Frequently Asked Questions
About Our Society
Q: What is Ballroom dancing?
A: You can find a description of Ballroom dancing and each dance here
Q: Can I join if I know nothing about dancing / have two left feet?
A: Absolutely! The society is welcoming of complete beginners: in fact, most of our dancers only started ballroom dancing (or just any dancing!) at university. Don't be afraid to give it a try: we run free taster sessions at the start of each semester.
Q: What does the society offer?
A: We teach classes in a variety of Ballroom and Latin dances in our weekly classes. Most classes are focused on the following dances:
The remaining 4 dances - Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz, Samba and Paso Doble - are taught throughout the year at workshops and certain Novice/Advanced classes. Dates for workshops will be made available to you throughout the year via our social media channels.
The society also offers social events including two balls a year, drinks for our members and many other fun outings!
A: You can find a description of Ballroom dancing and each dance here
Q: Can I join if I know nothing about dancing / have two left feet?
A: Absolutely! The society is welcoming of complete beginners: in fact, most of our dancers only started ballroom dancing (or just any dancing!) at university. Don't be afraid to give it a try: we run free taster sessions at the start of each semester.
Q: What does the society offer?
A: We teach classes in a variety of Ballroom and Latin dances in our weekly classes. Most classes are focused on the following dances:
- Latin - Cha Cha, Jive, Rumba
- Ballroom - Waltz, Quickstep, Tango
The remaining 4 dances - Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz, Samba and Paso Doble - are taught throughout the year at workshops and certain Novice/Advanced classes. Dates for workshops will be made available to you throughout the year via our social media channels.
The society also offers social events including two balls a year, drinks for our members and many other fun outings!
About Our Social Events
Q: What kind of social events do you offer?
A: We offer a range of dance and non-dance socials. Our biggest ones are the Winter and Spring Balls, but others include regular Tea dances, as well as socials pub trips, outings to Mango Tropical and many more. We.
Q: Where do I find information about events?
A: Information about our events will be made available through social media, as well as emails and announcements at classes.
A: We offer a range of dance and non-dance socials. Our biggest ones are the Winter and Spring Balls, but others include regular Tea dances, as well as socials pub trips, outings to Mango Tropical and many more. We.
Q: Where do I find information about events?
A: Information about our events will be made available through social media, as well as emails and announcements at classes.
About Our Membership
Q: Who can join?
A: Anyone! No previous experience or partner is needed. However, please notice that due to the nature of the Advanced class a certain level of experience is required to attend that particular class.
Q: How much does the membership cost?
A: The basic annual membership for GUBLDS is very cheap for how much teaching there is available. Detailed information about all our membership options can be found here.
Q: Where should I pay membership? / Who should I pay it to?
A: At each class there will be a table at the entrance of the venue where you can purchase your membership in cash. For any further questions regarding membership, please use the contact form on this website or approach any of the board members at one of our classes.
Q: Can I pay in instalments?
A: Unfortunately, we are not generally able to offer instalment payments on our memberships. However, if there is a very good reason you are currently unable to pay the full membership, please contact us directly to discuss this. Exceptions for individual cases may be made at the discretion of the Executive Board.
Q: I have missed the taster session, can I still join?
A: You are more than welcome to still join. Pop along to any of our classes to try out the classes and purchase your membership!
Q: I'm not a University of Glasgow (UofG) student, can I still join?
A: Yes! As a UofG society, we are allowed to have up to 20% of our total members as non-UofG students. Please contact us for more information if you are a non-UofG student and interested in joining.
A: Anyone! No previous experience or partner is needed. However, please notice that due to the nature of the Advanced class a certain level of experience is required to attend that particular class.
Q: How much does the membership cost?
A: The basic annual membership for GUBLDS is very cheap for how much teaching there is available. Detailed information about all our membership options can be found here.
Q: Where should I pay membership? / Who should I pay it to?
A: At each class there will be a table at the entrance of the venue where you can purchase your membership in cash. For any further questions regarding membership, please use the contact form on this website or approach any of the board members at one of our classes.
Q: Can I pay in instalments?
A: Unfortunately, we are not generally able to offer instalment payments on our memberships. However, if there is a very good reason you are currently unable to pay the full membership, please contact us directly to discuss this. Exceptions for individual cases may be made at the discretion of the Executive Board.
Q: I have missed the taster session, can I still join?
A: You are more than welcome to still join. Pop along to any of our classes to try out the classes and purchase your membership!
Q: I'm not a University of Glasgow (UofG) student, can I still join?
A: Yes! As a UofG society, we are allowed to have up to 20% of our total members as non-UofG students. Please contact us for more information if you are a non-UofG student and interested in joining.
About Our Classes
Q: What classes are there?
A: We run classes of different levels to accommodate for our diverse student body. We offer a Beginners class where we teach the basics of each dance style and build upon your previous knowledge, a Novice class which explores more complex routines, an Advanced class with a focus on technique and advanced moves.
A more detailed description of the different classes can be found here.
Q: When and where are classes held?
A: The classes will be held in the Glasgow University Union unless otherwise stated. Exact dates/times and venues for our classes will be announced through our social media channels with sufficient notice.
Q: What if I decide to change classes / move up?
A. You are more than welcome to move up if you have acquired the necessary level of skill; however, please notice that our Advanced class requires you to pay an additional fee and a knowledge of the basics of all our dances, so please speak to us before attending.
Q: What should I wear to class?
A: There is nothing specific that you are required to wear to class, however as dance is a sport, we would advise comfortable shoes and loose, light clothing as some dances require a lot of movement!
Q: Do I need special shoes?
A: We recommend that you buy specialised dance shoes as soon as you decide to take up dancesport as a serious hobby. This will make it much easier for you to dance, as they have a special suede sole with optimal grip quality. However, it is by no means mandatory: if you do wear regular shoes, try to find some that are not too grippy (so not plimp soles) to have some slide, but still have enough grip for you.
We will try to organise shoe orders as a society if there is enough demand, as that way we can get very good discounts on good brands, and might be able to organise fittings. However, you can also buy them on your own: prices range typically between £30–£100.
Q: Do I need a dance partner?
A: Not at all! Our classes are social and we match partners up during the class and switch around over the course of each class. In our Novice and Advanced classes you can either come with a partner, or join with someone on the day.
Most importantly, if you would like to train regularly and compete and you would like our help in finding a dedicated partner, just speak to any board member.
Q: Can I only attend one class/ can I go to all of the classes?
A: You can attend as many classes as you like at the level of your membership and lower.
Q: Where can I find any updates on classes?
A: Any updates will be posted on our social media channels and via the mailing list. These can be found on our contacts page.
A: We run classes of different levels to accommodate for our diverse student body. We offer a Beginners class where we teach the basics of each dance style and build upon your previous knowledge, a Novice class which explores more complex routines, an Advanced class with a focus on technique and advanced moves.
A more detailed description of the different classes can be found here.
Q: When and where are classes held?
A: The classes will be held in the Glasgow University Union unless otherwise stated. Exact dates/times and venues for our classes will be announced through our social media channels with sufficient notice.
Q: What if I decide to change classes / move up?
A. You are more than welcome to move up if you have acquired the necessary level of skill; however, please notice that our Advanced class requires you to pay an additional fee and a knowledge of the basics of all our dances, so please speak to us before attending.
Q: What should I wear to class?
A: There is nothing specific that you are required to wear to class, however as dance is a sport, we would advise comfortable shoes and loose, light clothing as some dances require a lot of movement!
Q: Do I need special shoes?
A: We recommend that you buy specialised dance shoes as soon as you decide to take up dancesport as a serious hobby. This will make it much easier for you to dance, as they have a special suede sole with optimal grip quality. However, it is by no means mandatory: if you do wear regular shoes, try to find some that are not too grippy (so not plimp soles) to have some slide, but still have enough grip for you.
We will try to organise shoe orders as a society if there is enough demand, as that way we can get very good discounts on good brands, and might be able to organise fittings. However, you can also buy them on your own: prices range typically between £30–£100.
Q: Do I need a dance partner?
A: Not at all! Our classes are social and we match partners up during the class and switch around over the course of each class. In our Novice and Advanced classes you can either come with a partner, or join with someone on the day.
Most importantly, if you would like to train regularly and compete and you would like our help in finding a dedicated partner, just speak to any board member.
Q: Can I only attend one class/ can I go to all of the classes?
A: You can attend as many classes as you like at the level of your membership and lower.
Q: Where can I find any updates on classes?
A: Any updates will be posted on our social media channels and via the mailing list. These can be found on our contacts page.
About Our Dancesport Team
Q: What is the different between the Social and the Dancesport side of GUBLDS?
A: On the Social side of GUBLDS we teach recreational ballroom dancing to students of all levels. It is meant for socialising and learning basic moves that you can show off at our two annual balls and other social events. On the Dancesport side we teach ballroom dancing more as a sport with the goal of actually competing in intervarsity competitions.
Q: When are the competitions? How many are there going to be?
A: The dates for competitions will be announced at classes and through our social media channels once we have decided which ones GUBLDS will attend. The Society regularly attends three or four competitions each year. If you are interested in finding out more about those competitions, you can have a look here.
The biggest competition that we attend every year is IVDC: you can read about it here.
Q: Who can compete?
A: Anyone! Competitions have a beginners section - for couples who have been dancing for less than a year, so don't worry as everyone in this category will be in the same boat as you. Competitions also have Novice, Intermediate, Advanced and Ex-Student categories to suit all abilities. Competitions are so much fun and we encourage anyone who is interested to give it a go, no matter what experience you have!
A: On the Social side of GUBLDS we teach recreational ballroom dancing to students of all levels. It is meant for socialising and learning basic moves that you can show off at our two annual balls and other social events. On the Dancesport side we teach ballroom dancing more as a sport with the goal of actually competing in intervarsity competitions.
Q: When are the competitions? How many are there going to be?
A: The dates for competitions will be announced at classes and through our social media channels once we have decided which ones GUBLDS will attend. The Society regularly attends three or four competitions each year. If you are interested in finding out more about those competitions, you can have a look here.
The biggest competition that we attend every year is IVDC: you can read about it here.
Q: Who can compete?
A: Anyone! Competitions have a beginners section - for couples who have been dancing for less than a year, so don't worry as everyone in this category will be in the same boat as you. Competitions also have Novice, Intermediate, Advanced and Ex-Student categories to suit all abilities. Competitions are so much fun and we encourage anyone who is interested to give it a go, no matter what experience you have!
About Our Board
Q: What is the executive board and who is on it?
A: These are the society members that volunteer to run the society. You can find out more about the roles and its members.
Q: What is an AGM and when is it?
A: The AGM is our Annual General Meeting during which a new executive board is elected for the upcoming academic year. It is held in the spring, the exact date will be released to the society in classes and on our social media channels nearer to the time each year.
Q: I would like to be on the board. What do I do?
A: Before the AGM there will be the opportunity to apply for your chosen position(s) if you are interested in being on the board. More information on how to apply will be made available during classes and on our social media channels nearer the time of the AGM each year. In the meantime you are free to ask us any questions you may have! The constitution will also be made available close to the time. We now also allow non UofG students to apply for certain positions.
A: These are the society members that volunteer to run the society. You can find out more about the roles and its members.
Q: What is an AGM and when is it?
A: The AGM is our Annual General Meeting during which a new executive board is elected for the upcoming academic year. It is held in the spring, the exact date will be released to the society in classes and on our social media channels nearer to the time each year.
Q: I would like to be on the board. What do I do?
A: Before the AGM there will be the opportunity to apply for your chosen position(s) if you are interested in being on the board. More information on how to apply will be made available during classes and on our social media channels nearer the time of the AGM each year. In the meantime you are free to ask us any questions you may have! The constitution will also be made available close to the time. We now also allow non UofG students to apply for certain positions.
About Our Teaching
Q: I have dance experience and would like to teach. Who should I contact?
A: We are happy to hear that you are considering teaching for GUBLDS! Please use this contact form to get in touch with us or talk to any of our board members before or after class.
A: We are happy to hear that you are considering teaching for GUBLDS! Please use this contact form to get in touch with us or talk to any of our board members before or after class.
