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What does it cost to go to a Vocational Dance or Musical Theatre School?

Finding the funds to study on dance and musical theatre courses can be expensive. A course at a CDET accredited vocational training school can cost anything between £7,000 and £13,000 per year. Depending on where you study, different types of funding exist.

Music and Dance Scheme (MDS)

For students wishing to train in Ballet the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) funds the Music and Dance Scheme which provides approximately 300 children and young people between the ages of 8 (11 for ballet) and 18 to receive an academic education alongside the best specialist dance training available. At present four dance schools

  • Elmhurst School of Dance
  • The Hammond School
  • Royal Ballet School
  • Tring Park School for Performing Arts

offer MDS places to ballet students at 11. In addition, the government has announced new national grants for exceptionally talented children allowing them to gain access to specialist dance training in other dance genres in the newly created Centres for Advanced Training (CAT). Contact the DCSF Music and Dance Scheme for more information — 01325 391150 or http://www.dfes.gov.uk/mds/.

Further Education (Dance and Drama Awards)

The Dance and Drama Awards (D&DA) were introduced by the government in 1999 to increase access to vocational dance, drama and stage management training. They provide reduced fees for full-time vocational dance and drama students but are only available to those studying for the following qualifications

  • National Diploma in Professional Dance
  • National Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre
  • National Certificate in Professional Classical Ballet.

The qualifications are all awarded by Trinity College London (TCL) and are only available at one of the 22 providers TCL validates.

A limited number of D&DAs are awarded each year and they are allocated by the 22 schools to students showing most potential at audition. Students intending to apply for an award should contact a vocational school directly to enquire if it has D&DA funded places available. The 22 schools will make an award to a student regardless of his/her income but where students are judged to be equally talented their financial circumstances will be taken into consideration. To be eligible for an award a student must be an EU national at the start of the course and have been resident in the EU for at least 3 years before the course starts.

Students who are offered Awards will have to make a contribution to their fees. The rate for 2009-2010 has been set at £1,275 per year. Students who cannot afford the £1,275 or who need further financial assistance for living and learning costs may be eligible for additional funding from a means-tested FE fund — for more information see:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/14To19/MoneyToLearn/DanceandDrama/DG_066991

CDET schools offering D&DAs are indicated on our website under Accredited Schools and they will be able to provide additional information. You can also contact the Learning and Skills Council on 0845 019 4144 or http://danceanddrama.lsc.gov.uk/ as they administer the awards.

Higher Education (HE)

Higher Education courses lead to a degree, diploma or certificate validated or awarded by a university; a number are now also designated 'vocational'. Students following HE dance courses do not qualify for D&DAs but are eligible for mandatory, Higher Education awards which cover the greater part of tuition fees.

Like any UK (or EU) student entering Higher Education, students are eligible to apply for help with the student fee contribution (which is £3,145 in 2008/2009 and £3,225 from 2009/10) and have access to Student Loan for Fees.

Student Loans — in 2009/10 eligible students may receive a loan to cover fees in full of up to £3,225 a year. You may also qualify for a student loan for maintenance of up to £4,950 if you live away from home or in London (however the maximum you can get is reduced if you get help though a maintenance grant, which is detailed below.
Grants — As well as Student Loans, students may also be able to get a Maintenance Grant or Special Support Grant to help with accommodation and other living costs. Grants of up to £2,835 are available for 2008/2009 - or up to £2,906 for 2009/2010. However if you have received government funding for a previous course it is unlikely you will be eligible.

The government website http://www.direct.gov.uk/ has comprehensive information about student finance for students undertaking Higher Education courses.

Some courses may not be funded by any awards. In these cases, students are responsible for the full cost of fees and may need to secure private funding via loans, scholarships and trusts.

Other organisations offering advice on funding

  • Arts & Humanities Research Board (AHRB)
  • Association of Charitable Foundations
  • Centre for Creative Communities
  • Educational Trusts Forum
  • Student Awards Agency for Scotland
  • The Central Advisory for Trusts and Scholarships
  • The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF)
  • The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS)
  • The Education Grants Advisory Service
  • The Foundation for Sport and the Arts
  • The National Council for Drama Training (NCDT)
  • The National Union of Students (NUS)
  • The Student Loans Company
  • The University of London Careers Service

Charitable Trusts and Foundations

Below is a list of charitable trusts and Foundations that have awarded grants to students in the past

  • Equity Trust Fund
  • Fame Academy Bursary to fund West End Dreams
  • Mackintosh Foundation
  • Sydney Dean Whitehead's Charitable Trust
  • The Altrusa Careers Trust
  • The Ann Driver Trust
  • The Bestway Foundation
  • The Crescent Trust
  • The Fenton Arts Trust
  • The Follett Trust
  • The Rosemary Bugden Charitable Trust
  • The Sidney Perry Foundation
  • The South Square Trust
  • The Talbot House Trust
  • The Thomas Wall Trust

Helpful Books

Some of the books listed should be available in large public libraries, many of them can be purchased from the Directory of Social Change (DSC) including the Educational Grants Directory, A Guide to the Major Trusts, Grants for Individuals in Need and The Arts Funding Guide:

  • The Directory of Social Change (DSC)
  • Sponsorship for Students
  • The Grants Register
  • The Directory of Grant Making Trusts
  • A Guide to University Scholarships and Awards
  • Sponsorship and Funding Directory
  • Scholarship Guide for Commonwealth Postgraduate Students
  • Employers and Professional Bodies offering Sponsorship & Supplementary Awards to Students following First Degree, BTEC or comparable courses
  • The Education Yearbook
  • Charities Digest

    • Useful Websites

    www.fundfinder.org.uk

    www.how2fundraise.org

    www.scholarship-search.org.uk