RAD United Kingdom | Teach dance

Teaching dance and musical theatre with the RAD opens the door to a wide range of benefits. We’ll help you enhance your dance teaching with workshops, events, and CPD courses. Most importantly, holding RAD professional membership (RTS) recognises your skills and experience wherever you are. As an RAD Registered Teacher, you’ll receive:

Exclusive access to exams: Enter students for RAD ballet and musical theatre exams, a hallmark of excellence.
Increased visibility: Feature in our teacher directory and enhance your marketing with the RAD RTS brand.
Ongoing support: Enjoy membership benefits, world-class Continuous Professional Development, and valuable networking opportunities.

If you are already an RAD Registered Teacher, head to the Members’ Area for helpful resources.

Routes to RAD Registered Teacher Status

Only teachers who meet our criteria, representing the highest standards, can become RAD Registered Teachers and enter students for RAD exams. Whether you are already a dance teacher holding a recognised qualification from a different awarding body, or someone who has studied with the RAD, there are four routes to becoming eligible for RTS (Registered Teacher Status).

RAD dance teacher teaching undergraduate students

Train as a dance teacher with us and complete one of the RAD higher education programmes

Grade 5 Revision CPD Newport TCross | Royal Academy of Dance

Complete our Access Route for students of non-RAD honours dance degree programmes

Complete our Access Route for students of non-RAD-accredited vocational dance programmes

Apply for RAD RTS if holding a dance or musical theatre teaching qualification by a recognised awarding society

Apply now

Recognised dance teaching qualifications

We are accepting applications from teachers with a recognised dance teaching qualification from the following awarding societies*:

ISTD – Level 4
ISTD – Licentiate
IDTA – Level 4
BBO – Level 5
BBO – Level 6 Diploma in Advanced Dance Teaching Practices
Trinity College London – Level 6 Diploma in Dance Teaching and Learning
Royal Ballet School – Diploma of Dance Teaching
Deutscher Berufsverband für Tanzpädagogik (DBfT)
Australian Teachers of Dance (Member Teacher and Licentiate Teacher) – Level 5
Australian Teachers of Dance – Diploma of Dance Teaching and Management
Australian Dance Institute – Diploma of Dance Teaching and Management
Vocational Education and Training (VET) – Diploma of Dance Teaching and Management
Cecchetti Ballet Australia – Licentiate Diploma and Fellowship Diploma (awarded 2018-2022)
Canada’s National Ballet School – Teacher Training Programme
Cecchetti Ballet Canada – Licentiate
Cecchetti Ballet Canada – Fellowship
ISTD Associate Diploma (as delivered internationally in recognised territories such as Australia and Canada)

*Except for those residing in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and China. For those residing in these countries, please contact your National Office.

Dance teachers recognised by another dance awarding society FAQs

How will I prove my qualifications to be accepted via this route?

You will be asked to upload a copy of your qualification certificate when you apply using the form above. Our team will verify your qualification before your application can be accepted.

How long does it take to become an RAD Registered Teacher via this route?

Once your application is received, we will contact you within seven working days. If your application is accepted, you can become a Registered Teacher immediately following payment of the membership and joining fee. If we have questions about your application, it may take up to 28 days.

I have a Level 4 qualification not listed, how can I become an RAD Registered Teacher?

If you have a Level 4 qualification that is not currently on the approved list, we will be reviewing additional courses periodically. In the meantime, you can still apply using the form above to express your interest.

I am already teaching RAD Ballet – why should I apply for RAD RTS?

RAD Registered Teachers can take advantage of exclusive benefits, including access to entering students for RAD exams.

What additional training will I need to undertake?

Teachers joining through this route will also be required to complete 20 hours of RAD CPD with reflection annually, which will be tailored to you. This requirement ensures that you familiarise yourself with the RAD method and uphold the high standards expected of all RAD Registered Teachers.

Apply now

Shaping lives through dance

Dance teachers play a crucial role in shaping both their students’ technical abilities and their passion for the art. Their influence extends beyond the studio, creating a ripple effect that reaches far into the future.

RAD teachers leave a lasting legacy that impacts the entire dance community. As they impart knowledge, discipline, and creativity, their students carry these lessons with them, often becoming the next generation of dancers and teachers themselves.

Introducing our new RTS marketing tools for teachers!

As a valued RAD Registered Teacher, you now have access to an exclusive set of brand-new marketing tools designed to help you attract more students, encourage them to take RAD exams, boost your visibility, and grow your business.

Co-created with the support of our RAD RTS teachers, these tools have been built to ensure that you can market your business in a way that is best-suited to your needs.

Your new tools are waiting in the Members’ Area, ready for you to edit and start using today.

Dancer reaching upward in a white outfit against an orange background with large red DANCE WITH US text

Young dancer in a blue outfit raises arms against an orange background with bold white DANCE WITH US text bottom right stamp reads Royal Academy of Dance Teacher

Syllabi and programmes available through the RAD

We offer multiple syllabi to teach the next generation of dancers. Take a look below and click to learn more about the different styles available for you to teach your students. Want to enter your students for RAD exams? Become an RAD Registered Teacher.

RAD Ballet

Core to every dancer’s classical training, our ballet syllabus upholds the highest teaching standards around the world.

Silver Swans

Ballet classes for the over 55s. Discover how to qualify to deliver classes and become a Silver Swans licensee.

JimmyParrattPhotography-34321 | Royal Academy of Dance

RAD Musical Theatre

Bringing together acting, singing, and dance, this progressive training pathway will nurture confidence, creativity, and versatile performance skills.

Rambert Grades

A great new opportunity for RAD members to expand their dance offering through this progressive and inclusive contemporary syllabus.

Teachers taking CPD activities at RAD London HQ

Develop your skills through RAD CPD

We are committed to producing the best teachers in the world, and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) shows that you are up to date on dance teaching practice, legislation, and health and personal wellbeing.

We offer a wide range of CPD sessions available to attend in person and online.

Discover RAD CPD

“Gaining RTS will mean that I would be the first ballet teacher in Bahrain to offer RAD to students on the island. As one of the most important dance education organisations in the world; it will be amazing to see students’ passion for dance grow throughout their training.”

Apply now

“Becoming an RAD Registered Teacher is a personal aspiration, alongside elevating the quality of ballet education I can offer. I am excited about the potential for growth and development that this affiliation can bring, and I am fully committed to meeting the requirements and standards set by the RAD.”

Apply now

Events for dance teachers

Higher education

Assistant Teacher Award Tutor Training

Wednesday 28 January 2026 – Friday 31 July 2026

See Training Date for info

Australia, United Kingdom

Online

£365

Teach dance with the RAD

Join our community of world-class teachers

Apply today to become an RAD Registered Teacher

We are accepting applications from teachers with a recognised dance teaching qualification from the following awarding societies (T&Cs apply)

Tell us about your dance training, qualifications, and teaching experience

You’re on the right path, but you’ll need to be aged 16 or over to access this route

Complete your application and apply now for RAD Registered Teacher Status

Membership history

Teaching qualifications

RAD safeguarding requirements

Privacy

Routes to RAD Registered Teacher Status

Recognised dance teaching qualifications

Dance teachers recognised by another dance awarding society FAQs

How will I prove my qualifications to be accepted via this route?

How long does it take to become an RAD Registered Teacher via this route?

I have a Level 4 qualification not listed, how can I become an RAD Registered Teacher?

I am already teaching RAD Ballet – why should I apply for RAD RTS?

What additional training will I need to undertake?

Shaping lives through dance

Introducing our new RTS marketing tools for teachers!

Syllabi and programmes available through the RAD

RAD Safeguarding requirements

Subscribe to our mailing list