Music and Dance Funding Schemes

Originally written by Jennifer Lowe, updated by the editorial team on 2nd April 2026

The Arts have suffered at the hands of the national curriculum, with dance being incorporated in PE lessons and theatre trips almost none existent for today's school children.

Gone are the days when schools took children to the theatre for the experience, now they only go to the theatre if the production in question is directly related to what the class is studying and being tested on.

National Grants

This lack of attention to The Arts in schools has led to many talented children being overlooked and drastically reducing the countries talent pool.

Although this isn't the only attributing factor. Attending the best Arts schools that the UK has to offer can be very expensive for parents, but a necessity if they are to nurture their child's talent.

March 2004 saw the government announce plans for a new grant scheme to give talented children access to specialist training in music and dance.

These grants are intended for young musicians aged eight to 16 and young dancers aged 11 to 16 with exceptional potential and dedication, but don't necessarily have the financial means to access the best available training.

The grants are means-tested with the full amount totalling £3,375 a year from September 2008. This means that parents won't have to contribute to the fees if their total family income, before tax, is £27,500. If the family income is more then parents are expected to pay a contribution which is staged depending on the total income is.

This plan is part of a bigger picture. The Music and Ballet Schools Scheme launched following the Gulbenkian Report in 1978 which reviewed the state of specialist music education.

A total of five specialist schools were designated as part of the scheme and each were allocated government aided places.

The scheme became the Music and Dance Scheme in 2002 and has since broadened its remit to include Centres for Advanced Training for children to attend out of normal school hours and has expanded learning opportunities for a larger number of talented children.

When it comes to music and dance training, there is a need to nurture a child's talent from an early age. This scheme is open to children from the age of eight, through to 19 and not only offers them training in their particular talent, but also gives an academic background alongside.

There is now a total average of 800 government-aided pupils attending one of the eight MDS schools in England.

The basis of the scheme is to help parents with the school fees and costs of boarding for their child at one of the eight schools in England.

Grant Eligibility Finder

Tell us what you need funding for and we will match you with the types of UK grant most likely to accept your application.

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Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

Aided Pupil Scheme

In order to qualify for the scheme, a child will have to meet the selection rules set by the school in question. Each school's criteria differ slightly, but children will usually have to take an entrance exam, looking at their academic skills, an audition so that the school can asses their talent level and an interview, either with a panel of judges or the school head.

When it comes to costs, parents who's family income before tax is below a predetermined level aren't expected to pay anything towards school fees. For the current school year, this level is £14,063 for an Aided Day Place or £11,312 for an Aided Boarding Place.

To apply for a place on either scheme parents should contact the school that they want their child to attend. A list of participating schools can be found at www.gov.uk/music-dance-scheme

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Grant Eligibility Finder lets you tell us what you need funding for and we will match you with the types of UK grant most likely to accept your application. Try it now →

72 questions

Ask Grants Expert a Question

GrantsExpert Editor 24/05/2026 at 9:17 am

@shez Congratulations to your son, that's a brilliant achievement. Have a word with The Hammond directly as they sometimes know of bursaries, hardship funds or named scholarships that aren't widely advertised. Also worth applying to the Dance and Drama Awards, EBP, Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, Dance Aid and the Stage Hardship Fund. Your local council may offer a discretionary music or arts grant too, and some Rotary clubs and Masonic charities help with specialist school fees, so it's worth casting the net wide.

shez 16/06/2023 at 11:33 am

my son is 14 and has been offered a fulltime palce for year 10 at the hammond and has ben offered a 50% funding any ideas how to raise the rest?

Kay 28/07/2022 at 2:40 pm

My son has just been offered a place at The Hammond school of dance to start in September this year. Unfortunately the funding has already been allocated for this year. does anyone know of any other funding or grants that could be available.
Thank you for your help in advance

Milleva 23/03/2022 at 10:34 am

My daugther have been offered a place in dance at specialist Perfomance school in London starting in September 2022, I’m looking for
Charities that does help with tuition fees
Could please help me by sending me the charities that apply in her criteria please.
Thanks in advance.

Rabs 14/09/2020 at 10:34 am

Hello

How do I apply for the grant please?

Ankia 06/06/2020 at 11:10 am

My daughter was awarded a place at KS Dance, but our current nationality status prevented her from qualifying for any funding assistance from the DaDA funds.
We've been living in the UK for 3 years on an ancestral Visa. Where can I find funding please. She was awarded a place at Tring Park, but our move from South Africa to UK resulted in us not being able to afford and accept her place.

Ankia 06/06/2020 at 11:08 am

Charmaine 20/10/2019 at 9:36 pm

need to apply for music grant for my children. where do i get the application

mus25 14/07/2019 at 12:01 am

Hi I performed in the West End for the greatest showman, west end live etc but now I got a place at imd legion one of the best hip hop street dance groups in the world! I come from a low income single mother, just me and her with no siblings and I have United Dance Organisation’s Blackpool in August 2019 and Iam struggling to pay £400, it doesn’t sound like a lot but any donation would help. Thank you so much.

Emmie 25/06/2019 at 3:24 pm

Hi there, my names Emelia Sleep, I’m 15 years old and I just got accepted into Bath Dance College, for this September, there’s a substantial amount of money to be paid and I didn’t know if you had any information or advice that could help me, possibly get a grant towards this money.
Rather stuck with where to start.
I look forward to your response.
Many thanks Emelia

Catie 29/04/2019 at 8:31 pm

I have 3 daughters who attend a stage school. They performed at Disneyland Paris in 2016 & then at the Shaftesbury theatre in the west end in 2018. They take part in several shows a year as well as exams and competitions.

In 2018 they were given the opportunity to perform in Disney Florida. We were due to go but I was recovering from cancer and a newborn and my husband was injured in the army which found him having 2 major spinal surgeries & now not working meant we had to drop out. It was something really hard for our girls to deal with as their friends all went and performed still.

They have now been given the opportunity to tour LA in July 2020. Whilst touch wood health wise things are better financially we’re still trying to catch up. We’ve had estimated quotes and we’re looking at least about £11,500 to get us to California (there would be me my husband and our 5 kids going). We’ve worked out if we budget we can get £3,000 together but that still leaves about £8,500 to find and that’s before spending money.

We’ve mentioned to our girls that we don’t think we’ll raise the money and our girls are devastated that they will be missing out again on such an amazing opportunity. It feels heart breaking at the moment.

Does anybody know if there’s any grants that would cover something like this. We have the 2 girls performing so we’d be looking at trying to get a grant for each of them.

Many thanks

Livs 21/04/2019 at 5:12 pm

I have been offered a place at the Hammond in Chester , I have been offered 50% funding , we are struggling to get the other half ! I have worked extremely hard trying to email around , but I seem to be getting no where ? Any help at all will be appreciated ! X

Livs 21/04/2019 at 5:07 pm

I have been offered a place in the Hammond school I have achieved 50% funding , and we are extremely struggling to get the other half . I have messaged around and I think this is our last hope to get any sort of funding !

Nik 18/02/2019 at 8:42 pm

My daughter is going to dance college and I have to find this myself I am a single parent and need to find funding for her accommodation and uniform and possibly for the tuition too can you suggest where I can look for some help

Kell 18/09/2018 at 8:37 pm

Can you please help me
My son has been awarded a dada to attend a three year diploma course at urdang
Can he apply for a student maintenance loan from student finance as the maintenance part of his award doesn't cover the cost of his rent never mind bills, food etc I can't fund because I'm on benefits and a single parent x

Kell 18/09/2018 at 8:33 pm

Hi Im just wanting to know if students who are giving dada award can still apply for student finance maintenance loan as the dada does not cover his rent he's living in London away from home and I can't fund any maintenance as I'm on benefits and a single parent

Hannah 25/08/2018 at 9:25 am

Hi, my daughter will be due to go to secondary school next September 2019. She is very keen to get into a performing arts school. Because of our situation at the moment we only receive benefits due to myself be registered disabled & my husband had to give up work to become my full time carer. Could you tell me how to apply for a scholarship for a performing arts school please? Many thanks Hannah

Mum 15/07/2018 at 5:04 pm

My son is 13 and he attends a stage school on Saturdays for 5 years already. I'm struggling to pay for his education (tuition fees, uniforms with special footwear, costumes, extra rehearsals, exam fees, etc. for 3 classes only (there are 6 classes altogether), and the teachers strongly recommend that if he is to become a professional actor/artist he has to attend all the classes. Otherwise he will not be ready for higher education courses. He is a talented boy (reference from school can be provided on request) who wants to be a stage performer. Please let me know which organizations/sponsors I could apply for individual grant for my son's future education at the school. Thank you.

CD 12/07/2018 at 4:01 pm

Hello. Is my daughter eligible for the Music and Dance scheme as a UK passport holder although she's not lived in the UKCAT for the last few years? With thanks.

BAHANDA ELIJAH 26/05/2018 at 9:57 am

Hey am Bahanda Elijah writting on behalf of sparkle dance crew uganda ,a group of motivated ,talented and passionate youth who are doing dance and dramma to senstize uganda as a country ,we have been struggling with issues of funding opportunities as we face difficulties of uniforms for practice, dancing costumes and music machines for practices.i can refer ant one intrested in geeting in touch with us can find us on instagram ,facebook by names SPARKLE DANCE CREW #SDC

GrantsExpert Editor 23/05/2018 at 2:30 pm

We don't know of any help for parents wanting to privately educate their children other than the scholarships offered by the institutions themselves.

Penny 21/05/2018 at 11:04 pm

My 16 yr old daughter has been given a place at Tring and was obviously over the moon. The worry of how we’re going to afford the fees has took the shine off it a bit to say the least. We’re fundraising by holding different events, raffles and now organising a dance show in July. My daughter has been on local radio and had an article in the local paper to try and get publicity in the hope of getting some sponsorship. She has a go fund me page ...we’ve tried all sorts of grants and funds, written to celebrities, Wayne Sleep Foundation etc but just doesn’t seem to be any help available.
Me and my husband work full time and earn average money but the fees for Tring are well beyond our means.
It really does seem crazy that we’re having to struggle like this when she’s earnt a place. Tring used to have DADA but now only give out a couple of their own scholarships. I may not be a single parent or on a very low income and would not expect to get it all paid for but the fees are unrealistic even without living expenses etc just some help would make a difference.

Che 15/05/2018 at 12:41 pm

Hi there my daughter is 13 and looking for a dance collage to attend full time ? If you know of any for her to audition pls let me know

Sammy 22/04/2018 at 4:24 pm

Hi my daughter, has got into masters dance college, of which she was given a funded place, is there anymore help, I could receive as I'm single parent and on a low income

GrantsExpert Editor 10/04/2018 at 2:42 pm

Is she entitled to a student loan?This is how most students fund their courses. It looks as though students at private colleges (which we think Ballet theatre UK might be) can take a loan of up to £6,165 and public universities/college students can borrow up to £9,250 for tuition fees. Maintenance loans are available up to £11,354, depending on where the student is living. Please take a look at the government website for more information. Double check the status of the qualification that your daughter has been offered (i.e if it's definitely a degree course etc)

Liz 09/04/2018 at 7:44 pm

Hi my daughter is 16 and has been offered a 3 year degree course at Ballet Theatre UK. They do not accept Dada's and have offered to pay 20% of her tuition fees, Obviously I am very grateful for this but sadly as a single parent I am unable to pay the additional cost on my low income. Are there any Grants, Bursarys or other ways to get any financial help. I am heart broken and don't want to tell her she can not attend, after working so hard, they only take 10 - 15 students on anually and she is so thrilled to have been offered a place.

Scarr 31/03/2018 at 12:14 pm

My granddaughter has won a 50% scholarship to the Italia Conti academy. Can we get help with the other 50% fees as my son in law is disabled and my daughter is his carer. Any advice

Nic 08/03/2018 at 12:24 pm

Hi there.
A friend of mine is opening a new school for cheerleading and dance and wondering if you can point me in the right direction for funding for specialist equipment like floors etc.
or anything you can reccomend to help.
TIA

GrantsExpert Editor 02/03/2018 at 2:59 pm

Are you looking for funding to attend the audition? Sorry it's not clear but the above article and the responses to comments below may help.

Lippy 28/02/2018 at 5:13 pm

Hi, my daughter is attending an audition for the English Youth Ballet and if successful, gets the chance to perform in the premiere of EYB’s newest full length ballet.
The cost, if successful will be £480.
Can you point me in the right direction of where I maybe able to obtain some funding towards this please. Many thanks

Flossy 04/09/2017 at 10:35 pm

Hi I was wondering if there's any charity that would sponsor my child to go to stage school at 11 she has a history of selective mutism but her ambition is to perform she attends a part time stage school since she was 3 . It is an important part of her life to dance they say she would flourish at a fulltime performing arts school she would like to take it up as a career

GrantsExpert Editor 26/07/2017 at 10:03 am

Try: DaDa (Drama and Dance awards) Student Loans Grantium

Sally 19/07/2017 at 4:46 pm

Hi my son who is 18 has been offered a 3 year performing arts course and was and was trying to see if there was any funding available thank you

Sally 19/07/2017 at 4:42 pm

Hi my son aged 18 has been offered a place for a 3 year performing arts course at Italia conti arts centre was enquiring to see if there was any help out there for funding this thank you

Dance mum 05/05/2017 at 8:56 am

My son has also been offered a p,ace at Hammond with 50% bursary, we are trying every which way to obtain funding but draw a blank at every turn

Stressed.com 02/05/2017 at 9:19 am

My daughter has also been offered Hammond with a 50%bursary , any advice not told her yet , she's goin into year 9 ?? She will be heartbroken again .

Shed 21/04/2017 at 11:22 pm

Hi my daughter is just completing a foundation course at urdang in London which cost £20,000 with accommodation,she has been accepted at her first 2 auditions for the next 3 years ,but if no dada or scholarship are,I cannot afford to pay the fees ,this year has crippled us ,does anyone know how to fund it ,surely as a student she should be eligible for government help !!!

GM 21/04/2017 at 3:18 pm

Hi, my 12 year old son has been awarded a 30% scholarship at a stage school in London. This leaves us with around £10,000 pa to fund. Can anyone advise if there are any other available bursary's or grants to assist that we can look to

GrantsExpert Editor 17/01/2017 at 1:55 pm

You could try applying for a Dance and Drama award I the college is one of those name in the scheme)

Dee 16/01/2017 at 3:54 pm

Hi my 17yr old son has been offered a place at a dance college with the tuition fees in London being £8000. We live outside London is there any grants, sponsorships or funding that we could apply for as I am struggling to find any funding or help.

Sadie 05/05/2016 at 4:24 pm

Hi, My 11 year old son has just been offered a place at The Hammond School to start in September. He is on a waiting list for MDS funded place but this will be dependent on someone else dropping out which is unlikely. The school have offered the maximum bursary that they can which is 50% of the annual fees but I still have to find £13,000 per year. Do you have any idea of any charitable organisations or trusts that support individuals. I have only been able to find charities that support organisations. Any info would be gratefully received.

Love todance 05/04/2016 at 11:40 am

Hi can any one point myself in the right direction
My son has been accepted at a drama school but fees are so high he is 13 years of age,
We Are awaiting for the out come of a audition for bursary and scholarship. To a school he really wants to attend.
He's been dancing singing acting since the age of 7 so frustrating being so far away from all the drama schools
Any information happily received

JDA 22/11/2015 at 9:08 pm

Hello, my 17 year old daughter has been at the Italia Conti of Performing Arts for 2 months now and because of an awkward and long train journey, it has been decided that she should mover closer, however, we now have to find funding for her lodgings and living costs. How does everyone else cope, what benefits are available for my daughter to pursue her dream?

GrantsExpert Editor 27/07/2015 at 1:51 pm

@Karen. Firstly he could ask at his current college if they know of any financial assistance...being a musical theatre college they may have some ideas. Secondly, try the suggestions in the article. Lastly you could try the grants search facility on the Turn 2 Us website

karen 25/07/2015 at 12:36 pm

I need help with finding funding. My 19 yr old son is a dancer. He's at a musical theatre college in Nottingham. He's desperate to go to London to train. He's not an academic he's always struggled with school. The fact that I'm a working single parent with a small income I can't fund a London school. My son is depressed and feels it's worthless. Ideas would be very welcome. I'm a worried mum . Thank you

gwallt 21/07/2015 at 1:01 pm

hi my daughter like blondie's daughter has also been accepted to rubicon dance in Cardiff and I am coming up to dead ends all the time with any funding. It seems that as its further education and not higher there are no grants and not eligible for student loan .Does anyone know of any help out there as living costs are pretty hefty as well as paying for the course. Blondie did you have any luck with anything seems we are in the same boat ? any help much appreciated

blondie 06/07/2015 at 7:48 pm

hi my 17 year old daughter has been accepted to rubicon dance school in Cardiff I was wondering if there were any grants available for fees/living . she will go on to university after that and don't want her to have too much of a burden of student debt. we are on a fairly low income any help would be great

Cheryl 18/06/2015 at 1:38 pm

My 11 year old daughter has been offered a place at the royal ballet junior school, white lodge- whilst she gets mds funding I'm struggling with the parental contribution aspect are there any grants or trusts who may sponsor her?

GrantsExpert Editor 21/05/2015 at 2:47 pm

@gg. try the suggestions in the article and in the repsonses to comments below. You should also be entitled to a student loan if you are of university age and it's a university course.

gg 19/05/2015 at 2:47 pm

Hi, I have just been recently accepted on a foundation course at london studio centre with fees totalling up to £9,250 without funding, and excluding living costs. Is there any advice or help I am entitled to at all? Thanks.

GrantsExpert Editor 20/05/2015 at 10:23 am

@Rose. Sadly nowadays, university fees are not paid for. The most common practice is to take out a student loan to cover university fees and accommodation. Many students also take on part time work for extra money to fund them through. The average for university fees is £9000 so your daughter's is higher than the norm. The grants search facility on the Turn2Us website may have some details of grant

Rose 16/05/2015 at 7:23 am

Help! My daughter has just received an offer from London Studio Centre and the fees for the Degree course are £13,500 a year and living and travelling costs on top. I have been trying to research grants and funding but just come to a dead end, can anyone out there point me in the right direction.

GrantsExpert Editor 15/05/2015 at 10:00 am

@Sue. Try the suggestions in the aritcle. This website has a useful grants search facility.

Sue 10/05/2015 at 9:22 pm

Hi,

My 10 year old daughter has been offered a place at Leeds college of music to study clarinet and voice. Can you tell me if there is any grants available.

GrantsExpert Editor 12/05/2015 at 12:14 pm

@Mo. Try the schemes mentioned in the article. You could also try the school to see if any help or bursaries are available. You can also try using the Turn2Us grants search to see what other help is available.

GrantsExpert Editor 12/05/2015 at 12:14 pm

@Mo. try the school to see if any help or bursaries are available. You can also try using the Turn2Us grants search to see what other help is available.

Mo 06/05/2015 at 6:45 pm

My granddaughter has just been accepted at Italia Conti school for performing arts, could you give any advise to where we could apply for help with fees and travel, she is 13 yrs old
Many thanks
Maureen

Kimberley 08/03/2015 at 9:09 pm

Hi

I have recently been accepted by The institute of Barcelona for a 3 year BA course in Musical Theatre can someone help with bodies I can apply to for funding or are there any grants available as I'm from Scotland and I can't seem to find any Thanks

GrantsExpert Editor 13/02/2015 at 1:01 pm

@happy. Try musical organisations like the arts council etc. There is a list of funding bodies on this website.

Happy 11/02/2015 at 11:50 am

Hi I'm a single mum who has to work full time to survive in this world. My daughter is 12 and attends a state school. She enjoys playing the violin and piano but I can no longer afford the termly fee of £150. It would be a shame if she has to give up what she loves doing. Please can you help?

GrantsExpert Editor 14/01/2015 at 11:55 am

@Ig. we don't actually give out grants but hope the above information helped. Have you considered putting on a performance and charging a small fee (with associated fundraising activities) to raise money you need?

lg 12/01/2015 at 12:22 pm

My Daughters dance school has been invited to take part in the Dance It NYC from Dream Maker Dance Events. the school range from age 9-22 and based in scotland, We were wondering if either you or any of your other associates would be able to help us with funding for the travel expences as I feel this is a once in a life time oppertunity for the dance school, thank you x

beno 18/12/2014 at 7:19 pm

Hi,
My daughter has been offered a place at The London Theatre School for commercial dance, I am out of work and need to know there are any funds available for the fees £12000 and accommodation.
Please help I have no idea where to start.
Many thanks
Mark.

scotty 21/06/2014 at 12:26 pm

Need help with funding. My son has ben offered a place at Bird College of Performing Arts and needs to find £7,500 fees plus £500 a month for rent and living costs. Would appreciate your help as where to apply as do not qualify for SAAS funding as it's a pre vocational course.
Thanks

tills 06/05/2014 at 8:32 pm

Hi I have had to have custody of my grand-daughter because of my daughters ill health , she has danced since she was 5 and is at Grade 7 ballet , also does tap mod, I am finding the fees more and more difficult to keep up with and am wondering if there is any type of grant I could claim to help , she is now 13 and desperate to continue to dance as she wants to make a career of it , any advice would be much appreciated , thanks x

DENNER 28/04/2014 at 9:43 pm

My daughter(18) has been offered a place at a well known theatre school. However the fees are well beyond our reach at £17,000 a year for a three year period.. Is there anywhere we could apply for some help with these fees as she is so desperate to attend

donna 08/10/2013 at 5:43 pm

I am a mature student doing a part time course and was wondering if I could get help to pay for the fees, I am on benefits and struggling to pay for the fee, The college have given a reduction on the fee, but I still need to pay for the remaining amount, and more than likely have to pay for it next year as it is a two year course.

Chellebo 05/08/2013 at 3:48 pm

My 12 year old daughter has been offered a student programme in Australia for 3 months where she will study performing arts. She will be entering into performances as well as examinations and will come back home to the UK as a teacher's assistant and intends to teach disadvantaged children the joys of dance. If you are able to help with tuition fees, uniforms, flights and examination fees she would be able to take advantage of all that is on offer. Many thanks in advance.

Rachel 19/03/2013 at 1:01 pm

Hi, my daughter has been accepted into the Italia Conti Theatre Arts School in London. We live in the North West so it would mean moving down there. We are looking for help with the fees as I'm sure you can imagine they are expensive and also I will have to look for a new job and home. This is her dream and I am trying all avenues to make this happen. I'm sure you have plenty of talented kids asking for help. If they is any help you can offer or if not can you advise further. Many Thanks

Mike 04/03/2013 at 10:17 pm

My son Joseph age 16 years won the North West Regional Irish Dancing Championships (above the boy who is ranked 8th in the World) with three maximum 100 marks from each of the adjudicators.

He has qualified to represent the North West of England at the World Irish Dancing Championships in Boston USA at the end of this month.

His entry fees are paid but we are desperate for funds/sponsorship to take him there and wonder if you or any of your contacts could assist with the travel or accommodation please.

We lost our family business last year and Joe's mum cant work as she is now a full time carer for her mother(85) and I have only part time temporary work 2 or 3 days per week.

princess7 09/02/2013 at 6:37 pm

I am very interested in music and dance funding scheme and i love to involve and i was thinking of a idea of starting my own music and dance foundation for kids and teens and for me i think its a great idea

Jessy 10/07/2012 at 2:59 pm

Very interested in your grants for dance scheme.
I have just recived offer of a place from London Studio Centre and do not have the 12,000 pounds fees.
I have applied to my local government funding body SAAS, however they will not fund me for first year but they will for the next 2.
Wondering if you had any advice?

Kind regards

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