Of the qualifications listed below, the Foundation in Dance Instruction and Certificate
in Dance Education are accredited by the Regulatory Authorities in England, Wales
and Northern Ireland (QCA, DELLS and ACCAC).
Foundation in Dance Instruction (FDI)
(EU only)
This qualification gives prospective dance teachers a solid grounding in the skills
and knowledge needed to teach dance in a safe environment. The units covered include
teaching skills with a focus on teaching observation, promotion of health and safety,
lifespan development and learning, and dance practice and a contextual study focusing
upon the ISTD syllabi for the chosen genre.
To study the FDI candidates must be 17 or above in the academic year they register
and hold an Intermediate qualification in the genre they wish to study. Successful
candidates move on to the Certificate in Dance Education and may apply for Student
Membership of the Society.
Associate
(Non EU and EU Dance Sport only)
As with the FDI within the EU, this qualification gives prospective dance teachers
a solid grounding in the skills and knowledge needed to teach dance in a safe environment.
To be eligible to take the Associate examination, candidates should hold the relevant
entry criteria as specified in the individual genre syllabi. Successful candidates
move on to the Associate Diploma (Theatre) or Licentiate (Dance Sport) and may apply
for Associate membership of the Society.
Certificate in Dance Education (CDE)
(EU only)
This qualification builds on the skills gained in the FDI and gives prospective
dance teachers further insight into the units covered with more emphasis upon planning,
implementing and evaluating dance lessons. At this level candidates are expected
to complete a variety of different assessments to ensure sound knowledge of teaching
strategies, safe practice, ISTD syllabi and knowledge of the background to their
chosen dance genre.
To study the CDE candidates must be 18 or above in the academic year they register,
and hold the FDI and Advanced 1 in the genre they wish to study. Successful candidates
are qualified to teach and enter students in the relevant genre and may apply for
Associate membership of the Society.
Associate Diploma
(Non EU Theatre only)
As with the CDE, this qualification builds on the skills gained in the Associate
and gives prospective dance teachers further insight into the teaching of dance
in their chosen genre or genres.
To be eligible to take the Associate Diploma examination , candidates must be have
reached the age of 21, hold the Associate qualification in the relevant genre and
have completed three years of responsible teaching in that genre. Successful candidates
are qualified to teach and enter students in the relevant genre and may apply for
Associate membership of the Society (AISTD Dip).
Licentiate
This qualification further builds on the skills learnt in the CDE and tests the
competent dance teacher further both in syllabus knowledge and teaching skill.
To be eligible to take the Licentiate examination, candidates must hold the CDE
or Associate Diploma (or Associate for Dance Sport). Further entry details are given
in the relevant syllabus. Successful candidates may apply to train as examiners
of the relevant faculty and apply to become Approved Tutors to teach student teachers
on the FDI and CDE programmes.
Fellowship
This is the highest teaching qualification offered by the ISTD, further building
on the skills and experienced gained through the Licentiate qualification.
To be eligible to take the Fellowship examination, candidates must hold the Licentiate
qualification in the relevant genre and comply with the other criteria listed in
the relevant syllabi. Successful candidates may stand for election to their Faculty
Committee, apply to train as examiners of the relevant faculty, and apply to become
Approved Tutors to teach student teachers on the FDI and CDE programmes.