Dance

You'll study with fellow international students on a unique interdisciplinary campus, where dancers, actors, singers and musicians inspire each other to great things.

Is this the right course for me?

The IAB degree programme is designed for creative dancers and artists committed to moving into a career in dance performance and creation across a range of styles, but principally contemporary and modern dance. 

We look for students who have some substantial prior experience in dance, and as with all fields of performance study, qualities of imagination and resilience are valued highly, along with an openness to learning and experimentation.

What you will learn

Year 1

Your first-year work at AIB is focused on learning the basic techniques that sit at the heart of all high-level dance performance. You will learn in groups – with a strong timetable of classes in a variety of dance styles – ballet, contemporary dance and jazz and commercial dance

Alongside your skills work, you'll learn about the world of professional dance, understanding its history and evolution, and discovering how the industry works. Crucially, you will begin to learn how to prepare yourself for employment as a performer.

Your skills will be building quickly during this intensive first year, along with your confidence, and you will begin to develop the physical, mental and emotional resilience required for a career in dance. 

Year 2

Your second year of study is centred on personal development and, as always, learning by doing. The intense programme of practical classes continues as you advance your skills and add new dimensions to your range. There will be complementary studies in choreography, and singing and acting techniques.

You will spend much more time on rehearsal and stage productions, on campus and beyond. Your tutors will ask for greater self-reflection on the quality of the work you produce, challenging you to bring more of your own ideas to the table. Back in the classroom, you will be developing your critical and evaluative understanding of dance, and studying the professional business skills a working performer needs. 

Year 3

This is when your own style begins to assert itself. As the focus on your individuality grows stronger you will be developing your own ideas and devising or interpreting work in ways that play to your strengths.

During this year the programme essentially operates as a Dance Company, with the creation of a number a major commercial dance performance projects. Industry partners and international talent spotters will be on the guest lists to watch you work. This is graduation year, and you will continue to gather the knowledge and try out the skills you need to successfully manage a career as a performer.

Core Studies

• Ballet

• Contemporary/Modern Dance

• Jazz and Commercial Dance

• Fitness and Health (Injury prevention, complimentary fitness training, applied anatomy)

Complementary Performance Studies

• Singing and Acting Techniques

• Choreography

After graduation? 

As a graduate from the BA (Hons) in Dance programme, you will possess an impressive set of skills. You will have proven your worth on stage in professional theatre and showcase performances, and have a real understanding of the industry you are about to go into.

You will know how to manage the day to day business of being a working performer, and be ready to step confidently into a career in dance and the performing arts. 

And if your ambition is to study further this degree, recognised around the world, will allow you to progress on to further postgraduate/Masters degree studies in Europe, the USA and beyond.

Application process

Our admission process is very straight-forward. It involves an audition where you can demonstrate your talent, creativity and commitment to pursuing a career in performing arts.

The first step is to complete an online application, which is available on our website. You can then choose a date for your audition. We conduct auditions several times per year at multiple locations around the world. To complete the registration process, you need to pay an application fee of €50.

When you arrive at the Institute of the Arts Barcelona for the audition, you should bring a passport photo and all supporting documents such as diplomas, qualifications, and certificates. We will inform you shortly after the audition whether you have been accepted to the Institute.