Dance Artists HND

Course overview

Performing Arts Studio Scotland (PASS) is one of Scotland’s largest and most dynamic performing arts departments. At PASS, creativity meets opportunity in a vibrant, professional environment designed to help you thrive.

Our state-of-the-art facilities include the impressive PASS Studio Theatre, eight purpose-built dance and rehearsal studios, specialist classrooms, and a cutting-edge Learning Resource Centre and Library – everything you need to bring your artistic vision to life.

At PASS, we offer training across six exciting disciplines:

• Acting
• Dance
• Musical Theatre
• Costume for Stage and Screen
• Make-Up Artistry
• Technical Theatre

What makes us unique? The opportunity to work in real-world, industry-inspired projects – just like in professional productions. You’ll work alongside peers from different specialisms, gaining hands-on experience and building a network that mirrors the creative industries.

Located in the heart of Edinburgh – the world’s Festival City – PASS has strong connections with leading theatres, companies, and creatives. These partnerships open doors to exciting performance opportunities, innovative projects, and invaluable industry insight.

HND Course Overview

Our Dance Artist course is a creative and technically challenging program designed to push your artistic potential as you engage in professional training from experienced dance staff at Performing Arts Studio Scotland (PASS).  

This course will develop your skills in various dance techniques and teach you commercial dance styles, choreography, teaching skills, and related contextual subjects. There is also an opportunity to work on a site-specific project in collaboration with HND Musical Theatre in Year 1 and build your own production ‘Body Eclectic’ in Year 2 while collaborating with our Technical Theatre students to support productions in our in-house PASS Theatre.

This course has a primary focus on teaching and creating dance projects, and you will complete a practical work placement in your second year of the course. This will be made available through PASS industry connections. Immerse yourself in the art of dance as you gain essential experience in professional environments and make crucial connections with industry professionals. You will work with a variety of client groups of varying ages and abilities to create workshops, events, and projects, gaining essential and practical experience. The course will ensure your progression into the professional industry or further study, such as our in-house degree program.

Additional Opportunities at PASS

• Performance Company – All dance students are invited to audition for the PASS Dance Performance Company, who perform across the year at varying events, Dance Platforms and across schools in Edinburgh on tour.
• First Footing - In-house dance production showcasing our students in The PASS Theatre
• Cross Currents - A dance showcase in an external venue in central Edinburgh, where students work with both internal and external choreographers to create a dynamic production.
• Site-Specific Project - Collaboration with HND Musical Theatre in an external venue. Students will work creatively in an external venue, supported by highly trained staff, to create a site-specific performance within 5 days.
• Professional Portfolio Session - Head and Action Shots, Showreels
• Guest Workshops - We have strong industry links with central Theatre venues that allow us to give our students access to some of the best workshops possible.

Some of the companies and guests we have worked with to date are:

• Scottish Ballet
• YDance
• Scottish Dance Theatre
• Phoenix Dance Company
• Lorna Brown
• Clara Bajado 'Indahouse'
• Company Chameleon Director - Kevin Edwards
• Curious Seed
• Musical Theatre: Hamilton, Top Hat, Lion King, Kinky Boots, Cats
• Jack Webb
• Alan Greig

For more information, please follow us on: 

Instagram: @passdance 

Facebook: @PASS-Dance 

Email: dance@edinburghcollege.ac.uk

Core skills

• Practical Performance Opportunities
• Choreography
• Dance Technique: ballet, jazz, contemporary, commercial
• Performance and Production
• Contextual studies
• Teaching Skills
• Body Conditioning and Injury Prevention
• Professional Guest Workshops

Essential Skills:

• Communication - verbally and digitally
• Collaborative skills - working in groups, pairs and with students from other courses
• Working Independently - class tasks, homework, assessments
• Confidence - presentations in groups and independently
• Creativity and Empathy – group and project-based learning and working
• Critical and Creative Thinking – problem solving and innovation
• Initiative and self-motivation – contribution, leadership, responsibility, being proactive

Placement information

• You will have an opportunity in year 2 to work in a sector of the professional industry and gain key experience in a job role of your choice for a minimum of 15 – 20 hours. You will learn key employability skills and apply for a PVG as part of this process through Edinburgh College.

How the course is assessed

Assessment Methods 

• Practical Assignments 
• Collaboration
• Research skills 
• Written Reports, Essays, Portfolios
• Presentations
• Observations
• Evaluation

Number of days per week

• 4 to 5 days, but you will be expected to work out with College class hours.
• Please note that during show rehearsals, you will be expected to attend full-time if needed.
• Self-directed study is essential and required; studio space will be allocated

Entry requirements

Important Information: Due to the efficient nature of this course, you must be physically able to meet the demands of participating in several hours of dance class each day.

Essential for entry:

• SCQF Level 6 Full Time Course (subject specific)
• Two Highers (subject-specific preferred) and English
•  Mature students are welcome to apply and will be granted an interview to discuss entry requirements and the APL offered, based on their personal statement and previous experiences.

Information on Tests / Auditions / Interview Requirements

Please read the following carefully and provide the requested evidence for consideration.

Stage 1: Complete the online application form

Answer the following questions in the personal statement section of your application form. 

• Why do you want to study at PASS?
• What previous experience do you have that will support your application
• Who inspires you (Please think about choreographers, companies, dancers, etc) and why?
• Can you outline any ongoing injuries or issues that we should be aware of that may hinder your progress should you be offered a place?  (Please note this is a physically demanding course, and you must be able to participate fully to be successful)

Stage 2: Invitation to Audition, Information Session and Creative Workshop (3 hours) 

Technique Class:

You will participate in a technique class that incorporates Ballet, Contemporary, and Jazz. We recommend wearing dancewear, tying long hair up, and wearing appropriate footwear, as well as removing any jewellery.

Creative Workshop:

You will be guided through a series of improvisational and directed creative tasks to assess your creativity and collaboration skills.

Tour – Course Overview with Q&A

You will be given a tour of our facilities and a course breakdown, including details on funding, support, and what happens next. You will be encouraged to ask questions where possible.

Following your attendance at the audition, a decision will be sent to you within 7-10 working days. Unfortunately, due to the high number of applications we receive, we are unable to provide feedback.

PRACTICAL AUDITION DATES: Granton Campus

• Wednesday 10 December 2025, 10 AM – 1 PM
• Thursday 8 January 2026, 10 AM – 1 PM
• Further dates will be added as required in 2026

Allocated dates will be given once applications have been completed.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with us at dance@edinburghcollege.ac.uk 

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Progression and Articulation Routes

• BA (Hons) Dance and Drama Degree accredited by Kingston University

Career options

• Dancer
• Teacher
• Facilitator
• Dance artist
• Arts administrator
• Choreographer
• Community artist
• Dance development officer