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  • Before applying
    • Planning
    • Skills
    • Official bodies
  • How to apply
    • Applying
    • Full-time
    • Part-time
    • Additional Evidence
  • After applying
    • Selections and offers
    • Auditions and interviews
    • Practical teaching placements
    • On programme

Planning

There are two routes to apply for a place on one of our programmes:

  • Through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service UCAS, a UK-wide service for undergraduate and postgraduate higher education programmes of study.
  • By using our application documentation. There is no application fee if you are applying to the Faculty of Education directly but UCAS charges a fee to register with them.

Before applying, you should read our prospectus to decide which programme is for you. You will find information on delivery, content and assessment, along with entry requirements.

As you will see under ‘after applying,’ the application process has several steps. Most of them involve the Faculty of Education (FoE) directly. Depending on your programme of choice, you may also need to contact other organisations or agencies, to meet your offer conditions. Some steps of the application process have a fee.

Entry requirements

Most of our programmes will also ask for other qualifications. In a few instances, you may apply through a concessionary route if you do not already have, or are currently studying, for the needed qualifications.

In addition to the entry requirements, we expect you to have certain skills and qualities. The selection criteria are tailored to each programme and tell you what we look for and how you can best show that you meet these. It also shows information on auditions, interviews, offers, registration, and accommodation.

Applicants usually have some dance teaching experience before they study with us. If you don’t, there are still things you can do to prepare. You can:

  • offer to be a chaperone or class assistant at the dance school where you go to classes yourself.
  • observe your dance teacher: how do they teach your class? How do they correct you and the other students in your class? How do they introduce new steps or dance routines? How do they manage behaviour in and outside of the dance studio?

Some of our programmes hold auditions or interviews as part of the application process. These usually take place at RAD headquarters in London. If we invite you to an audition, there is usually an audition fee to be paid. Please plan your travel and accommodation in advance.

If you are an overseas applicant and sending an audition video, you’ll have to pay the cost of posting your video and supporting documentation to us, and of the telephone interview.

Receiving an offer

If you are offered a place on the programme, you must meet the entry requirements. If you would like to accept, you must pay a (non-refundable) registration fee for most programmes to secure your place. Please check whether the registration fee is needed in your case as well as ‘how to pay‘. If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your application, please contact the registrar directly.

Conditional Offer

If you receive a conditional offer of a place, the following information shows how to meet the conditions:

The minimum requirement for all our programmes of study is Intermediate (or the equivalent) in dance or ballet. For most programmes, you will be required to provide evidence of your skills in dance or ballet by providing us with a dance examination certificate. As you probably know already, dance societies have set examination dates and centres and charge an examination fee. If you have never taken a dance examination, please read our general regulations on mature students, whether you can meet the dance entry requirement for your programme of choice by concessionary entry, and what the conditions, deadlines and fees are.

Enhanced Disclosure

Some of our programmes require that applicants provide us with a recent satisfactory police or criminal records check. Registry will need to see the original of your police or criminal records check before your programme starts. The time it takes for the check to be issued can vary greatly from country to country. Please make sure you request it on time. In most countries, the authorities charge a fee for the service. If you live in the UK, it is most likely that you will need a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) or that you are registered with the DBS update service. Applications for Enhanced Disclosure are made through an umbrella body that is registered with the DBS. For the RAD, Due Diligence Checking (DDC) acts as the umbrella body. We will provide you with more information on how to obtain an Enhanced Disclosure as part of an offer.

Inclusive working

The RAD aims to create an inclusive working and studying environment. For onsite programmes of study, we wish to know if you have any health conditions or disabilities which might impair your ability to fulfil the requirements of your programme of study. Ahead of the programme’s start, we will ask you to complete a fitness-to-practice questionnaire, which may be passed onto an external Occupational Health professional for assessment. The questionnaire is designed to identify students who need additional support whilst enrolled in a Faculty of Education programme of study. Our aim is to be supportive of students with additional learning/support needs.

Please note: if you do have a disability as recognised and supported by the Disabled Students’ Allowance Quality Assurance Group (DSA – QAG), the fitness to practice questionnaire does not replace the assessment completed at one of the DSA-recognised assessment centres. As such, you will still have to go through this process in order to get DSA as well as reasonable adjustments in regards to submissions and exams.

Find out further information from UCAS on the support provided to disabled students while studying at university or college, as well as further pre and post application information.

UK-based students are encouraged to apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance prior to starting on programme. Early applications should enable us to get your institutional support up and running as soon as you arrive. You will find more information on the following pages:

Language

All our programmes of study are delivered in English. If your first language is not English, you will most likely be asked to undertake an English language test to show that you know English well enough to study at higher education level. The requirements for your programme of choice can also be found on the specific programme pages. Most English language test organisations charge a fee and require you to travel to their centres for the test. The Certificate in Dance Teaching (Ballet) (CDT) can also be studied in languages other than English. For the CDT programme, you need to ensure that you have the appropriate language skills in the delivery language.

Visa requirements

If you are an overseas applicant who would like to join us here in London for the onsite BA (Hons) Ballet Education, it is most likely that you require a Student visa to stay in the UK for your studies. You will find information on the visa requirements and application process on the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website, where you can also assess your circumstances against the criteria outlined. Visa applicants who need to prove that their international qualification(s) meet the academic or English language requirements should obtain an official statement from UK NARIC. This information is used by UKVI to decide if the applicant meets the requirements of the Immigration Rules. There are quite a few costs involved in the visa application process, amongst others: a visa application fee, the healthcare surcharge, the NARIC statement fee, evidence of your financial position, and travel to and from the visa application centre in your country.

Skills

Official Bodies

Students’ union

Data collection

Next steps

Applying

Application pack and information

The Faculty of Education is accepting applications for all programmes that start in 2024/25. You can email your application and reference to faculty@rad.org.uk. or post to Admissions Officer, Faculty of Education, Royal Academy of Dance, 188 York Road, London SW11 3JZ, UK.

If you are having difficulty downloading the application form then please contact faculty@rad.org.uk.

The Royal Academy of Dance is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. Read our Higher Education Privacy Notice.

For programmes that require application via RAD National Offices, here is a list of contact details.

Concessionary Entry

Certificate in Dance Teaching (Ballet)

Applicants without formal classical ballet qualifications (Advanced Foundation, Advanced 1, Advanced 2, Intermediate, or an equivalent examination from a recognised dance teaching society) should provide a video/DVD to support their application.  Fees for concessionary entry, can be found on the Fees and Funding page.

Diploma in Dance Teaching Studies – Halted in 2024

Applicants without formal qualifications (the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies, or an equivalent level 4 dance teaching qualification) should provide a video/DVD and supporting evidence to support their application. Fees for concessionary entry, can be found on the Fees and Funding page.

  • Diploma in Dance Teaching Studies Concessionary Entry Guidelines
  • Diploma in Dance Teaching Studies Concessionary Entry Submission Form
  • Payment Form

BA (Hons) Dance Education

Applicants without formal dance qualifications (Intermediate or higher vocational examination in any dance genre from a recognised dance teaching society or A-level dance) should provide a video/DVD to support their application.  Applicants who do not meet the academic entry requirements, will be required to complete a concessionary entry essay.  Fees for concessionary entry, can be found on the Fees and Funding page.

Master of Arts in Education (Dance Teaching)

Applicants who do not meet the academic entry requirements will be required to complete a concessionary entry essay.
Applicants who do not meet the teaching requirements will be required to complete a concessionary video/DVD to support their application.
Fees for concessionary entry can be found on the Fees and Funding page.

Academic Transfers

Transferring between Royal Academy of Dance Programmes

The Royal Academy of Dance allows transfers, after the completion of a level of study, from its BA (Hons) Ballet Education programme (FHEQ Levels 4 and 5) into subsequent levels of the BA (Hons) Dance Education programme, subject to availability of places on the programme.  Following discussion with the relevant Programme Managers, transfers are subject to approval by the Dean.  Students holding a Student Visa for the BA (Hons) Ballet Education requesting transfer to the BA (Hons) Dance Education will have their Student Visa revoked and they will be required to leave the UK unless they secure other rights to remain.  Visas are not offered by the Royal Academy of Dance for distance-learning programmes of study.

Should a student transfer their registration from one programme of study to another then they must obtain RAD RTS via the method applicable for their new programme of study.

Those who transfer from BA (Hons) Ballet Education Level 5 into BA (Hons) Dance Education Level 6 therefore lose eligibility to gain RAD RTS.

Transferring onto a Royal Academy of Dance Programme from another institution

The Royal Academy of Dance will consider on a case-by-case basis whether students from other higher education providers would be eligible to transfer onto a Faculty of Education programme.  Students wishing to transfer to a Royal Academy of Dance programme should make application through UCAS.  Applicants may be required to attend an audition and/or an interview as part of the admissions process.  The application to transfer should normally be made before the start of the academic year in which the student will join the new programme.  Where a student is applying to enter a programme with Advanced Standing, they must complete an Accreditation of Prior Learning Application form.  The Royal Academy of Dance Accreditation of Prior Learning Policy can be found here:

The form should be accompanied by an academic transcript and the specification for the programme completed at the current institution.

For further information please email registry@rad.org.uk.

Transferring to another institution from the Royal Academy of Dance

If a student decides that their current programme of study at the Royal Academy of Dance is not meeting their needs, they will be invited to discuss their options with their Programme Manager who will be able to offer practical advice and support.  Where a student decides to transfer to another institution, they should apply to the new institution in accordance with its admissions and credit transfer procedures and complete a Royal Academy of Dance withdrawal form.  Registry will be able to provide advice on financial implications and any supporting documents required for the transfer.

Students transferring from the Royal Academy of Dance to another provider will be given a transcript of achievement, if applicable, and they may request a reference from the Faculty of Education in accordance with its Principles and Guidelines for writing Student References (available to all registered students on the Virtual Learning Environment).

Full-time undergraduate and postgraduate Programmes

Full-time Undergraduate Programmes We are accepting applications for our full-time BA (Hons) Ballet Education and BA (Hons) Dance Education programmes for September 2025
For full-time higher education undergraduate programmes, please apply online through UCAS.
UCAS applicants will need to provide: The institution name for the Royal Academy of Dance which is RAD
The institution code for the Royal Academy of Dance which is R55
The course code for your chosen programme: BA (Hons) Ballet Education: W540
BA (Hons) Dance Education: W541
Diploma of Higher Education: Dance Education: W590
Certificate of Higher Education: Dance Education: W591

UCAS WEBSITE

Regulations

Clearing 2024

Part-time, distance learning, and RAD Award Programmes

For the following part-time, distance learning and RAD professional award programmes, please apply directly to the RAD by downloading an application form and guidance notes. These should be read carefully before completing your application.

Programme Apply by Apply via
Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Dance 31 January 2025 Registry
MA in Education (Dance Teaching) 30 April 2025 Registry
BA (Hons) Dance Education (part time) 30 April 2025 Registry
Diploma of Higher Education Dance Education (part time) 30 April 2025 Registry
Diploma in Dance Teaching Studies Not running in 2025/26 Registry
Certificate in Dance Teaching (Ballet) – UK students* 1 August 2025 Registry
Certificate in Dance Teaching (Ballet) -International students* 1 August 2025 RAD National Office
Professional Dancers’ Graduate Teaching Diploma (UK & Australia) 1 November 2024 Registry (UK)

Regulations

Additional application evidence

Vetting and barring scheme and criminal records

Accreditation of prior learning

International student application

Applicants whose first language is not English

Next steps

  • Fees and funding

Selections and offers

Selection criteria

Offers

Contextualised admissions

What are contextualised admissions?

Contextualised admissions is the process through which the Faculty of Education assesses your prior attainment and potential to succeed in higher education in the context of the circumstances in which your attainment has been obtained. Contextual data includes educational, geo-demographic and socio-economic background data.  Contextual information includes self-declared information which you provide, such as current or previous caring responsibilities, or family/lifestyle circumstances. To find out more information on contextualised admissions, download the guidance document here.

Auditions and interviews

If you wish to raise a Grievance or Complaint on any aspect of your application, you should do so by using the Student Grievance and Complaints Policy and Procedures.

Practical teaching placements

On programme

Student Support

Registration

On-Site Programmes

Distance Learning Programmes

Accommodation for full-time students

Assessments

Re-sitting assessments

Next steps

  • Fees and funding