Master of Arts in Education (Dance Teaching)

Our Master of Arts in Education (Dance Teaching)* programme allows you to further your knowledge and expertise through research in your own practice. We are proud to be one of the first organisations to offer an award at this level specifically designed for practising dance teachers.

Book on one of our March webinars to find out more.

The MA is a modular programme delivered via distance learning, normally over two or three years beginning with a compulsory one-week induction seminar delivered online. As an experienced dance teacher, the programme offers you an opportunity to engage in:

  • continuing professional development through completing a higher degree
  • postgraduate research based on your own professional practice
  • career progression which puts you at the forefront of dance education and practice-based research

The MA is comparable to any other award at Masters Level (MA, MSc, MEd) but focuses specifically on your role as a teacher, allowing you to learn, reflect on your teaching and develop original practices. You will learn from experts within the field and will have access to an international community of practitioner researchers.

The three compulsory modules are highlighted below under ‘Programme content’. Additionally, students undertake module options to the value of 90 credits (or 30 credits for holders of PGCE and QTS or international equivalent). Please note that not all option modules listed below will be available each academic year and students will be advised accordingly.

*This programme will be under-going its statutory five year review in January 2024. Any changes to the programme will be effective from August 2024.

Module options include:

  • Dance Pedagogy (30 credits)
  • Leading Learning (30 credits)
  • Somatic Approaches to Dance Education (30 credits)
  • Society, Politics and Youth Dance (30 credits)
  • Inclusive Dance Practice (30 credits)
  • Dance in the Private Sector: Scope and Influence (30 credits)
  • Assessment Issues in Dance Practice (30 credits)
  • Laban Studies: Shaping Education Practice (30 credits)
  • Dance and Lifelong Learning (30 credits)

Master’s Access Module

If you would like a taster of Level 7 before committing to the Master’s, you can apply to undertake the Access Module. This is a standalone module which is delivered, tutored and assessed in the same way as all other modules. Experience of the Access Module will enable you to evaluate whether Level 7 study is for you. The Access module will begin in January of each year and will be completed by end of May. Applications can be sent to Registry by the end of December.

Programme specifications

Students who do not have English as a first language:

If your first language is not English and you are applying for a programme where an English Language Proficiency test is required, you must achieve one of the following qualifications:

International English Language Testing System (IELTS): band 7.0 overall, with a minimum of 6.5 in each of the subtests. The IELTS test must have been taken no earlier than two years before the date of the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies is issued.

Some other school leaving or matriculation certificates contain a compulsory examination in English and these may be taken as equivalent.

If you have another recently achieved English language qualification, please check with our Registry department faculty@rad.org.uk to establish acceptability.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • A good honours degree in dance or with a significant dance component and at least two years’ dance teaching experience.
  • You should hold a recognised dance teaching qualification and be employed as a dance teacher for the duration of the programme.
  • We welcome applications from professional dance teachers who do not hold traditional academic qualifications but have equivalent experiential learning.
  • An English Language Proficiency test for applicants whose first language is not English.
  • Successful applicants with a PGCE and QTS or international equivalent will be accredited for 60 credits at M Level, and will be required to complete the remaining 120 credits for the Master of Teaching (Dance) award.

Eligibility for RTS

Students on the MA in Education (Dance Teaching) can register as a teacher of the RAD (RAD RTS) upon graduation. The Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Dance Teaching) and the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Dance Teaching) do not grant automatic eligibility for RAD Registered Teacher Status (RTS).

Bursaries

If you are resident in England, please see the information on postgraduate loans.

Please contact our registry department at faculty@rad.org.uk for more details.

Further Study & Career Development

Holders of the MA in Education (Dance Teaching) are eligible to progress to studying at doctoral level and may be eligible for registration as a dance teacher with the RAD.

Our graduates gain employment in Higher Education, present at conferences, pursue new areas of specialism within dance education, instigate positive change in their workplace, educate others in the value of dance education, and contribute to RAD dance teacher training.

How to apply

Programme Content

Compulsory Modules

Distance learning
- 15 Credits

Research Methods

An introduction to a range of education research models, paradigms and approaches for practice-based research. The module will equip you with an understanding of research design, data collection and ethics. It also provides a platform for all other modules on the programme and a foundation for your final Research Project.

Distance learning
- 15 Credits

Dance, Education and Culture

This provides an opportunity to expand your knowledge and understanding of dance as a cultural practice, including the theatrical art form. The reading materials and tasks focus on developing critical thinking through study of key cultural theories and their application. The essay assignment allows you to draw on selected concepts and critical frameworks and to evaluate their potential application to your own professional practice.

Distance learning
- 60 Credits

Research Project

This comprises the design and delivery of an extended work-based research assignment. The precise nature of the research will be determined by a number of factors, including the needs of the school/work environment, the dance curriculum being delivered and the knowledge and skills of the researcher. You will be guided in identifying an appropriate research proposal by the module tutor and supported via distance learning throughout the research process.

 

Assessment

For all modules you will have an assigned tutor who will guide you towards your assessment. Learning is flexible in that you study from home during hours which suit your employment schedule and personal commitments. Tutors communicate with students via e-mail, telephone, video conferencing and online forums. Modules are assessed through a variety of modes, including essays, case studies, portfolios, practical teaching, presentations and small-scale research projects. The final Research Project requires submission of a dissertation.

Award

Successful completion of: 60 credits leads to Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Dance Teaching); 120 credits leads to Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Dance Teaching); 180 credits leads to MA in Education (Dance Teaching).