The University of Chichester is to become the first institute in the UK to have its Dance Science degree course accredited by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES).
The degree will combine dance practice with scientific research approaches to examine what happens to our bodies and minds when we dance.
Offered as "a relatively new discipline", the Dance Science degree will include physiology, psychology and biomechanics as applied to dance practice. Students will then use this knowledge to help improve performance potential, reduce injury risk and enhance wellbeing.
Programme Leader for Dance Science at the university, Edel Quin, said: "We are delighted to be the first undergraduate degree in dance science to become a BASES endorsed course. This is a testament to the calibre of our dance science programme, and the unique integration between Dance and Sport and Exercise Science.
"Our programme is a leader in this area of study and this endorsement, together with our existing CIMPSA endorsement and links to Safe in Dance International and the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science, ensures that we are providing our students with the knowledge and skills to meet professional and technical standards for success in dance, dance science or sport and exercise science professions."
The course can be studied as a 3-year BSc or a 4-year integrated Masters (MSci) in Dance Science.