Dance

Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)

By studying how to create, perform and analyze dance, you will learn to ask such questions as: What frames our experience of dance? What kind of meaning exists in specific movements, at different times and in different places? How do our choreographic choices impact an audience? How can we study dances and dancers culturally, emotionally, psychologically, intellectually and scientifically? How can we improve dance technique to prevent injury?

As the only accredited university dance major program between Toronto and Vancouver, UCalgary offers a curriculum deeply committed to creative practice and performance. The UCalgary Dance program provides exciting opportunities to work with local, national and international guest artists. From ballet to contact improvisation, hip hop to contemporary, you'll gain in-depth experience and a broad understanding of diverse cultural forms. UCalgary is also the only national provider of a double degree program where students can receive both a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and a Bachelor of Kinesiology (BA/BKin), and one of two programs nationally that offers a dual degree in Dance and Education (BA/BEd). Auditions are required.

BA Dance

In the BA Dance degree, you'll explore dance from multiple technical, creative and cultural perspectives. With an emphasis on both practice and analysis, the BA Dance curriculum prepares you for a variety of careers in movement and dance related fields.

BFA Dance

If you're invested in pursuing dance performance and choreography, consider the BFA Dance degree. You'll perform in many professional and student works during your time in the BFA program, as well as present your own choreographic work in both formal and informal settings.

Gain hands-on experience — examples of work-integrated learning

Numerous professional development opportunities are possible with local dance companies including Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, W&M Physical Theatre and Forcier Stage Works.
Students in the BA/BKin program assisted faculty researchers in the annual pre-screening assessment of incoming Dance majors to determine injury risks. This hands-on learning prepares students to understand health assessments.

Career opportunities

As a Dance graduate, you will be prepared for career opportunities in such areas as dance performance, choreography, dance teaching, dance administration, dance journalism, dance scholarship, dance and digital technology, and/or dance science. An Arts degree can also be used as a stepping-stone to graduate studies or other professional degrees in such areas as medicine, education, law, architecture, journalism, arts administration, business, filmmaking, social work, or environmental design.

Program highlights

Take workshops and classes from nationally and internationally renowned guest artists.
Pursue a Safe in Dance Practice certificate, for students who plan to teach dance upon graduation.
Combined degree options — earn a combined Bachelor of Arts in Dance/Bachelor of Kinesiology or a concurrent Bachelor of Arts in Dance/Bachelor of Education in just five years.

Courses in this program

Sample courses in this program include Creative Process, Contemporary Technique, Dance Pedagogy, Dance History, Dance for the Camera, Cross Cultural Currents: Dance Theory and Global Forms, Dance Anatomy, Performance Practicum, Ballet, Hip Hop and more.

Internationalize your degree

Take your learning off campus by exploring one of our 200+ international opportunities. For example, in Dance you can go on exchange to one of over 50 partners in the USA through the National Student Exchange Program. We encourage you to check out UCalgary’s selection of programs.

Enhance your experience

Find your People! The Aesthete Dance Undergraduate Society sponsors classes, workshops, mentorship opportunities and social events for all dance majors.

Detailed course information

I find UCalgary’s program particularly exciting because we get to collaborate with students in all the different years and different dance degrees, so it really becomes this tight-knit group of people as you progress through the program.

Morgan L.

BFA Dance Student

Admission requirements

I am currently a(n):

High school student or graduate
University transfer student
Adult/mature student
After degree student

My education systems is:

Use the Undergraduate Student Cost Estimator to calculate your expenses as a first-year student. Undergraduate Student Cost Estimator

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