Northern School of Contemporary Dance

Based in Leeds, the Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD) is a specialist provider of higher education that trains choreographers, teachers and contemporary dance artists. Founded in 1985 under its first principal, Nadine Senior, it was the public sector's first conservatoire dance school. Its home is a former synagogue on Chapeltown Road, constructed from 1929 to 1932 and now Grade II listed, containing eight large studios along with the Riley Theatre, which opened in 1988. NSCD degrees were originally validated by the University of Leeds and subsequently by the University of Kent, and the Office for Students awarded the school full degree awarding powers covering its BA (Hons) and MA programmes in August 2025.

Two undergraduate courses form the core of its provision: the BA (Hons) Dance: Choreography, Producing and Teaching and the BA (Hons) Contemporary Dance Performance. At postgraduate level, master's degrees cover teaching and facilitating in creative subjects, contemporary dance performance, professional dance pedagogy, and dance and creative enterprise, alongside a professional placement scheme in dance. Former students include the choreographer Akram Khan, as well as Benji Reid, Fleur Darkin and Robert Hylton.

Information for International Students

NSCD holds a Student sponsor licence, helps overseas applicants with their Student visa applications and releases a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) once every entry condition is satisfied. BA applicants do not apply through UCAS but directly via the HEI Apply system. Places are decided by one audition, attended in person in Leeds or submitted as a video, so candidates abroad do not have to come to the UK. The BA in Contemporary Dance Performance does not require any prior dance training, because the panel looks for potential.

Candidates without English as a first language must show CEFR level B2: for undergraduates, IELTS 5.5 overall with no skill below 5.0, and for postgraduates, IELTS 6.0 with 6.0 in both reading and writing. LanguageCert and PTE Academic are among the alternatives accepted. Incoming students receive help from the Admissions team when booking accommodation, and during their course Student Services provides English language support, health and wellbeing support and assistance with dance injuries. Enrolment for international students takes place during induction week, when they present their passport and eVisa details.