Assisted Application Scheme
Our Assisted Application Scheme is designed to offer an additional level of support and guidance to eligible applicants. It is intended to ensure that barriers do not limit the ability of talented dancers in applying to our undergraduate courses, or from achieving a career in dance and performance. The scheme is open to applicants that are eligible for home fee status and a UK resident, in line with OfS requirements. If you are looking for support as an international applicant, please see our International Students page.
Applications for the Assisted Application Scheme for 2026 entry are now open. Central School of Ballet encourages applications from students whose backgrounds are underrepresented in higher education.
What is the Assisted Application Scheme?
Our Assisted Application Scheme is designed to offer an additional level of support and guidance to eligible applicants. It is intended to ensure that barriers do not limit the ability of talented dancers in applying to our undergraduate courses, or from achieving a career in dance and performance.
We understand that navigating audition processes and Higher Education application systems can be complex. The Assisted Application Scheme also provides support for families, parents or guardians who might not have previous experience of applying to vocational schools or higher education and may need additional support.
All successful applicants to the scheme will receive:
- A free application for the undergraduate course they are applying to
- Advice and guidance from the Widening Participation Team relating to our application and audition process.
- Pre-recorded support received prior to each stage of the audition process.
- Help with travel costs to auditions. This will depend on your personal circumstances e.g. household income.
- Opportunities to arrive 15 minutes earlier to auditions, to see the studios and relevant spaces.
- Possible free place onto a Dance Day, subject to availability and household income. (Glasgow, Leeds and Truro only).
- If successful in obtaining a place onto any of our undergraduate courses, you will not be required to pay a deposit.
Who is eligible for the scheme?
To be eligible for the scheme applicants must meet ALL criteria from Section A.
Section A:
- Be eligible for home fee status during the 2026-27 academic year. You must be UK-Domiciled and a resident of the UK. Central will formally assess this based on the information provided within your application, but you can find out more about home fees here.
- Have no previous experience of higher education/university.
- Be applying to our Undergraduate Courses commencing in September 2026.
You must also meet at least one of the following criteria in Section B.
Section B:
- Be living in a household with a gross annual income of below £44,000 or which receives means tested state benefits.
- Identify as black, brown or from the Global Majority.
- Have a declared disability.
- Be Care experienced or a Care leaver.
- Be living in a UK postcode where participation in higher education is low (our Admissions Team will review this for you).
- Have a home postcode classified as Quintile 1 or 2 in the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) Government dataset (visit the IMD website to find out, result is in a downloadable spreadsheet, found in column F).
How to Apply
To apply for the scheme, please complete our online application form.
The form should take no more than 10 minutes. If you need any support or guidance, please contact assistedapplications@csbschool.co.uk
Application dates |
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| Monday 29 September 2025 | Assisted Application Scheme opens | |
| Monday 5 January 2026 | Assisted Application Scheme closes | Applications are now closed. If you would like to enquire about the scheme, please contact assistedapplications@csbschool.co.uk |
Online Welcome Meetings |
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| Monday 6 October 2025 5.30-6.30pm | Online Welcome Meeting 1 (open to any eligible applications whose application is received before this date) | |
| Monday 1 December 2025 5.30-6.30pm | Online Welcome Meeting 2 (open to any eligible applications whose application is received before this date) |
The purpose of the Welcome meetings is to support you with your application to our courses. Anyone who hasn’t applied prior to the above dates will be a sent pre-recorded version.
Student and Parent/Guardian Testimonials
“New environments can be uncomfortable for me, but the scheme made me feel less different and more comfortable. During the audition I wasn’t intimidated. It was comforting to know the audition panel were aware of my conditions and I didn’t feel like I was causing a scene. I felt comfortable but it didn’t feel like I was being treated as a disabled student. The process has been great. ”
Student #1
“We were made to feel important and as a parent, it shows the school really cared, and for us to get to know Central has been lovely. The Assisted Application Scheme has made the student want to go to Central even more. Central does more than other schools. It was nice to see that the medical condition was not seen as a disadvantage, where others school make it feel like a disadvantage. “
Parent/Guardian of Student #1
“I really appreciated that I got to see the audition room beforehand, it felt very supportive. It’s been a really lovely and supportive experience. It’s great that Central has done this programme. “
Student #2
Meet the Team
You will meet various members of staff throughout your journey on the scheme including artistic staff members. The Head of Widening Participation and Access manages the scheme:
Maxine Bunting-Thomas (she/her)
Head of Widening Participation and Access
I oversee all the Access and Participation activity at the school, working with colleagues to help us meet the targets set out in our Access and Participation Plan and the wider strategic mission. I run several programmes, including the Assisted Application Scheme, partnerships and outreach and Southwark project activities. All aim to increase access to ballet and inspire young people, and prospective applicants find out more about Central school of Ballet and the joy of dance.
