One year foundation courses

[dancergirl24]

Im 15 in year 10 and hoping to go into some full time training at 16. I keep seeing these one year foundation courses around. Does anyone know how they work? cause normall you would of stayed at sixth form 2 years and then gone on to uni at 18

[Tulip]

No it's a two year foundation degree course as in any university.

[Picturesinthefirelight]

Foundation courses are for those who show potential but are not yet of the required standard for the three year diploma or degree course. They are quite common in acting and musical theatre courses where students need to mature a bit rather than dance where its best to start younger - though there are some dance ones.

 

They aim to prepare you to audition forcthectheatee full 3 year course.

[JulieW]

I believe the foundation courses you're talking about at some of the dance colleges aren't foundation degrees (which would be 2 years). They're a one year course funded like other FE (further education) courses. They do something similar for art based courses - gives students time to brush up their skills and see if they're suited to an HE level course. In dance colleges they'd do a foundation course and then audition for the 2 or 3 year courses after that

[Picturesinthefirelight]

There is usually no funding for foundation courses so full fees are payable.

[robin64]

There are some post 16 courses for dance available which are free because they are F.E so equivalent to A levels. I think you would gain a level 3 BTEC. (please correct me on this if I am wrong) These are not foundation degrees but do look to prepare students for auditions for higher ed. Many of these BTEC extended diplomas are in performance (so dance, drama and singing) but some places like Preston College offer dance on its own and include taking your dance exams eg RAD ISTD as part of the course and I think can take dance teaching qualifications too. I am only aware of this from browsing the website but don't have first hand experience. If you were looking for ballet training then 6th form at the specialist ballet schools would be the best route I should think but otherwise there are a few options.

 

http://www.preston.ac.uk/index.php/dance-academy

 

My eldest DD is doing a level 3 BTEC in art and design instead of A levels and the specialist art college she will be going to also offer dance as part of a performance arts BTEC. However I know a student went off to Cambridge to study dance at higher ed level after completing the BTEC there and she was a lovely ballet dancer. Girls at DD2s school have done A levels inc dance A level and got into dance colleges in London afterwards so there are many routes to get where you want to go. Oh and don't forget CAT schemes some of which have auditions coming up soon.

 

I think the options at 16 would be A levels or BTEC level 3 (dance or performance art) or audition for 6th form places at vocational schools which you may get some funding for but otherwise these are fee paying. Some colleges offer a foundation year and I think (but not 100% on this) that these are unfunded but hopefully would get students ready to audition for the full degree course. Hope that helps. I think it also depends if you are happy to live away from home or don't want to do this at 16.

[Picturesinthefirelight]

The one year foundation courses I think the op means are not btecs and in most cases you don't end up with an actual qualification other than an internal diploma perhaps.

 

It's courses such as these

 

http://www.birdcollege.co.uk/courses_prevoc.php

 

LIPADiplomainPerformingArtsDance.aspx

 

http://www.mountview.org.uk/performance/foundation-musical-theatre.html

[robin64]

Yes I think you are right but just thought I would try and mention some options for post 16. My DD will be going into y10 in Sept so I have been taking a first look at what is available and the cost. As far as I can gather sometimes people who audition for a degree course get offered a foundation place instead but am I right in thinking there is no funding for these foundation years or do they award dadas for them?

[Picturesinthefirelight]

No, there are no dadas for the foundation courses as you have to be enrolled on the trinity diploma for a dada.

 

I know more about the acting/MT ones than he dance though. Most people I know who have gone on them are already 18 and done A Levels or btec level 3.

[Chassé]

Some other one year foundation courses:

 

Northern School of Contemporary Dance http://www.nscd.ac.uk/view.aspx?id=231 - this one is free because it is funded like further education colleges, but there is no funding available for living costs etc

 

London Studio Centre http://www.london-studio-centre.co.uk/courses/foundation-course - this one isn't free, infomation about fees is on the website