Funding
What does it cost to go to a Vocational Dance or Musical Theatre School |
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Read prospectuses carefully and do not be attracted to a school for reasons other than the quality of its provision. The school needs to offer training that suits your professional ambition. It is wise to look at a number of prospectuses and to target a number of schools. Most vocational schools offer a three year full-time training programme. Classes usually start at 8.30am and continue until 6pm. Taught sessions are frequently followed by two or three hours of rehearsal for five days a week with additional rehearsals often scheduled for weekends. |
Many vocational schools now also offer excellent degree programmes. On degree courses there is an academic element in addition to the practical dance training. 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) |
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For students wishing to train in Ballet the Department for Education (DfE) funds the Music and Dance Scheme which provides approximately 2200 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 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 Centres for Advanced Training (CAT). Contact the DfE Music and Dance Scheme for more information — 01325 391150 or www.dfes.gov.uk/mds/.
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Further Education (Dance and Drama Awards) |
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The Dance and Drama Awards (DaDAs) 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
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 DaDAs 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 DaDAs 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 2011/2012 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: Money To Learn, Education And Learning CDET schools offering DaDAs are indicated on our website under Accredited Schools and they will be able to provide additional information. You can also contact the Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA) on 0800 121 8989 or danceanddrama.ypla.gov.uk/ as they administer the awards. For more information about the awards and their successes visit The Dance and Drama Awards Ten Years of Success. |
Higher Education (HE) |
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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 DaDAs 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 £3,375 for 2011/12 and up to £9,000 for 2012/13) and have access to Student Loan for Fees. |
Student Loans — in 2011/12 eligible students may receive a loan to cover fees in full of up to £3,375 a year. You may also qualify for a student loan for maintenance of up to £6,928 if you live away from home 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 £2,906 are available for 2011/12. However if you have received government funding for a previous course it is unlikely you will be eligible. |
Other Funding |
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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. |
To be eligible, you’ll need to be 18 years old or over. To find out more information regarding Career Development Loans please visit the Direct Gov website: www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/ |
Other Organisations
Charitable Trusts and Foundations
Local Trusts and Foundations
Helpful Books and Publications
Useful websites
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