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Dance teacher

Alternative titles for this job include

Dance teachers train and develop their students in all types of dance.

Average salary (a year)

Variable

Typical hours (a week)

30 to 37 variable

You could work

evenings / weekends attending events or appointments

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • working towards this role

University

You'll need a relevant degree in dance or performing arts. There are some degrees in dance that include teacher training. To teach in a state school you'll usually need qualified teacher status (QTS).

As a primary teacher, you'll train to teach all subjects and could develop a subject specialism in physical education, which may include dance or creative movement.

At secondary level you could teach dance as a single subject or combine it with other subjects like physical education, drama or performing arts.

To be a lecturer in a university or conservatoire, you'll need a postgraduate qualification or a recognised profile as a professional performer, along with teaching experience.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths
  • 3 A levels or equivalent

More Information

College

To teach in a further education college, or as a sessional tutor in schools or private education, you’ll need a minimum of a level 3 qualification in dance.

You'll improve your chances of employment by doing a professional qualification with a recognised dance awarding organisation, such as:

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

More Information

Work

You could work your way into this role if you've got several years' experience in dance.

You could start as an assistant in a private dance school and do teaching qualifications with a dance organisation approved by the Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre (CDMT).

If you're a qualified teacher but without dance subject knowledge, for example a PE teacher, you could also take a CDMT-approved course.

More Information

Registration

Career tips

You can search for jobs in schools through the Teaching Vacancies service.

You can get advice about training to be a dance fitness instructor from EMDUK.

Professional and industry bodies

You can join One Dance UK for professional recognition, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a dance teacher from:

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of the fine arts
  • knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • leadership skills
  • the ability to teach pupils how to do something
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a dance teacher, you would:

  • plan and teach dance sessions
  • design dance pieces for individuals and group productions
  • keep records of students' performance and progress
  • assess students for dance exams
  • maintain your own dance skills and techniques

Working environment

You could work at a school, at a college, at a university, an independent training centre or in the community.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

In a school you could become a head of department or headteacher.

You might also move into:

  • choreography
  • dance production
  • dance movement psychotherapy
  • dance fitness training

As a private dance teacher you could develop your own business and run your own dance school.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a dance teacher right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Access to Higher Education Diploma (Teacher)

  • Provider: EAST SUSSEX COLLEGE GROUP
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: Eastbourne

Education (Teaching - Primary) - Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma

  • Provider: BLACKPOOL AND THE FYLDE COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: Blackpool
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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