Dance is an art form that has captivated people for centuries. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner, there’s something for everyone in the world of dance.
In the UK, there are countless dance schools that offer a range of styles and techniques to help dancers of all levels hone their skills.
If you’re looking for the best dance schools in the UK, you’ve come to the right place.
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From ballet to ballroom, hip hop to contemporary, the UK is home to some of the most renowned dance schools in the world. These schools offer expert training, top-notch facilities, and a supportive community of fellow dancers.
The List of Best Dance Schools in the UK
If you’re interested in pursuing a career in dance or simply looking for a fun way to stay active, the best dance schools in the UK can help you achieve your goals.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the top dance schools in the country and what makes them stand out from the rest.
Royal Ballet School – London:
Established in 1926, the Royal Ballet School is one of the world’s most prestigious ballet schools.
It is located in London and has produced some of the most iconic dancers in history, including Margot Fonteyn and Darcey Bussell.
The school has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance.
Find out more information here:
Central School of Ballet – London:
Founded in 1982, the Central School of Ballet is a leading institution for professional dance training in the UK.
It is based in London and offers a wide range of dance courses, including ballet, contemporary, and choreography.
The school has produced many successful dancers, including the former principal of the Royal Ballet, Zenaida Yanowsky. Find out more information here.
English National Ballet School – London:
The English National Ballet School was established in 1988 and is located in London. It is the official school of the English National Ballet and offers training in classical ballet and contemporary dance.
The school has produced many acclaimed dancers, including Alina Cojocaru and Vadim Muntagirov. Find out more information here.
The Place – London:
The Place is a contemporary dance school based in London, established in 1969. It offers a wide range of dance courses, including contemporary, ballet, and choreography.
The school has been recognized with numerous awards, including the National Dance Award for Best Independent Company. Many famous dancers, including Matthew Bourne, have trained at The Place. Find out more information here.
Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance – London:
Founded in 1920, the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance is in London.
It is one of the oldest and most prestigious dance schools in the UK, offering training in ballet, contemporary, and choreography.
The school has produced many successful dancers, including the former principal of the Royal Ballet, Jonathan Cope. Find out more information here.
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Urdang Academy – London:
Established in 1970, the Urdang Academy is a performing arts school located in London. It offers training in dance, musical theatre, and acting.
The school has produced many successful performers, including Olivier Award-winning actress Lea Salonga and West End star Kerry Ellis.
Find out more information here.
Northern School of Contemporary Dance – Leeds:
Located in Leeds, the Northern School of Contemporary Dance was established in 1985.
It is one of the UK’s leading institutions for contemporary dance training and offers a range of courses, including a BA (Hons) in Contemporary Dance.
The school has produced many successful dancers and choreographers, including Phoenix Dance Theatre’s Artistic Director Sharon Watson.
Find out more information here.
Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance – London
Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance is a world-renowned institution located in London. Established in 2005, it was formed through the merger of Trinity College of Music and Laban Dance Centre.
The conservatoire offers a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in music and dance, including classical and contemporary dance, musical theatre, jazz, and composition.
Notable alumni include choreographer Wayne McGregor, composer Michael Nyman, and dancer Daniel Proietto.
Trinity Laban has been recognized as one of the UK’s leading performing arts institutions and is consistently ranked highly in national and international league tables. Find out more information here.
London Contemporary Dance School – London
London Contemporary Dance School is one of the world’s leading institutions for contemporary dance training, located in the heart of London.
Founded in 1967, it was the first school in the UK to offer a degree in contemporary dance.
The school has a reputation for nurturing creative and innovative dancers, and its alumni include renowned choreographers such as Akram Khan, Siobhan Davies, and Richard Alston.
London Contemporary Dance School has won numerous awards for its contribution to dance and is a member of the Conservatoire for Dance and Drama.
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Bird College – London
Bird College is a prestigious performing arts school located in Sidcup, a suburb of London.
It was founded in 1946 by Doreen Bird, a former dancer and choreographer, and has since become one of the leading institutions for dance, music, and theatre training in the UK.
The college offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in dance, musical theatre, and acting, and its alumni include West End stars such as Kerry Ellis, Caroline Sheen, and Ben Forster. Find out more information here.
Laine Theatre Arts – London
Laine Theatre Arts is a performing arts school located in Epsom, Surrey, on the outskirts of London. It was founded in 1974 by Betty Laine and has since become renowned for its training in musical theatre and dance.
The school offers a range of diploma and degree programs in musical theatre, dance, and drama, and its alumni include stars such as Ruthie Henshall, Samantha Barks, and Kerry Ellis. Find out more information here.
Millennium Performing Arts – London
Millennium Performing Arts is a leading performing arts school in Greenwich, London.
Founded in 1995, it offers a wide range of courses in musical theatre, dance, and acting, including undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
The school has produced numerous successful performers, including West End stars such as Jon Robyns, Louise Dearman, and Danielle Steers.
Elmhurst Ballet School – Birmingham:
Founded in 1923, Elmhurst Ballet School is a leading school for classical ballet training. Located in Birmingham, the school has a rich history and has produced some of the finest ballet dancers in the world.
Famous alumni include Darcey Bussell, Suki Schorer, and Joseph Caley. Find out more information here.
The Hammond School – Chester:
Established in 1917, The Hammond School is a prestigious performing arts school in Chester.
The school offers training in dance, music, and drama, and has produced many successful performers in these fields.
Notable alumni include Amanda Holden, Claire Sweeney, and Wayne Sleep. Find out more information here.
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The Scottish School of Contemporary Dance – Dundee:
Founded in 1985, The Scottish School of Contemporary Dance is a leading institution for contemporary dance training.
Located in Dundee, the school has a strong reputation for producing innovative and highly skilled dancers. Famous alumni include Akram Khan, Michael Clark, and Siobhan Davies.
Performers College – Essex:
Founded in 1983, Performers College is a renowned institution for performing arts training located in Essex.
The school offers courses in dance, musical theatre, and acting, and has produced many successful performers in these fields. Notable alumni include Kerry Ellis, Hannah Waddingham, and Gary Lloyd.
Find out more information here.
Arts Educational Schools London – London:
Founded in 1919, Arts Educational Schools London is one of the leading institutions for performing arts training in the UK.
Located in London, the school offers courses in acting, musical theatre, and dance, and has produced many successful performers in these fields. Notable alumni include Julie Andrews, Will Young, and Catherine Tate.
Find out more information here.
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland – Glasgow
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow is a world-renowned institution offering a range of performing arts courses, including dance.
It was founded in 1845 and has since established itself as one of the top-performing arts schools in the UK.
The dance program at RCS is led by a team of industry professionals, who offer students a diverse and challenging curriculum. Famous alumni from the RCS dance program include Karen Cargill, James McAvoy, and James Dornan. Find out more information here.
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Dance For All – Edinburgh
Dance For All is a leading dance school in Edinburgh that offers a range of dance classes and training programs for students of all ages and skill levels. Established in 1985, the school has a long-standing reputation for excellence in dance education.
The faculty at Dance For All includes a team of experienced dance teachers and choreographers who have worked with some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry.
Famous alumni from Dance For All include Karen Dunbar, John Barrowman, and Tommie-Lee Wollen. Find out more information here.
The Centre Performing Arts College – Kent
The Centre Performing Arts College in Kent is a specialist school for students who are passionate about pursuing a career in the performing arts.
The college offers a range of courses, including a three-year diploma in dance, which is accredited by Trinity College London.
The dance program at The Centre is led by a team of experienced and highly qualified dance professionals.
Famous alumni from The Centre Performing Arts College include Darcey Bussell, Adam Garcia, and Stacey Haynes.
