Central School of Ballet

Christopher Gable, the dancer and actor, founded Central School of Ballet in London in 1982 together with Ann Stannard, aiming to combine secure classical technique with artistic expression. The University of Kent has validated the degrees of this specialist vocational dance school since 2004, and since 2022 the school has appeared on the Office for Students register. In 2020 it moved to the Countess of Wessex Studios at Paris Garden, Southwark, close to the South Bank. Covering more than 3,000 square metres, the building is nearly three times as large as the former Clerkenwell premises and houses a studio theatre, seven studios and a suite devoted to health and wellbeing.

Classical ballet, taught daily in small groups, is complemented by contemporary, jazz and Spanish dance, choreography and singing. After a two-year Foundation Degree, students can continue to a BA (Hons) top-up year with Ballet Central. The school set up this touring company in 1984, and it gives final-year dancers professional performance experience at venues across the UK. An MA in Choreography is also available, and the Duchess of Edinburgh is Royal Patron.

Information for International Students

International students make up a significant share of every intake, and recent year groups have included dancers from South Korea, Japan, Australia, Singapore, the USA and several European countries. Admissions staff guide overseas applicants through the application and the Student visa, and help them settle in London. Places are awarded by audition. Preliminary rounds take place in a number of UK cities and have also been staged in Tokyo, Osaka and Singapore; overseas finalists then have an interview online, and auditions may also be submitted on video. Students must be 16 or over when the course begins. Non-native English speakers need an IELTS for UKVI (Academic) score at CEFR level B1, with no component below 4.0.

Lacking halls of residence, the school points students to nearby purpose-built residences and a homestay provider that runs safeguarding checks on its hosts, but arranging housing is ultimately a matter for students and their families. Anyone under 18 should review the age limits and safeguarding policy of each provider. UK government student loans are not open to international students, and the Graduate Route may be available to those completing the BA (Hons) top-up.