The Royal Ballet School

The school is dedicated to providing world-class training for talented dancers, fostering their potential to pursue professional careers in classical ballet. It emphasizes hard work, dedication, and the development of artistry and musicality. The institution is committed to expanding opportunity and access, supported by its role as part of the Government’s Music and Dance Scheme.

The school offers full-time training for students, alongside Associate programmes including Junior, Mid, Senior, Advanced, and the UK Scholars programme. The curriculum integrates classical ballet, pas de deux, and repertoire coaching with a full academic programme. Additionally, the school provides intensive courses, online classes, and teacher training programmes, such as the Diploma of Classical Ballet Teaching.

The school provides an academic education alongside full-time classical ballet training. The academic programme includes GCSEs and, at the Upper School, the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and degree-level studies, such as the BA (Hons) in Classical Ballet and Dance Performance and a Foundation Degree, both validated by the University of Roehampton. Academic progress is monitored through assessments, including GL and CEM data.

The school holds annual auditions for its full-time and Associate programmes, seeking young dancers with potential, artistry, musicality, and a passion for classical ballet. Preliminary auditions are held in the UK for entry into White Lodge (Years 8-11) and the Upper School (1st, 2nd, and Pre-professional years), as well as for Junior, Mid, Senior, and Advanced Associate programmes. International candidates unable to attend in person may submit video auditions. Successful applicants from preliminary and semi-final stages are invited to London for final auditions with the Artistic Director and artistic staff.

Applications for full-time training and Mid/Senior/Advanced Associate programmes typically open in September and close in October, with preliminary auditions held from November to January. Junior Associate applications open in February and close in March, with auditions taking place during the Summer Term. Auditions for the UK Scholars programme are held in February for candidates who have already applied and auditioned for the Mid Associate programme.

The school operates across two main sites: White Lodge in Richmond Park, which houses younger pupils, and the Upper School in Covent Garden. Upper School students are accommodated in Covent Garden or at a boarding house in Pimlico. The facilities include studios for training and performance, such as the Linden Studio Theatre at the Upper School.