Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance

• Location: London, England,
• Year of foundation: 1984,
• Language of instruction: English,
• Type of education: mixed.

The Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance is a specialized school offering higher education programs and short-term courses.

Rambert School began its history long before the actual opening of the campus. In 1914, Polish émigré and former Ballet Russes dancer Marie Rambert arrived in London to escape the outbreak of World War I, and in 1920 opened a dance school at Bedford Gardens, Kensington, which became the ancestor of the now existing Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance. Thanks to the merger of two professional dance schools, which took place in 1984, Rambert found a campus that today provides the best programs in the field of dance. The focus on ballet, modern dance, which began in the 70s, has been preserved, thanks to which the school produces strong, expressive and versatile performers every year.

Education is focused on practical skills, to which a large part of the academic plan is dedicated. Modern facilities with technological equipment allow international students to develop their talent, thanks to the guidance of qualified teachers, they receive timely support, correction of mistakes and the opportunity to realize their potential outside the classroom.

Students who are not native English speakers can get support from an ESOL specialist tutor in weekly group sessions. Subject teachers, personal supervisors provide support in all aspects of learning, assistance in academic classes so that students gain confidence in researching, taking notes, writing and citing essays, thinking about learning styles, ways to organize study time. Employees use the Teams online learning environment to allow students to access course materials, video content, and other learning resources in their own time.

Since 2018, the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance has been engaged in meaningful dance research, with a focus on the areas of dance pedagogy, creative practice, psychology, social justice, academic identity. Research projects have enriched the life of the school, bringing a spirit of deeper immersion in dance practices and knowledge. Some of the research topics are:

• Neuroeducation in the studio,
• Meditation for dancers,
• Racial literacy,
• Academic Identity in the Conservatory,
• Interactive technologies,
• Protection of the creative process.

Rambert does not have its own residences, but it helps students find accommodation close to campus before they arrive. Most foreign students choose to live nearby, in the areas of St Margaret's and Twickenham, either in shared rented homes or with a host family. When a student is offered a place, he is provided with detailed information about the available accommodation options, and support is provided in the process of adapting to a new place.

The main direction of extracurricular activities is creativity: students practice the knowledge gained in the classroom during performances, musical concerts in honor of holidays, during outdoor events in theaters, concert halls.

Due to the proximity to the cultural and historical sights of London, students of the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance have a variety of opportunities to spend their free time: from immersion in tasting dishes from different countries in local restaurants, going to the cinema and theaters to visiting internationally famous museums, trips to the countryside for a walk.

• Accreditation by the Office of Student Affairs, through which Rambert is able to award higher education degrees,
• Extensive network of partnerships to provide practical skills, performance experience,
• A modern campus near London, which allows you to gain not only qualified knowledge, but also cultural experience,
• Multicultural student community – 34% of students are from 21 countries,
• Highly qualified teachers with personal achievements and many years of teaching experience.

The Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance is located near London. The campus has all necessary and modern equipment:

• Learning spaces for collective, independent academic work,
• Movie viewing area,
• Computer room with printing and photocopying equipment,
• Wi-Fi and specialized software,
• Library with book depository, access to a number of electronic resources through Open Athens,
• Studio Theater,
• Violet Needham Chapel, a Grade II listed building that houses Weston Studios,
• Rehearsal rooms,
• Gym,
• Department of Screening, Treatment and Rehabilitation for Physical Fitness and Pilates, Corrective Coaching.

Students can borrow costumes from a well-stocked wardrobe to fully immerse themselves in the performance of their desired productions. The student lounge is open at any time and is an ideal place to relax, have a snack, socialize.

The academic year consists of three semesters:

• Autumn: September-December,
• Spring: January-April,
• Summer: April-July.

Free time from study is provided on weekends, days of international and national holidays, seasonal holidays. The educational days include a wide range of classes, from technique lessons to choreography, rehearsals and research. Ballet classes are usually held in the mornings in groups of the same sex, with additional pointe classes for women and virtuosity classes for men. Students get together for a pas de deux class. Modern dance classes usually take place in the afternoon: a group of experienced teachers conducts classes on the techniques of Graham and Cunningham, other modern styles. Students are also introduced to a variety of dance styles during Fresh Fridays, weekly master classes by guest teachers. Classes in choreography, improvisation and critical studies are also held in the afternoon.

Approximate list of additional costs includes:

• Registration fee,
• Accommodation, meals,
• Customized educational materials such as training kits, pointe shoes and others,
• Study materials,
• Some extracurricular activities,
• Additional academic opportunities,
• Personal expenses.

International applicants will have to fill out a registration form and submit the required documents, after which they will pay the registration fee. The Admissions Committee will send an official invitation to a two-stage audition and interview, based on the results of which it will make a decision on admission.

The Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance has a reputation as a world leader, but it is still a chamber school with only 50 students enrolled in the courses each year.

Rambert is renowned for producing passionate, expressive dancers and innovative choreographers. These results are no coincidence: they are achieved through a strong emphasis on performance throughout the course and ongoing opportunities for students to develop their creativity. Rambert alumni are currently dancing in renowned groups around the world:

• BalletBoyz,
• Phoenix Dance Theatre,
• Richard Alston Dance Company,
• Mark Bruce Company,
• Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company,
• Ballet Black,
• Sydney Dance Company,
• Cullberg Ballet,
• Ballet Nationale de Marseille,
• National Dance Company Wales,
• Matthew Bourne's New Adventures,
• Studio Wayne McGregor,
• Michael Clark Company,
• Martha Graham Company.

Alumni include some of the most prominent British choreographers of our time, including Frederick Ashton, Ariel Smith, Anthony Tudor and Christopher Bruce, who have found success with their own companies, such as the Mark Bruce Company and The London Ballet Company. Former students have been nominated for Olivier Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and won awards such as BBC Young Dancer, Critics' Circle Dance, and Tony.

Prospective students of Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance must have a full set of personal documents if they come from abroad: passport, life insurance and physical health certificates, visa or residence permit in England. All classes are taught in English, so candidates need a level of at least B1.

Admission is carried out on the basis of a two-stage audition.

Rambert does not offer full scholarships, but provides international students with partial financial support based on individual needs, financial difficulties.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision