Carey, Kylie Minogue, Stormzy, Little Mix, Spice Girls, Rita Ora, Zara Larsson, Demi Lovato, Black Eyed Peas, Zayn Malik, Mabel, Jax Jones, Ludacris, Tinie Tempah, Paloma Faith, Cheryl, will.i.am and many more.
Further credits span some of the industry’s most prestigious events and platforms, including the MTV VMAs and EMAs, BRIT Awards, MOBO Awards, The X Factor, The Voice, Capital’s Jingle Bell Ball, Wireless Festival, V Festival, Parklife and Lovebox.
What can I do with this qualification?
You may also progress to relevant postgraduate study or train to become a dance teacher in the education sector, subject to the entry requirements and professional training requirements of the chosen route.
Alternative career options
Graduates can also use their skills in other careers. Relevant experience, professional training and/or postgraduate study may be required. Possibilities include:
- Teaching and education
- Arts administration
- Broadcasting
- Theatre stage management
- Event management
- Acting
- Dance therapy
- Sports training
- Marketing and PR
- Advertising
- Community arts
- Musical theatre
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Journalism and writing
- Dance criticism
Fees & Funding
Funding your studies: From January 2027, eligible students may be able to use the new Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) to access tuition fee loan funding for this course. The LLE is designed to make student finance more flexible and support people to study, retrain or develop their skills at different stages of life. Find out more about the LLE and eligibility Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) | Skills for Careers
Home/EU Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Greater Manchester’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@greatermanchester.ac.uk for more information.
International Fees
International applications are not possible for this course
As an international student you are not allowed to study this course because of the restrictions on your visa.
We offer a wide range of full-time courses in lots of different subjects, many of our courses start in September and January. If you would like to see what courses are available please visit our Course Search.
Bursaries
Important note regarding tuition fees: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
Home Undergraduate Tuition Fee Adjustment
The tuition fee applicable to the first year of your programme of study is confirmed in your offer letter. The tuition fee set is based on the regulations and guidance in force at the time of offer but remains subject to adjustment in accordance with any government-approved inflationary increase. The University reserves the right to amend tuition fees for all years of study, including the first year, by no more than the maximum increase permitted under legislation and regulatory guidance issued by the UK Government and the Office for Students.
Where such increases are approved, they will not exceed the rate of inflation, as measured by an appropriate index such as the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), or any successor measure specified by government. The University will apply any adjustment consistently across affected student cohorts and will give reasonable notice to students of any confirmed change to the published fee before the start of the relevant academic year.
This approach ensures that tuition fees remain compliant with applicable legislation, proportionate to inflationary changes, and consistent with government policy linking permitted fee uplifts to the maintenance of high-quality education and outcomes. For more information, please refer to the government guidance at: gov.uk – Universities to deliver better outcomes in return for full fees.
Postgraduate and International Tuition Fee Adjustment
The tuition fee applicable to the first year of your programme of study is confirmed in your offer letter. The University reserves the right to amend tuition fees for subsequent years of study in accordance with its Course Fees Policy. Where such increases are approved, they will not exceed the rate of inflation, as measured by an appropriate index such as the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), or any successor measure specified by government. The University will apply any adjustment consistently across affected student cohorts and will give reasonable notice to students of any confirmed change to the published fee before the start of the relevant academic year.
Additional costs
Medical Fitness Certificate: As a condition of enrolment, students must provide a medical fitness certificate, signed and stamped by a registered medical practitioner, confirming their fitness to participate safely in practical dance activities. Medical practitioners may charge for the provision of this certificate, and any associated costs are the responsibility of the student.
Enrichment Fee: You will be required to pay a one-off enrichment fee. The enrichment fee is refundable if you do not gain the qualifications required for entry to the course or a satisfactory medical report.
Dance Attire: Successful applicants and students must wear suitable dance attire; a list will be provided. You may already have many items. Contact Shockout Admissions for an estimate if you need to buy them new.
How to apply
Home Applicants
Multiple courses or institutions (September entry):
Apply via UCAS (www.ucas.com), where you can select up to 5 courses for a fee of £28.95.
Institution: University of Greater Manchester
Code Name: UGM
Code Number: B44
Tel: 0870 1122211
Single course applications (any intake):
You can apply directly to the University using our online application form. This route is:
Free, secure, and straightforward
Supported by direct contact with Admissions
Includes regular application updates
Provides access to offer-holder events and taster sessions
Important:
You cannot apply both via UCAS and directly in the same academic year — a UCAS application will invalidate any direct application.
For September entry, accepted direct applicants will have a simplified UCAS record created and shared on their behalf. By applying directly, you agreed to these terms.
Before you apply:
Check the entry requirements and ensure you select the correct start date/location.
Prepare the following:
Education history and dates
Qualification certificates (image files for upload)
Employment history (if applicable)
Personal statement (to enter or upload
Contact details for two referees (including at least one academic)
Document formats: PDF or JPEG (Word accepted for personal statements). Ensure all information is accurate before submitting.
Need Help?
Undergraduate Admissions Team
Phone: 01204 903394
Email: admissions-team@greatermanchester.ac.uk
International Applicants
International applications are not possible for this course
As an international student you are not allowed to study this course because of the restrictions on your visa.
We offer a wide range of full-time courses in lots of different subjects, many of our courses start in September and January. If you would like to see what courses are available please visit our Course Search.
Partner Organisation Applicants
University of Greater Manchester Group Partners
Bolton College
University Collegiate School
Alliance Learning
University of Greater Manchester
For valued members of the University of Greater Manchester Group and progressing students, we try to make our application process as simple and as fast as possible.
If you have carefully considered your course and institution choices and decided that this course is the best option for you, you may apply free of charge to the University. By selecting the appropriate link from the list shown below, you will be taken directly to our online application form. Please read the user guidance before completing this, and ensure you upload all supporting documents such as certificates and your personal statement when you apply.
When you are asked to add a contact email address, please ensure you add your college/university email account address as well as your personal address. If you do not add your college address as your contact address, we will be unable to identify you as a partner and offer you the benefits of being part of our group.
NOTE: You cannot apply both through UCAS and directly to the University of Greater Manchester. Submitting an application to any university through UCAS during the same academic year will void any direct application you make to the University of Greater Manchester.
For courses starting in September, please be aware that we are required to share your information with UCAS if we accept you on this course. We will create a simplified UCAS acceptance record on your behalf and return this to UCAS. By submitting your application directly to the University of Greater Manchester, you agree to these terms.
If you are ready to apply directly, please select your chosen start date from the list below.
Before applying, please read the entry requirements section of this page.
If your course runs at multiple locations or has various start dates, please be sure to select the correct application link from the list below.
Before beginning your application, you should have the following information to hand:
Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates
Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course – you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies
Details of any employment history, including name, address, dates and role
Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately
Details including email addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be someone who can provide an academic reference
Please make sure any documents you wish to upload in support of your application are in pdf or jpeg format. Personal statements may be word documents.
Please ensure your data is correct at each stage of the application before you proceed to the next page. If you use the back button at any time during the application, you should check the validity of the data you have already inputted.
If you experience difficulties during the application process, contact the Undergraduate Admissions Team on 01204 903394 or admissions-team@greatermanchester.ac.uk
We look forward to receiving your application and you continuing your academic journey with us!
Teaching & Assessment
We use a variety of teaching and learning strategies throughout the programme to develop appropriate concepts, knowledge and skills and help you achieve the intended learning outcomes. We take a blended learning approach that includes practical sessions, lectures and workshops, as well as online support via the University's virtual learning environment, Moodle. The practical sessions take place within the dance studio environment and are designed to teach each of the core technical forms, as well as the specialist area of commercial dance and musical theatre.
In addition, we'll expect you to spend time on guided independent study, such as engaging in general background reading, preparing for seminar activities, working on assignments, and rehearsing and training. The development of employability and information literacy skills and personal development planning (PDP) are also explored.
We'll expect you to attend traditional lectures, seminars, practical sessions, workshops, and tutorials. You may also have opportunities to work on live projects as part of your practical modules. Through these, you can gain unique insights and a thorough understanding of the performing arts industry operating in international markets and across many sectors.
Some of the key assessment forms for this programme are in-studio technical assessments, practical skills assessments, showcase performances, practical project reports, portfolios, oral presentations, written coursework and a major research project. You'll receive feedback on your assessments so that you'll know what you have done well and where you can improve.
Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
- Techniques and Well-being
- Performance in Practice
- Contextual and Critical Studies for Dance Practice
- Professional Performance and Industry Engagement
- Techniques and Innovation
- Applied Research and Critical Practice in Dance
- The Company, Major Project
- Teaching and Applied Dance Practice
- Independent Research or Practice-Based Dissertation
- Professional and Commercial Industry Development
- Studio to Stage
Assessment methods
| Level | Assessment method |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Coursework 33% Practical exams 67% |
| Level 2 | Coursework 33% Practical exams 67% |
| Level 3 | Coursework 40% Practical exams 60% |
Learning Activities
| Level | Activity |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Guided independent study 32% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 68% |
| Level 2 | Guided independent study 30% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 70% |
| Level 3 | Guided independent study 58% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 42% |
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
Postgraduate Options
Programme Contacts
Disclaimer: The “Greater Manchester Way” represents our preferred teaching and learning approach; however, not all courses follow a block-teaching model. While course structures and delivery patterns may vary to meet Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) requirements, all courses benefit from the GM Way approach to curriculum design and assessment. Applicants and students should refer to individual course specifications for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
