Dance Teacher Training

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We are dedicated to the training and development of dance teachers by offering a range of qualifications to suit every stage of a dance teacher’s career. Take a look to see which qualification is right for you and why you should choose the bbodance teacher training pathway!

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Why choose bbodance Teaching Qualifications?

Our qualifications are recognised by Ofqual and Qualifications Wales
Our qualifications are not syllabi specific, which means students can study any or all of our qualifications regardless of the dance genre or syllabi they teach
Our courses can be studied by anyone, membership of BBO or attendance of a bbodance school is not a requirement!
Our students are automatically given free TQ Membership with bbodance which gives them free, online access to bbodance syllabi materials and resources for the duration of their studies
For the duration of their studies, our Level 4, 5 and 6 students are eligible for the members' rate and discounts on selected Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses
Our courses can be studied alongside other work or study commitments and delivery allows for flexibility in learning
Our qualifications can be studied online and are suitable for UK and international students
We offer payment plans and discounts on fees, subject to eligibility
We are a small and friendly organisation that values individual support and personal contact with its students and members. We provide continued support after gaining a qualification through our membership, CPD courses and other events.

Further Information >

A dance teacher and her student pose in a plie looking over their shoulders.

All course modules are delivered by industry professionals and are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need for successful careers in the dance teaching profession. Tutors provide one-to-one support and students have access to all their study materials online.

See the overview of qualifications below, if you would like to speak to us about the best option for you, please contact us and one of our friendly team will be happy to help!

Reasonable Adjustments Policy

Read about the experiences of our students >

APPLY FOR A COURSE

Speak to the bbodance team about the courses...

Email tq@bbo.dance to ask our team about the courses.

Come along to our TQ Surgery Sessions. These are a great opportunity to find out more about our qualifications and courses. An overview of the qualifications and courses will be provided and the differences between them explained. You will also learn about how we deliver our qualifications and routes of progression through the courses to achieve the dance teaching qualification you or your students/assistants need. There will be time for questions so that you feel fully informed before applying.

TQ Surgery: January 7th, Online

Level 3 Certificate Dance Teaching Assistant

Our Level 3 Certificate course is ideal for students wishing to become a dance teaching assistant or for students who are already assisting and would like formal recognition of their role. The Level 3 course is also an exciting introduction to dance teaching.

The course is open to all students, regardless of the organisation they have trained or taken examinations with. Gaining the Level 3 Certificate is beneficial to dance schools which can use the qualification to promote their dance teaching assistants’ knowledge and commitment.

The Level 3 Certificate is delivered through a blended approach of guided learning, online learning, and independent study. Students complete observations of dance teaching and other activities under the supervision of their dance teacher at their dance school and receive individual tutor support from bbodance Faculty.

Read about the experience from one of our Host Dance Schools!

The course is for 3-4 months and consists of 3 modules:

Module 3.1 Observation for Teaching

Module 3.2 Frameworks, Policies, and Procedures to Support Teachers

Module 3.3 Devising Dance Training Activities

For a detailed overview of the course content and assessments, download the Level 3 Specification.

As part of the course, students are required to observe 15 dance classes taught by qualified dance teachers. Observations should take place at the Host Dance School the student has listed on the application form.

Level 4 Diploma Introduction to Dance Teaching

The Level 4 Diploma Introduction to Dance Teaching is an introduction to dance teaching, providing the foundational knowledge needed to begin a career as a dance teacher.

Successful completion of Level 4 makes students eligible for the Level 5 Diploma in Dance Teaching, which leads to qualification as a dance teacher.

The Level 4 Diploma is ideal for you if any of the following apply:

You are an experienced dance teaching assistant wishing to become a dance teacher and can teach at least 20 minutes of a dance class by yourself.
You are a novice dance teacher and wish to learn more about dance teaching basics.
You are employed as a dance teacher and wish to complete Level 4 to gain essential knowledge before completing the Level 5 Diploma in Dance Teaching to gain qualification as a dance teacher.

The course is delivered through a blended approach of online lectures and seminars, studio-based practical workshops and independent study.

The Level 4 course is delivered over 5 months and consists of 4 modules:

Module 4.1 Observing Teaching and Learning Strategies

Module 4.2 Business & Career Development

Module 4.3 Safe Dance Teaching Practice

Module 4.4 Applying Teaching and Learning Strategies in Practice

For a detailed overview of the course content and assessments, download the Level 4 Specification.

As part of the course, students are required to organise and complete 30 hours of observation of dance teaching and a 20-minute micro-teach.

Level 5 Diploma in Dance Teaching

The Level 5 Diploma in Dance Teaching builds on the foundational knowledge and skill acquired during the Level 4 Diploma Introduction to Dance Teaching, or through equivalent study and experience. The course develops and enhances skills in planning and applying a range of dance teaching principles, techniques and strategies in practice, suitable for your dance teaching context.

This course enables you to become a qualified dance teacher.

The Level 5 Diploma in Dance Teaching is ideal for you if any of the following apply:

You have completed the bbodance Level 4 Diploma and you are working as a dance teacher, teaching at least two dance classes on a weekly basis.
You are employed as a dance teacher, have knowledge of the fundamentals of dance teaching through alternative training and/or experience, and wish to gain recognised qualification as a dance teacher.
You are a professional dancer with dance teaching experience, wishing to gain qualification as a dance teacher.

The course is delivered through a blended approach of online lectures and seminars, studio-based practical workshops and independent study.

The course is 6 months and consists of 5 modules:

Module 5.1 Curriculum Design

Module 5.2 Assessment for Learning

Module 5.3 Dance History

Module 5.4 Developing Choreographic Practice

Module 5.5 Teaching and Learning in Practice

For a detailed overview of the course content and assessments, download the Level 5 Specification.

As part of this course, students are required to organise, plan and deliver a minimum of 30 dance classes for Module 5.5 and 6 hours of dance teaching for Module 5.4.

Level 6 Diploma in Advanced Dance Teaching Practices

The Level 6 Diploma in Advanced Dance Teaching Practices develops the pedagogic knowledge and skills accumulated during bbodance Level 4 and bbodance Level 5, or equivalent recognised dance teaching qualifications and experience, enabling students to enhance their professional teaching practice through the study of more advanced teaching concepts.

This course introduces complex teaching theory and ideas and enables students to work on an independent basis, applying concepts in both theory and practice as part of guided study and self-directed, individual research.

The Level 6 course is ideal for you if any of the following apply:

You have completed the bbodance Level 5 Diploma and you are employed as a dance teacher, teaching at least three dance classes on a weekly basis.
You are a highly experienced dance teacher or dance school principal and you are interested in reflecting upon, challenging and developing your teaching practice in new ways.

The Level 6 Diploma is delivered through a combination of online lectures and seminars and independent study.

The course is one academic year and consists of 5 modules:

Module 6.1 Dance Science for Teachers

Module 6.2 Physical, Social, and Emotional Development in Dance Training

Module 6.3 Informing Wider Practice

Module 6.4 Teaching Practice in Action

Module 6.5 Research Project

For a detailed overview of the course content and assessments, download the Level 6 Specification.

To fulfil the requirements of Level 6, it is recommended that students are teaching at least three dance classes per week for the duration of their studies. For Module 6.4, students are required to plan and deliver a minimum of 40 dance classes between October and March.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements for our Teaching Qualification courses are below.

Note that syllabus-based dance qualifications can be with any recognised dance awarding organisation and in any dance genre.

For Level 3, the Host Dance School does not have to be a BBO school. We welcome applications from students learning any recognised dance awarding organisation syllabus.

If you are unsure if you meet the entry requirements for the course you wish to apply for, contact us at tq@bbo.dance.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

We offer Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for our Level 4, Level 5 and Level 6 courses.

If you've already completed dance or dance education studies at the equivalent level of the course you wish to apply for or have equivalent professional experience, you may be exempt from selected modules of study. You can apply for RPL as part of your course application process and RPL applications must be received prior to the start of your course.

Further information can be found in the BBO Teaching Qualifications Recognition of Prior Learning Policy and Procedure and RPL Application Form, both of which can be found on our website within bbodance Policies and Guidelines.

Level 3 Certificate Dance Teaching Assistant

Level 2 dance qualification (e.g. Intermediate Foundation, Grade 4 or BTEC First)
Age 14+
Must attend a Host Dance School approved by BBO (dance schools are approved during the application process, you do not need to be a BBO school in order for your students to apply for our course)

Level 4 Diploma Introduction to Dance Teaching

GCSE or equivalent in English (C/4)
Level 3 dance qualification (e.g. Intermediate, Grade 6, A Level Dance or BTEC National)
Age 17+

Level 5 Diploma in Dance Teaching

GCSE or equivalent in English (C/4)
Level 3 dance qualification (e.g. Intermediate, Grade 6, A Level Dance or BTEC National)
Level 4 teaching qualification or equivalent professional teaching experience or if you are a professional dancer, a minimum of 5 years’ contracted work as a professional dancer
Age 18+

Level 6 Diploma in Advanced Dance Teaching Practices

GCSE or equivalent in English (C/4)
Level 3 dance qualification (e.g. Intermediate, Grade 6, A Level Dance or BTEC National)
A Level 5 Teaching Qualification from any recognised awarding organisation or equivalent professional teaching experience, demonstrated through video submission
Age 18+

Course Dates & Fees

Course:

Dates:

Course Fee:

Apply by:

Level 3 Certificate Dance Teaching Assistant

Next Course: February 2025 to June 2025
Welcome Webinar: February 2025
Course Start: February 2025
Online Webinars: 2 webinars per module throughout February, March, April and May

£520.00*

Option to pay by monthly instalments.

26th January 2025

Course:

Dates:

Course Fee:

Appy by:

Level 4 Diploma Introduction to Dance Teaching

Next Course: February to July 2025
Welcome Webinar: February 2025
Course Start: February 2025
Online Delivery: Webinars are scheduled on selected weekend days from February to June 2025
Studio-based Delivery: One full day onsite (alternative learning provided for students based outside of the UK)

£1,665.00*

5% discount if paid upfront or option to pay full fee by monthly instalments.

Includes free membership with BBO.

19th January 2025

Course:

Level 5 Diploma in Dance Teaching

Dates:

Next Course: February to August/September 2025
Welcome Webinar: February 2025
Course Start: February 2025
Online Delivery: Webinars are scheduled on selected weekend days from February to July 2025
Studio-based Delivery: One full day onsite (alternative learning provided for students based outside of the UK)

Course Fee:

£2,555.00*

5% discount if paid upfront or option to pay full fee by monthly instalments.

Includes free membership with BBO.

Apply by:

12th January 2025

Course:

Level 6 Diploma in Advanced Dance Teaching Practices

Dates:

Next Course: October 2025 to June 2026
Welcome Webinar: October 2025
Course Start: October 2025
Online Delivery: Webinars are scheduled on selected weekend days from October to May

Course Fee:

£3,550.00*

Includes free membership with BBO.

Apply by:

1st September 2025

* Fees are reviewed annually and any increases are applied to courses starting on or after 1st September in each academic year.

Read about the experiences of our teacher training students

We recently spoke to some of our teacher training students who provided insights into their experience of our courses.

Click through to read about their advice for new-starters, surprising things they learned from the courses and how the qualifications will help them progress in their careers.

Find out more

The Faculty

Our Teacher Training courses are taught by experienced industry professionals. Get to know the team who will be coaching and supporting you throughout your journey with us.