Study Options

Through the RAD we offer a range of study options from beginner level to professional qualification.

1 - Starter Courses | : short courses / distance learning / dance / clinical
2 - Further Study | : developing recording and computer skills
3 - Higher Education Programmes | : study to gain a qualification in BMN
4 - Benesh Institute External Provision | : BMN study options for schools and colleges

Full study option table :<Click here>

Studying notation has the potential to enhance your understanding of your movement discipline, improve your observational skills, enable you to communicate movement accurately and unambiguously and help you discover the richness of our choreographic heritage through study of the vast library of scores available for educational use.

Knowledge of BMN has the potential to be of invaluable assistance to clinicians in medical record keeping, movement analysis and the evaluation of change.

Career opportunities: Benesh Notation is used in a variety of employment fields in education and the arts internationally. Professional notators are employed by a variety of dance companies to record and revive their repertoire. A comprehensive knowledge of BMN is also invaluable for those wishing to be company repétiteurs or ballet masters/mistresses.


1 - Starter Courses

We offer a variety of starter courses for people interested in learning the basics of Benesh Movement Notation.

For those with an interest in using the notation in a dance context, you can opt to study by Distance Learning in your own home, or you can enrol on one of the short courses organised by the Training Department and the Academy’s International offices. Dates for the short courses are published annually in the Academy’s National and Regional Diaries and on the Calendar of Courses on this website.

All these courses cover essentially the same notation concepts but differ in the movement vocabulary used to illustrate them. Reading Course One (1a) and Distance Learning Course One (1c) focus on ballet and are principally aimed at enabling participants to use the Academy’s Vocational Syllabus in BMN and read selections from the ballet repertoire. The Introductory Study Course in BMN (1b) uses the notation in a variety of dance contexts and is particularly relevant to people interested in making a career in notation or those teaching or studying for GCSE A Level Dance.

For those interested in using the notation in a clinical context, we offer two distance learning courses: a short taster course, ‘Start Now’ (1d), and its sequel, ‘Moving On’ (1e).

Starter Courses

1a Introductory Study Course in Benesh Movement Notation (Easter Course)
1b Benesh Movement Notation Reading Course One

Distance Learning Courses: clinical / dance
1c Distance Learning Course One dance
1d Benesh Movement Notation for Clinicians: Start Now
1e Benesh Movement Notation for Clinicians: Moving On

<click here> for Calender of Courses
<click here> for Fees Table
<click here> for an online application form

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2 - Further Study: developing recording and computer skills

For people with some knowledge of BMN, we offer two specialist courses that focus on developing recording and computer skills.

2a Benesh Movement Notation Recording Workshop
2b Benesh Movement Notation Editor Computer Software Training Course

<click here> for Calender of Courses
<click here> for Fees Table
<click here> for an online application form

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3 - RAD Higher Education Programmes: study to gain a qualification in BMN


The Faculty of Education offers a unique portfolio of degree programmes, validated by the University of Surrey, and professional training awards validated by the Royal Academy of Dance.

Notation is included in all the former and amongst the latter are the Certificate in Benesh Movement Notation and the Diploma for Professional Benesh Movement Notators.

If you are considering a career in notation, this is the study option for you:

3a Certificate in Benesh Movement Notation
3b Diploma for Professional Benesh Movement Notators

For further information on Faculty of Education programmes
<click here>

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4 - Benesh Institute External Provision: BMN Study Options for Schools and Colleges


The Benesh Institute’s provision of support to schools and colleges who wish to offer BMN education includes workshops adaptable for students of all ages, help and advice for teachers, including those entering students for GCSE A/AS Level Dance, and The Benesh Institute’s External Examinations System.

4a Introductory Workshop in Benesh Movement Notation
4b Benesh Movement Notation for GCSE A/AS level Dance
4c The Benesh Institute External Examinations Syllabus (Dance)