Dance

The technical, pedagogical and artistic development of students is at the heart of the study programme at the Institute of Dance Arts (IDA). They are accompanied by a first-class team of teachers, international choreographers and guest lecturers. In addition to knowledge, understanding and skills, critical thinking, further development and rethinking play a central role at the institute. In an open, contemporary understanding of dance and dance knowledge, the degree programmes leave room for individual paths.

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The MA Movement Research and MA Dance Pedagogy are currently being revised. For this reason, no applicants will be admitted to these MA programmes in winter semester 2026/27.

The admission of new MA students is planned for the winter semester 2027/28.

BA Contemporary Dance - Stage Dance/Performance/Pedagogy

Bachelor of Contemporary Dance: Stage Dance/Performance/Pedagogy.

An artistic and highly physical full-time study

Overview
The BA program aims to educate well-informed, critical, and passionate artists and consists of the three fields: Stage Dance, Performance, and Contemporary Dance Education.
It thus corresponds to a professional profile of contemporary dancers who, in addition to stage and performance, also work as mentors and educators in their careers.

Central artistic subjects

The main artistic subjects (MAS) contemporary dance and ballet are taught daily. Taking into account individual needs and abilities, these dance techniques are taught through intensive training and somatically supported learning. The goal is to enable the students to develop their artistic, virtuosic and expressive skills. The central artistic subjects are consecutive and closely linked to the course Repertoire; choreographic processes and rehearsals form a large part of this course. Through regular showings and performances taking place each semester, students present works developed or rehearsed by an international team of teachers and guest choreographers.

Facts

Duration: 8 semesters / 240 ECTS
Language of instruction: English
Academic Degree: Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Requirements

Requirements for this degree program are a significant talent for movement, good previous knowledge and a high aptitude for contemporary dance as well as a solid knowledge of ballet. An openness to diverse artistic approaches is expected.

Individual choices

In addition to courses that take place during specific semesters and are taught in a structured schedule, the curriculum also provides students with opportunities to customize their studies by choosing content, intensity and timing.

There are three main areas for individual choices:

Topics in Dance Studies are offered regularly in six different courses, of which four must be taken and completed.
A wide variety of electives are offered each academic year. Up to three electives may be taken each semester, allowing students to decide the content and design of their semesters. A total of 16 Electives must be completed.

24 electives, varying annually, cover a wide range of topics related to contemporary dance. Electives delve into areas such as Movement Research, Physical Theatre, Choreography or Scores, and offer Project Coaching as well as fitness offerings or support in specific dance techniques.
Interdisciplinary electives also facilitate collaborations with other ABU departments and external institutions, such as Linz University of the Arts.
For the institute, the electives offer an opportunity to integrate guests and workshops as an enriching part of the studies and to create space for creativity and experimentation.

Fourth year of study – Transition year

The fourth year is characterized by the completion of the degree program and the transition into the professional dance world.
The curriculum is arranged so that all courses can be completed by the end of the 7th semester. The 8th semester offers students the opportunity to gain experience in professional practice outside the university; at the same time, participation in the Institute's training remains open to them, and, if necessary, they can complete exams or courses that are still unfinished.
Such an open structure supports students in their flexibility and creates room for individual paths.

Final exams

Final exams may be taken at various dates during the fourth year of study, or later if the studies are extended.
The two-part Final Artistic Performance and Exam Teaching Methodology represent the three fields of this contemporary dance degree: stage dance, performance, and pedagogy.
The final artistic performance exam includes work with a guest choreographer and a performance created by the student themself.
The Bachelor thesis, as a written scientific discourse, completes the final exams.

MA Movement Research

The curricula for the Master's programmes offer in-depth studies in practice and theory of dance. The focus is on methods of artistic and practice-oriented research (artistic research, practice-led research). The master students develop individual questions and topics within the productive transfers and intersections of theory and practice, past and present, artistic practices as well as intercultural and transcultural differentiations.

The Master Programme teaching is carried out in a variety of formats – lectures, normal classes, study weeks, shared practice - as well as through special artistic and pedagogical projects. The IDA Dance LAB offers a platform for the work of Masters students. Dance and media studios are available to them, as well as studios for artistic residencies and teaching practice. Links to future professional fields are incorporated in the form of external projects.

A unique aspect of this program is that some courses are also held together with the MA Dance Education programme.

Educational focuses

Artistic research, practice-led research, improvisation and movement research, integration of dance techniques in art and pedagogy, interdisciplinary collaboration with artists from a broad spectrum of the arts.

Facts

Duration: 4 semesters / 120 ECTS
Language of instruction: English
Degree: Master of Arts (KMA)

Requirements

Completed Bachelor's degree in Dance or a corresponding professional career; high intrinsic motivation and the ability to work independently and autonomously.

Admission

Auditions are held in spring. For more information and audition dates, please see Audition MA.

MA Dance Pedagogy

The Master's Programme teaching is carried out in a variety of formats – lectures, normal classes, study weeks, shared practice - as well as through special artistic and pedagogical projects. The IDA Dance LAB offers a platform for the work of Master students. Dance and media studios are available to them, as well as studios for artistic residencies and teaching practice. Links to future professional fields are incorporated in the form of external projects.

Based on analysis and the formation of critical reflection skills, the Master's Programme in Dance Pedagogy offers an examination of inherent dance knowledge through transfer practices or transmission. The goal is to be able to respond to the current needs of the professional field, to mature as an authentic dance educator and to contribute to the development of contemporary dance education.

The programme is geared towards a broad target group of dancers, choreographers and already practicing dance educators.

Methods of transmission are developed through the gathering of experience and reflection, as well as the student's own research work. Through this process, one's own convictions and behaviour as a dance educator can be questioned, further developed and affirmed.

The examination of one's own methodological-didactic conduct should contribute to the maturation of the dance pedagogy students.

A unique aspect of this programme is that some courses are also held together with the MA Movement Research programme.

Educational focuses

The Master's programme in dance education has four main goals:

To support dance practitioners and professional participants in deepening their knowledge and skills in terms of facilitation and transmission.
To establish a theoretical and analytical dimension to their practices for their professional careers.
Fostering a level of critical reflection and support for the recognition and affirmation of their own skills
Contextualize and articulate the interaction between dance ‘know-how’ and theoretical knowledge.

Facts

Duration: 4 semesters / 120 ECTS
Language of instruction: English
Degree: Master of Arts (PMA)

Requirements

Completed Bachelor's degree in Dance or a corresponding professional career; high intrinsic motivation and the ability to work independently and autonomously.

Admission

Auditions are held in spring. For more information and audition dates, please see Audition MA.