Ofqual, CCEA, Qualifications Wales, RQF
The following IDTA graded and vocational graded qualifications are recognised by the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator (Ofqual) CCEA the regulator for Northern Ireland and Qualifications Wales, and appear on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).
Graded qualifications
Ballet, Tap, Modern Jazz, Theatre Craft, Ballroom, Latin, Classical Sequence and Freestyle
| Grade | Level | Title | Credit Value | Guided Learning Hours | Total Qualification Time |
| 1 | 1 | Award | 7 | 60 | 70 |
| 2 | 1 | Award | 7 | 60 | 70 |
| 3 | 1 | Award | 7 | 60 | 70 |
| 4 | 2 | Award | 10 | 75 | 95 |
| 5 | 2 | Award | 10 | 75 | 95 |
Vocational graded qualifications
Ballet, Tap, Modern Jazz, Theatre Craft
| Grade | Level | Title | Credit Value | Guided Learning Hours | Total Qualification Time |
| Intermediate | 3 | Certificate | 28 | 150 | 275 |
| Advanced 1 | 4 | Certificate | 33 | 150 | 325 |
| Advanced 2 | 4 | Diploma | 38 | 150 | 375 |
Attainment bands for all the above examinations are Unsuccessful, Pass, Merit and Distinction.
Grade and Vocational Graded Qualifications
The qualification specifications are available to view or download. The full IDTA syllabi and technique books are available from IDTA Sales Ltd.
IDTA candidates for IDTA examinations must be entered for their chosen examination by their dance school principal, who is an IDTA member, using the IDTA Examination Session Request Form.
The IDTA will appoint an examiner to attend the school on the requested/agreed date(s) to conduct the examinations. The report forms will be completed by the examiner and returned to IDTA Head Office for processing. The reports will be returned to the school principal with the appropriate certificate and award for distribution.
The IDTA certificates for the regulated graded and vocational graded qualifications will bear the Ofqual and Qualifications Wales logos. Certificates for other IDTA examinations will bear the IDTA logo only.
Pre-Associate examinations
The IDTA offers Pre-Associate examinations for candidates wishing to study to become a dance teacher with the Association. The examinations are designed to prepare the candidate for the Associate teaching examinations or the IDTA Level 4 Diploma in Dance Teaching (available from April 2016).
ULN – Unique Learner Number
The Unique Learner Number is a unique 10 digit number supplied to anyone aged 14 years and over who is involved in education and training in the UK. It is the responsibility of the centre (dance school/college) principal to provide the ULN on the report form if the IDTA training course and examinations are funded, or if the candidate wishes their results recorded on the their Personal Learning Record by the Learning Records Service.
For further information on ULN, contact IDTA Head Office for an information leaflet.
The ULN should not be confused with the IDTA Pin Number, which should still be provided.
Guidance for teachers and dance schools on publicising IDTA qualifications
The IDTA is an awarding organisation recognised by Ofqual, CCEA and Qualifications Wales to offer qualifications in the Regulated Qualification Framework. Ofqual and Qualifications Wales set out a number of rules and requirements about the use of their names and how IDTA may refer to its recognised status in publications or on its website.
The purpose of this guidance is to help teachers and dance schools to give clear information to candidates and parents so that they are not misled in their choice of award or qualification.
Use of regulatory authority name:
The regulatory authority name may be used in publications or on websites (for example referring to IDTA as a recognised awarding organisation).
References to regulated qualifications:
Information about regulated qualifications offered by IDTA should be clear. For example a Graded Examination in Dance can be referred to as regulated, but a Medal Test cannot.
Use of regulatory authority logos:
The regulatory authorities’ logos can only be used on certificates produced by IDTA. The logo cannot be used on any publicity materials, publications or on websites.
Additional information
Please see below links to the IDTA policies. Questions or further guidance can be requested from IDTA Head Office.
Appeals policy updated April 2024
Complaints procedure updated June 2024
Equal opportunities policy updated February 2018
Ofqual Guidance for IDTA members and staff updated May 2016
Malpractice policy updated December 2023
IDTA reasonable adjustments and special considerations policy June 2024
All about unique learner numbers Sep 2015
UK Examination Fees
The fee stated is charged by the IDTA to the member teacher per pupil per examination. The IDTA provides a report form and certificate and/or award as appropriate. There will be additional charges added to these fees by the teacher to cover all overheads e.g. administration costs, staff costs, heating/lighting, studio costs, Public Liabilty Insurance etc… and this will vary from school to school and region to region.
- UK Examination fees – Theatre branch (2025): PDF (printer-friendly)
- UK Examination fees – Ballroom branch (2025): PDF (printer-friendly)
- UK Examination fees – Freestyle branch (2025): PDF (printer-friendly)
For international examination fees lists please contact Head Office.
Enquiries and request for information
Please contact IDTA Head Office if you have any questions. Contact us by email using our Contact Form or telephone: 01273 685652.
Head Office hours are Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 4.30 pm (lunch 12.30-1.00 pm).
What is the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF)
The Regulated Qualifications Framework has replaced the Qualifications and Credit Framework, which was one of two frameworks used by the regulatory authorities and the Government to show the relationship between different sorts of qualifications, the other being the National Qualifications Framework.
The Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) allows anyone to search for regulated qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. www.gov.uk/find-a-regulated-qualification
What is credit?
When the Qualifications and Credit Framework was established it worked on a currency of “credit” which is based on 1 credit for every 10 hours of learning (both taught and private study). Units in the QCF all have a credit value which indicates the amount of learning needing to be undertaken to achieve the unit.
How is it worked out?
Credit values are developed by looking at the content of the unit and making a judgment about how long the average learner will take to achieve it. There is no fixed formula or calculation that is used. Awarding Organisations use a range of experts who have knowledge of the sector area and delivering similar content to come up with credit values that reflect the level of difficulty and amount of content.
What are Guided Learning Hours?
Guided Learning Hours are sometimes called “taught time” in that they are the number of hours of contact time between a teacher/tutor and the learner. Guided Learning Hours are a useful indicator of how much time is needed to teach a learner the content of a unit so that providers can put together appropriate timetables and timescales for the delivery of qualifications.
Guided Learning Hours are usually added to any private study time to work out the credit value of a unit.
Guided Learning Hours have now been replaced with Total Qualification Time
Total Qualification Time (TQT) is a measure of the time typically taken for an average learner to complete a qualification. It is aligned with the enforcement of Raising the Participation Age (RPA) of young people meaning that they will need to prove that they are in full time education until they are 18. One way of doing this is to show that they have sufficient contact time in a school or college to make up the hours required for full-time education.
Section 145 of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 imposes a duty on awarding organisations to determine whether a qualification is, or is likely to be, taken by a young person for RPA purposes, and, if so, to set out how many “hours of guided learning” students will need to complete the qualification.
Total Qualification Time is made up of:
Guided Learning: which is the time set aside for directing, teaching or supervising learners.
“Other learning”: which includes any other learning which contributes to the qualification but which is not carried out under the direction, teaching or supervision of a teacher/trainer.
Awarding organisations are tasked with allocating Total Qualification Time to their qualifications. This involves consulting those who use the qualifications to assess whether the figures for Total Qualification Time are broadly representative of the time taken by an average learner in practice.
The number of learning hours assigned to qualifications is also used by funding agencies and UCAS to determine the amount of funding or allocation of UCAS points to a qualification.
How does credit relate to other measures?
Level
Credit is not an indicator of level. Credit is simply a measure of the time taken to achieve the unit or qualification. The level is indicated separately. In England, there are 9 ranging from Entry level to level 8.
Grade (examination result)
Credit is not an indicator of how well someone has achieved a unit or qualification. So you don’t get more credit for getting a merit or distinction.
Size of qualification (Award, Certificate or Diploma)
Credit is a measure of the size of a qualification as it shows the time needed to complete it. In the Qualifications and Credit Framework, there are requirements for titling qualifications according to their credit value:
| Award | Certificate | Diploma |
| 1-12 credits | 13-36 credits | 37 credits and above |
UCAS tariff points
Credit is used by Awarding Organisations applying for UCAS tariff points to show the size of a qualification (ie how much time it takes to complete). However, it is only one of several areas considered by UCAS when making judgments about how many tariff points a qualification merits. They also look at the level of demand (difficulty) and the range of skills, knowledge and understanding in a qualification.
What are Unique Learner Numbers?
The Unique Learner Number (ULN) is a 10-digit reference number used to identify an individual learner, and is used to access the Personal Learning Record (PLR) of anyone over the age of 14 involved in UK education or training. Learners retain the number throughout their lives, whatever their level of learning and wherever they participate in education, training and learning.
All school leavers are automatically provided with a ULN (except for private school leavers). It can be found on their results slips or exam certificates.
How are Unique Learner Numbers different from other numbers issued to candidates?
The ULN is the only number that is issued on a national basis. Any other numbers (for example PIN numbers, UCI – Unique Candidate Identifier etc) are issued either by an individual awarding body or by a centre (school or college). They can only be used to transfer data in certain situations – for example the UCI is used across GCSE and A level awarding bodies to transfer achievement between those qualifications.
What is the Personal Learning Record?
The Personal Learning Record (PLR) is a database which shows records of the achievements of individual learners from when they were at school, college or a recognised further education training provider from 14+ years.
The PLR allows individual learners access to their past and current achievement records. It can share records with the school, college, further education training provider, university or employer.
Schools, colleges, further education training providers and universities staff can use the PLR to directly access records for individuals making applications or studying at their organisations. They will typically use the PLR to verify learners’ qualifications because it’s quicker and easier than reviewing and checking certificates, so speeds up the application process. They can quickly build up a picture of an individual’s achievement to give the best next-step education or careers advice and/or ensure the individual receives all the public funding to which they are entitled.
UCAS tariff points for IDTA Level 3 Qualifications
The UCAS Tariff points applicable to higher education courses are listed below. Please note that tariff points are only allocated for regulated qualifications at level 3 in the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).
The tariff has been calculated based on the size of the qualification and the grade awarded. There are 4 size bands and 12 grade bands which are calculated based on A level and AS level grades. The size band and the grade band for each qualification are multiplied to obtain the tariff points.
Graded and Vocational Graded Examinations
The tariff points for Graded and Vocational Graded Examinations at Level 3 are shown in the table below.
| Grade 8 | Grade 7 | Grade 6 | |
| Distinction | 20 | 16 | 12 |
| Merit | 18 | 14 | 10 |
| Pass | 16 | 12 | 8 |
| Advanced Foundation | Intermediate | |
| Distinction | 24 | 20 |
| Merit | 20 | 14 |
| Pass | 16 | 8 |
Level 3 Diploma for Dance Teaching Assistants
The tariff points for the Level 3 Diploma for Dance Teaching Assistants are shown in the table below.
| Distinction | 24 |
| Merit | 16 |
| Pass | 8 |
Level 3 Certificates in Progressive Tap Dance and Classical Ballet Performance
For higher education entry from September 2025, these qualifications have been added to the Tariff and the points are shown in the table below.
Level 3 Certificate in Progressive Tap Dance
| Distinction | 12 |
| Merit | 8 |
| Pass | 4 |
Level 3 Certificate in Classical Ballet Performance
| Distinction | 12 |
| Merit | 8 |
| Pass | 4 |
Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Classical Ballet Performance
| Distinction | 12 |
| Merit | 8 |
| Pass | 4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are UCAS tariff points universally accepted by Universities?
Not necessarily. Every University is self-governing which means that individual Universities will have their own policies and procedures for dealing with applications from prospective students.
What should candidates do if they want to use my tariff points on an application?
We would strongly advise that they contact the Universities that they are applying to and talk to the Admissions staff about their application. The University will be able to advise them about whether their tariff points will count towards their application.
What happens if a University doesn’t accept the tariff points for Dance?
For some Universities and some courses the tariff points may not count in themselves, but that doesn’t mean that the qualifications shouldn’t form part of the application. Having a range of skills, knowledge and understanding and other interests will all make a difference to a personal statement. Some Universities will like the fact that prospective students have a range of other interests outside of the course they are applying for.
Which qualifications count towards the tariff points?
For entry from September 2023, all qualifications at level 3 in the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) will be allocated tariff points. From September 2023, the level 3 Diploma for Dance Teaching Assistants will be eligible for UCAS tariff points. Graded or vocational graded examinations gained after 1st January 2013 are eligible for UCAS tariff points.
Where can I find out further information?
Further information about the UCAS tariff can be found at the UCAS website: www.ucas.com.
A full list of the tariff tables can be found here: https://www.ucas.com/advisers/guides-and-resources/information-new-ucas-tariff-advisers
Frameworks and Level comparison
The attached documents explain how IDTA regulated examinations which are listed on the RQF at Levels 1-4 compare with other frameworks, for example the European Qualifications Framework, the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework and the Higher Education Qualifications Framework. We hope this information is of assistance.
Click to download: Qualifications Can Cross Boundaries
Click to download: Frameworks Table