Royal Ballet School
- Acceptance Rate
- 65.0%
- SAT Range
- 1050–1250
- ACT Range
- N/A
- Avg GPA
- 3.25
- Size
- N/A
- Type
- N/A
- Student:Faculty
- N/A
- Setting
- N/A
- Graduation Rate
- N/A
- Retention Rate
- N/A
- Tuition (In-State)
- N/A
- Tuition (Int'l)
- N/A
Student Life & Environment
Student life at the Royal Ballet School is uniquely structured around the intensive demands of professional ballet training. At White Lodge, students aged 11-16 live in a boarding environment designed to support both their academic development and dance training. The historic building set in Richmond Park provides a beautiful campus with excellent facilities, though the boarding experience requires significant adjustment for young students leaving home. Upper School students in Covent Garden typically live in supervised student housing or private accommodation, transitioning toward the independence expected of professional dancers. The daily schedule structures time carefully between academic classes, ballet training, and rest necessary for physical recovery. Students learn to manage the competing demands of rigorous dance training and academic work, developing time management skills that serve them throughout their careers. Meals are carefully planned to support the nutritional needs of growing dancers, with attention to energy requirements and healthy eating habits. Social life centers on the close relationships formed with fellow students who share the challenges and aspirations of ballet training. The small cohort size creates tight-knit communities where students support each other through the physical and emotional demands of training. Opportunities for wider socialization are limited by the demanding schedule, though students do have free time for activities beyond dance. Student support includes access to healthcare professionals who understand the specific needs of dancers, including physiotherapists, nutritionists, and mental health counselors. The school recognizes the psychological pressures of elite training and provides resources to support student wellbeing. Programs addressing injury prevention, career transition planning, and life skills prepare students for the realities of professional dance careers.
Location & Surroundings
The Royal Ballet School operates across two London locations, each offering distinctive environments for different stages of training. White Lodge, the Lower School campus, occupies a historic building in Richmond Park, southwest London. This Grade I listed Palladian villa, originally a royal hunting lodge, provides an inspiring setting surrounded by over 2,500 acres of parkland populated by deer. The relative isolation supports focused training while the park offers opportunities for outdoor recreation. The Upper School occupies purpose-built facilities at 46 Floral Street in Covent Garden, adjacent to the Royal Opera House. This central London location places students at the heart of the UK's performing arts community, with easy access to theaters, museums, and cultural institutions. The Royal Opera House itself is literally next door, enabling regular attendance at performances and the close relationship with The Royal Ballet that defines the school's identity. London offers unmatched cultural resources for aspiring dancers, from world-class ballet companies and theaters to galleries, concerts, and diverse entertainment options. The city's public transportation system enables easy navigation despite its vast size. The cost of living is high by UK standards, requiring careful budgeting from students managing limited resources. The multicultural character of London exposes students to global perspectives and artistic traditions. The British climate is temperate but often gray and rainy, with mild winters and cool summers. Students should prepare for frequently overcast skies and occasional rain, though extreme weather is rare. The indoor nature of ballet training means weather has limited impact on daily routines, though the natural light and greenery at White Lodge provide welcome relief from the intensity of training.
Costs & Career Outcomes
The costs of attending the Royal Ballet School include tuition fees and, for boarding students at White Lodge, residential fees. Current annual fees are approximately 32,000-38,000 GBP depending on the program and boarding status. These substantial costs can create barriers to access, but the school is committed to ensuring that financial circumstances do not prevent talented students from attending. The Scholarships and Bursaries programme provides support based on financial need, with some students receiving full funding for their education. Career outcomes for Royal Ballet School graduates demonstrate the school's success in preparing professional dancers. Approximately 80% of Upper School graduates secure positions with professional ballet companies within a year of graduation. The school's close relationship with The Royal Ballet means that many graduates join the company directly, while others find positions with leading companies worldwide including Birmingham Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and companies across Europe and beyond. The transition from training to professional dance careers involves audition processes where companies assess technical proficiency, artistry, and fit with their aesthetic and repertoire. The school's showcase performances and company visits provide opportunities for students to be seen by directors and casting staff. The reputation of the Royal Ballet School opens doors, with graduates viewed as exceptionally well-prepared for professional work. Career spans in professional ballet are relatively short, typically spanning ages 18-38 with significant variation based on role type and physical durability. The school prepares students for this reality through academic education that provides foundations for second careers and through career transition support for alumni. Many former dancers pursue careers in choreography, teaching, arts administration, or fields outside dance entirely, drawing on skills and disciplines developed through their training.
Campus Location
Explore More
See your match score for Royal Ballet School
Find out how you compare to admitted students with a personalized admission assessment.
See your match score — Sign up free