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Programme

Programme programme

In 2019, the Master in Dance was established as the first EQF level 7 Master’s degree in Dance in Flanders. This unique programme within the Flemish educational landscape combines academic and artistic research, in collaboration with a major cultural institution, DE SINGEL. It offers students access to the professional field through multiple dimensions of the discipline of dance.

At the core of the programme lies the concept of Embodied Artistic Research (E.A.R.). Each of the three terms is inseparably connected to the others: embodied refers to the integration of experiential knowledge and skills; artistic refers to the definition and practice of artistic work; and research refers to generating new knowledge, ideas, and methodologies concerning embodied artistic practice. Embodiment is often described as an elusive concept, tied to the use of the body—an inherently complex domain. Students are invited to investigate this notion by engaging with questions such as: How can knowledge be embodied through dance? Which forms of knowledge are relevant to embody? When does embodiment become artistic practice? What strategies, frameworks, and methods can deepen such practice? At which point can this process be considered research? And what does artistic research signify when carried out through embodiment?

Throughout the programme, students develop their own artistic research by using embodiment as both a tool and a guiding principle, in a continuous dialogue between tangible, physical practice and intellectual exchange.

The curriculum is deliberately designed to expand gradually: while each student’s artistic practice remains central, the frame of reference widens over time to encompass the individual, the performing arts field, and society at large. By adopting this comprehensive approach, the Master in Dance seeks to reconfigure what it means to be a dance artist today.

This two-year educational pathway is simultaneously a residency at DE SINGEL arts centre

The Master in Dance is only accessible if you meet the diploma and language requirements and pass the audition. More information can be found on this page.

You are welcome to consult the programme guide for information on the different courses, schedule, and more. The preliminary planning for academic year 2025-2026 can be found here.


Bridging and preparatory programme

In order to enter the master programme, it is obligatory to follow the bridging/preparatory programme of 45 ECTS-credits. 

In Belgium and The Netherlands, there is a distinction between an academic and a professional bachelor. Due to this difference, the bridging and preparatory programme differ in terms but not in content.

You can follow the bridging/preparatory programme only after passing the audition for the Master in Dance. Depending on your previous education, you can apply for exemptions to reduce your study load.


Picture: end performances Master in Dance 2025 by Rudy Carlier

  • Dance master (Dutch) - 60 ECTS

    ACADEMIEJAAR 2026-27

    PROGRAMME ECTS
    Unravelling embodiment 5
    Artistic Practice - toolbox 5
    Research- dance and society 5
    Embodied curating 5
    Artistic practice-music and sound 5
    Research - dance and dramaturgy 5
    Embodied theory 5
    Artistic practice-expanded scenography and costume 5
    Research-dance and documentation 5
    Masterproject 15
  • Dance master (ENG) - 60 ECTS

    ACADEMIEJAAR 2026-27

    PROGRAMME ECTS
    Unravelling embodiment 5
    Artistic Practice - toolbox 5
    Research- dance and society 5
    Embodied curating 5
    Artistic practice-music and sound 5
    Research - dance and dramaturgy 5
    Embodied theory 5
    Artistic practice-expanded scenography and costume 5
    Research-dance and documentation 5
    Masterproject 15
  • Dance master of arts & education 1 - 60 ECTS

    ACADEMIEJAAR 2026-27

    PROGRAMME ECTS
    Unravelling embodiment 5
    Artistic Practice - toolbox 5
    Research- dance and society 5
    Embodied curating 5
    Artistic practice-music and sound 5
    Research - dance and dramaturgy 5
    General teaching methodology in the arts 3
    Development and education 3
    Cross-domain teaching methodology in the arts- initiation dance 3
    General teaching methodology Contemporary Dance 3
    General teaching methodology Classical Dance 3
    General teaching methodology improvisation 3
    Introduction to Art Education 3
    Orientational internship 3
    • Dance Internship Master 1

      ACADEMIEJAAR

      Type 2
      Explanation: You need to choose courses amounting for a total of 6 points.
      PROGRAMME ECTS
      Internship dance initiation (3 credits) 3
      Internship contemporary dance (3 credits) 3
      Internship Classical dance (3 ECTS) 3
      Internship Improvisation-Creation-Choreography (3 credits) 3
      Internship LIO (6 credits) 6
      Internship dance initiation (6 credits) 6
      Internship contemporary dance (6 credits) 6
      Internship Classical dance (6 credits) 6
      Internship Improvisation-Creation-Choreography (6 credits) 6
      Internship other (3 credits) 3
      Internship other (6 credits) 6
  • Dance master of arts & education 2 - 60 ECTS

    ACADEMIEJAAR 2026-27

    PROGRAMME ECTS
    Embodied theory 5
    Artistic practice-expanded scenography and costume 5
    Research-dance and documentation 5
    Masterproject 15
    Diversity and group management 3
    Communication 3
    Master's Exam educational art project 9
    • Dance Internship Master 2

      ACADEMIEJAAR

      Type 2
      Explanation: You need to choose courses amounting for a total of 9 points.
      PROGRAMME ECTS
      Internship dance initiation (3 credits) 3
      Internship contemporary dance (3 credits) 3
      Internship Classical dance (3 ECTS) 3
      Internship Improvisation-Creation-Choreography (3 credits) 3
      Internship LIO (6 credits) 6
      Internship dance initiation (6 credits) 6
      Internship dance initiation (9 credits) 9
      Internship contemporary dance (6 credits) 6
      Internship contemporary dance (9 credits) 9
      Internship Classical dance (9 credits) 9
      Internship Classical dance (6 credits) 6
      Internship Improvisation-Creation-Choreography (6 credits) 6
      Internship Improvisation-Creation-Choreography (9 credits) 9
      Internship LIO (9 credits) 9
      Internship other (3 credits) 3
      Internship other (6 credits) 6
    • Dance Specific teaching Methodology

      ACADEMIEJAAR

      Type 2
      Explanation: You need to choose courses amounting for a total of 6 points.
      PROGRAMME ECTS
      Specific teaching methodology-Classical Dance 3
      Specific teaching methodology- Contemporary Dance 3
      Specific teaching methodology- Creation and Improvisation 3