Programme overview
Applications are still open to study at Unitec Dance in 2025.
The Contemporary Dance major is the most established, full-time contemporary dance programme in New Zealand, and continues to develop a community of dance artists who contribute innovative choreography and performance excellence to the industry. Unitec's dance graduates are seen in all major productions throughout New Zealand.
With a comprehensive programme covering technique, choreography, dance studies and teaching pedagogies, you'll gain the knowledge, tools and abilities to pursue the range of opportunities available to you as a contemporary dance artist.
Highlights
- A rewarding and challenging experience that introduces you to an exciting and varied professional career in dance. Whether you create your own live work or dance on stage or screen, you'll be joining an artistic community that includes many of our graduates.
- A focus on live performance, including opportunities to both dance and choreograph.
- Daily studio practice under the guidance of industry practitioners with local, national, and international experience.
- A close relationship with the New Zealand dance industry and community.
- A chance to collaborate with other performing arts students; you'll share classes with actors, directors, writers, production design management and film and television students.
Technique and choreography for stage and screen
With the emphasis on practicality, you'll spend up to six hours a day in the studio, developing your craft in a range of dance techniques including contemporary, ballet, muscle and bone, pilates, yoga, choreography, partnering work and improvisation. You'll also develop skills in dance and multimedia through creating and performing in dance for film.
Performance
Live performance will be an integral part of your studies where you'll get to explore your technique and choreographic craft as an emerging practitioner. Taught by leading contemporary dance artists and choreographers, you'll learn to develop dance projects of your own. You'll choreograph and perform for theatre, events, festivals and film as well as gaining a hands-on understanding of funding and promotion activities. Technology also plays a key role in our learning environment. You'll gain practical experience in lighting, sound, and music design, video editing, costume, props and scenery.
Dance studies, contextual studies and critical practices
Throughout your studies, you'll develop an understanding of dance histories and associated theories in our unique culture of critical studies. Alongside your future industry peers, you'll explore in-depth theoretical and critical thought, integrating theory and professional practice in an exciting cross-discipline environment.
Auditions
Around 100 people apply each year for up to 30 places offered in Year One. All auditions will be held over dates in mid to late October You'll be given clear information at the time of your application about how to prepare. From this workshop, the final selection of trainee dancers is made for the following year.
Programme Structure
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | PASA5221 Dance Practice 1A Class number(s): 1776 15 credits | PASA6221 Dance Practice 2A Class number(s): 1911 15 credits | PASA7223 Dance Practice 3A Class number(s): No classes scheduled 30 credits |
| Course 2 | PASA5225 Contemporary Dance Techniques 1A Class number(s): 1777 15 credits | PASA6225 Contemporary Dance Techniques 2A Class number(s): 1912 15 credits | PASA7225 Contemporary Dance Techniques 3 Class number(s): No classes scheduled 15 credits |
| Course 3 | PASA5902 Professional Development 1 Class number(s): 1779, 1780 or 1781 15 credits | PASA6903 Contextual Studies 2 Class number(s): 1792, 1793 or 1913 15 credits | Elective Level 5, 6 or 7 15 credits |
| Course 4 | PASA5921 History of Dance Class number(s): 1783 15 credits | Elective Level 5, 6 or 7 15 credits | |
| Course 5 | PASA5224 Dance Practice 1B Class number(s): 5838 30 credits | PASA6222 Dance Practice 2B Class number(s): 5997 15 credits | PASA7224 Dance Practice 3B Class number(s): No classes scheduled 45 credits |
| Course 6 | PASA5228 Contemporary Dance Techniques 1B Class number(s): 5839 15 credits | PASA6226 Contemporary Dance Techniques 2B Class number(s): 5998 15 credits | PASA7902 Professional Development 3 Class number(s): 5858 or 5859 15 credits |
| Course 7 | PASA5903 Contextual Studies 1 Class number(s): 5842, 5844 or 5843 15 credits | PASA6902 Professional Development 2 Class number(s): 5853, 5854 or 5999 15 credits | |
Admission requirements
What you will need to study this programme.
Domestic students
International students
Academic requirements
As a part of this requirement, you must be at least 16 years of age and meet one of the country-specific admission requirement;
And English entry requirements;
If English is not your first language, you will also need at least one of the following qualifications:
- Evidence of an IELTS (Academic) band score of at least 6 with no band score lower than 5.5
- University Entrance Literacy: 8 credits at Level 2 or above in English or Māori (4 in Reading, 4 in Writing); or
- Evidence of English language proficiency as outlined in the NZQA Rules on the Unitec English Language Requirements for International Students Web-page.
Don’t meet these Academic requirements?
- If you don’t meet the academic criteria, our Bridging Education Programmes can help you qualify. Simply apply online, and we’ll discuss your next steps.
- If you don’t meet the above criteria, special or discretionary admission may apply; your eligibility will be determined at the interview.
Non-academic requirements
- Complete a medical declaration form.
- Interviews, submissions, and/or auditions will be required - we'll notify you of what is required.
For more information, download the programme regulations (PDF 731 KB)
Courses and timetables
For more details on the courses, please click on the course names below. Please note that our systems are updating with new course timetable information for 2025; please check back again soon.
| Courses | Credits | Aim |
|---|---|---|
| Dance Practice 1A (PASA5221) | 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) | To enable the student to understand the relationship between fundamental theoretical concerns and choreographic and performance practice. This course focuses on collaboration and establishing the fundamental habits and methodologies appropriate for contemporary dance choreography and performance. |
| Dance Practice 1B (PASA5224) | 30 credits (0.25 EFTS) | To enable the student to understand complex and multilayered aspects of the choreographic process and performance environment. This course focuses on establishing fundamental habits and methodologies appropriate to contemporary dance choreography and performance. |
| Contemporary Dance Techniques 1A (PASA5225) | 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) | To introduce students to the fundamental theories, concepts and techniques of contemporary dance practice. The course focuses on building capability for dancers in a range of dance techniques and to build habits and attitudes required for the profession. |
| Contemporary Dance Techniques 1B (PASA5228) | 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) | To enable students to apply the fundamental theories, concepts and techniques of contemporary dance practice. The course focuses on continuing to build capability for dancers in a range of dance techniques and to build habits and attitudes required for the profession. |
| Professional Development 1 (PASA5902) | 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) | To introduce students to the basic professional practices associated with the performing and screen arts industries and their own professional development. This course focuses on building capability for students in self-management, communication and presentation, as well as academic literacies such as text analysis and academic writing. |
| Contextual Studies 1 (PASA5903) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | Students will develop a broad understanding of the history, contexts, language and relevant theoretical frameworks of performing arts and screen arts. Students will acquire skills in critical and analytical literacy through engaging in research and project work focused on performing and screen arts practices in Aotearoa and beyond. |
| History of Dance (PASA5921) | 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) | To enable students to examine, reflect and discuss the historical development of dance languages and theories in order to situate themselves in a wider dance context. This course focuses on placing selected movements and developments of production and performance in the context of the student’s specialist discipline. There is a focus on experiencing professional art making in the community through field trips and site visits. |
