Apply to BFA in Dance at The University of Texas at Austin

B.F.A. in Dance

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Overview

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance offers intensive, professional training within a rigorous academic setting. Students train in daily technique classes in ballet and contemporary dance forms, while also enjoying a curriculum that consists of practical and theoretical studies in performance, choreography, pedagogy and related dance studies (dance history, experiential anatomy, somatics and cultural dance forms).

Students have the opportunity to perform and participate in the department’s award-winning dance company, Dance Repertory Theatre, and work with internationally recognized guest artists and scholars at one of the nation’s top research universities. The University of Texas at Austin is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD). 

B.F.A. in Dance students may also pursue the UTeach Dance option with an emphasis in dance education, leading to teacher certification for grades 6-12 for the State of Texas. Students interested in UTeach Dance (B.F.A. in Dance with teacher certification) are invited to apply to the certification program during their sophomore year of study at the university. There is no application process for the UTeach Dance option for incoming freshman admission.


Freshman Applicants

1. Submit the ApplyTexas Application or Common App Application

Available: August 1, 2023
Deadline: December 1, 2023

All applicants must submit a freshman university application via ApplyTexas or Common App. This university application will include:

  • Application
  • Fee
  • Essay
  • Short answers
  • Transcript(s)
  • Other required optional materials, if applicable
  • Scholarship interest form

For a full list of application requirements, please visit the Office of Admissions website.

2. Submit Theatre and Dance Application Requirements

Available: September 1, 2023
Deadline: December 11, 2023

Applicants will select their intended major and then upload an audition video. Check out this tutorial for instructions on how to access and submit the Fine Arts Supplemental application.

Dance Video Audition Requirements
  • Video 1: Personal Introduction – Please explain why you are pursuing a B.F.A. in Dance and what draws you to UT Austin’s program specifically (approximately one minute).
  • Videos 2 & 3: Movement Samples - please submit two videos, one minute each, demonstrating two different genres of dance movement. Excerpts can be choreographed, self-choreographed or improvised. If ballet is one of the selected genres, please show center work (no barre). If possible, please film your movement in a way that shows your capacity to move in and through space. 
  • Video 4: Creative Risk-Taking - Please submit one additional movement sample, one minute long, demonstrating your capacity for creative risk-taking. You could explore a dance form that is unfamiliar to you or perform a familiar dance form in an innovative way. If you have not choreographed before, you might choreograph your own movement, or if you have not improvised before, you might explore improvisation. The important thing is to move outside of your comfort zone. Please include a brief description explaining how this movement sample is a creative risk. 

The portal to submit a Theatre and Dance application will be accessible via the applicant’s MyStatus portal.


Transfer Applicants

For External Applicants

1. Submit the ApplyTexas Application or Common App Application

Available: August 1, 2023
Deadline: March 1, 2024

The Common App or ApplyTexas fall application is due March 1. All applicants must submit a transfer university application via ApplyTexas or Common App. This university application will include:

For a full list of application requirements, please visit the Office of Admissions website.

2. Submit Theatre and Dance Application Requirements

Available: September 1, 2023
Deadline: March 8, 2024

Applicants will select their intended major and then upload an audition video.

Dance Video Audition Requirements
  • Video 1: Personal Introduction – Please explain why you are pursuing a B.F.A. in Dance and what draws you to UT Austin’s program specifically (approximately one minute).
  • Videos 2 & 3: Movement Samples - please submit two videos, one minute each, demonstrating two different genres of dance movement. Excerpts can be choreographed, self-choreographed or improvised. If ballet is one of the selected genres, please show center work (no barre). If possible, please film your movement in a way that shows your capacity to move in and through space. 
  • Video 4: Creative Risk-Taking - Please submit one additional movement sample, one minute long, demonstrating your capacity for creative risk-taking. You could explore a dance form that is unfamiliar to you or perform a familiar dance form in an innovative way. If you have not choreographed before, you might choreograph your own movement, or if you have not improvised before, you might explore improvisation. The important thing is to move outside of your comfort zone. Please include a brief description explaining how this movement sample is a creative risk. 

 The portal to submit a Theatre and Dance application will be accessible via the applicant’s MyStatus portal.

For Internal Applicants (Change or Add Major)

1. Complete The University of Texas at Austin Internal Transfer Application

Available: February 1, 2024
Deadline: May 1, 2024

For more information regarding the internal transfer process, please visit the Office of Admissions Internal Transfer website.

An audition is required for admission to the B.F.A. in Dance program. You can upload your audition videos when you complete the Internal Transfer Application.

Dance Video Audition Requirements
  • Video 1: Personal Introduction – Please explain why you are pursuing a B.F.A. in Dance and what draws you to UT Austin’s program specifically (approximately one minute).
  • Videos 2 & 3: Movement Samples - please submit two videos, one minute each, demonstrating two different genres of dance movement. Excerpts can be choreographed, self-choreographed or improvised. If ballet is one of the selected genres, please show center work (no barre). If possible, please film your movement in a way that shows your capacity to move in and through space. 
  • Video 4: Creative Risk-Taking - Please submit one additional movement sample, one minute long, demonstrating your capacity for creative risk-taking. You could explore a dance form that is unfamiliar to you or perform a familiar dance form in an innovative way. If you have not choreographed before, you might choreograph your own movement, or if you have not improvised before, you might explore improvisation. The important thing is to move outside of your comfort zone. Please include a brief description explaining how this movement sample is a creative risk. 

APPLICATION DEADLINES FOR FRESHMEN APPLICANTS

ApplyTexas or Common App application for admittance in Fall 2024 opens.August 1, 2023
Department of Theatre and Dance application opens.September 1, 2023
ApplyTexas or Common App application deadline.December 1, 2023
Deadline for students to submit all additional application items, including Theatre and Dance application.December 11, 2023

 

APPLICATION DEADLINES FOR EXTERNAL TRANSFER APPLICANTS 

ApplyTexas or Common App application for admittance in Fall 2024 opens.August 1, 2023
Department of Theatre and Dance application for external transfers opens.September 1, 2023
ApplyTexas or Common App application deadline.March 1, 2024
Deadline for students to submit all additional application items, including Theatre and Dance application.March 8, 2024

 

APPLICATION DEADLINES FOR INTERNAL APPLICANTS (CHANGE OR ADD MAJOR)

Application for internal transfers (change of major) opens.February 1, 2024
Deadline to submit all application requirements.May 1, 2024

 


Sample Curriculum

FIRST YEAR SECOND YEAR THIRD YEAR FOURTH YEAR

Contemporary Technique

Ballet Technique

Public Practice

Physical Conditioning

Production Lab

Intermediate Contemporary Technique

Intermediate Ballet Technique

Movement Improvisation

Fund Projects in Dance Performance and Repertory

Movement Composition

TD Elective Option

Dance History I & II

Projects in Dance Performance and Repertory

Choreography I

Dance Pedagogy Theory

Topics in Dance Movement

Adv Projects in Dance Performance and Repertory

Choreo Design Dance Movement

TD Elective Option - History/Cultural Diversity

The schedule and availability of Theatre and Dance courses changes each semester. The courses listed above are examples for this focus. Students must also fulfill The University of Texas at Austin’s core curriculum, department core, and elective requirements.

Download Sample Degree Plan: 

 

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