Advanced Certificate in Dance Studies Level 6

1 Year Full Time Dance Performance Course
QQI Level 6M20595 Dance

The Advanced Certificate in Dance Performance is a one-year dance programme  leading to the level 6 QQI award 6M20595 in Dance.  This course aims to develop students’ choreographic and technical dance skills in preparation for a career in the profession in Ireland and internationally.

Optional follow-on year in Dance Instruction (QQI Level 6 Supplemental award) focusing on the genres obtained in the Advanced Certificate in Dance Studies or other relevant qualification.

Optional ISTD Diploma in Dance Education (DDE) completion.

On completion of the Level 6 QQI award in Dance, there is an opportunity for students to do a follow-on year in Dance Instruction. This involves the option to undertake the QQI supplemental award, consisting of the three modules: Training Needs Identification & Design, Dance Appreciation  and Training Delivery & Evaluation. On successful completion of this follow-on year, students will receive membership of the Irish Board of Dance Performance. In addition, students who have already undertaken year 1 of the DDE international teaching qualifications in Classical Ballet and Modern Theatre Dance, may complete this qualification.

Course Coordinators: Melissa Harman and Louise Behan

Advanced Certificate in Dance:

• QQI Exercise and Fitness
• QQI Personal and Professional Development
• QQI Music in a Dance context
• QQI Work Experience
• QQI Dance Performance & Production
• QQI Classical Ballet
• QQI Contemporary Dance
• QQI Jazz Dance

Additional Classes offered:

• Tap
• RAD Classical Ballet vocational
• ISTD Modern vocational
• ISTD Modern, Classical Ballet Graded Syllabi DDE Year 1

Optional Follow-on year: Dance Instruction 

• QQI Level 6 Training Needs Identification & Design
• QQI Level 6 Training Delivery & Evaluation
• QQI Level 6 Dance Appreciation

Optional Follow-on year: DDE completion

• DDE final completion year

Additional Subjects offered:

• QQI  Level 6 Classical Ballet
• QQI Level 6 Jazz Dance
• QQI Level 6 Contemporary Dance
• ITEC

Course content may be revised for educational or organisational reasons.

Advanced Certificate in Dance:

• QQI in Dance 6M20595
• RAD Vocational Classical Ballet Exams
• ISTD Vocational Modern Theatre Dance Exams
• ISTD DDE year 1

Optional Follow-on year: QQI Level 6 Supplemental Certificate in Dance Instruction

• Training Needs Identification & Design, Dance Appreciation & Training Delivery & Evaluation
• Membership Irish Board of Dance Performance

Optional DDE completion

• ISTD DDE year 2

Optional ITEC

• ITEC Personal Trainer

Minimum Entry Requirements for Advanced Certificate Dance Studies

QQI Level 5 Award in Dance or related discipline
or QQI Level 5 Award in any discipline

All applicants must have Intermediate standard in classical ballet, modern, or equivalent in another dance genre.

Dance Requirements:

Intermediate standard in classical ballet, modern, or equivalent in another Dance genre

Candidates with a specialised Dance degree may apply directly for the DDE teaching programme.

All applicants will be auditioned and interviewed. More information will be provided when called to interview.

Minimum Entry Requirements for Supplemental Certificate in Dance Instruction

• Level 6 Advanced Dance Award holders: Individuals who have successfully completed the QQI Level 6M20595 Dance
• Graduates of programmes where the knowledge, skills and competencies can be clearly mapped to align with the standards achieved by the Level 6M20595 Dance award graduates

Progression Opportunities

On achievement of Level 6 QQI 6M20595,  the opportunity exists to progress to the Second Year of the B.A Contemporary Dance Programme at the University of Limerick. Students also have the opportunity to do a follow-on year, taking the QQI Level 6 supplemental award in Dance Instruction.

In addition, the college has established links with many other third level colleges in the UK and Europe, providing further opportunities to advance your dance education and training.

Employment Prospects

Various employment opportunities exist and many of our graduates have gone on to work in Dance schools and in the Performing Arts sector.

Students who elect to stay on and take the follow-on year in Dance Instruction and/or ISTD DDE International teaching qualifications have the opportunity to set up their own dance schools and work and teach internationally.

Additional Information

For students who have completed the Diploma in Dance Education there are opportunities to take additional components in other dance genres. The students can also progress to study for the Royal Academy of Dance Distance learning Certificate in Classical Ballet Teaching.

Inchicore College also has specific agreements with the Irish Board of Dance Performance. On successful completion of the Supplemental certificate in Dance Instruction, follow-on year, candidates will be eligible to enter their students for the Irish Board of Dance Performance examinations.

Paul Doyle

“The work ethic I learned in Inchicore and the passion of the tutors for us all to succeed to our full potential has helped guide me on my career path.

I am now doing my dream job, which is working as a Lecturer in Dance Education for the Royal Academy of Dance’s Faculty of Education in London. I also manage the faculty’s biggest teacher training programme, the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies.

I am currently the only Irish member on the Royal Academy of Dance’s panel of examiners. I will always look back fondly at the sweat, time and tears shed during my years at Inchicore College.”