3-Year Diploma Programme
Applications for the Diploma Programme 2026-29 is now open.
Developing and supporting highly skilled and aware dance artists who can take full charge of their own development and handle their careers as professional dancers and artists for a long career in the future. Individual coaching, extensive performance experience supported by guidance are core elements.
Profile
The finest task of Copenhagen Contemporary Dance School is to educate the international group of highly ambitious dancers who wish to develop their full potential, gain profound technical and artistic skills and knowlegde nessesary to attain a long and distinguished professional career as company- or freelance dancer and artist.
A High-Performance Training Approach
STRUCTURE OF A TYPICAL WEEK
CCDS offers a solid curiculum for education through growth and the faculty is here to guide the students both technically, artistically and in finding the most constructive and efficient learning process in order to enhance an ongoing development into independent and highly skilled dance artists. Working tasks and expectations depend on the level of experience of the individual student and the year of study with a clear expectation of gradual development during the education. By the end of every semester (Winter and Summer) there will be an exam followed by individual feedback
SELECTION PROCEDURE
Copenhagen Contemporary Dance School is looking for dancers who have already achieved a solid technical experience in classical and contemporary dance and are ready to challenge themselves in order to develop their full potential.
To audition for the 3-Year Diploma Programme is to audition for becoming part of an international ambitious team for 3 years. All the dancers support each other in developing their potential and skills to the fullest; through daily training, personal coaching and through performance periods. In the final semester, the dancers have the chance to specialize through individual apprentice periods with choreographers and companies.
Please read about the audition and application process here.
TEACHING LANGUAGE
The daily working language as well as all correspondence is in English.
We do not require any certificate confirming your language ability, but expect you to be able to follow instructions in English.
COURSE-RELATED EXPENCES
Students are expected to bring their own training clothes (indoor and outdoor use), shoes (indoor and outdoor use and running shoes), knee pads, and also nude and black underwear, nude and black socks and swimwear.
Point shoes can be used in some balletclasses when it is aproved by the teachers. Pointshoes are not required to participate in any classes.
Literature and material for Management, Anatomy & Physiology, Music and Dance History is partly found online, at public libraries and in some cases there are expenses related to literature, features on webpages and apps supporting the curriculum. Furthermore, the school can recommend apps to download for a small fee for educational purpose.
DIPLOMA
The education programme is full-time. To obtain the final diploma students must pass the annual exams and pass the school year. If absence exceeds 15%, a diploma will not be issued.
CLASSES AND SUBJECTS AT CCDS
1st year
Ballet
Contemporary
Improvisation
Partnering
Repertoire
Rehearsals
Performance Practice; incl. work with Choreographers & Public Performances
Personal Coaching & Mentoring
Optimising Performance
Composition
Management; Training Planning and CV
COMPLEMENTARY SUBJECTS & WORKSHOPS
Dance & Camera
Voice On Stage
Nutrition and Elite Training; In Relation to Optimising Performance & Restitution
Artistic Research
Dance History In Practice
Latest Scientific Insights into Injury Prevention, Treatment, Restitution and Recovery
2nd year
Ballet
Contemporary
Improvisation
Partnering
Repertoire
Rehearsals
Performance Practice; incl. work with Choreographers & Public Performances
Personal Coaching & Mentoring
Optimising Performance
Composition
Management; CV, Applications, Network and Career Planning & Industry Mapping
COMPLEMENTARY SUBJECTS & WORKSHOPS
Dance & Camera
Voice On Stage
Nutrition and Elite Training; In Relation to Optimising Performance & Restitution
Career Management
Artistic Research
Training Planning
Dance History In Practice
Latest Scientific Insights into Injury Prevention, Treatment, Restitution and Recovery
3RD YEAR
Personal Coaching & Career Management
Ballet
Contemporary
Improvisation
Partnering
Rehearsals
Repertoire
Composition
Optimising Performance
Performance practice; incl. work with choreographers & public performances
Communication & Audience relationsnce- & Performing Art in Management; SoMe, Webpage, Funding, Applications, Residencies etc
Audition Preparation & Practice
Visiting Companies & Choreographers
Possibility of Apprentice & Individual Specialisation
COMPLEMENTARY SUBJECTS & WORKSHOPS
Dance & Camera; incl. professional photos
Voice On Stage
Nutrition and Elite Training; In Relation to Optimising Performance & Restitution
Personal Branding & Webpage Design
Career Management
Artistic Research
Dance- & Performing Art in Context
Dance History In Practice
Latest Scientific Insights into Injury Prevention, Treatment, Restitution and Recovery
Audition Preparation
PROGRAMME PERIODES
COURSE FEE
The education fee for the 3-Year Diploma Programme is in total DKK 189.000 and is paid in ten instalments.
Payment for the first year of study
The first instalment of 6,000 DKK is due to be paid within two weeks of your acceptance.
The second instalment of 17.000 DKK is due to be paid June 1st 2026
The third instalment of 20,000 DKK is due to be paid August 1st 2026.
The fourth instalment of 20,000 DDK is due to be paid November 1st 2026.
Payment for the second year of study
The fifth instalment of 23,000 DKK is due to be paid March 1st 2027.
The sixth instalment of 20,000 DDK is due to be paid May1st 2027.
The seventh instalment of 20.000 DDK is due to be paid November 1st 2027
Payment for the third year of study
The eighth instalment of 23,000 DKK is due to be paid March 1st 2028.
The nineth instalment of 20.000 DDK is due to be paid May 1st 2028
The tenth instalment of 20.000 DKK is due to be paid November 1st 2028.
Not a holder of EU passport?
CCDS is an independent institution. Under Danish regulation only students applying for a state school are eligible for student visa, and therefore student visa unfortunately does not apply to CCDS-students. However, Denmark has special agreements to selected countries regarding visa for long-term stays in Denmark. Please go to www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB (“new to Denmark” – the official site for immigration to Denmark) to find information on what options applies to you depending on your home country. It is a very good idea to consult your local embassy in Denmark to help guide you.
Note that Visa application takes 2-3 months to process, and therefore we must have received your application to audition before the 1st of March in an audition period if you are a non-EU citizens. Application after this date you will get administrative refusal.