The BTDA has a carefully structured series of awards to suit every age and level of student. The first level - Rose Award System - is designed to build confidence in candidates from 3 to 8 years old.

Click <here> to see full details of the BTDA's Rose Award System.

Rose Awards are a stepping stone to the comprehensive Medal Test System, Taking candidates from 'Medals' through 'Stars', 'Shields' and 'Statuettes' to the highest level 'Cups'.

Click <here> to see full details of the BTDA's Medal Test System.

Crystal Awards are a progressive set of awards that are based on the first five levels of the graded examinations of the BTDA programme of study.

Click <here> to see full details of the BTDA's Crystal Awards System.

A series of Non-Regulated and Regulated General Graded Examinations in Theatre Dance (regulated qualifications are awarded by the Graded Qualifications Alliance, GQAL) make up the next level. Students follow a carefully designed programme of study developed by BTDA that aims to develop amongst many things, personal expression, social and physical skills, teamwork and performance.

The disciplines of Classical Ballet, Tap, Modern Jazz, Greek, Lyrical and Acrobatic dance can be pursued with preliminary examinations starting at Pre-preparatory, then Preparatory, Primary and lastly to an Introduction to Grade 1.

Auxiliary subjects (in National Dance, Choreography, Modelling and Speech and Drama, Performing Arts and Educational Freestyle) take students from Preparatory and Primary levels, through several Grades and Diplomas depending on the subject chosen.

Awards for Graded Examinations are a Pass, Merit or Distiction.

Click <here> to see complete details of the General Graded
Examinations programme.

Vocational Graded Examinations in Theatre Dance are the highest level of qualification based on BTDA programmes, offered through the Graded Qualifications Alliance GQAL. Students can study the disciplines of Classical Ballet, Tap and Modern Jazz and commence at Intermediate level, through three advanced levels to the Diploma in Professional Development. The programmes aims to develop performance skills and technique, choreography, direction and teaching and the cultural and physiological aspects of dance.

Please note that the vocational examinations must be taken in order commencing with Intermediate, although we do accept the vocational qualifications a candidate has achieved with other accedited awarding bodies, please seek advise from Head Office in these instances.

To see a table demonstrating how the Graded Qualifications fit into the Qualifications and Credit Framework click <here>.

Click <here> for Dance Teachers Frequently Asked Questions