UK Summer Intensive
Course summary
Our Summer Intensive invites dancers aged 8-19 to immerse themselves in The Royal Ballet School’s System of Training. Held at both White Lodge and Upper School, participants will receive exceptional coaching from our Artistic faculty and distinguished guest teachers.
Engage in diverse repertoire and connect with like-minded young dancers from around the world, all in a supportive and nurturing environment. Discover your potential and share your passion for dance this summer.
Key course facts
Age range: 8-19 years on 31 August 2027
Course type: selective and non-selective course, residential and non-residential options
Duration:
- Non-selective course at Upper School and White Lodge (8-9 years): three half-days
- Selective course:
- White Lodge (10-15 years):
- Students aged 10-12 years may choose a one-week course
- Students aged 13-15 years may choose one-week or two-week course
- Upper School (16-19 years):
- Students may choose five weeks of classes split into two-week, three-week and five-week courses.
- White Lodge (10-15 years):
Dates and times:
White Lodge courses:
- Non-selective, non-residential course (8-9 years):
- Week 1: Wednesday 21 July – Friday 23 July 9.15-12.15
- Week 2: Tuesday 27 July – Thursday 29 July 9.15-12.15
- Week 3: Tuesday 3 August – Thursday 5 August 9.15- 12.15
- Selective, residential course at White Lodge (10-15 years): 20 July – 20 August 2027
Upper School:
- Non-selective, non-residential course (8-9 years):
- Week 1: Wednesday 21 July – Friday 23 July 13.00-16.00
Week 2: Tuesday 27 July – Thursday 29 July 13.00-16.00
Week 3: Tuesday 3 August – Thursday 5 August 13.00-16.00
- Week 1: Wednesday 21 July – Friday 23 July 13.00-16.00
- Selective, residential course (16-19 years): 20 July – 20 August 2027.
Location:
White Lodge, Richmond Park, Richmond, Surrey, TW10 5HR
Upper School, 46 Floral Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9DA
Delivery format: residential and non-residential options
Selection method:
- Non-selective course (8-9 years): first come, first served; no audition required
- Selective course (10-19 years): applicants will need to submit photographs as part of their application.
Course fees:
Application fee: £50 (only required for selective course, 10-18 years)
Boarding
The selective courses offer both residential and non-residential. Please state your preference on your application form.
Boarding for White Lodge students
We offer full board at White Lodge with healthy hot and cold meals and vegetarian and special dietary requirements catered for on request.
Boarding for Upper School students
We provide accommodation at one of our boarding houses in either Covent Garden or Pimlico.
At Aud Jebsen Hall, Pimlico, we offer full board for students aged 16-17 with healthy hot and cold meals and vegetarian and special dietary requirements catered for on request.
At Jebsen House, Covent Garden, we offer full board for students aged 18-19 with food vouchers for healthy hot and cold meals from the Royal Opera House. Students can choose from various food choices suitable for all dietary requirements.
Certificate provided: yes (presented at end of day)
Booking details:
Selective course
Applications close:
- Selective course: 8 January 2027
Non-selective course
Bookings close:
-
- Non-selective course: 22 June 2027 or when classes are full. Book early to avoid disappointment.
Who is this course for?
This course is for dancers who:
- Are aged 8-19 on 31 August 2027
- Want a supportive experience of classical ballet training
- Are looking for a selective or non-selective course.
What will dancers learn?
Under the guidance of the School’s expert Artistic faculty, aspiring dancers will participate in various classes including:
Upper School selective course:
- Classical ballet technique
- Pointe
- Repertoire
- Character
- Solos
- Pas de Deux
- Stagecraft
- Jazz.
White Lodge selective course:
- Classical ballet technique
- Repertoire
- Character
- Pilates
- Contemporary
- Stagecraft
- Variations
- Creative
- Jazz.
Teaching and faculty
These intensives will be taught by:
- Paul Kay, Head of Intensive Courses and Talent Identification
- Rachael Hunt, Artistic Manager International Intensive Courses
- Royal Ballet School artistic staff
- Guest teachers with professional ballet experience.
Course structure
White Lodge
Selective course
One-week courses
Week one, 20-24 July: aged 10 and 11 female and male training
Week two, 26-30 July: aged 12 and 13 female and male training
Week three, 2-6 August: aged 10 and 11 female and male training; aged 14 and 15 male training
Week four, 9-13 August: aged 10 and 11, aged 12 and 13 female training
Week five, 16-20 August: aged 10 and 11, aged 12 and 13, aged 14 and 15 female training
Two-week courses
Week one to two, 20-30 July: aged 14 and 15 female and male training
Week three to four, 2-13 August: aged 14 and 15 female training
Week four to five, 9-20 August: aged 13 female training
Our five weeks of classes at White Lodge are split into one-week and two-week courses. Students aged 10-12 may choose a one-week course, and students aged 13-15 may choose a one-week or two-week course.
Classes are taught and accompanied by our own Artistic faculty, Artistic Director, and guest teachers and creators. Classes take place in our state-of-the-art studios in the historic White Lodge in Richmond Park.
As well as classical ballet technique classes, the Summer Intensive course typically includes:
- Character
- Contemporary
- Creative
- Pilates
- Repertoire
- Stagecraft
- Variations
- Jazz.
Non-selective course 8-9 years
This is a three-day course for dancers aged 8-9.
The course will run from 9.15-12.15 and each day will consist of a warm up and ballet class, a repertoire or focus class, and a cool down session.
Dancers must participate in all three days and may book onto multiple weeks if they wish. Course content will be different each week.
21-23 July
27-29 July
3-5 August
Upper School
Selective course
Two-week courses
Week one to two, 20-30 July: aged 16, aged 17, aged 18 and 19 female training; aged 16 and 17, aged 18 and 19 male training
Three-week courses
Week three to five, 2-20 August: aged 16, aged 17, aged 16 and 17, aged 18 and 19 female training; aged 16 and 17, aged 18 and 19 male training
Five-week course
Week one to five, 20 July-20 August: aged 16, aged 17, aged 18 and 19 female training; aged 16 and 17, aged 18 and 19 male training
Our five weeks of classes at Upper School are split into two-week and three-week, and five-week courses.
Classes are taught and accompanied by our own Artistic faculty, Artistic Director, and guest teachers and creators. Classes take place in our state-of-the-art studios at Upper School in the heart of Covent Garden.
As well as classical ballet technique classes, the Summer Intensive course typically includes:
- Character
- Pointe
- Repertoire
- Solos
- Contemporary
- Pas de deux
- Jazz.
Non-selective course 8-9 years
This is a three-day course for dancers aged 8-9.
The course will run from 13.00-16.00 and each day will consist of a warm up and ballet class, a repertoire or focus class, and a cool down session.
Dancers must participate in all three days and may book onto multiple weeks if they wish. Course content will be different each week.
21-23 July
27-29 July
3-5 August
Outcomes and progression
Dancers complete an intensive course and finish with a cool down, reflection and certificate presentation. This course does not function as an audition for other programmes.
Practical information
Fees:
Application fee: £50 (only required for selective course, 10-18 years)
Booking and application details:
- Bookings and applications open: 1 October 2026
- Bookings and applications close:
- Selective course: 8 January 2027
- Non-selective course: 22 June 2027 or when classes are full. Book early to avoid disappointment.
Eligibility: 8–19 years on 31 August 2027
Requirements: Selective course: photo submission required, non-selective course: no photo required
Questions: Visit our FAQs page
Contact: [email protected].