This table is updated annually to ensure that all teachers are aware of syllabus updates that apply from 1 October each year.
Upcoming updates are also included, where relevant.
Please click on the relevant faculty and the table of syllabus updates will appear.
Cecchetti Classical Ballet Faculty ➧
| Syllabus updates | Where to find further information |
| Syllabus outline and mark schemes have been collated into our new specification. | Available from November 2025. |
| Cecchetti Performance Awards are being retitled to “Cecchetti Awards” | This will be included in the new Cecchetti Specification, and the new award title will begin from 1 January 2026. |
| Cecchetti Senior Certificate 1 has been regulated with UCAS points attached at Level 3. New recommended dancer levels for Standards. |
This will be included in the new Cecchetti Specification and be on the UCAS tariff from 1 January 2026 Download specification here. |
Classical Greek Faculty ➧
| Syllabus updates | Where to find further information |
| No syllabus changes/updates have been made but a re-proofed outline for teacher clarity | Download syllabus outline here. |
Classical Indian Dance Faculty ➧
| Syllabus updates | Where to find further information |
| Bharatanatyam and Kathak Grade 1-6 Examinations: revised exam format with rebalanced Theory and File components. A new standalone regulated Level 3 Theory exam introduced for candidates entering exams from 1 April 2026. | Available from December 2025. |
| Vocational Age changes for Advanced 1 and 2 Recommended minimum age for Advanced 1 and Advanced 2 has been adjusted to 13 years for both levels. Intermediate Foundation and Intermediate remain unchanged: Intermediate Foundation: recommended age 11 years. Intermediate: recommended age 12 years. If you have any questions, please contact your relevant Exams Department. |
New Vocational Syllabus Outline available from December 2025 and new ages recommendations for Advanced 1 and 2 are in place for exams from 1 October 2025: |
Imperial Classical Ballet Faculty ➧
| Syllabus updates | Where to find further information |
| Grade 6 Ballet exam format changes Please note there are no changes to Primary Graded, Class, Vocational or Teaching Qualifications |
Download the updated specification and webinar Specification: https://www.istd.org/documents/imperial-classical-ballet-specification/istd-icb-class-exams-grades-vocational-specification-s0700-v1.3-feb-2025-1-.pdf Webinar: Teaching tools and advice - Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing |
Modern Theatre Faculty ➧
| Syllabus updates | Where to find further information |
| Primary to Grade 6 exam format changes – Reminder to check specification for exam format changes – especially Primary, Grade 1 and Grade 2 |
Download specification |
| Reminder of the new Modern Theatre Glossary | Download glossary |
| Bronze and Silver Jazz Awards Teacher Support film for amalgamations | Access the video here |
| Recommended Playlists | Modern Theatre Playlists - Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing |
National Faculty ➧
| Syllabus updates | Where to find further information |
| No syllabus changes/updates have been made | Download syllabus outline here |
Tap Faculty ➧
| Syllabus updates | Where to find further information |
| New Advanced 1 Tap: examined from 1st October 2025 Advanced 1 film soon to be published Current Advanced 1 Tap: last date for exam entry is 30th September 2026 |
Download specification here |
| New Tap Class exams: examined from 1st October 2025 – check the new specification and webinar for full details |
Download the Class specification and webinar here: Teaching tools and advice - Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing |
| Reminder to check Grade 1-6 for exam format changes | Download the specification here |
| Recommended Playlists | Download here: Tap Playlists - Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing |
Disco, Freestyle & Rock & Roll ➧
| Syllabus updates | Where to find further information |
| A new Grades Specification Document has been created to accompany a slight revision and format order for Grades 1-6 | New Specification available from November 2025 |
| Grade 1 and Grade 2 have had some small revisions of content, no change to content, but a couple of elements have been removed or reduced for these lower grade examinations (all modifications have an impact on only the Musical Appreciation sections of the examinations) |
This will be included in the new DFR Grades Specification and will become active in examinations from 1st January 2026 |
| Grades Format Change All Graded examinations have had a slight format change and clarification. This will be reflected in the new DFR Grades Specification document as well as the newly updated Grades 1-3 Syllabus Book |
New Grades 1 – 3 book to be available |
Ballroom ➧
| Syllabus updates | Where to find further information |
| No syllabus changes/updates have been made |
Latin American ➧
| Syllabus updates | Where to find further information |
| No syllabus changes/updates have been made |
Sequence ➧
| Syllabus updates | Where to find further information |
| No syllabus changes/updates have been made |
Theatre Faculty Playlists
The playlists listed below are presently available for use in examinations and can be accessed via “MyISTD” as well as through the private Teachers Facebook groups. Certain levels remain under development, and these are indicated below.
Tap ➧
| Grade | Notes |
| Bronze Awards | Access them here |
| Silver Awards | Access them here |
| Gold Awards | Access them here |
| Pre Primary | Suggested tracks in research and trials with Faculty |
| Primary | Suggested tracks in research and trials with Faculty |
| Grade 1 | Suggested tracks in research and trials with Faculty |
| Grade 2 | Suggested tracks in research and trials with Faculty |
| Grade 3 | Suggested tracks in research and trials with Faculty |
| Grade 4 | Access them here |
| Grade 5 | Access them here |
| Grade 6 | Access them here |
| Intermediate | Access them here |
| Advanced 1 (old) | Access them here |
| Advanced 1 (new) | Available upon attending the relevant course. Please contact coursebookings@istd.org |
| Advanced 2 | Set music used in examinations |
| PTT Level 1-6 | Suggested tracks in research and trials with Faculty |
| PTT Medals | Suggested tracks in research and trials with Faculty |
