Language of instruction
The courses are taught in English. During the selection procedure the English language proficiency of a student is assessed by way of an interview and a written assignment. A criterion for determining if a student has a satisfactory command of the English language is that he/she must be able to express himself/herself in a nuanced way, both orally and in writing.
Structure of the academic year
The academic year comprises 40 weeks in a fixed roster that adheres to the annual planning of the study programme. This annual planning has been divided into two semesters (September – December and January – July) and 5 blocks (block 1 up to the autumn holidays, block 2 until the Christmas holidays, block 3 up to the spring holidays, block 4 up to the May holidays and block 5 up to the summer holidays). During the preparatory training weeks, at the start of the school year, a collective introductory session will be held and students will work together during a physical workshop. There are also lessons that cover more general topics such as dance & health and business aspects of the dance profession. Several times per year the roster will be dominated by presentations and performances, also within the context of the IT’s Festival. A concluding training week will be held at the end of the year. Dates of tests, exams, presentations and performances have been incorporated in the annual planning of the study programme.
Study load
On average the study load of the programme amounts to 40 hours per week. It consists of lessons or face-to-face instruction and related self-study hours when a student studies or works independently. When drawing up an annual planning for the study programme, an effort is made to divide the study load as evenly as possible over the course of the entire year. However, an increased study load can occur briefly, especially during the time when performances are scheduled. This serves as a good preparation for professional practice where peak periods also regularly occur during productions. During an internship, a student’s study load depends partly on his/her tasks and the dance ensemble where he/she has been posted.
Group sizes
In principle, all classes are composed of groups of about 12 to 18 students. A maximum of 30 students can attend some guest classes or lessons in supporting subjects. Limiting the number of students in a class gives students more opportunity to develop individually and allows a teacher to supervise each student individually. Instruction hours In preparation for the professional work field, it is desirable that students learn to work more and more independently as the study programme progresses. Students are expected to have a self-supporting work attitude. Teachers therefore adopt a progressively more supervisory role, taking on the function of coach as the student nears the end of his/her study.
Self-study
The dance student should be inquisitive, show self-initiative and have an investigative attitude. He/she is expected to gather knowledge and skills independently through in-depth study, writing reports, undertaking research and writing up the results and making performances. The student is stimulated to maintain a constant level of study throughout the year to minimize possible work peaks.
Guidance
During the entire study, a fixed hour per week is scheduled for individual or group counseling by a study counselor. In the propaedeutic phase and the main phase there are two evaluations or assessment moments: in December and June for the second and third year students and in February and June for the first year students. This involves looking at the results of the student's development process, presentations and attendance. The theory courses are tested by means of exams and papers.
Cooperation
Structural consultation takes place between the different dance study programmes of the Academy for Theatre and Dance. In addition to Modern Theatre Dance, these include the National Ballet Academy, the Urban Contemporary study programme, the School for New Dance Development, the Dance in Education study programme and the DAS Choreography master degree programme. These study programmes share a common approach to dance education and work with an integrated annual planning.
