Postgraduate study
Edinburgh: Extraordinary futures await.

Dance Science and Education MSc, PgDip (ICL), PgDip

Awards: MSc, PgDip (ICL), PgDip

Study modes: Part-time Intermittent Study, Full-time, Part-time

Accreditation

Funding opportunities

Placements/internships

Programme website: Dance Science and Education

When applying for the programme, my interest wasn’t in dance science or dance education, so much as in dance. I hoped that the programme would let me focus and expand upon my particular interests, suggest new areas of exploration and provide a grounding to dance science and to dance education. It did!

Bethany Whiteside MSc Dance Science and Education
Bethany Whiteside               MSc Dance Science and Education

If you are interested in the development of dance education, a comprehensive understanding of the science underpinning the art form is a must.

This innovative programme - the only one of its kind in Scotland - offers just that, giving you the scientific theory and specialist skills that will inspire you to push the frontiers of dance and dance education.

How will I learn?

Through an applied and multi-disciplinary blend of theory and practice, you will:

  • learn to prepare dancers to improve their performance
  • explore the biopsychosocial and developmental issues that relate to dance education and training
  • develop an awareness of changing trends in dance science & education

Resources

As you study the science relevant to dance performance and education, you will have access to resources at:

The programme is offered full or part-time, with Master's or Postgraduate Diploma routes.

MSc Dance Science and Education with Teaching Qualification (TQs) pathway

Interested in teaching dance? On the 'with Teaching Qualification (TQs)' pathway of this programme, you will join our initial teacher education students on a path towards registration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS). This pathway is currently the only route to GTCS registration as a teacher for dance specialists qualified to teach learners aged 3-18 years in schools.

Accreditation

If you choose the GTCS-accredited Teaching Qualification (TQs) pathway, this degree will enable eligible graduates to apply for GTCS registration and teach in schools with a subject specialism of dance across 3-18 years.

Your learning will incorporate a variety of approaches including lectures, student-led seminars, presentations, practical skills training and project work.

To earn an MSc, on completion of your course credits, you will also produce an independently researched dissertation.

Compulsory courses

  • Dance Pedagogy
  • Preventive Dance Medicine
  • Sources of Knowledge: understanding and analysing research literature
  • Conceptualising Research: Foundations, Assumptions and Praxis

The core courses are designed to be delivered in intensive blocks of study. This enables students with other commitments some flexibility to complete the degree by combining the intensive blocks with online optional courses.

Option courses

You will also choose 1-3 option courses (40 credits) from a range offered at Moray House School of Education and Sport and may include for example:

  • Assessment of physical activity and body composition
  • Child and adolescent development
  • Education for all
  • Physical activity for health
  • Psychology for physical activity
  • Strength and conditioning for specific populations

Additional options may be chosen from courses offered by relevant schools within the University, subject to approval by your Programme Director and Course Organiser.

MSc Dance Science & Education with Teaching Qualification (TQs) pathway

The pathway is offered as a Master of Science and can be completed over 15 months (full-time) or 24 months (part-time). The pathway is not available as a Postgraduate diploma.

To earn the Master's with TQs, you will not take any option courses, but will instead complete an additional compulsory course:

  • Professional Development and Leadership in Dance Teaching

Please note that the MSc Dance Science and Education with TQs starts in August which is earlier in the academic year than the regular MSc Dance Science and Education.

Graduates of this degree pathway are recommended to the GTCS for provisional registration. Upon completion of the required probationary period of teaching, eligible graduates may register with the GTCS as a teacher with a subject specialism in dance.

Many dance teachers work in school and community contexts. However, it is a legal requirement for any teacher in the Scottish state school system to be registered with the GTCS. Being registered not only allows you to teach but also provides assurances to employers, parents and children that you meet a national standard of teaching.

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

AwardTitleDurationStudy mode
MScDance Science and EducationUp to 6 YearsPart-time Intermittent StudyProgramme structure 2023/24
MScDance Science and Education1 YearFull-timeProgramme structure 2023/24
MScDance Science and Education with Teaching Qualification15 MonthsFull-timeProgramme structure 2023/24
MScDance Science and Education2 YearsPart-timeProgramme structure 2023/24
MScDance Science and Education with Teaching Qualification2 YearsPart-timeProgramme structure 2023/24
PgDip (ICL)Dance Science and EducationUp to 4 YearsPart-time Intermittent StudyProgramme structure 2023/24
PgDipDance Science and Education9 MonthsFull-timeProgramme structure 2023/24

The Teaching Qualification (TQs) pathway includes 18 weeks of placement experience in schools and community settings.

Whether you are a recent graduate or a mid-career professional, this programme will prepare you for further research, which can be channelled into an academic career or used to advance your performing, teaching or educational career. The transferable skills you gain, such as communication and project management, will also be valuable in enhancing any career options.

If you choose the GTCS-accredited Teaching Qualification (TQs) pathway, this degree will enable you to apply for GTCS registration and teach in schools with a subject specialism of dance across 3-18 years.

Recent graduate destinations include lecturing and teaching positions in Higher Education, teaching positions in schools, dance development officers for local authorities, research positions, further study at PhD level and physiotherapy programmes.

Students make use of excellent on-campus facilities that include St Leonard’s Land dance studio and BASES-accredited scientific research laboratories.

Because of the University's historic and well-founded reputation in Dance Education, students can access extensive and rare resources related to the field of dance and medical practice in the University's libraries.

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in a relevant discipline.

We may also consider your application if you have relevant employment or professional experience; please contact us to check before you apply.

With your application, you will be required to submit a digital portfolio (maximum 15 minutes in length) evidencing your professional dance practice. This could include, for example, footage of your own performance, your own original choreography performed by your students/dancers, and/or you in a teaching context. (Revised 29 November 2023 to include maximum length of portfolio.)

MSc Dance Science & Education with Teaching Qualification (TQs) pathway-specific requirements

If you are applying for the MSc Dance Science and Education with TQs, in order to be eligible for provisional registration as a teacher, you must have achieved a level of competence in English and Mathematics which is approved by the GTCS upon completion of your degree. This would normally be:

  • SQA Higher Grade pass at levels A, B, C (or equivalent) in English

  • SQA Standard Grade (Credit Level 1 or 2) pass in Mathematics or its equivalent

Selection for the MSc Dance Science and Education with Teaching Qualification involves a professional interview. If you are not sure of your eligibility, please contact PG Admissions to find out more about these requirements.

The Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme is also only required for students on the Teaching Qualification (TQs) pathway. Students on the general MSc Dance Science and Education programme do not require one.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

Protecting Vulnerable Groups

All successful applicants will be required to join Disclosure Scotland's Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme before starting the programme. In addition, all applicants who don't live in the UK, or who have spent more than a year abroad, will need to provide equivalent verification from the relevant national authority.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

  • IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
  • Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
  • PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 59 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

Find out more about our language requirements:

AwardTitleDurationStudy mode
MScDance Science and EducationUp to 6 YearsPart-time Intermittent StudyTuition fees
MScDance Science and Education1 YearFull-timeTuition fees
MScDance Science and Education with Teaching Qualification15 MonthsFull-timeTuition fees
MScDance Science and Education2 YearsPart-timeTuition fees
MScDance Science and Education with Teaching Qualification2 YearsPart-timeTuition fees
PgDip (ICL)Dance Science and EducationUp to 4 YearsPart-time Intermittent StudyTuition fees
PgDipDance Science and Education9 MonthsFull-timeTuition fees

Moray House Country Scholarship

Moray House School of Education and Sport is pleased to offer five £10,000 scholarships to study a Master’s degree programme commencing in September 2024. These will be based on merit and available to applicants from eligible countries.

Moray House Access Scholarship

Moray House School of Education and Sport is pleased to offer a scholarship covering tuition fees and living costs for one student. The scholarship is for UK nationals domiciled in the UK, from backgrounds or groups which are underrepresented in our School.

GREAT scholarship: Mexico

One GREAT scholarship will be available to applicants from Mexico who apply for 2024 entry. This award is for £10,000 towards postgraduate taught (Masters) degree tuition. Further details on eligibility criteria and how to apply can be found on the GREAT scholarship website.

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments. The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

  • your programme
  • the duration of your studies
  • your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

  • Moray House School of Education and Sport
  • Old Moray House
  • Holyrood Campus
  • Edinburgh
  • EH8 8AQ
Programme start dates Application deadlines
1 August 2024 6 June 2024
9 September 2024 6 June 2024
6 January 2025 6 June 2024

Due to high demand, the school operates a number of selection deadlines. We will make a small number of offers to the most outstanding candidates on an ongoing basis, but hold the majority of applications until the next published selection deadline when we will offer a proportion of the places available to applicants selected through a competitive process.

Please be aware that applications must be submitted and be complete, i.e. all required documents uploaded, by the relevant application deadline in order to be considered in that round. Your application will still be considered if you have not yet met the English language requirement for the programme.

Deadlines for applicants applying to study in 2024/25:

Round Application deadline Places awarded by
1 01 November 2023 19 December 2023
2 11 December 2023 28 February 2024
3 04 March 2024 16 May 2024
4 06 June 2024 30 July 2024

You must submit one reference with your application.

You must submit a portfolio, a maximum of 15 minutes in length, which should include evidence of a professional dance practice such as teaching, performance, choreography. This can be evidenced through digital footage and any additional evidence you wish to provide.

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

Further information

  • Moray House School of Education and Sport
  • Old Moray House
  • Holyrood Campus
  • Edinburgh
  • EH8 8AQ