Eligibility
Dancer training eligibility
All ages are given as the dancer’s age on 31 August in the year they would join the programme.
Ages 8-10
- Candidates aged 8-10 by 31 August 2025 (currently in school years 3, 4 or 5)
- No specific experience – we recommend speaking to your child’s dance teacher if you are unsure
- Demonstrable passion and basic aptitude for learning classical ballet
- The ability to travel to the nearest Associate centre each Saturday of the academic year that a class is held.
- Candidates aged 8-10 by 31 August 2025 (in school years 3, 4 or 5)
- No specific experience – we recommend speaking to your child’s dance teacher if you are unsure
- Demonstrable passion and basic aptitude for learning classical ballet.
Ages 11-13
- Candidates aged 11-12 by 31 August 2025 (currently in school years 6 or 7)
- Demonstrable commitment to the study of classical ballet and a basic technical facility acquired through previous dance training
- The intention to train full-time, boarding or as a day student at White Lodge, Richmond.
- Candidates aged 11-13 by 31 August 2025 (currently in school years 6, 7 or 8)
- Demonstrable commitment to the study of classical ballet and a basic technical facility acquired through previous dance training
- Ability to travel to the nearest Associate centre each Saturday of the academic year that a class is held.
- Candidates aged 11-13 by 31 August 2025 (currently in school years 6, 7 or 8)
- Demonstrable commitment to the study of classical ballet and a basic technical facility acquired through previous dance training
- No prior commitments during the course dates.
Ages 14-15
- Candidates aged 14 by 31 August 2025 (currently in school year 9)
- Demonstrable commitment to the study of classical ballet and a good technical facility acquired through previous dance training
- Applicants for female training must be en pointe and able to take part in pointe work training
- The intention to train full-time, boarding or as a day student at White Lodge.
- Candidates aged 14-15 by 31 August 2025 (currently in school years 9 or 10)
- Demonstrable commitment to the study of classical ballet and a good technical facility acquired through previous dance training
- Applicants for female training must be en pointe and able to take part in pointe work training
- Ability to travel to either London, Leeds or Birmingham on each Saturday of the academic year that a class is held.
- Candidates aged 14-15 by 31 August 2025 (currently in school years 9 or 10)
- Demonstrable commitment to the study of classical ballet and a good technical facility acquired through previous dance training
- Applicants for female training must be en pointe and able to take part in pointe work training
- No prior commitments during the course dates.
Ages 16-20
- Candidates aged 16-18 by 31 August 2025 (currently in school years 11, 12 or 13)
- Dancers who intend to continue their dance training to 18 to pursue a career in dance
- Applicants for female training must be confident en pointe
- The intention to train full-time, boarding at The Royal Ballet School boarding houses in Pimlico or Covent Garden, London.
- Candidates aged 16-17 by 31 August 2025 (in school years 11 or 12)
- Dancers who intend to continue their dance training at 18 to pursue a career in dance
- Applicants for female training must be confident en pointe
- Ability to travel to London each Saturday for the 18 programme sessions.
- Candidates aged 16-20 by 31 August 2025
- Applicants for female training must be confident en pointe
- No prior commitments during the course dates.
Funding for dancer training
The Royal Ballet School selects students based on their potential rather than their ability to pay. No potential student should be deterred from applying to The Royal Ballet School due to a lack of financial means.
About 90% of students are supported financially in some form, with over 22% paying no fees at all.
Find out more about fees.
Any questions?
If you are unsure, we recommend that students check with their dance teachers. You can also contact our Auditions team at [email protected].
Dance teachers wishing to apply for our Diploma of Dance Teaching can contact our Teacher Training team: [email protected].