A leading classical ballet school, this London-based school offers intensive dance training alongside an academic programme that prepares well-rounded artists for entering a competitive industry.

The Royal Ballet School offers talented young dancers aged 11-19 years the opportunity to train full-time in classical ballet alongside their regular academic studies. One of the world's leading centres of classical ballet training, the school is divided between two sites in central London. The school has close links with The Royal Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet, offering students many opportunities to perform with both companies throughout the year.

Curriculum

Students aged 11-16 attend the Lower School at White Lodge, where they complete full-time classical ballet training while taking academic classes, which later include GCSE/IGCSEs. Entry to the Upper School is by audition and entry is fiercely competitive for the 100 places available.  

Upper School students study for a BA in Classical Ballet and Dance Performance, a three-year degree programme, accredited by the University of Roehampton. They can also study A Levels in art, English literature, French or mathematics alongside their BA, as well as an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). International students can choose to take exams in their home country’s academic syllabus alongside their dance training.

Classical ballet is central to life at the Royal Ballet School, and students need to be committed, passionate and dedicated to dance. There's a six-day timetable here which includes dance classes and rehearsals on Saturday mornings.

In March 2022, the school launched a new programme for primary school-aged children, Primary Steps on Demand. Designed to widen access to ballet tuition for all students aged seven to 11, this online programme is offered to all primary schools, both in the UK and worldwide. It builds on the success of the school’s in-person Primary Steps programme, which was launched in England in 2005. 

Boarding

It's a full boarding school with an international community of students; girls and boys comes from across the UK and more than 15 countries worldwide. Younger students live within the grounds of the White Lodge campus in Richmond Park and Upper School students live either in Covent Garden or at a new boarding house in Pimlico.

Admission and fees

Admission to the school is non-selective academically, and based solely on dance talent and potential. Students can apply for bursaries through the government's Music and Dance Scheme, and 84% of current students receive financial support.

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