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.

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 8, 2023

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. 

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:

• 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: March 1, 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. 

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. 

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: 

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