The AS Dance course provides students, who have a passion for the subject, with the opportunity to acquire experience of performance and choreography and to engage in critical thinking about dance.

Requirements for study

Although studying GCSE Dance is not a requirement for this course, students must have had some experience of Dance and be excited about the prospect of developing their technique, performance and choreographic ability. Candidates with a grade C or above at GCSE, or equal achievement through the grade systems, would be ideal for this course.

Who should apply

Students who are enthusiastic about dancing, performing and choreographing and who enjoy exercising, training and keeping fit would be ideally suited to this course. This course will also lead you on to further study in higher education and will give you the skills needed for employment within the professional field.

AS outline

At AS Level, this specification focuses on the development and performance of the candidate's own choreography and performance within a duo/trio. Candidates receive training on technique and the health and safety of the dancer. They begin to develop critical skills for the analysis of choreography and performance within their own work and in professional repertoire.

AS Dance - 1231

Unit 1 - DANC1
Understanding dance
40% of AS, 20% of A Level
1 Hr 30 mins examination - 60 marks
Two sections:
A - structured questions (20 marks)
B - two essay questions (40 marks)

Unit 2 - DANC2
Choreography and Performance
60% of AS, 30% of A Level
Practical coursework - 90 marks
Two sections:
A - solo choreography and performance (60 marks)
B - performance in a duo/trio (30 marks)

A2 outline

At A2, candidates develop skills and extend and apply knowledge gained at AS level. The focus of choreography is shifted towards group dance. Candidates develop knowledge and understanding of a specific area of study related to the development of one of the following: modern dance, ballet, jazz dance. Performance skills will be developed in relation to a specific practitioner.

A2 Dance - 2231

Unit 3 - DANC3
Dance Appreciation: Content and Context
25% of A Level
1 Hr 30 min examination - 80 marks
Two sections:
A - one question on chosen area of study (40 marks)
B - one question on set work studied (40 marks)

Unit 4 - DANC4
Group Choreography and Solo Performance
25% of A Level
Practical examination - 75 marks
Two sections:
A - group choreography (45 marks)
B - solo performance (30 marks)