Admission to a Dance Conservatoire

Main information

Conservatoires are a special type of secondary and tertiary vocational school designed for exceptionally talented or gifted pupils in a particular artistic field.  Upon successful completion of a conservatoire programme, you will obtain a tertiary vocational qualification (absolutorium), and by taking the school-leaving examination (maturita), you may also obtain a secondary school qualification. (The maturita exam is not compulsory.) Only conservatoires offering study programmes tailored to their specific artistic focus provide the opportunity to obtain both qualifications – secondary with the school-leaving examination and tertiary vocational.

The aim of a dance conservatoire is to educate and train professional dancers in various fields of dance, depending on the school's specialisation. Pupils are admitted from Year 5 of primary school, as dance training must begin at an early age (the only exception is the “Contemporary Dance” programme, which is six years long and admits applicants after the completion of compulsory schooling). The standard duration of study at a dance conservatoire is 8 years. Students complete the programme with a final diploma examination (absolutorium) and may also take the maturita exam in the 8th year. Submitting up to two applications to conservatoire programmes in the first and second rounds does not affect the right to submit up to three applications in the same year (in Year 5) to eight-year grammar schools, which also accept applications exclusively from Year 5. From the third round onwards, there is no limit to the number of applications. To be admitted, candidates must demonstrate appropriate abilities, knowledge, motivation and medical fitness.

A talent examination is always a compulsory part of the admissions process. Even if the applicant meets the admissions criteria, they must also successfully complete Year 5 of primary school – the year from which they applied – for the admission to be valid.

The general education subjects taught at conservatoires are significantly limited. The main focus is on specialised artistic subjects that prepare students for professional artistic careers. The course of study is therefore highly specialised.

An applicant must submit an enrolment confirmation slip (zápisový lístek) to the conservatoire where they have been accepted and wish to study within 10 working days of admission. Otherwise, the admission will become invalid. Pupils enrolled in a primary school will receive this enrolment slip from their school. Applicants not enrolled in a primary school will receive it from their territorially competent regional authority (based on their place of residence).

This applies to you if

You are an exceptionally talented or gifted pupil in the field of movement and dance, ideally with a foundation in dance and strong physical aptitude. As you are a minor, your parents or legal guardians must submit the application on your behalf. However, your consent is also required. You may apply for admission to the first year of the dance conservatoire while in Year 5 of primary school. Admission is conditional upon fulfilling the admission procedure requirements, in particular succeeding in the talent exam, whose content and format are defined by the school's headteacher.

When to use this service

You may apply for admission to the first year of a dance conservatoire exclusively in Year 5 of primary school.

Vyřízení služby - elektronicky

What you need if you are using this service

You can submit your application entirely online via the information system DiPSy. In this case, you must have a so-called Citizen Identity, which allows for the unambiguous identification of the applicant and replaces the need for a signature. You will also be able to view the results of the admissions procedure in the system after entering your registration number. Participation in the talent examination or any potential school examination must be in person.

Where and how to solve this service

The process is carried out via the information system DiPSy. After logging in through your Citizen Identity, you will be redirected back to the system, which will guide you step by step through filling in and submitting your application. This applies to the first and second rounds of the admissions procedure.

Vyřízení služby - osobně

What you need if you are using this service

You must submit the application form, including all required attachments, using the prescribed form.

Where and how to solve this service

You can submit the application with attachments by post, via a data box, or in person – each application must be submitted separately to each school. In the first and second rounds, all submitted applications are identical. From the third round onwards, each application is specific to one school.

Additional information

What is the benefit of this service

You can develop your talent in various dance disciplines. Upon successful completion of your studies, you will obtain an absolutorium in dance and become a “certified” professional in the field of dance or ballet. You may also obtain a school-leaving certificate (maturita). With the absolutorium, you may continue your studies at art universities. If you also obtain the maturita, you may apply to any higher education institution that requires a school-leaving qualification as an entry condition.

Appeal options

Appeals against the decision not to admit a student are decided by the relevant Regional Authority or the Prague City Authority, depending on the location of the conservatoire. Appeals must be submitted through the headteacher of the school.