International Guide
2016/17 Learn Teach Dance
Why the Royal Academy of Dance? Here are just a few reasons to further your dance education with the RAD. Why the RAD? We have been a leading light in dance education and teaching for nearly a century and have the experience, expertise and enthusiasm to realise your goals. RAD graduates are in demand Our graduates are highly sought after by employers, with a very high employment rate on all of our programmes. Connected with the world of dance We have partnerships and connections with hundreds of dance education organisations around the world. Our work placements and field trips add to your learning experience and ensure that you are well prepared for the workplace. London – an exciting place to study The excitement of the West End, the splendour of the Royal Opera House, Sadler’s Wells and numerous museums and art galleries are on your doorstep. London is an amazing city and a world class centre for culture and the arts. World class education at an affordable price We make our programmes of study as accessible as possible to all students and we are committed to delivering a world class education at an affordable price.
We are an international organisation We have students from all around the world currently studying with us on university and RAD-validated awards. We have 34 international offices and offer one programme in eight different languages. History & experience When you join us as a student you will become part of an organisation that has a long and distinguished history. Established in 1920, we have 95 years experience in training and educating dance teachers. Professional membership As a student you gain access to the professional membership body of the RAD which, in addition to a global support network, ensures you have a competitive advantage from day one. Registered Teacher Status Most of our students are eligible for registration as teachers with the RAD on completion of their programme. Student satisfaction Our students are satisfied with their study experience, with most of our programmes gaining over 90% in surveys. Established in
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View of the London Eye from St James’ Park WHY THE RAD? 3
RAD Location Located next to the bank of the River Thames in Battersea, the RAD is less than four miles from the excitement of London’s West End. Getting around is easy, with buses right on the doorstep and Clapham Junction train station just a 20 minute walk or short bus ride away.
RAD Headquarters
Battersea Power Station along the River Thames
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London’s South Bank
www.rad.org.uk
Hannah, BA (Hons) Ballet Education student from Germany I moved from Germany to London in 2014, when I chose to study the BA (Hons) Ballet Education programme with the RAD. The opportunity to unite both dance training and theory was something that appealed to me. Moving to another country does mean moving away from friends and family, but as you are not the only person on the programme that has moved away from home, you are not alone. If you find yourself a job, you will meet new people to socialise with and there are lots of ways to meet new friends in London. Studying in English can be challenging if it is your second language, but you can get lots of support in your studies and writing skills from the tutors.
“ Moving abroad is an amazing experience, but moving to London is truly thrilling.� RAD LOCATION 5
Why London? London is a truly diverse and international city with over 300 different languages being spoken. It is a leading cultural centre for ballet and dance with stunning venues such as the Royal Opera House, London Coliseum, Sadler’s Wells, Barbican Theatre, Royal Albert Hall and productions from companies such as English National Ballet, The Royal Ballet and Rambert Dance Company. There are also hundreds of live music venues including the O2 and Wembley Stadium, as well as countless cinemas, pubs and clubs. With over 250 museums and numerous art galleries including the National Gallery, Royal Academy of Arts, Hayward Gallery, Barbican Art Gallery and Tate Modern plus eight Royal Parks, with 110 square km of parkland and gardens, London is one of the greenest capital cities in the world. Battersea Park, with its boating lakes, art gallery, all weather tennis courts and year-round calendar of events is less than a mile from the RAD.
St Paul’s Cathedral 6 Royal Academy of Dance INTERNATIONAL GUIDE 2016/17
www.rad.org.uk
Maria, BA (Hons) Ballet Education student from Cyprus My name is Maria Charis Georgiou and I come from Cyprus. I moved to London as soon as I accepted a place on the programme starting in September 2014. I was very impressed with what the city had to offer; from convenient and easy to use public transport, to the endless sightseeing. London is the perfect place to study.
“ When I have free time, I book a studio at the RAD and go there to practice my ballet technique or a piece of choreography.�
Knowing the reputation of the RAD it became an ambition of mine to study here as I was interested in a degree that would be widely accepted and recognised. My future plans are to work abroad so I can gain some experience and then return to Cyprus as a fully qualified ballet teacher and start my own ballet school.
WHY LONDON? 7
Hong’s Student Story
“ The RAD was definitely the best place for me to choose to study and the experienced teachers have really made me feel at home.” 8 Royal Academy of Dance INTERNATIONAL GUIDE 2016/17
www.rad.org.uk
My name is 虹(Hong) which means ‘rainbow’ in Chinese. I love ballet as the rainbow loves the sky. I was trained from the age of seven in China where Russian style ballet was taught. I love dance so much that I applied to study at the RAD and firmly believe it was the best decision I have ever made. When I graduate, I would like to teach ballet in London and overseas and ideally have my own ballet school in China when I return.
Find out more about our students experiences at www.rad.org.uk/prospectus
Why did you want to come and study at the RAD? I wanted to become an RAD registered teacher, so it was definitely the best place for me to choose to study. Why did you choose to study the BA (Hons) Ballet Education? I wanted to explore in-depth, the English way of presenting and teaching ballet and when I graduate I am looking forward to passing on my knowledge to my future students. Would you recommend coming to the city to other students? Definitely yes, as London is one of the most amazing cities in the world. You can immerse yourself in history at the British Museum, indulge yourself in the National Gallery, have a birds-eye view over the River Thames from the London Eye and even shake hands with The Queen at Madame Tussauds. Most importantly, there is ballet at the Royal Opera House, Sadler’s Wells and London Coliseum, etc. where you just want to stay forever. What would be your top tip for living and studying in London? I would say spend your time wisely. Work hard and play hard! Concentrate when in class but spend as much time as possible exploring the city and you will find it feels like treasure-hunting. What do you do in your free time? I play piano in the afternoon on the days that we have no class. Hiking is a favourite pastime and I often go hiking during the weekends. I think it is good for body conditioning and building up your stamina. I love Chinese literature so I spend my leisure time translating books and of course visiting the ballet and theatre.
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Stella’s Student Story My name is Stella and I am from Cyprus. I started ballet classes at a local dance studio when I was four years old and since then have expanded my studies to different genres of dance, however, ballet remains my favourite. After my graduation, my dream is to dance professionally for companies before returning to Cyprus to open my own ballet school.
Find out more about our students experiences at www.rad.org.uk/prospectus
Why did you want to come and study at the RAD? People who are able to turn their hobby into their profession are blessed, but only the best succeed. That is why I chose to study at the RAD, which is one of the most recognised and professional dance academies, not only in the UK, but in the whole world. Why did you choose to study the BA (Hons) Ballet Education? I found the BA (Hons) Ballet Education programme to be the most suitable for me as it combines both practical and academic studies. Not only that, but we also take part in visits to observe dance teaching in schools (public and private sector), community dance projects and dance company education. It’s a unique programme and provides the opportunity to prepare for a career in dance teaching. How did you go about finding suitable accommodation off site? Finding accommodation was one of the most stressful things that I had to do from abroad. However, there are lots of options and you can decide whether to live alone or with flatmates. Being able to search via the internet is an easy way to look at accommodation first without having to visit.
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Would you recommend coming to the city to other students? London is the best place to study, especially for people who like art. London’s cultural offering is ideal for students who are looking for an enriching student experience. There are over 1,000 museums and galleries in London, and most of them are free. Do you find studying in English challenging? Studying in English is a big challenge, as it is my second language. However, I receive a huge amount of support from my tutors and with individual tutorials and group lectures I have definitely improved my English skills.
“ People who are able to turn their hobby into their profession are blessed, but only the best succeed. That is why I chose to study at the RAD.” STUDENT STORY 11
Planning Ahead At the RAD, we understand that planning to leave your home country and study abroad is a big decision. We are here to help answer your queries and guide you through the process, but here are some things to consider before making your application. Studying in English — Applicants whose first language is not English If you are applying for a programme where an English Language Proficiency test is required, you must achieve the following: • Undergraduate programmes of study: International English Language Testing System (IELTS): band 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in each of the subtests • Postgraduate programmes of study: International English Language Testing System (IELTS): band 7.0 overall, with a minimum of 6.5 in each of the subtests The IELTS must be the academic test and have been taken no earlier than two years before the date of the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies that is issued in support of a UK visa application. If you have recently gained another English language qualification, check with Registry, to make sure that it is acceptable.
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Financing your studies Home / EU Students For information on financing your studies, please visit www.gov.uk/student-finance For International Students wishing to apply for the BA (Hons) Ballet Education If you are from outside the EU, you will be eligible for international fee status. Note that this can apply to UK passport holders who are living abroad, although some exceptions apply. To help international students plan and manage their money for studies in the UK, Brightside have developed The International Student Calculator. This features: • an interactive budget builder to help students work out their income and expenditure • important advice about essentials like getting insurance and NHS treatment • case studies of other international students sharing their money-saving tips http://international.studentcalculator.org/
www.rad.org.uk
“ When I graduate from the RAD, I plan to work and travel abroad before returning to Greece.” International student, BA (Hons) Ballet Education Tuition Fees For a list of up to date tuition fees for international students please visit www.rad.org.uk/he-fees or contact Registry.
programmes of study at the RAD only, not at another university or institution. A Tier 4 (General) student visa will normally be issued for one academic year at a time.
Visa Requirements If you are offered a place on an RAD programme you will need to check whether you require a visa to study in the United Kingdom.
For more information please visit https://www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa
UK, EU/EEA or Swiss passports If you have a valid UK, EU/EEA or Swiss passport you don’t need a visa. These include passports issued by the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland or the United Kingdom. Tier 4 (General) student visa If you do not hold a UK, EU/EEA or Swiss passport, you will need a visa. The Home Office operates a tiered Points Based System for immigration (PBS). If you are coming to the UK to study a degree or college course for longer than 6 months, you will need a Tier 4 (General) student visa and must apply before you come to the UK. The RAD holds Tier 4 status with UK Visas and Immigration and can sponsor Tier 4 (General) student visa applications. A visa sponsored by us will allow students to attend
Accommodation for full-time students We don’t provide accommodation, however, we can give you a list of places to stay to help you make your own arrangements. For more information please contact the Lead Admissions Officer on +44 (0)20 7326 8086 or email faculty@rad.org.uk Foundation Module Our new Foundation Module is available for applicants who reside in countries that do not have the equivalent of A levels and allows students to meet the entry criteria for undergraduate access to the BA (Hons) Ballet Education and BA (Hons) Dance Education programmes of study. The module, which will prepare learners for the study of dance at degree level (FHEQ Level 4) is called ‘Investigating Dance: Theory and Practice’ and will allow students to study dance analysis, safe practice, choreography and performance by distance learning under the guidance of a tutor. The module content includes an even balance between theoretical and practical tasks, all of which contribute to the achievement of the module learning outcomes. For more details please visit www.rad.org.uk/foundation-module
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Global Connections We have students studying with us from all around the world including: Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Belgium, Bermuda, Botswana, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, The Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Namibia, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad, Turkey, Uganda, UK, United Arab Emirates, USA, West Indies, Zimbabwe.
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www.rad.org.uk
How to apply UK/EU students should contact Lead Admissions Officer Registry, Faculty of Education Royal Academy of Dance 36 Battersea Square London SW11 3RA tel: +44 (0)20 7326 8086 email: faculty@rad.org.uk fax: +44 (0)20 7326 8040 www.rad.org.uk/howtoapply International students should contact their national office for advice on the programmes and the application process. The names and contact details for all RAD national offices can be found at www.rad.org.uk/about/contact-us Registry, Faculty of Education, RAD Applications for RAD-validated programmes and part-time study of the BA (Hons) Dance Education and Master of Arts in Education (Dance Teaching) should be made directly to Registry at the Faculty of Education. You can download an application form at www.rad.org.uk/howtoapply Applications for our full-time undergraduate degree programmes and the Postgraduate Certificate in Education: Dance Teaching (with Qualified Teacher Status) should be made online at www.ucas.com Auditions and interviews International students applying for a Londonbased programme who are unable to attend an audition in London may supply video/DVD and other evidence in place of an audition.
Supporting Documentation Any supporting documentation not in English that you send to the RAD as part of your application, such as references and certificates, should come with a certified translation. Accredited prior learning If you have dance teaching experience or relevant qualifications, you may wish to apply for exemption from parts of the programme of study that you wish to pursue based on your prior certificated or experiential learning. Applications for the Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) must be made before the programme start. For further information on APL please contact Registry. Vetting and barring scheme and criminal records disclosure All applicants for programmes of study requiring contact with young people and vulnerable adults will need to comply with the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and any subsequent legislation to ensure that they will not be putting at risk young people or vulnerable adults in their care. International students may need to provide a satisfactory police check or equivalent from their country of residence. For more information please contact Registry. Age Teaching qualifications offered by the RAD are of UK higher education standard. Students who have followed the UK route to a higher education qualification will therefore normally be 18 years of age on admission. The RAD will judge each application on merit, subject to the legal requirements on individuals charged with the supervision of children.
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Photography Benedict Johnson Produced by Lorraine Nicholson Suzie Lorimer Design Hudson Fuggle Thank you to all the students, past and present, who contributed to this prospectus by sharing their views and experiences. Information correct at time of print. The Royal Academy of Dance reserves the right to make changes to the published information. For more information visit www.rad.org.uk