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Glasgow Clyde College Dance student during a performance
Location
Anniesland Campus
SCQF Level
6
Start Date
25 Aug 2025
Qualification Type
NQ
Course Type
Full-Time
Duration
1 or 2 Years (depending year of entry)

This NQ Dance course provides you with an introduction to a broad range of dance styles and related subjects. Two levels of study are available and you will be placed on the level which will be most beneficial to you. The emphasis is on gaining practical skills but knowledge will also be broadened by theoretical study and experience in a variety of dance contexts. NQ Dance provides the best possible training to progress to HND Dance Artists at Glasgow Clyde College.

What will I learn?

The course is offered over two years, and if successful you will be placed on either Year 1 (SCQF Levels 4-5) or Year 2 (SCQF Levels 5-7), depending on individual experience. 

During NQ Dance you will study:

  • Body conditioning
  • Choreography
  • Classical ballet
  • Contemporary dance
  • Dance appreciation
  • Dance etiquette and personal development
  • Dance improvisation
  • ISTD examinations syllabi
  • Jazz dance
  • Performance skills
  • Pilates
  • Stage make-up
  • Street dance / Hip Hop
  • Tap dance
  • Acro skills (optional)

The award-winning Dance Studio Scotland is based in the fantastic purpose-built facility at Glasgow Clyde College's Anniesland Campus.

Equipped with three large studios and a multi-gym, it offers a thorough and disciplined four-year professional training which prepares students for a variety of careers in the dance industry.  Alongside recognised SQA qualifications at NC/HNC/HND levels, there is also the opportunity to take ISTD examinations in classical ballet, tap, modern and jazz as part of a course of full-time study.  The outstanding teaching faculty has had extensive performing, teaching and choreographic experience which is skillfully passed on to our students and the department enjoys a very high level of graduate success.

Watch the highlights from this year's Pulse performance .

Hear from HNC Dance student Joel.

Entry requirements (minimum)

Entry is subject to a practical audition and group interview.

  • A minimum of four passes at National 5, or equivalent, one of which must be English.
  • Physical potential for professional dance training
  • If you do not have the formal qualifications, but have relevant dance experience and excellent fitness levels, you may be considered.

Entry requirement equivalency table

If you do not meet the entry criteria for your chosen course, you may be offered an alternative course in the same subject area.

Employer and industry links

Dance Studio Scotland has an outstanding reputation and very strong industry links. Students at Glasgow Clyde College frequently work with professional dancers and industry bodies. We regularly invite world class guests from the professional world into the department which provides a rich source of inspiration and allows our students to network.

We have hosted and participated in workshops/ residencies with Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, Richard Alston Dance Company, Scottish Ballet, Rambert Dance Company, Nederlands Dans Theater, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, BalletBoyz and the National Dance Company of Wales.

In addition, we commission at least one new piece of professional choreographic work per year which allows the HND students to forge working relationships with potential employers.

Jobs and further study

This course is specifically designed to progress to HND Dance Artists at Glasgow Clyde College and provides the strongest possible foundation for study at HE level.

Take a look at the course progression map for dance.

Making an application

For courses starting in August, you can make up to two applications.

Applications are made to a course and a first choice of campus. If the course is oversubscribed at your first choice you will be automatically considered for alternative sites and may be made an offer without a further application.

I've applied — what happens next?

When you apply
You will receive an automated email confirming that we have received your application (remember to check your SPAM folder).

Your application will be reviewed by the admissions team and you will either be:

  • Invited to attend a ‘live’ audition, which will take place at our studios at Anniesland Campus. You do not have to prepare anything in advance and information will be sent out detailing the content of the audition. You will be given a decision on the day.

If you are not based in Scotland, you can submit filmed dance material for a ‘virtual’ audition. Details of exactly what you should include will be attached to the invitation and you should aim to send your short film within one week. We aim to inform you of the outcome within 48 hours of receipt of your video audition. The competition for places is high and we advise that you do not delay this stage.

  • Advised that your application is unsuccessful – you have not met the entry requirements for this course and are advised to contact the College Student Advice Centres to discuss alternative options which may be available to you.
  • We aim not to reject an application and if you don’t meet the entry requirements you may be referred to a different course or level.

The outcome of the audition will be one of the following:

  • Unconditional offer of a place – you have met all the entry requirements and your place is guaranteed. You will be required to accept this offer to secure your place.
  • Conditional offer of a place – your place is secured pending you meeting the entry requirements. This may mean achieving school or college qualifications which you may not be able to provide to us yet. You will be required to accept this offer to secure your conditional place. Once your conditions are met this will change to an unconditional offer of a place which you must accept before you can enrol on the course.
  • Waiting list – you have met all entry requirements, and have been interviewed however, the course is now full so you have been placed on a waiting list. If any spaces become available you may be contacted, usually around the course start date. We would advise that you also consider other application options.
  • Reserve list – following your interview, you have unfortunately not been successful in this round of recruitment. We have placed your name on a Reserve list and your application may be reconsidered at a later date. This could happen any time up to the start date of the course but it is very possible that you will not be offered a place. We would advise that you also consider other application options.
  • Unsuccessful – your interview has been unsuccessful. You may be offered a place on a course at a different level, or advised to contact the College Student Advice Centres to discuss alternative options which may be available to you.

Once an offer is received, you must reply within 14 working days or risk losing your place, as the system will automatically decline your offer after 14 days.

Once you have accepted your offer, you will be sent out instructions about student funding, usually in June. Joining instructions will normally be sent out in early July.

You will also receive an invitation in May to attend our end-of-term production and an introductory Day of Dance, held in June. Uniform requirements will also be outlined at the Day of Dance.

More questions? Contact us about this course


0141 357 6078