You have successfully registered
Based at The Place, London Contemporary Dance School is one of the most exciting and influential contemporary dance spaces in Europe since it first opened its doors in 1969. As an LCDS student, you get to be part of a world-leading school and cultural hub, excelling at developing independent, authentic voices in the field for over fifty years. Home to a production house making and touring new work, a 280-seat professional theatre, an extensive offer of classes, courses and opportunities for adults and young people, and professional development programmes for artist, this creative and lively environment presents unparalleled opportunities for collaboration, networking, and growth.
You will study on our highly practical and intensive courses, with access to 11 dance studios, a fully equipped body conditioning room, a specialist library, and of course, The Place Theatre. You will be part of a vibrant and diverse student body of around 250 students and join a community of makers, leaders, educators, and performers. The school offers training to the most rigorous technical and artistic standards, with courses available at undergraduate and postgraduate levels alongside pre-vocational courses through their Centre for Advanced Training.
There are around 75 students in each year of the undergraduate degree, who form a truly international community of creatives and collaborators. Degrees are accredited through the University of the Arts London, and there are a number of artist development programmes to help students and established artists develop their craft. The school’s central London location exposes students to a limitless programme of events and cultural opportunities in one of the most diverse and dynamic cities in the world.
London Contemporary Dance School’s flagship undergraduate course is the BA (Hons) in Contemporary Dance, which provides comprehensive tuition and guidance in preparation for a meaningful and impactful career in the arts industry. The school’s focused curriculum is made up of studio-based classes supported by a range of contextual work such as reading, researching and designing, which relate to the process and experience of dance.
The course is taught by a team of exceptional artists, dancers, choreographers and academics, many of whom are active practitioners in their field and some of whom are past students of the school.
The three-year BA course is designed around the principle of periodisation, which aims to optimise performance alongside physical and mental well-being.
Interested? Order a prospectus to find out more about the uni and the courses on offer.
GET PROSPECTUSThe application process is open to students from a wide variety of backgrounds. The most significant factor in successful admission is to demonstrate potential, which can be assessed in a variety of forms. Although practical dance skills will be assessed in the admission process, the school is looking for more than just technical proficiency and physical capability. Candidates are encouraged to express themselves fully and understand that they aren’t being compared to each other.
Academic requirements include a minimum of two passes at A-level or equivalent. Applicants must be 18 years old, and there is an English language proficiency requirement for those who do not have English as their first language. This will be demonstrated during the audition and can be evidenced with a minimum score of 6.5 on the IELTS system (with no band less than 6.0), or the achievement of level B2 in the Trinity College London (TCL) Integrated Skills in English test level II.
UCAS TARIFF CALCULATORSend a message directly to the uni to learn more about their entry requirements.
ASK A QUESTIONLondon Contemporary Dance School does not have its own halls of residence or housing facilities; however, its London location ensures that students have a huge variety of accommodation options in a multitude of areas across the city, suitable for all preferences.
The school provides a service to ensure that all incoming students can find the right accommodation placements before they begin their course in September. This includes access to a database of housing options through the University of London Housing Service, a free organisation which can provide verified residence and landlord options. It also functions as a hub for students to access guidance and information regarding all aspect of housing rental from tenancy agreements to insurance and utilities, as well as free legal advice.
International students may have extra requirements such as registering a guarantor or paying up to six months’ rent in advance. The school’s accommodation team is available all year-round to answer and queries or questions.
The Place’s wonderful central London location offers state-of-the-art facilities and is well connected to public transports networks throughout the city.
There are 11 spacious dance studios with sprung floors and plenty of natural light. There is a lecture space, specialist library, body conditioning room, two large multi-purpose meeting rooms, recreational spaces and free and fast WiFi throughout the building. All spaces are fully accessible and are managed at all times by the team of friendly and approachable staff.
The school is home to a 288-seat theatre, which comprises a modern auditorium and fully licensed bar area. This is a fantastic facility for students to access, both as performers and audience members, and includes two backstage dressing rooms, technical and front of house staffing. All levels are fully accessible with lifts installed on all floors, as well as female, male and gender-neutral facilities.
Students at London Contemporary Dance School benefit from a dedicated programme of support services which, in addition to general student resources and guidance, can be delivered in a way that is more relevant to the challenges of their course due to the specialised nature of the academic programming.
Dance students have ready access to high-level physical and mental health support such as physiotherapists, osteopaths, mental health advisor, counsellors and a soft tissue therapist, who work to ensure that each student can expand their physical abilities and such their limits in a safe and managed environment.
There is ample provision for students with disabilities, including guidance with applying for the Disabled Students’ Allowance, and a strong programme of mental health support which includes dedicated mental health advisors and free and confidential counselling.
According to the National Student Survey, 94% of students felt that they have been able to contact staff when they needed academic support.
Find out more about the student support offered on the university’s website.
VISIT WEBSITELondon Contemporary Dance School is one of the world’s leading dance education institutions and has a fantastic record of cultivating performing, teaching, leadership and choreographic talent. It acts as an incubator for dance professionals who go on to shape the future of the industry and inspire new movements within the craft. One of the strengths of London Contemporary Dance School is its highly effective artist development programme, which recognises student potential and commits resources, time and expertise to developing it into new works and the foundation of successful performing arts careers.
Initiatives such as LC2 & LC3, where the students tour their own choreographic work to local communities and schools, as well as deliver workshops, develops their teaching and community practice skills. Visiting industry professionals work regularly with students, offering opportunities for students to showcase their performance and collaborative skills.
London Contemporary Dance School supports a hugely diverse community of students and ensures that all students have opportunities to give feedback as well as receive information, support and guidance throughout their studies.
While the school doesn’t have a formalised student’s union, each year has a team of elected student representatives acting as an essential level of communication between the students and organisational staff. These representatives have an important role in shaping the student experience, as well as informing the school about elements of the curriculum and course delivery which can be improved. They can also report collective and individual student issues so that the student support services can make contact and provide targeted support or guidance.
According to the National Student Survey, 81% of students felt they had the right opportunities to provide feedback on the course, and 97% felt that their views and opinions about the course were valued by staff.
The Place has developed a busy schedule of extra-curricular activities alongside its world-class academic programming, aimed at enriching the student experience and providing opportunities to socialise, and get involved with new things.
There are a number of student-run organisations and societies which are based around a wide range of interests and initiatives such as the Eco Society, Feminist Society, and Ideas in Action - a platform to promote student work in the wider creative environment. These groups are free to join and are a great place for students to discuss new ideas with like-minded individuals, often forming friendships which last a lifetime.
There are opportunities for volunteering and teaching work, which are immensely rewarding pursuits which additionally can be used to enhance a CV or professional resumé. The school encourages participation and can provide organisational support for new clubs and societies.
Simply put, London is one of the best cities in the world to be a student. There is no shortage of inspiration and activities in this truly multicultural contemporary metropolis with a long history of creative and performing arts. Dance students can immerse themselves in a rich landscape of influences and styles, from traditional to contemporary, local to international. – All this is available within the context of an ever-changing city, which simultaneously hosts the best-established professional institutions alongside the most underground and innovative new scenes. Whether it’s dance, theatre, fine art, music or performance, there is much to discover, and a huge density of like-minded students from all around the world travel to study here.
Londoners also have great access to the rest of the UK and Europe through effective public transport networks, offering opportunities to expand horizons and experience new people and places.
With more than fifty years’ experience in training dancers, choreographers and performance creatives, London Contemporary Dance School has developed an international reputation for excellence which makes its graduates highly sought after in the global creative arts industry.
The school is one of the world’s leading dance education institutions and produces trailblazing graduates who go on to develop the artform globally and influence the future of dance. Students are encouraged to build their professional credentials during their studies, so they can navigate a smooth transition into working life.
Additionally, there are over 3,000 of the school’s alumni working in a huge spectrum of creative fields. Many alumni continue to contribute to the school’s future by running workshops, seminars, creating dance work and offering professional placements.
80% of graduates find work or are enrolled in further study within 15 months of course completion.
The school believes in fair access to education and works hard to ensure that students from all backgrounds have the resources needed to study. There is a generous programme of scholarships and bursaries in place to offer financial support to eligible students on both merit-based and means-tested criteria.
To alleviate some of the financial pressures that students face The Student Fund is a donor supported fund that exists to assist students with tuition, maintenance or other costs. Any student, whether home, overseas, undergraduate or postgraduate can apply to the fund demonstrating their financial need and individual circumstances and, in most cases, receive a sum of money to support them while they are studying.
You can apply to the Student Fund at the point of application and, if offered a place, will also receive an outcome of the student fund along with their offer so that they are able to understand the financial support. Once at LCDS, you can apply to the Student Fund at any point in your studies.
LCDS Bursaries
UK based undergraduate students can apply for a LCDS Bursary, which is based on household income and assessed through the Student Loans application. LCDS also recognises that students who have spent a period of time being looked after by the State can face many additional obstacles to accessing and succeeding in higher education. Furthermore, young people who are estranged from their parents, but who never entered the UK care system and thus are not deemed ‘care leavers’, face many of the same financial and pastoral barriers. A Care Leaver and Estranged Student bursary can provide support of up to £1,000 per year of study to care leavers and students estranged from their parents.
London Contemporary Dance School provides a world-class education programme with a raft of services and resources and works hard to ensure that tuition fees are competitive. The school’s BA (Hons) in Contemporary Dance degree is subsidised, and for many students there are additional financial support packages available at undergraduate level.
Undergraduate tuition fees for the 2022/23 academic year are as follows:
£9,250 – UK Undergraduate Home Fee Status
£20,250 – Overseas Students (EU or International)
Each of these fee amounts are subject to increase on a year-by-year basis, in line with government policy.
The school also runs a Study Abroad Programme, enabling students to experience life in a variety of cities and cultures across Europe and beyond. There are no visa requirements for the Study Abroad Programme.
Send a message directly to the uni to learn more about their scholarships and bursaries.
ASK A QUESTIONThere are currently no undergraduate open days available to book at this university.
Take a look at open days at unis across the UK.
Sorry! got missed
Sorry! got missed
As well as a wide range of courses, studying at London Contemporary Dance School, The Place offers you loads of opportunities to boost your CV thanks to the careers department. You might even have the chance to do a work placement or sandwich year during your degree.
As well as providing you with opportunities to develop academically and professionally, you'll have a wide range of clubs and societies to join. You'll be able to pick up a new hobby and make loads of new friends by joining some of the clubs and societies on offer at London Contemporary Dance School, The Place.
The world is your oyster! Of course, the exact options open to you will depend on which subject you choose to study. Employers often look to hire graduates, so you can be sure that your degree will give you a wider range of employment opportunities.
No matter what degree you choose, however, you'll have option of going on to further study. If you want to keep studying, your undergraduate degree will enable you to go on to a master's degree or even a PhD.
If you opt to live in uni halls, you'll benefit from free WiFi and all-inclusive rent. Rent for uni halls also includes security and maintenance, so you can be sure you'll be well-looked after. There are several accessible rooms available, which are adapted for disabled students.
Halls also have communal areas such as kitchen facilities where you can meet your flatmates over a cup of tea. You'll also have access to dining facilities where you can share a meal with other students in your accommodation.