1 September 2026
Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD) and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) are proud to announce a new validated higher education partnership that will launch a BA (Hons) Professional Dance Teaching and Education (Level 6 Top-Up Degree), to be delivered by ISTD Academy from September 2027.
This innovative programme represents a significant milestone in professional dance teacher education, creating a new honours-level pathway for experienced dance teachers to advance their pedagogical expertise, leadership skills and professional practice.
Combining ISTD’s internationally respected teacher training with NSCD’s higher education expertise, the programme is designed to develop reflective, inclusive and industry-ready dance educators equipped to lead the future of dance teaching.
Ginny Brown, ISTD Chief Executive
ISTD is a leader in teacher training, certifying 570 initial teaching qualifications in 2025 and enrolling over 750 learners onto the Level 4 Diploma in Dance Education.
“At ISTD, dance teaching is at the heart of everything we do,” explains Ginny Brown, ISTD Chief Executive. “This exciting new degree programme reflects our commitment to raising professional standards and creating clear progression routes for dance teachers, wherever they are in their careers.
“Dance teaching is a highly skilled profession and, by working in partnership with leading education providers, we can combine our specialist expertise in dance teaching with innovative approaches to learning, ensuring that aspiring teachers have access to flexible, relevant and industry-recognised training.”
Darren Carr, Vice Principal and Director of Higher Education at NSCD
“This partnership represents an important step in our strategic vision to broaden access to high-quality specialist higher education and strengthen pathways into sustainable careers across the dance sector.
“By bringing together NSCD’s expertise in higher education with ISTD’s global reputation for dance teacher training, we are creating a distinctive opportunity for practitioners to achieve honours-level study while advancing their professional teaching practice.
“Together, we are helping to shape the future of dance education by developing confident, reflective and innovative dance educators who will inspire the next generation of learners.”
Julie Campbell, ISTD Director of Education
“What makes this programme particularly distinctive is its focus on individual development. Through personalised mentorship, students will be supported to refine their own teaching practice, develop critical and reflective skills, and build the confidence to become leaders in dance education.
“The degree is intentionally inclusive and non-genre specific, making it relevant to teachers from a wide range of dance backgrounds, both in the UK and internationally.
“Together with NSCD, we are creating a new generation of highly qualified dance educators who will play a vital role in inspiring learners, strengthening the profession and shaping the future of dance teaching worldwide.”
