Dance teacher

You'll need a relevant degree in dance or performing arts. There are some degrees in dance that include teacher training. To teach in a state school you'll usually need qualified teacher status (QTS) .

As a primary teacher, you'll train to teach all subjects and could develop a subject specialism in physical education, which may include dance or creative movement.

At secondary level you could teach dance as a single subject or combine it with other subjects like physical education, drama or performing arts.

To be a lecturer in a university or conservatoire, you'll need a postgraduate qualification or a recognised profile as a professional performer, along with teaching experience.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths

• 3 A levels or equivalent

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• search for conservatoire courses|https://www.ucas.com/conservatoires
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
• funding for teacher training |https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/funding-my-teacher-training
• postgraduate teacher training courses|https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-postgraduate-teacher-training-courses-in-england

To teach in a further education college, or as a sessional tutor in schools or private education, you’ll need a minimum of a level 3 qualification in dance.

You'll improve your chances of employment by doing a professional qualification with a recognised dance awarding organisation, such as:

• bbodance (previously British Ballet Organisation)
• Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing
• International Dance Teachers' Association (IDTA)
• Royal Academy of Dance

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

You could work your way into this role if you've got several years' experience in dance.

You could start as an assistant in a private dance school and do teaching qualifications with a dance organisation approved by the Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre (CDMT).

If you're a qualified teacher but without dance subject knowledge, for example a PE teacher, you could also take a CDMT-approved course.

Registrations

you'll usually need qualified teacher status (QTS) to teach in a state school in England

Career Tips

You can search for jobs in schools through the Teaching Vacancies service.

You can get advice about training to be a dance fitness instructor from EMDUK.

Professional and Industry Bodies

You can join One Dance UK for professional recognition, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

Further Information

You can find out more about becoming a dance teacher from:

• One Dance UK
• Discover Creative Careers
• Get Into Teaching

As a dance teacher, you would:

• plan and teach dance sessions
• design dance pieces for individuals and group productions
• keep records of students' performance and progress
• assess students for dance exams
• maintain your own dance skills and techniques

You could work at a school, at a college, at a university, an independent training centre or in the community.