BA Modern Ballet

Programme Overview

RCS's BA Modern Ballet programme is designed to help you develop secure classical and contemporary dance techniques and prepare you for a professional career as a confident, versatile, and technically strong dancer. You will graduate with the skills required by professional companies and the ability to effectively communicate with artists, choreographers, and audiences.  

The course is delivered in partnership with Scottish Ballet. This provides students with numerous opportunities to gain invaluable insight into professional life. You will work with the Scottish Ballet artistic team and dancers, and internationally acclaimed teachers and choreographers, including Artistic Director/CEO Christopher Hampson. In your final year, you will attend company class. Some students will have the opportunity to perform on main-stage company tours.   

RCS is the only European conservatoire to offer all performance art specialisms. In this environment, you will be encouraged to work collaboratively with other students, expanding your artistic horizons. You might find yourself

• Performing on camera for film students
• Choreographing a piece with our composers
• On stage at one of Scotland’s major theatres

Taking part in performances within a variety of environments and contexts will further enhance the breadth of your vocational education and your employability. 

Applications for BA Modern Ballet are now open for September 2025 entry. Applications are made via UCAS Conservatoires, applications close on 29 January 2025.

Programme Structure

Year 1

Your first year of training will focus on developing a sound technical and artistic basis in both classical ballet and contemporary dance. This grounding will be enhanced by supporting subjects such as pas de deux, pointework, virtuosity, conditioning and contextual studies.

In repertoire classes, corps de ballet work and solos are introduced, and you will learn about creating new works in the ‘Introduction to Choreography’ module.

You will complete your 1st year with a performance in the annual show.

Year 2

You will focus on building upon the skills learned in the first year with more challenging technical and artistic work.

In repertoire, you will gain skills as a solo performer (in ballet and contemporary), including learning works from the classics. Choreographic skills are developed through the opportunity to collaborate with other departments and a commissioned choreographer to create a new piece.

You will have increased performance opportunities, including the ‘Piano and Dance’ festival and a more significant part in the Annual Performances.

You may also participate in exchange projects and international competitions.

Year 3

Your final year is a year of refinement of individual strengths, development of artistic and performance skills and preparation for auditions for professional employment.

All third-year students work alongside Scottish Ballet and other professional companies in company class. There are additional performance and touring opportunities with Scottish Ballet in mainstage tours. In recent years, these have included Cinders! (ch. Hampson), The Nutcracker (ch. Hampson), Emergence (ch. Pite), The Fairy’s Kiss (ch. MacMillan), Swan Lake (ch. Dawson) and Mayerling (ch. MacMillan).

The Solos Evening is a highlight for third years, and your training culminates in the Annual Graduation performances in your final term.