Students and Graduates Perceptions of the Value of Studying Dance in higher education

Abstract

Dance education in the UK has significantly developed over last forty years and its development is still recognised through appearance of new courses. Dance first appeared in formal education contexts in the UK as part of Physical Education and with time developed as a single subject that may be taught as part of GCSE in schools, A-levels and BTEC within further education, up to undergraduate and postgraduate courses in different universities in the UK. However, its appropriateness and effectiveness is still under discussion within politics and society where the value of dance education is questioned in comparison to more 'traditional' subjects within the national curriculum. The purpose of this study was to identify the values of dance education as perceived by current dance students and graduates. This study can be directed to potential dance students to provide them with an insight into how successful dance studies can be in order to increase potential salary and career prospects within the dance industry but also to show that dance has a value in developing transferable professional skills. A qualitative approach has been undertaken including focus group interviews with current dance students and individual interviews with dance graduates. This study recognised the value of dance studies in the development of personal and professional skills as well as gaining identified graduates attributes allowing students to become employable upon successful completion of a dance degree.