Est. 1990 · Dublin, Ireland

Shaping The Next
Generation Of Dancers

Founded in 1990, the College of Dance is Ireland’s leading provider of full-time, foundation-level training in dance and performing arts.

Apply For Audition

About The College

A Legacy Of Excellence In Performing Arts.

Our graduates progress to top international conservatoires & schools, often on scholarships and build successful careers across the global industry.

The College’s intensive two-year programme develops strong technical and performance skills across a wide range of disciplines, including Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Commercial, Tap, Acro, and more, alongside studies in anatomy, nutrition and dance history.

Training is delivered by an experienced faculty, former professional dancers and choreographers themselves, in a supportive environment where each student’s potential is nurtured.

35+

Years Of Experience

Expert Faculty



Global Alumni

1990

Established

Graduate Success

Where Talent Becomes A Career.

Our graduates have gone on to study, and win scholarships to some of the most prestigious international training programs and conservatoires for dance and theatre studies. Graduates can be found working in these fields worldwide.

100%

Graduate Success Rate

The College of Dance continues its pedigree of success with another year of all graduating students receiving offers.

Global

University Offers

All auditioning student were offered places to elite colleges & universities, many with multiple offers.

Annual

Student Scholarships

Achieving scholarships every year for our students highlights the incredible pedigree delivered by the College.

€1M+

Scholarship Value Awarded

Scholarships range in value from a contribution towards further studies to 3-year full scholarship for our students.

Full time

Three Full Time Courses.

Level 2 Diploma in Creative and Performing Arts

Who can apply?

Open to TY students aged 14 – 16.

What are the entry requirements?

Students must have a completed Junior certificate or equivalent academically. Students must also have completed training in at least one dance style or in vocal training.

How long is the program ?

1 Year Full Time Training. Commencing September through to June each year.

What will I study?

This is a practical, immersive course that mirrors the realities of the performing arts industry. You’ll explore every corner of the performing arts arena. Students undergo comprehensive training in Classical Ballet, Pointe work, Contemporary, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Tap, Commercial, Acro, as well as Vocal Studies & Drama. Lectures in Dance History & Appreciation, Anatomy and Nutrition are also an integral part of the curriculum. All aimed at helping you prepare for a career in the Performing Arts Sector.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment is project-based and portfolio-driven, focusing on your practical work and creative process. Units assessed for this course include, Planning for a Career in Creative and Performing Arts, Final Production, Choreography, Dance technique and Ensemble Performance.

What qualification will I achieve?

You will be awarded a Level 2 Diploma in Creative and Performing Arts.

What can I do after completing this course?

This Diploma opens doors to further Study with the college: Progress to Level 3 Diplomas in Creative and Performing Arts for those not planning to return to school to complete their leaving certificate.

Start Application

Level 3 Diploma in Creative and Performing Arts

Who can apply?

Open to students aged 16 +.

What are the entry requirements?

Students must have a completed at a minimum their Junior certificate or equivalent academically. Students must also have completed training in at least one dance style or in vocal training.

How long is the program ?

1 Year Full Time Training. Commencing September through to June each year.

What will I study?

How will I be assessed?

Assessment is project-based and portfolio-driven, focusing on your practical work and creative process. Units assessed for this course include, Planning for a Career in CAPA, Performance Preparation, Choreography, Dance technique and Ensemble Performance, Jazz Dance for Musical Theatre and Applying Safe Dance Practice.

What qualification will I achieve?

You will be awards a Level 3 Diploma in Creative and Performing Arts.
Often equivalent to 1.5 A-Levels or a 1-year PLC (Post-Leaving Certificate) course in Ireland.

What can I do after completing this course?

This Diploma opens doors to further Study with the College: to complete your 2nd year and achieve your Level 3 Extended Diplomas in Creative and Performing Arts.

Start Application

Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative and Performing Arts

Who can apply?

Open to students aged 16 +.

What are the entry requirements?

Students must have a completed at a minimum their Junior certificate or equivalent academically. Students must also have completed training in at least one dance style or in vocal training.

How long is the program ?

2 Years Full Time Training. Commencing September through to June each year.

What will I study?

This is a practical, immersive course that mirrors the realities of the performing arts industry. As with our other programs you’ll explore every corner of the performing arts arena. Students undergo comprehensive training in Classical Ballet, Pointe work, Contemporary, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Tap, Commercial, Acro, as well as Vocal Studies & Drama. Lectures in Dance History & Appreciation, Anatomy and Nutrition are also an integral part of the curriculum.
For those committed to the 2 year program, they can make their own assessment selections depending on their area of focus, Dance or Musical Theatre.
If focused on Dance, you will develop technical proficiency, choreographic skills, and performance versatility, with opportunities to create original movement pieces and work collaboratively in group choreography.
For Musical Theatre, this strand integrates singing, dancing, and acting, focusing on vocal technique, musical interpretation, and stage presence. Students will rehearse and perform musical theatre repertoire, gaining experience in ensemble and solo performance, and understanding the demands of triple-threat training.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment is project-based and portfolio-driven, focusing on your practical work and creative process.
Units assessed for this course include 3 core units and 10 optional units
Core: Planning for a Career in CAPA, Performance Preparation, Final Production
Optional: Choreography, Dance technique 1 and Ensemble Performance, Jazz Dance for Musical Theatre and Applying Safe Dance Practice, Leading Dance, Rhythm and Tap, Audition Preparation, Musical Theatre Audition Preparation Dance Technique 2, Musical Theatre Performance, Vocal Techniques (Music)

What qualification will I achieve?

You will be awards a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative and Performing Arts. This equates to 3 A-Levels or a max of 168 UCAS points.

What can I do after completing this course?

Students could progress a degree in Performing Arts, Drama or Theatre Studies, at performing arts schools or university. Employment can be directly related to the skills developed in the course, leading to work as a performer, in theatre management or the broad range of production roles. However, the confidence, creative thinking and presentation skills students develop will also serve you well in a variety of other careers. We have all heard the phrase….Want a job done well, hire a theatre kid!

Start Application

Short term

Short Term Training Options.

Summer Intensive Courses

Join us for our exciting week-long Summer Intensives, taking place:
12–16 July and 9–13 August 2027

Designed for dancers aged 12+ with prior training, these immersive courses focus on building technique, performance, and confidence in a supportive, professional environment.

Start Application

Easter Intensive Courses

Ready to take your dancing up a level this Easter?
Spend three action-packed days at the College of Dance Easter Intensive, developing your skills, pushing yourself and dancing alongside other young performers.

Tuesday 23rd March – Thursday 25th March 2027

Open to dancers aged 12+ with previous training, the Intensive is all about building stronger technique, growing in confidence and developing your performance skills in a fun, positive and inspiring environment.

Three days. Lots of dancing. New challenges. New friends. A whole lot of fun.

Start Application

Open Days - Come And Visit Us

Visit the studio. Meet the faculty.

Stay in the loop! Register for our upcoming open days where you can visit our studio and meet with our expereinced teachers.

Upcoming Open Days

Accreditations & Affiliations

Recognised By The

Industry's Best.

Our standards are validated by leading awarding bodies and international performance organisations.

RSL Approved Centre

Professional Training. Recognised Qualifications

From Sept 2026 The College of Dance is proud to be an RSL Approved Centre, bringing recognised vocational qualifications together with our professional dance training. Students can now develop their talent, performance and creativity while working towards a Diploma in Creative and Performing Arts, suitable to their level and that recognises their achievement.

Discover our RSL qualifications

Recognised Qualification · UCAS / CAO Points

Dance World Cup

Associate - DWC Education Programme

As a Dance World Cup Associate for their Education Programme since 2026, the College is delighted to partner with the DWC team, supporting international opportunities and awarding scholarships to exceptional dance talent worldwide

International · Events · Scholarships

In Their Own Words

Voices Of Our

Alumni & Families.

    
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Paul Moran 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Just dropping my granddaughter to college.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Larry Millard 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My daughter just started her second year with the college. If you are serious about a career in dance or theater, it just to learn great life skills the college is an absolute must! The teaching team are brilliant at what they do and have done so much to develop the dancers, giving them an insight and some of the tools needed to succeed in a challenging career choice! Highly recommend for TY and post leaving cert.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   matthew duffy 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This is an amazing dance and performing arts college. My daughter completed their transition year program and had the best year of her life. Since then she’s attended the College’s summer and Easter intensives. This year she auditioned for performing arts university in Europe and got 4 offers including one with a €43,000 scholarship. We can’t thank the College of Dance enough for everything their have done. This is a fantastic College and I would recommend it to anyone serious about a career in performing arts.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   kristine brengmane 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My daughter has just finished Transition year and I cannot recommend the college more.
From professional teachers to committed environment. She has absolutely loved the year and has made friends for life. And the graduation show was exceptional!!!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   barry lupton 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My daughter just completed the transition year course. I cannot recommend the college, teachers and experience enough. It has been an amazing year for my daughter.

The teaching staff are full of passion and instill this in each student, providing  encouragement, motivation and direction at every step and tap.

It's really not like other colleges with days off, long holidays and you know yourself. It's full speed from the get go and doesn't let up until they graduate.

Besides the huge range of dance, acting and singing skills they acquire, the life lessons they build are immeasurable: accountability, responsibility, reliability, punctuality, professionalism are just a few. And she's made friend's for life.

When you see a 16 year old with a head cold  refuse to stay in bed and drag herself across the city on buses and trains, on a raining January morning, you know the teachers are doing something right.

If you have a teen into dance, send them here. You wont regret it.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Jamie Braswell 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My daughter has attended the College of Dance for two years. The instructors are fantastic — challenging the students to be the best they can be while being supportive. Highly recommended.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Abbie Browne 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. loved it
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Edel O'Connor 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My daughter is currently in the Transition Year Program at the College of Dance.  As a parent I was apprehensive about sending her to Dublin from Kerry but I now know we made the right decision.

She is enjoying every aspect of the course.

Teachers are very professional in their specific areas but also show extreme kindness, care and understanding to all their students.

My daughter had ballet and jazz experience both of which she is still pursuing in the college as well as contemporary, commercial, tap, pilates, drama/vocals, ballet studies, jazz studies, contemporary studies and choreography.  Despite not having experience in many of these areas, it didn't hold her back in any way.

The facilities are wonderful and there are lots of public transport options close to the college.

I would highly recommend this course for anyone who is passionate about dancing.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Bernadette O Rourke 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The College of Dance is the premier dance educator for full time dance and performance arts training. Excellent teachers, solid training, wonderful top class studios and facilities. I began my full dance training at the College. The excellent teachers gave me a strong, solid & well rounded dance training. With their support and guidance I continued further training in the Uk. I forged  a successful career in the performing arts and as a dance teacher, The College of Dance was crucial to my career path. Now as Artistic Director I am in the position to ensure the next generation of young dancers and performers receive the solid training in dance and performing arts as I did. The College of Dance is a professionally run organisation, offering diverse programmes to match the needs of students and current trends in the industry. Ensuring our students leave with a strong, solid technique and a balanced education in all areas of the performance industry.
  
 
  
  
 
 
      Verified by Trustindex  Trustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more