Northern School of Contemporary Dance - In Depth

Founded: 1985.

Site: Leeds (Chapeltown), close to city library/art gallery and universities.

How to get there: Leeds very accessible by road (M1 and M62), by national coach services, by rail and air.

Structural features: Member of Conservatoire for Dance and Drama.

Academic features: Courses include classical and contemporary dance, choreography and allied arts, performance, theory and practice of dance in education design.

Awarding body: Leeds University.

Main award: BPA (contemporary dance).

Length of courses: 3 years (full-time).

Library & information services: 3050 titles (book/video & journal article titles), 20+ study places. Annual expenditure on information provision, £22 per (FTE) student. IT and library services converged. Ratio 1:9 workstations to students; 10 computers with internet access; IT facilities available 44 hours/week with continuous staff support. All new students have short induction to library and information service plus IT study skills sessions.

Other learning facilities: 4 audio visual viewing places, 2 audio places, comprehensive collection of dance company information. Own theatre, The Riley Theatre.

Careers: Information and advice available.

Student advice & services: Tutorial system.

Amenities and Sporting facilities: City facilities only.

Accommodation: No school accommodation. Students live in privately owned accommodation: rent £35-£50 per week self-catering. 10% of first degree students live at home.

Living expenses budget: Minimum budget of £3240 for academic year (excluding tuition fees) recommended by School.

Term-time work: School allows term-time work for full-time students (98% believed to work). Term work available on campus theatre, front of house.

Financial help: £13,000 government funds, £8000 own funds; average amount awarded £25 pw; any student with less than £40 pw eligible to apply.

Tuition fees: Home students up to £1200 pa for first degrees (in 2005). International students pay £8650 pa (plus validation fee of £370 in first year).