Dance
- 4 years
- English
- Bachelor
- Full-time
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About Fontys Dance Academy
We teach you to create, think, and produce together with your fellow students, and to place dance in different contexts. You are encouraged to develop your personal artistic profile, both as a creator and dancer. You are the owner of your own career. You become an artistic entrepreneur and will receive every opportunity to build up your (international) professional network.
Why this study in the Netherlands?
- A warm and vibrant inclusive learning environment with plenty of room for individual growth
- Three different profiles: Contemporary, Contemporary Urban, Choreography
- A broad and challenging education on an artistic, physical and theoretical level
- 15 art (teacher) courses under one roof with interdisciplinary projects
What are you going to learn?
We place our students at the centre of a fantastic team of teachers and choreographers, in exceptional training facilities, alongside 14 other art schools ranging from Circus and Architecture to Visual Arts and Music. Authentic, curious, and distinctive dance artists work in an inclusive learning environment, where individual growth and co-operative exploration are equally prized. Practical work is underpinned by an extensive and rigorous training and research programme that includes a wide range of performance and movement practices. We educate our students to create, think, and produce collaboratively. They become dance makers and dance leaders who have their own voice, who take ownership of their own careers, and who go on to take up meaningful positions in both the performing arts field and wider society.
- You’ll become a dance maker and leader with your own signature
- Practice is supported by training and research
- The programme thoroughly prepares you for taking up meaningful positions in arts and society
Izah Hankammer, alumnus Dance Academy
'I was trying to find a place where I could explore myself as an artist. Not only as a dancer but also define my individuality and my artistic capabilities. I found that place at Fontys'
Emma Hanekroot, student Dance Academy'In the academy I get to redesign everyday what it means to be a dancer'
Courses
Our courses are designed specifically to foster both individual creativity and personal excellence to enable our students to have reach, ambition and impact in the world of today. This course hones, identifies, and develops the transferrable skills needed to take up significant positions throughout the performing arts field and the wider society.
Inclusive Dance and Movement Practice: the transferrable skills of the dance artist, an international Erasmus+ Project, will support this further with a co-created online platform for dance professionals.
At the heart of everything we do and believe is a profound commitment to collaboration, which is why the graduates of the Contemporary, Contemporary Urban, and Bachelor in Choreography profiles are expected to collaborate with other arts disciplines in different locations, both inside and outside of traditional theatre spaces. The creative conversation that takes place between these disciplines, and between the artists and their audiences, is what Fontys Dance Academy is all about.
Programme video Dance Academy
Impression Contemporary Urban Track
An academic year consists of two terms of 15 weeks each, and a third one of 9 weeks. This means that you are actively involved in your studies for a period of some 40 weeks each year.
Your curriculum is scheduled between 9.00 am and 9.00 pm. You attend classes and carry out assignments, individually and in a team. Examinations are scheduled at the end of each term.
Your average weekly workload is 40 hours, including 30 contact hours. The number of weekly 90 minutes practical classes amounts to 15, on top of 4 theory classes. All these activities are located both inside and outside the school. Attending performances is part of the curriculum.
Contemporary and Contemporary Urban are two branches of training which share the same basic programme, although they differ in elaboration and specialisation.
Basic Programme: Weekly classes: Ballet, Contemporary, Modern, Improvisation, Performance Studies, Creation, Movement research, Yoga, Pilates, Choreography, History, Dramaturgy, Communication, Anatomy.
Basic Programme: Projects; Students working with guest choreographers, projects where students are guided in developing their own work, interdisciplinary projects, projects in public space, and other spaces/contexts.
Specific to Contemporary: extra classes in Contemporary, improvisation, and Butoh.
Specific to Contemporary Urban: Weekly classes in Urban dance as created in the 1980s in the American urban subculture. This includes Hiphop (popping, locking, B-boying, and house) and Authentic Jazz.
In addition, the course offers non-European urban styles such as Contemporary African dance and fusion techniques such as Physical Dynamics.
After completing your second year, you can choose the graduate profile Choreography, with the emphasis on creative dance artist, the art of choreography, and giving shape to dance. A broad view of dance and creating in dance is central here. The programme aims at students with an individual and artistic vision who have the intrinsic urge to make their ‘own’ and ‘innovative’ work. This is also determined by the personal affinity with the art of dance. During your third year, you create five choreographies as a preparation for the professional practice.
Dance Arts in Context
Graduating in Dance Arts in Context requires a six months’ internship during the fourth academic year. In order to do so, you become a member of one or several companies, or you join small-scale productions, at home or abroad. You can also do your internship at an educational institution abroad.
Choreography
As a graduate in Choreography, you create five choreographies. To create your graduation choreography during your fourth year, you work together with professional dancers in a professional setting outside the academy. In addition, you do elaborate field research into a dance company or a choreographer of your own choice.
Language requirements
For the English taught programmes, the minimum English language proficiency required is explained in the table below:
| TEST | Bachelor's students |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 5.5 |
| TOEFL paper | 525 |
| TOEFL computer | 196 |
| TOEFL internet | 70 |
| TOEIC* | 620 |
| Cambridge ESOL | FCE-C |
The level of English proficiency must always meet the entry requirements for the chosen Fontys course. Fontys always reserves the right to require a language proficiency test for all categories of applicants.
Exemptions
Some applicants can be exempted from submitting the language proficiency test results:
- Candidates with a Dutch mbo-4, havo- or vwo-diploma.
- EEA/EU candidates with diplomas from certain countries are exempted from the language test. Find the list of diplomas and countries here.
- Applicants whose previous education was English-taught, and taken in a country in which English is an official language.
- Applicants whose mother tongue is English.
Diploma requirements
As a prospective Bachelor's student you must have a diploma of higher secondary education that is equivalent to Dutch standards.
For Dutch students: VWO-, HAVO- or MBO 4-diploma (your diploma will be verified via Studielink)
Non-Dutch students: once admitted after the audition you will be asked to send a certified copy of your original diploma and grades list of your high school diploma, so Fontys can evaluate these. Minimum level of foreign diploma’s:
* Belgium: Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs with a transcript (after 7 years BSO or after 6 years ASO/TSO/KSO).
* Germany: Fachhochschulreife or Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife.
* France: Baccalaureat
* Other nationalities: check if your diploma will be sufficient through this Nuffic website.
NOTE: you do not need to apply for a diploma evaluation with Nuffic yourself. Fontys will arrange this and you will be informed about it.
The diploma evaluation may take 2 weeks.
Admission video Dance Academy
Language requirements
For the English taught programmes, the minimum English language proficiency required is explained in the table below:
| TEST | Bachelor's students |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 5.5 |
| TOEFL paper | 525 |
| TOEFL computer | 196 |
| TOEFL internet | 70 |
| TOEIC* | 620 |
| Cambridge ESOL | FCE-C |
The level of English proficiency must always meet the entry requirements for the chosen Fontys course. Fontys always reserves the right to require a language proficiency test for all categories of applicants.
Exemptions
Some applicants can be exempted from submitting the language proficiency test results:
- Candidates with a Dutch mbo-4, havo- or vwo-diploma.
- EEA/EU candidates with diplomas from certain countries are exempted from the language test. Find the list of diplomas and countries here.
- Applicants whose previous education was English-taught, and taken in a country in which English is an official language.
- Applicants whose mother tongue is English.
Visa
As a non-EU/EEA student, the Netherlands will require an Entry Visa* (MVV) and a Residence Permit. Fontys will apply on behalf of its students for these documents. We recommend you start the process early, i.e. approximately three months before you plan to enter the Netherlands.
*except nationals from Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, South Korea, the USA and Vatican City State.
Diploma requirements
As a prospective Bachelor's student you must have a diploma of higher secondary education that is equivalent to Dutch standards.
For Dutch students: VWO-, HAVO- or MBO 4-diploma (your diploma will be verified via Studielink)
Non-Dutch students: once admitted after the audition you will be asked to send a certified copy of your original diploma and grades list of your high school diploma, so Fontys can evaluate these. Minimum level of foreign diploma’s:
* Belgium: Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs with a transcript (after 7 years BSO or after 6 years ASO/TSO/KSO).
* Germany: Fachhochschulreife or Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife.
* France: Baccalaureat
* Other nationalities: check if your diploma will be sufficient through this Nuffic website.
NOTE: you do not need to apply for a diploma evaluation with Nuffic yourself. Fontys will arrange this and you will be informed about it.
The diploma evaluation may take 2 weeks.
Admission video Dance Academy
Language requirements for Dutch students
For the English taught programmes, the minimum English language proficiency required. As an applicant with a Dutch MBO-4, HAVO- or VWO-diploma you can be exempted from submitting the language proficiency test.
Diploma requirements
As a prospective Bachelor's student you must have a diploma of higher secondary education that is equivalent to Dutch standards.
For Dutch students: VWO-, HAVO- or MBO 4-diploma (your diploma will be verified via Studielink)
Non-Dutch students: once admitted after the audition you will be asked to send a certified copy of your original diploma and grades list of your high school diploma, so Fontys can evaluate these. Minimum level of foreign diploma’s:
* Belgium: Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs with a transcript (after 7 years BSO or after 6 years ASO/TSO/KSO).
* Germany: Fachhochschulreife or Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife.
* France: Baccalaureat
* Other nationalities: check if your diploma will be sufficient through this Nuffic website.
NOTE: you do not need to apply for a diploma evaluation with Nuffic yourself. Fontys will arrange this and you will be informed about it.
The diploma evaluation may take 2 weeks.
Admission video Dance Academy
Costs
The tuition fees indicator helps you to determine the tuition rate for your situation. The information and tuition rates from this indicator are without engagement.
Statutory tuition fees and institutional tuition fees
A distinction is made between statutory tuition fees and institutional tuition fees. Only if you satisfy all statutory requirements regarding your nationality and if you have not yet been awarded a degree, will you be eligible for statutory tuition fees. Via the tuition fees indicator, you can secure an indication of the type of tuition fees that will be applicable in your situation. To do so, please make use of the indicator above.
Distinctions are made between the following types of Institutional Tuition Fees:
- Low institutional tuition fees
- High institutional tuition fees
Different types of tuition fees and Exemption Regulations
These different types of tuition fees and the Exemption Regulations are fully detailed in the:
The amount to be paid may vary in accordance with the following situations:
- If you have enrolled in more than one course programme (at Fontys and/or elsewhere), it is possible that you may only be obliged to pay one set of statutory tuition fees.
- If you believe that you may be eligible to pay only the statutory tuition fees on the basis of information that may be unknown to us, please report this to your Course Department.
- If it later transpires that you do not meet the requirements for statutory tuition fees, you will be obliged to pay the (higher) institutional tuition fees and if this is the case, you will be notified accordingly.
Paying in instalments
Collection will take place in a maximum of ten equal instalments on or around the 26th of the month. Depending upon the processing time required after your enrolment, the direct debit may need to be moved to the following month. If so, the amount outstanding will then be divided and added to the remaining instalments to be executed until and including the June instalment.
If paying the full sum in a single payment
If you commence your studies on 1 September, the direct debit pertaining to your Tuition Fees will be executed on or around 25 September. If you commence your studies after 1 September, the direct debit will be executed on or around the 26th of the month in which you commence your studies.
Non EU students
Incoming Non EU students will receive a payment letter from their study department which must be paid before the deadline. In the following academic years payment can be done by direct debit.
Non-Sepa
If you have a Bank account number, of which the bank is not situated in one of the SEPA countries, and you are a national of a country outside the EEA without an address in The Netherlands, then you will receive a paymentletter from Fontys via your course department.
The Dutch currency unit is the Euro (i.e. abbreviated to ‘EUR’ or ‘€’).
The average living expenses per month for a foreign student living and studying in Holland are between EUR 900 and EUR 1,100 per month. These living expenses cover rent, insurance, food, public transportation, books, clothing and other general costs.
Dutch Immigration Service (IND) requires non-EEA students to proof they have access to € 11,520 per year (€ 5,760 per semester)
Costs within the first months upon arrival will be higher than all other months due to a housing deposit, intro week and books. Study books are usually bought at the start of the semester and therefore it is wise to reserve and have direct access to an amount at the start of the semester which can cover the price of all study books and the living expenses for the first two months.
Before starting your study at Fontys, you must find suitable housing. Unfortunately, it is not easy for international students to find accommodation in the Netherlands due to the housing crisis. Start your accommodation search early. Please be aware that finding a place to live is your own responsibility. However, we are happy to assist in any way we can.
Career opportunities
We educate our students to create, think and produce collaboratively. They become dance makers and dance leaders who have their own voice, who take ownership of their own careers, and who go on to take up meaningful positions throughout both the performing arts field and wider society. Take a look at our Digital Stage graduates and at our alumnni network page.
- Professional dancer
- Choreographer
- Creative producer
Student video - You might find yours
Fontys Dance Academy made this little movie with its talented first-year students Contemporary Urban. The video shows who the dancers are. Moreover, the students wanted to celebrate their last class together with this video.
How to apply
All applications for our programmes have to be conducted via www.studielink.nl. Studielink is an online portal that allows applicants to apply and maintain their registration whenever they want to.
The application process may differ for EU and Non-EU students, please read below what applies for you.
Audition 2023-2024
It is no longer possible to apply for study year 2023-2024. Keep an eye on this website for the audition of study year 2024-2025!
To take part in the audition you first have to apply (see the link above what the 2 steps are for admission!). The deadline is the 12th of February 2023.
The preselection of the audition will take place online. You will receive a couple assignments by mail within a week after your application is complete. If you have applied correctly (both steps, see "How to apply for Dance Academy") this will be the first mail you receive after that. If you don't receive the assignment check if you have completed both steps, if you did send and still didn't receive teh assignment after a couple of days please contact fhkdanceacademy@fontys.nl
You have to send in your assignment video before the 8th of March.
After the preselection only selected candidates will advance to the live audition, which will be held in 3 rounds from the 24th (Group A) or 25th (Group B) of April until the 28th of April 2023. (You will receive an invitation with an exact date for the live audition, please make sure you are available these dates. Except the 27th of April which is a national holiday in the Netherlands).
A medical test is also part of the audition process.
Preliminary trajects
Fontys Dance Academy also provides preliminary trajects. You can find more information on our website (Dutch only).
Agenda
Sign up for one of our events. There's no better way to find out if this study programme is right for you! Visit a webinar from the comfort of your home or meet us live on campus. Whichever you choose, we hope to meet you soon.
Open Day
November 4 and 5, 2023
Programme
Save the date, so you can experience our campus atmosphere during our upcoming Open Day. Whether you prefer informative presentations or campus tours by our teachers and students, there will be something for everyone. Interested? Let us know, and we will notify you as soon as registration opens.
Save the dates below for our Open Days:
- November 4: Eindhoven and Venlo
- November 5: Tilburg
- November 25: Extra Open Day exclusively for Physiotherapy and Medical Imaging & Radiation Therapy in Eindhoven.
Download the factsheet
In the factsheet you will find the most important programme information at a glance.