It is important to note that the Conservatoire schools offer vocational training. This means that your time at the school will be spent learning the specific, technical and practical skills to enable you to pursue a professional career as, for example, an actor, dancer, circus performer, theatre technician, stage manager, choreographer or designer.
All of our courses are intensely practical. You will usually spend around 35 hours each week in contact with lecturers, directors and other students. This time will be spent in technique classes (whether this is classical ballet, contact improvisation, voice skills, Alexander Technique, learning how to operate a lighting rig or sewing techniques) and involves work on repertoire and ultimately preparation for performance and then performance itself.
Our courses are located firmly within higher education, even though they are not academic in focus. This is because students are expected to acquire and demonstrate the very highest level of accomplishment in their chosen art form and to develop the self-reflection and critical thinking that are necessary to become an engaging and persuasive artist.
Assessment is usually based on practice rather than written examinations, although some of the Conservatoire courses include written elements. Vocational training is not ‘easier’ than academic study: it is physically and intellectually demanding and any student embarking on such training should be prepared to work long hours.
If you would like further information about vocational training, beyond that offered here or by the Conservatoire schools, you may find it useful to visit the websites of the Council for Dance Education and Training and the National Council for Drama Training. These organisations have produced a guide to vocational training in dance and drama:
