Trinity Laban and Beijing Dance Academy Launch Landmark Joint Institute in China

Trinity Laban and Beijing Dance Academy (BDA) — two of the world’s most influential dance institutions — are set to begin a new chapter in global dance education with the establishment of the Beijing Dance Academy Trinity Laban Institute in China.

The Joint Institute follows formal approval from the Chinese Ministry of Education in December 2025 and represents the culmination of more than a decade of close collaboration between the two organisations.

Trinity Laban Principal Professor Anthony Bowne says: This is a groundbreaking partnership between Trinity Laban and Beijing Dance Academy, as we forge a new path in transnational education, and contribute to strengthening UK-China relations. Between us, we have developed some of the world’s finest dance artists, and this joint institute will enable closer collaboration, new ideas and research, and much more. It is thrilling.

The initiative marks UK-China’s first-ever joint institute within the performing arts university sector, signaling a major advancement for China’s cultural and educational landscape, and a deepening of British-Chinese cultural relations. It also represents Trinity Laban’s first Transnational Education (TNE) initiative, further strengthening the organisation’s strategic global partnerships.

The Joint Institute has initially been approved to deliver two degree programmes, with a wider portfolio planned for future expansion:
•    BA Dance Choreography (Contemporary Dance)
•    MFA Dance Science

Graduates will receive dual degrees, one from each institution. The inaugural student intake is scheduled for September 2027.

As internationally recognised leaders in dance training, performance and research, Trinity Laban and Beijing Dance Academy bring together world‑class expertise, creating a powerful new hub for global innovation in dance learning and practice.

The partnership represents a significant advancement in international dance education, combining the rigour and artistic excellence of two world-leading establishments. The new Institute will play a vital role in expanding opportunities for dance leaders, academics and students to collaborate across borders, share knowledge, and strengthen cross‑cultural understanding.

The programmes offered through the Joint Institute will deliver an international curriculum enriched with distinctive Chinese artistic characteristics. Students will benefit from an open, diverse and forward‑thinking educational environment, gaining both artistic and academic skills that are highly valued in China and around the world.
The Institute aims to become a centre of excellence for global dance education, cultivating a new generation of artists who are globally minded, culturally fluent and grounded in both contemporary practice and traditional Chinese aesthetics.

This milestone initiative brings together the best of both institutions’ world‑leading teaching resources and establishes a transformative platform for the internationalisation of dance education, research and professional development.

https://www.trinitylaban.ac.uk/about-us/our-partnerships/beijing-dance-academy/