THE COURSE

Tuition Fees

Current fees for the course are set out on the application form enclosed in the NBS prospectus and are normally payable termly in advance. Responsibility for payment of all fees rests with the student or, in the case of a minor, with the parent(s) or guardian(s), except when responsibility for payment of part or all of the fees is detailed and accepted in writing by a third party. UK residents may make payment for a year’s fees in ten equal, monthly installments, from October to July. Payments must be made on a regular basis by Standing Order or Automated Credit. Failure to pay a regular installment will entail immediate liability for the outstanding balance. Overseas student fees may be paid by automated credit, CHAPS transfer, sterling cheque or bankers draft drawn on a UK bank. All students are required to give one full term’s notice of withdrawal from a course or to pay a term’s fees in lieu of notice. There is no remission of fees for absence from part of a course, for whatever reason, and students are therefore strongly advised to consider taking out insurance against loss of fees and medical expenses in the event of unforeseen injury or illness.

Awards, Grants & Scholarships

Since September 1999 applicants from states of the European Union have been eligible to apply for UK government funded scholarships towards tuition fees at NBS. The number of such scholarships allocated for NBS to award is determined annually by the Learning & Skills Council. The recipients are nominated by the school in strict order of merit, after audition and interview. Unsuccessful applicants for one of these scholarships at NBS have a right of appeal, but the number available is finite and decisions on order of merit are at the sole discretion of the school, which keeps a detailed relative performance and aptitude assessment of all auditionees. Scholarship recipients are required to pay a proportion of the fees as determined by government from year to year, but the ultimate liability for this contribution is subject to means testing by agents appointed by the DfEE and may be waived on hardship grounds. The scholarships are only available to study for the new National Diploma in Professional Dance, validated by Trinity College, London, and offered by NBS as an integral part of its own Professional Dancers Diploma Course.

Although UK Local Education Authorities generally no longer offer new discretionary awards towards fees and maintenance for dance courses, some areas with autonomous rule, such as the Channel Islands, do still offer support, as do some non-EU overseas governments. Applicants not eligible to apply for one of the UK state funded scholarships should make enquiries of their own authorities, which may be able to offer assistance. NBS is the beneficiary of some modest independent charitable trust funds, aimed at applicants from specific geographical areas, which are awarded on the Principals recommendation.

Some large national and international foundations have assisted past students at NBS, as have some of the much smaller town or county based charities. Some are restricted to applicants from particular ethnic or geographic origins, whilst others are for the children of particular trade employees. Information on some of these sources of funding is held at NBS and further details can be obtained from directories available in public libraries.

Maintenance Support

Successful applicants for a government funded dance scholarship may also apply for means tested assistance, from a special hardship fund for dance and drama students, to go towards the cost of accommodation, travel and dancewear. Details of how to apply to this fund will be provided by NBS to those awarded tuition fee scholarships. Non-UK tuition fee scholarship recipients are not eligible for assistance from the hardship fund and should apply to the appropriate authorities in their EU country of residence.

The school has no resources to assist with individuals’ living expenses, but there are opportunities for students over 18 years of age to earn some income and gain some theatre front of house experience, as casual staff in the Dancehouse Theatre and Bar.

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