The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) Diploma in Dance Pedagogy (DDP) is a level 6 Ofqual regulated teaching qualification.
The ISTD Academy DDP provides dance teachers and professional dancers with a programme that builds on their previous training, knowledge, and experience. The curriculum places emphasis on the various ways that dance can be delivered, underpinned by theory and critical analysis, so that students graduate as confident, versatile, and highly proficient dance teachers.
At the ISTD Academy we are offering a remote distance learning course delivered through online engaging live lectures and tutorials over 2 years.
There are 5 main areas of study that are split into 5 units:
Unit 1, 2 and 3 are core units and explore key knowledge, skills and understanding related to developing dance teaching practice. These core units explore policy and procedures, professional practice, theories of learning, assessment, and communication and reflective practice. The core units develop knowledge and skills in planning, delivering, and evaluating inclusive, progressive, and motivational teaching tailored to the needs of every leaner in the classroom.
Units 4 and 5 extend students’ knowledge into more specialist areas of study ensuring that graduates have a well-rounded and deep knowledge of dance teaching.
Unit 1: Planning and Evaluating Programmes of Learning
Unit 2: The Practice of Dance Teaching and Learning
Unit 3: Reflective Practice
Unit 4: Teaching in Context
Unit 5: Research
September 2025 (2 years)
*Subject to change
| Deposit | £250 | Payable at enrolment |
| Fee* | £5606 | Payment plans are available to spread the cost over 2 years |
| Registration | £35 | Payable at enrolment |
| TOTAL | £5891 |
*Fees are reviewed annually and therefore subject to change
If you do not fulfil the entry requirements for the DDP but feel you have the required knowledge or experience, you can apply for APEL to access this qualification via the ISTD directly. The APEL scheme takes account of your professional experience and unregulated qualifications to enable you to potentially by-pass the usual requirements.
To find out more please visit our Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) page.
The below table outlines the qualifications that enable automatic exemptions from units within the DDP. If you hold one of these qualifications, you can be automatically exempted from the relevant DDP unit by providing a certificate as evidence of completion of the exempting course.
| Qualification | Relevant Unit | Exemption |
| Licentiate in ICB / Cecchetti | Unit 4a | Unit 4 |
| Licentiate Modern Theatre/Tap | Unit 4b | Unit 4 |
| PGCE/PGDE/QTLS/DTLLS/PTLLS/AET/DET | Core Units | Unit 1, 2 & 3 |
On completion of the full DDP course, you will be able to:
* Candidates wishing to continue their studies after the DDP, and gain Fellowship must hold Advanced 2 in their chosen genre as well as in-depth knowledge of the syllabus up to and including Advanced 2.
Apply now by emailing academyinfo@istdacademy.org or following the online link here.
Successful candidates will be invited to an interview.
Got questions or need more information? Email us at academyinfo@istdacademy.org or call our friendly team on 020 7655 8875.
The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England, no. UA-20377677-1 and registered charity no. 250397.
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