Dippycat Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 (edited) My daughter is currently in year 12 and contemplating what to study at university. She has been a keen dancer since age 2 and is currently studying for RAD advanced foundation alongside grades 8 in tap and jazz. Her A levels include dance and PE and she’s considering a degree in dance science as she would like to maybe work with injured dancers but also feels that an understanding of dance science would be valuable if she later trained as a dance teacher. However there are only 3 institutions offering an dance science undergraduate degree so she is debating whether to do a more general dance degree first then potentially a masters in dance science / sports therapy. Or would she be best doing an general sports science degree first? She would love to follow her love of dance into a career in the industry whilst keeping her options open / having a back up. Does anyone have any advice as to the best way into a career in dance science/rehab? Edited October 28, 2020 by Dippycat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peony Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 Would doing physiotherapy as a first degree and then a specialised masters give her more options in terms of employment if she wants to work with injured dancers? I think most of them are qualified physios? Certainly a lot of physios have a background in dance or sport so she would meet like minded people on the course 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dippycat Posted October 28, 2020 Author Share Posted October 28, 2020 9 minutes ago, Peony said: Would doing physiotherapy as a first degree and then a specialised masters give her more options in terms of employment if she wants to work with injured dancers? I think most of them are qualified physios? Certainly a lot of physios have a background in dance or sport so she would meet like minded people on the course Thank you - It’s one to consider but without science A levels it might be difficult. The dance science degrees have daily technique classes alongside the science classes which is an appeal as she could keep up her dance training. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glowlight Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 My two penn'rth When choosing a degree course there are two things to consider 1) Do you have a very specific career goal? If so, is there a degree or course which will set you up for this? eg if you specifically want a career as a dance teacher - chose a degree which is aligned with this eg the RAD BA in Ballet Education eg if you want to be a performer - chose a course whose graduates usually get jobs as performers. 2) If you do not have a specific career goal - chose a course which inspires you, which you think you will enjoy. PS - Personally I went for option 2. My dd (many years later) went for option 1. I don't think that either of us have regrets about these choices. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate_N Posted October 29, 2020 Share Posted October 29, 2020 (edited) Your DD needs to look at working destinations of Dance Science graduates. I doubt that such a degree would enable her to work in therapeutic rehab style work - wouldn’t she need a specifically health care-related degree such as Physiotherapy? The studio owner of my lovely local studio was a professional dancer then studied Dance Science at Masters level. So it seems to be a very good degree for training dance teachers. My teacher is excellent but I’d go to a properly qualified physiotherapist for rehab. I’ve just looked at the Wolverhampton Degree in Dance Science - it mentions graduates “going on” to train in physio, rehab, massage therapy etc. So she’s looking at Bachelors plus Masters on this sort of path. Edited October 29, 2020 by Kate_N 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2dancersmum Posted October 29, 2020 Share Posted October 29, 2020 Perhaps slightly off on a tangent - rather than injured dancers - there are degrees out there aimed at using dance in therapy - both for physical conditions or injuries and mental issues. My DD has friends who are at Derby doing joint honours degrees (dance, health and wellbeing and various other subjects). I know one for her work placement was at a hospital helping with workshops for dance and movement for patients with brain injuries, another helps/helped with a dance program for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. I am sure that other universities must offer similar courses and it may be another avenue for her to explore 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millie3 Posted October 29, 2020 Share Posted October 29, 2020 PE A’level is an acceptable alternative for Biology for a physio degree. Sports Science graduates end up having to undertake a BSc or masters in Physiotherapy to achieve a career in injury prevention and treatment. However you can obtain a second student loan for allied health courses so a dance degree followed by a physio degree is an option - although a 6 year long one! https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/allied-health-professionals/roles-allied-health-professions/physiotherapist/entry-requirements-and-training-physiotherapist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dippycat Posted October 30, 2020 Author Share Posted October 30, 2020 Thank you everyone for taking the time to reply - lots of good advice and food for thought xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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