University College of Dance Art

About University College of Dance Art

The University College of Dance Art (Norwegian: Høyskolen for dansekunst - HFDK) is Norway's leading accredited specialized private higher education institution dedicated entirely to contemporary dance art, choreographic thinking, and somatic performance practices. Founded in 2001 in Oslo under the original banner of Skolen for Samtidsdans, HFDK was developed by visionary dance artists and pedagogues who sought to create a progressive, dialogical alternative to traditional conservatory models. Accredited by the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT), HFDK has achieved national acclaim, consistently ranking #1 in Norway for student satisfaction on NOKUT's prestigious national Studiebarometer. The institution is nestled in the creative heart of Oslo at Grünerløkka (Marstrandgata 8), where it is co-located with Rom for Dans (Space for Dance) and PRODA (Professional Dance Training). This unique spatial ecosystem immerses HFDK students daily among professional performers, choreographers, and international touring artists. HFDK operates on an intensive cohort model, admitting a focused student ensemble every three years to ensure personalized, one-on-one mentorship from distinguished resident faculty and international guest artists (such as renowned choreographer Jonathan Burrows). Rather than training performers as passive instruments, HFDK empowers dancers to be independent, creative choreographers who originate, stage, and reflect critically on their own artistic works for both traditional theatres and public site-specific environments.