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.

After a successful first year of delivery, we are delighted to be able to continue offering the scheme to eligible students, ahead of September 2025 entry.

Meet the Team Eligibility Support you will receive Participant Testimonials Application Deadline How to Apply

Central School of Ballet recognises that some individuals and communities in our society face obstacles and experience unfair disadvantage. In line with our vision to be an institution which supports an increasingly diverse and innovative, internationally recognised culture of dance in the UK, we are committed to finding ways to address these barriers where we can. We encourage applications to our Undergraduate courses from individuals with the talent, potential and dedication to develop the skills required for a professional career in dance, who are currently underrepresented in higher education. 

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.   

Use this page to find out more information about the scheme, find out if you’re eligible and what support you may receive.

Meet the Team

Maxine Bunting-Thomas (she/her)

Head of Widening Participation and Access

I oversee all of 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 Supported 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.

Email:  maxine.buntingthomas@csbschool.co.uk
Phone: 02078376332 ext 219

Ruth Kelner (she/her)

Widening Participation and Access Assistant

I support the Widening Participation team to deliver projects with young people and local communities. Working with my colleagues I help to administrate our short courses, Junior School and outreach programmes. During the Assisted Application Scheme, I will be available to answer your questions and talk through any concerns. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Email:  ruth.kelner@csbschool.co.uk 
Phone: 02075202066  

Eligibility

To be eligible for the scheme applicants must meet ALL criteria from Section A and at least one of the criteria from Section B.  

Section A:  

  • Be living in the UK and eligible for home fee status during the 2025-26 academic year.  Central will formally assess you 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 2025. 

  

Section B: 

  • Be living in a UK 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 in care, a recent care leaver or estranged from their family. 
  • 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 which is classified as Quintile 1 or Quintile 2 in the POLAR4 dataset (our Admissions Team will review this for you). 

(POLAR4 is a dataset which groups areas of the UK based on the proportion of young people progressing to higher education. Visit the Office for Students’ website here, to use the postcode checker.)

Support you will receive

  • Invitation to attend an online ‘Welcome to the Assisted Application Scheme’ meeting, where staff members will introduce themselves and explain how they may be able to support you.  
  • Support with your application form and personal statement. 
  • You will not be required to pay the application fee. 
  • Pre-recorded support received prior to each stage of the audition process. 
  • Opportunities to arrive 15 minutes earlier to auditions, to see the studios and relevant spaces. 
  • An invitation to attend at no cost, online, informal conversations with members of Central School of Ballet team who will offer guidance, support and advice relating to our application and audition process. 
  • Help with travel costs to auditions. This will depend on your personal circumstances e.g household income. 
  • If successful in obtaining a place onto any of our undergraduate courses, you will not be required to pay a deposit. 
  • Optional individualised support and guidance throughout the audition process.  
  • Possible free place onto a Dance Day, subject to availability. (Glasgow, Manchester and Truro only).  

We want to ensure that we provide support that works for you. Please communicate with the team about what you need. 

Participant 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. ”

“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. “

“I was impressed how supportive and kind the team have been. A really positive experience. “

“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. “

Application Deadline

12pm Friday 4 October 2024 – Any applications received by this date will be invited to attend an online Stage 1 introduction meeting on Monday 7 October 2024 at 5pm

12pm Friday 29 November 2024 – Any applications received by this date will be invited to attend an online Stage 1 introduction meeting on Monday 2 December 2024 at 5pm

The purpose of the Stage 1 meetings is to support you with your application form to our courses, so we strongly encourage you to apply for the Assisted Application Scheme as soon as possible.

Applications to the scheme close on Friday 3 January 2025. Anyone who hasn’t applied before the deadlines above will be sent pre-recorded Stage 1 meeting resources.

How to Apply

To apply for the scheme, please complete our online application form here. This should take no more than 10 minutes. 
 
If you need any support or guidance with the application form, please contact us directly and we can support you.

Apply now

Find out more

In-Person Auditions

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Video Auditions

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Dance Days

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Open Days

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Fees and Funding

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FAQs

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