Apply

  • Application timeline
  • How to apply

If you are inspired by what you see and wish to submit an application, there are different ways to apply depending on the programme you have chosen and we will help you through the process.

01

Open Days

Attend an in-person Open Day or online programme webinars (when scheduled) to find out all about us. You’ll be able to meet tutors, participate in or observe practical dance classes, and chat to current students.

02

Apply for part-time study & RAD Awards

Applications for RAD-validated programmes and part-time study should be made directly to Registry, Faculty of Education. Deadlines for programmes of study occur throughout the year. You will find details of each programme on the relevant programme pages and at Study at RAD.

03

Apply for full-time degree study

Applications for our full-time undergraduate degree programmes should be made online and can be submitted as soon as UCAS opens in the UK in September. You should give yourself plenty of time to write your personal statement and consider how best to present your skills. The application deadline for full-time undergraduate programmes is in January. Please visit UCAS for further information.

04

Auditions and interviews

Once you have submitted your application, you may be invited to an interview and/or audition depending on which programme you have applied for.

05

Hearing from us

For our full-time undergraduate degree programmes, we aim to give an outcome to each application by the end of April at the latest. For part-time and RAD-validated programmes of study, the dates will vary.

06

Replying to offers

For full-time undergraduate degree programme applications made via UCAS, once you have received all the decisions to your applications, you can choose which two offers to accept. Your first is known as your ‘firm choice’ and ‘insurance choice’ is your second. If you have applied for a part-time and RAD-validated programme of study, you will be given a reply slip that should be returned to Registry, Faculty of Education.

Conditional Offers

When we offer a place we usually set conditions that have to be met before you can start studying with us. If you have met all the conditions, you hold an unconditional offer which you need to formally accept, and we look forward to welcoming you to your studies.

07

UK A Level results day

If you are sitting your A levels in the same year you are applying for a full-time undergraduate degree programme, you will receive your grades on results day in August. If you have achieved the required grades and meet all other conditions, we will confirm your place. If not, please call us to discuss your application.

If you are still looking for a place, you can apply through Clearing at UCAS.

08

Induction week

The last step of your application is also the first step of your studies. Some of our programmes start with an induction week where you will meet your lecturers and fellow students before beginning the programme.

  • Applications

    Applications

    UK/EU students should contact the Admissions Officer:
    Registry, Faculty of Education, Royal Academy of Dance
    188 York Road
    London, SW11 3JZ

    Tel: +44 (0)20 7326 8086
    Email: faculty@rad.org.uk
    www.royalacademyofdance.org/howtoapply

    International students should contact their RAD national office for advice on the programmes and the application process. The names and contact details for all our national offices can be found at Contact Us.

    Registry, Faculty of Education

    Applications for RAD-validated programmes and part-time study of the BA (Hons) Dance Education and Master of Arts in Education (Dance Teaching) should be made directly to Registry at the Faculty of Education where staff will be able to help you with any enquiries.

    You can download an application form at How to Apply.

    Applications for our full-time degree programmes should be made online at UCAS.

  • Entry requirements

    Entry requirements

    Details of the individual entry requirements can be found on the programme pages of this prospectus. The Faculty of Education will consider UK and international equivalents to the listed entry requirements, such as examinations of other recognised dance societies or the International Baccalaureate and BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.

    A number of our non-UK undergraduate students have met the academic entry requirements with qualifications such as the German Abitur, the Irish Leaving Certificate, or the Apolytirion from Cyprus or Greece. However, if you are from a country whose university entry qualification does not meet UK standards, you may undertake a Foundation Module in order to fulfil the academic entry requirement of your chosen programme of study. Please contact Registry for further details or visit Foundation Module.

    Concessionary entry and access modules

    We are keen to recruit students from a wide range of backgrounds. If you do not hold traditional academic or dance qualifications, but have equivalent experiential learning, you may be eligible for concessionary entry. You may also be able to complete an access module to gain entry onto some of our programmes.

    Further information on concessionary entry or access modules and their associated costs can be found at How to Apply or you can contact Registry for guidance.

  • Disclosure and Barring Service and other criminal records checks

    Disclosure and Barring Service and other criminal records checks

    All applicants for programmes of study requiring contact with young people and vulnerable adults will need to comply with the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, and any subsequent legislation, to ensure that they will not be putting at risk young people or vulnerable adults in their care. For UK residents, this is likely to include an Enhanced Disclosure by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) or equivalent, application for which will be made on their behalf by the RAD or a designated umbrella organisation.

    Applicants from other countries will need to provide satisfactory police checks or equivalent from their country of residence. For more information and associated costs of DBS checks, please contact Registry.

  • UCAS tariff points for meeting academic entry requirements

    UCAS tariff points for meeting academic entry requirements

    Qualification Grade required
    3 GCE A levels B, B, C
    BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma D, M, M
    International Baccalaureate 25
    BTEC Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Diploma (HND) Pass
    A typical offer would include the requirement to achieve the above grades, normally equal to 112 UCAS tariff points.
    NB. Combinations of GCE A level and Level 3 BTECs will be considered. We do not accept A level General Studies towards meeting entry requirements.
    Non-academic qualifications, e.g. RAD ballet examinations, cannot be used towards your academic tariff points total.
  • Office for students

    Office for students

    For students to be eligible for funding from Student Finance England, they must be studying on an eligible course at a provider registered with the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS is the independent regulator for higher education in England and all higher education providers need to register with the OfS for their students to be eligible for student support. The Royal Academy of Dance is registered with the OfS.

    Visit Office for Students for more information.

  • Financing your studies

    Financing your studies

    Home Students

    For information on financing your studies, please visit Student Finance.

  • Quality assurance

    Quality assurance agency for higher education

    The RAD is subject to review by the Quality Assurance Agency, the UK’s Quality Body for Higher Education (QAA). See QAA for more information.

  • Accredited prior learning

    Accredited prior learning

    If you have dance teaching experience or relevant qualifications, you may wish to apply for exemption from part or parts of the programme of study based on your prior certificated or experiential learning. Applications for the Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) must be made before the programme starts. Guidance on the application process, associated costs and the application form can be found at How to Apply or you can contact Registry for advice.

  • For students who do not have English as a first language

    For students who do not have English as a first language

    University-validated programmes of study

    Normally a minimum overall score of 6.5 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required for undergraduate study and a minimum overall score of 7.0 for postgraduate study.

    Each IELTS subtest must be passed with 6.0 as a minimum for undergraduate study and 6.5 as a minimum for postgraduate study. To find out more about this examination and how to contact your local test centre, please contact the British Council in your country. If you have another recently achieved English language qualification, please check with Registry to establish acceptability.

    RAD-validated programmes of study

    Normally a minimum overall score of 6.5 in the IELTS is required, with the exception of the Certificate in Dance Teaching (Ballet). The Certificate in Dance Teaching (Ballet) will normally be delivered in the first language of your country of residence, subject to there being viable numbers recruited to the programme. Please note that the RAD retains the right to determine the language of delivery for the Certificate in Dance Teaching (Ballet) in countries where more than one language is spoken.

    For Diploma programmes of study (Professional Dancers’ Graduate Teaching Diploma) an IELTS band of 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6 in each of the subtests.

    To find out more about this examination and how to find your local test centre, please contact the British Council in your country. If you have another recently achieved English language qualification, please check with Registry to establish acceptability.

  • Auditions and interviews

    Auditions and interviews

    Some programmes require attendance at an audition or a telephone/ Zoom/Teams interview in order to be offered a place. International students applying for a London-based programme who are unable to attend an audition in London may supply video/DVD and other evidence instead. Additionally, they are invited for a telephone or Zoom/Teams interview.

  • Supporting documentation

    Supporting documentation

    Students who need to provide supporting documentation as part of their application that is not in English, such as references and certificates, should provide certified translated documentation. For more information: Certifying a Document.

  • Terms and conditions

    Terms and conditions

    All students will be required, as a condition of enrolment, to abide by and submit to the procedures and regulations of the Royal Academy of Dance and, for university-validated programmes, the University of Bath. The General Regulations of the Faculty of Education can be found on Regulations and programme specific regulations are made available to each student upon enrolment.

  • Age

    Age

    Students who have followed the UK route to a higher education qualification will normally be 18 years of age on admission. The RAD recognises, however, that applicants will be at different stages of maturity and prior learning irrespective of age on application, and will judge each application on merit, subject to the legal requirements on individuals charged with the supervision of children.

  • Equal opportunities

    Equal opportunities

    In assessing applicants for admission to programmes of study, consideration will be given to the potential of the applicant to be successful in that programme. Entry requirements and selection criteria will not exclude applicants on grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, socio-economic background, nationality, ethnic origin or disability. It is the responsibility of the applicant to be confident that they can cope with the physical demands of the programme. The Faculty of Education will consider each application in a fair, efficient and transparent manner. Places on Faculty of Education programmes are limited. Offers will be made to applicants with the highest academic and/or professional potential.