Earning a degree in dance abroad will prepare you for the future, whether your dreams are to be a dancer on stage or a choreographer, director, or programmer behind the scenes. Since studying dance can become what you make it, no matter which country or type of degree program you choose, you will be able to add your own personality and style to your dance degree abroad.

Both undergraduate and master’s level degrees are available in dance performance and dance studies. An undergraduate dance degree typically prepares students through classes in technique, improvisation, choreography, theory, and professional studies, which then leads to careers as a dancer, choreographer, teacher, or administrator/manager. On a broader scale, graduates may also obtain jobs as fitness professionals and dance writers or critics.

Moving onto the graduate level, you’ll be able to fine-tune your dance studies to achieve more senior and advanced roles in choreography, education, and program development, or delve deeper into studies such as dance history, anthropology, or analysis. If you are looking at the master’s level, it will be more important to do your research to see the specific focuses each school offers.

Another option you have for obtaining a dance degree abroad is whether to attend a university or a specialized dance school. The biggest difference between these types of schools is the certification obtained upon completion. If joining a dance company is your dream, a school of dance offers certificates or diplomas that are geared for a professional career as a dance performer with a large focus on contemporary and classical dance. A diploma may be equivalent to an undergraduate degree, depending on the program, so a master’s degree is not out of the picture either.

If you are looking to extend your reach in dance beyond the stage, or combine dance with other interests, a university would allow you to have more choices. For example, if you love psychology just as much as dance, you could find a university to study dance movement psychotherapy, which you wouldn’t be able to find at a specialized dance school.

Most admission requirements for international students in dance mirror those for local students. Undergraduate dance degree programs typically require previous dance experience or schooling, and, following acceptance of the application, an in-person or video audition. Master’s level dance programs require an undergraduate degree in dance or a degree in a relevant field plus sufficient dance experience. Both dance degree programs may also require an interview. Many dance degree programs also offer the opportunity to gain experience with dance companies, study abroad in select countries, and perform independent research.