Why can’t I audition for Year 7 at White Lodge?

From September 2026, we will offer training to students of Year 7 age (11-12 years) in our national Associate centres, through our International Scholars programme, and through a new UK Scholars programme, rather than in a full-time vocational setting. This means that we will not take any Year 7 students into the School to train full-time or to board from September 2026.

From September 2027, we plan to extend this approach to students of Year 8 age (12-13 years).

The change builds on our current approach to nurturing aspiring professional dancers in the most effective and supportive way. It is the result of careful reflection in our unique context and is informed by the latest research and guidance from experts across dance, sport science, education, healthcare, and safeguarding to allow students more time to grow and develop before joining our highly specialised residential training environment.

Read more about the thinking and process behind this decision here.

Can I audition again if I’ve been unsuccessful in the past?

Yes, we welcome applications from those who have auditioned before. We know that young dancers develop and progress at different rates.

Does everything (pictures/video/etc) need to be submitted at the same time?

Yes, you must submit all the materials requested at the same time and before the deadline set. Please ensure that you have read the requirements thoroughly before beginning the form and have your photographs, video link (not the video file itself) if you are applying for a video audition, and payment method available as you go through the form.

Can I audition at one of The Royal Ballet School’s Intensive Courses?

We do not hold auditions for the full-time training programme during our Intensive Courses. If you wish to audition for the School, please visit our apply page and complete an application.

How many rounds of auditions are there for full-time training?

Year 8 and 9 have a preliminary audition and a final audition.

Year 10, Year 11 and Upper School have a preliminary audition, semi-final audition via video and a final audition.

What happens at an in-person audition?

When you arrive at your audition, a Royal Ballet School staff member will meet you, help you register and give you a pair of audition numbers. We will give you time to prepare and check your hair and clothing. We will show you and your parent or guardian to a communal waiting area. Wherever possible, this is also a studio. You won’t be doing your class in this studio, so you may leave your bag and clothes here.

The audition class teacher will take you to the audition studio with other students. They will explain the general format of the class and what to expect. The audition is always a regular classical ballet class appropriate for the age group taking part. The class will last between one and one and a half hours, and includes a gentle warm-up.

Do I need to prepare anything for the in-person audition?

You do not need to prepare anything specifically for the audition. The audition will take the form of a regular classical ballet class, like the classes you already attend. You will not need to perform a solo or bring a prepared dance piece

What if I haven’t learnt one of the steps in my class?

Students are encouraged to ask the class teacher to explain and show them any unfamiliar steps. The teachers always appreciate it when a dancer tries a new step. No student will be disadvantaged for not having previously learnt steps or terminology.

What if I haven’t learnt one of the steps in my class?

Students are encouraged to ask the class teacher to explain and show them any unfamiliar steps. The teachers always appreciate it when a dancer tries a new step. No student will be disadvantaged for not having previously learnt steps or terminology.

Will there be pointework at the in-person audition?

The audition includes some basic pointework for those aged 14 and over. However, classes at some venues may include a mix of age groups and dancers not yet working en pointe will be able to do the same exercises on demi-pointe.

No dancer should attempt any pointework exercises unprepared, nor buy pointe shoes for an audition if not yet proficient. Your regular dance teacher will guide you through this stage of training when they judge that you are ready and experienced to do so safely.

A short part of the audition class will be en pointe at the final audition for White Lodge Year 10 and 11, and Upper School.

What is the School looking for in the audition?

We seek young dancers from the UK and worldwide with a passion for classical ballet and the motivation to pursue a career in dance. Our team look for dancers who show potential, artistry, musicality, and a love for the art form.

What should I wear and bring to my audition?

It’s best to come to the audition ‘under-changed’, with ballet clothes under your everyday clothes. Please wear your regular dance school ballet clothes that you feel comfortable in; there is no need to buy new or special clothes for the audition. Remember to bring your regular ballet shoes and a bottle of water to take into the audition. You may be asked to take off your shoes during class for some exercises, so please wear flat ballet shoes with elastics rather than ribbons. If you wear tights, convertible tights are preferred.

Who will be on the audition panel?

The preliminary audition panel usually consists of two or three people, including our Head of Intensive Courses and Talent Identification and other Artistic staff members.

The final audition panel will include the Artistic Director and Artistic staff members.

What do I need to include in my video audition?

Read our video audition guidelines.

Video audition guidelines are broken down based on the applicant’s age on 31 August. Please take advice from your current ballet teacher on the exercises if you have any questions about the content.

Can I video exercises to music?

Yes, please do. We want to be able to see the dancer’s musicality and artistry as well as their technique, so dancing to music is a very important part of the audition.

Does the video have to be shot in a studio or by a professional videographer?

No, we know some dancers may have limited access to a studio. Videos can be filmed in any safe and suitable place that lets us see the dancer clearly. We will make no judgement about the dancer based on their surroundings. We have never required professional filming for video submissions. The footage must just be clear and show the whole of the dancer.

Can I upload my video directly to the application form?

No, you will need to upload your video to a site such as YouTube or Vimeo, or use Google Drive or One Drive so that you have a link you can submit. Please do not use Dropbox or other sites that require a download or put a time limit on the availability of the link. We cannot guarantee that a link will be viewed before it expires.

How do I know if you have been able to view my video?

We will contact any applicant if their link does not work for us. If you do not hear from us, we have been able to view the link as supplied.

I’m not based in the UK, can I audition elsewhere?

We invite international candidates who cannot attend a preliminary audition in the UK to submit a video application.

Successful applicants at the preliminary and semi-final stages will be invited to attend a final audition in London, UK which cannot be done via video.

Does the School’s international recruitment give an advantage to international students over UK-trained students?

We recruit all students based purely on their talent and potential, regardless of nationality. We seek to train the very best dancers from the UK and around the world and aim to offer the best possible chance for gifted young dancers to access our training. All preliminary auditions, whether in-person or on video, are assessed using the same criteria.

When will I find out the results?

We aim to send preliminary results for full-time training auditions out as soon as possible, likely within one month of your audition.

We send Associate results out at the end of the full-time training audition process, in March or April.

Please only contact the office for results after these times.

Will I receive feedback after my audition?

We regret that we cannot provide individual feedback after auditions or selection due to the very high number of applicants. All dancers are encouraged to seek development advice from their regular ballet teacher, who is the best person to support their training and progress.

Where can I find out the opening and closing dates of the Intensives?

You can find out the opening and closing dates of the Intensives on the Intensive courses page.

I have never danced before, are The Royal Ballet School Intensive courses suitable for me?

Our courses are designed for students who already have a good base and strong foundation relevant to their age. Students should be regularly attending classes and studying either a recognised syllabus or their dance school’s method of training. The courses are named ‘intensives’ due to the structure of studying several dance classes each day, tailored to suit each specific age group.

Spring Intensives

What age must a student be to apply for the Spring Intensive at Upper School in Covent Garden?

The Spring Intensive at Upper School is for students who will be aged 8 to 18 years old on 31 August 2026.

What age must a student be to apply for the Spring Intensive at White Lodge in Richmond?

The Spring Intensive at White Lodge is for students who will be aged 10 to 15 years old on 31 August 2026.

What age must a student be to apply for the Spring Intensive Hong Kong?

The Spring Intensive in Hong Kong is for students who will be aged 7-18 years old on 31 August 2026.

Summer Intensives

What age must a student be to apply for the Summer Intensive at White Lodge?

The Summer Intensive at White Lodge is for students who will be aged 10 to 15 years old on 31 August 2026.

What age must a student be to apply for the Summer Intensive at Upper School?

The Summer Intensive at Upper School is for students who will be aged 16 to 19 years old on 31 August 2026.

All Intensives

My child is not yet 10 but will be turning 10 this school year, can they still apply?

Yes – the intake for our Spring and Summer Intensive Courses is based on academic years, so as long as your child will be 10 on 31 August 2026, they can attend the course. Please note, this does not apply to our one-day Autumn and Winter Intensives.

Who will be teaching students at the Intensives?

At our Intensive Courses, classes will be taught by The Royal Ballet School’s Artistic staff, in some cases the Artistic Director, and guest teachers. Dancers from The Royal Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet often appear as guest teachers. All guest teachers are carefully selected for their expertise and experience and to deliver the exceptional standard of coaching the School is known for. All teaching staff are required to comply with our safeguarding policies.

How are students selected?

Students are selected from the photographs and information they submit. We recommend seeking the guidance of the student’s dance teacher when taking photos to ensure the correct positions are achieved. Some places may have been awarded at competitions or other events at the discretion of our Artistic team.

How do I apply for the Intensive Courses?

Visit the Intensive Courses page and you will find a link to ‘apply now’ to each of the different courses. If a course is not yet open to applications you may be able to find an application opening date on this page. Please note we don’t accept students via in-person audition for our Intensive Courses. If you are auditioning for our full-time courses in-person, you must still apply separately for our Intensive Courses.

Can my in-person audition for full-time training count as my application for your Intensive Courses?

We don’t accept students via in-person audition for our Intensive Courses. If you are auditioning for our full-time courses in person, you must still apply separately for our Intensive Courses.

Can I apply for additional weeks at the Summer Intensives?

At White Lodge, dependent on your age, you can apply for a single one-week long course or a single two-week long course during the five-week Summer Intensive course period. For example, if applying for a one-week intensive course, the same student cannot apply for week 1 and week 3, but should choose week 1 or week 3.

At Upper School in Covent Garden, you can apply for a two-week, three-week or five-week long course.

What are the photograph requirements for Intensive Courses?

For information on our photograph requirements, click here.

Please only contact the office for results after these times.

My child is 12 years old but will be 13 years on 31 August 2026 . Do I submit photos following the guidelines for my child aged 12 years or 13 years?

Please submit photographs following the guidelines for your child’s age as of 31 August 2026. A child born in August 2012 would be 13 years old on 31 August 2026 and would need to submit photos following the guidelines for students aged 13 years.

Can I change the photos on my child’s application form once I have submitted my application?

Once you have submitted your application we are unable to accept new photographs. If there are any issues when we come to view your photographs we will contact you.

Can I submit last year’s photographs for the next year’s application?

No. New photographs must be submitted with every application to assess the student’s current ability.

Do you accept video applications for Intensive Courses?

We do not accept video applications for our Intensive Courses.

When will the results of my application be sent?

We aim to send the results by email five to six weeks after the application deadline. We can receive a high volume of applications close to the deadline and in some cases, results may be sent just after this. We thank you for your patience.

Is it possible to audition for the School’s full-time training or Associate programmes during the Intensive courses?

During our UK Intensive courses, we do not hold auditions for our full-time or Associate training programmes. If you wish to audition for the School, visit our Apply page.

Will my child’s residential/non-residential status affect their eligibility for a place on the course?

No, students are assessed on their photo submissions only. If you requested a bed space and we do not have one available, your child would become a ‘day student’ and you would need to arrange other accommodation should you wish them to take part. We do try to fulfil all residential requests and will give sufficient notice if this is not possible.

If my child is successful in gaining a place on an Intensive, can I request they board with their friends?

We will try where we can to accommodate boarding requests, however, this is not always possible dependent on room capacities. The Intensive Courses are an excellent opportunity for students to meet like-minded young dancers from all around the world and we would encourage dancers to be open-minded about getting to know new friends.

My child is boarding for the first time and could be very homesick. What should I do?

We have a fully qualified pastoral team looking after the students. They will contact you immediately if they have concerns about your child and you will also be able to contact them. We do recommend you allow time for your child to settle in and adjust to boarding life and we also recommend, if possible, that they have practice runs of sleeping away from home prior to the course beginning.

My child has been assigned to the waiting list, when will we find out whether a place has become available?

Should a place become available for your child on the course, we will contact you. We normally expect a few places to become available around six to eight weeks before the start of the course and to continue becoming available up until two weeks before the start of the course when we close the waiting list. Should you no longer wish for your child to remain on the waiting list, please let us know.

How many students are on the waiting list and where is my child on the list?

We do not disclose this information. Should a place become available for your child, we will contact you.

Is it compulsory for non-UK based students to have a UK based guardian?

Yes. All students attending a UK Intensive must have a UK-based guardian who we can contact in case of an emergency or if a circumstance results in a child having to leave the School premises. If you do not have family or friends in the UK who would be able to collect or house your child, there are professional guardian agencies that provide this service. A student cannot attend the course without a suitable guardian in place.

How much previous dance experience does my son/daughter require to apply for the Associate Programme?

We don’t have a set grade that dancers must have reached or a minimum number of years’ experience to apply. We would recommend speaking to your local dance teacher first to see if they would recommend that your son/daughter should apply for our Associate programme.

We live between two centres. Can I apply for both?

Yes, on the application form you are able to select a first and second choice for Associate classes.

Is there a minimum or maximum height my son/daughter should be to apply?

No, there is no enforced minimum or maximum height.

When will I find out whether my son/daughter has been selected to audition?

Everyone who submits an application is invited to audition, as long as they fulfil the age requirements. Information regarding audition dates and times could be sent up to two weeks before the audition date, however we do try to get these emails out as early and as quick as possible.

I can’t attend the audition at the centre I’m applying for, what shall I do?

On the application form you will need to select where you would like to take class and where you would like to audition. These can be in two different locations, please click here to see our audition dates.

Do parents or teachers get to watch the audition?

No, the audition is a closed process, as those taking part must not have any distractions.

What does the audition include?

For the preliminary auditions, applicants are invited to take part in a normal ballet class.

What do you look for in an audition?

Our panel is looking for the individual’s potential and suitability for pre-vocational training. Our panel also look for a number of other attributes including musicality, flexibility and coordination.

Will my son/daughter have to do anything on their own in the audition?

No, the audition class runs in the same format as a normal ballet class. They may be asked to do some exercises in a small group or pairs.

How many students will be selected from auditions?

Following the auditions, approximately 10-15% of applicants will be accepted on to the Associate Programme.

If my child is successful when will they start class?

All our Associate classes start in September and finish at the end of June.

How much are the fees?

Fees vary depending on the number of Associate classes in the year, please click here for more information.

Do you offer any financial assistance for classes?

Yes, no potential student should be deterred from applying to The Royal Ballet School due to lack of financial means. Please click here for more information.

Do you offer any financial support if I have to travel a long way to the nearest Associate centre?

Yes, with the generous support of the Leverhulme Foundation and the Hine’s Fund we are able to offer Associate students travel bursaries, for those who travel 75+ miles to their Associate classes. Please click here for more information.

Will my son/daughter be involved in any performances?

Associates are occasionally asked to take part in productions by The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and visiting companies.

Are there any trips included in the programme?

The school aims to invite all Associate students to attend one pre-general rehearsal at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden during the year. In addition, we invite students to attend a workshop held at the Upper School and an online workshop to enhance their Associate training.

Can I continue with my regular dance classes if I am accepted onto the course?

The School’s policy is to provide training for Associates alongside their regular dance lessons and value is placed upon the support of an Associate’s local dance teacher. An invitation will be sent out to local dance teachers inviting them to observe an Associate class at a time convenient to him/her.