B.F.A. in Dance

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 COMMON APP APPLICATION

Available: August 1, 2024
Deadline: December 1, 2024

All applicants must submit a freshman university application via 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, 2024
Deadline: December 11, 2024

All applicants will submit a video prescreen audition. Select applicants may be invited to attend an in-person or virtual callback audition.

Applicants prepare a personal introduction video and two movement samples. Each video will be approximately one-minute in length.

• Personal introduction video: Share your name and hometown, then explain why you are pursuing a degree in dance and what draws you to UT Austin’s program specifically.
• Movement sample 1: This video should show your capacity in your favorite genre of dance. Excerpts can be choreographed, self-choreographed or improvised. If ballet is one of the selected genres, please show center work (no barre).
• Movement sample 2: Demonstrate 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.

Applicants will also be asked to upload a headshot.

• NOTE: headshot does not have to be a professional headshot. It can be a clear image taken on your mobile device.

Applicants will also be required to respond to several short written prompts.

Transfer Applicants

For External Applicants

1. SUBMIT THE COMMON APP APPLICATION

Available: August 1, 2024
Deadline: March 1, 2025

All applicants must submit a transfer university application via 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, 2024
Deadline: March 10, 2025

All applicants will submit a video prescreen audition. Select applicants may be invited to attend an in-person or virtual callback audition.

Applicants prepare a personal introduction video and two movement samples. Each video will be approximately one-minute in length.

• Personal introduction video: Share your name and hometown, then explain why you are pursuing a degree in dance and what draws you to UT Austin’s program specifically.
• Movement sample 1: This video should show your capacity in your favorite genre of dance. Excerpts can be choreographed, self-choreographed or improvised. If ballet is one of the selected genres, please show center work (no barre).
• Movement sample 2: Demonstrate 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.

Applicants will also be asked to upload a headshot.

• NOTE: headshot does not have to be a professional headshot. It can be a clear image taken on your mobile device.

Applicants will also be required to respond to several short written prompts.

For Internal Applicants (Change or Add Major)

1. COMPLETE THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN INTERNAL TRANSFER APPLICATION

Available: February 1, 2025
Deadline: May 1, 2025

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. Select applicants may be invited to attend an in-person or virtual callback audition.

Applicants prepare a personal introduction video and two movement samples. Each video will be approximately one-minute in length.

• Personal introduction video: Share your name and hometown, then explain why you are pursuing a degree in dance and what draws you to UT Austin’s program specifically.
• Movement sample 1: This video should show your capacity in your favorite genre of dance. Excerpts can be choreographed, self-choreographed or improvised. If ballet is one of the selected genres, please show center work (no barre).
• Movement sample 2: Demonstrate 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.

Applicants will also be asked to upload a headshot.

• NOTE: headshot does not have to be a professional headshot. It can be a clear image taken on your mobile device.

Applicants will also be required to respond to several short written prompts.

View a full list of important application dates and deadlines.

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:

You may need to install Acrobat Reader to access this document.