Escola Superior de Dança

The Escola Superior de Dança (ESD) in Lisbon, Portugal, is a public higher education institution dedicated to dance education, established in 1983. As an independent unit of the Polytechnic University of Lisbon (IPL), ESD focuses on providing artistic, technical, scientific, cultural, and professional training in dance. The school aims to prepare students for highly qualified professional activities within the dance domain and to promote the development of dance-related professions.

Academics

ESD offers a Bachelor's Degree in Dance, a Master's in Choreographic Creation and Professional Practices, and a Master's in Dance Teaching. The teaching approach emphasizes artistic practice and experience, developing students' technical, artistic, creative, and performance capabilities. The curriculum for the Bachelor's degree includes diverse subjects such as Classical and Contemporary Dance Techniques, Improvisation, Choreographic Composition, Dance History, Anatomy, and Kinesiology. The Master's in Dance Teaching specifically focuses on qualifying educators for specialized dance schools, covering artistic, pedagogical, didactic, and methodological skills.

International Students

ESD actively participates in the Erasmus+ program, facilitating transnational partnerships and student mobility. The International Relations Office assists with incoming Erasmus+ applications, which are processed online. While the IPL does not guarantee lodging, the student association (AEESD) can be a helpful resource for international students seeking accommodation. The AEESD is a non-profit organization run by students for students, aiming to address student needs and promote activities and events.

Campus & Location

The Escola Superior de Dança is located on the ISEL Campus at Rua Conselheiro Emídio Navarro 1, 1959-007 Lisbon. Lisbon offers a vibrant city life with various cultural attractions. The campus is accessible by public transportation, with bus stops nearby and the "Chelas" Metro station (Oriente Line) providing convenient access.

Career Outcomes

ESD aims to provide students with a valuable educational experience that leads to successful integration into the job market. The Master's in Dance Teaching boasts a 100% employability rate, largely due to its professional internship component. An employer survey indicated that most responding employers were dance schools or cultural associations/companies. Graduates are expected to possess strong pedagogical skills, quick repertoire learning, communication abilities, improvisation skills, and a basic understanding of the Portuguese dance market.