UKA Dance

What UKA Dance does

UKA Dance (UKADance Ltd) is a UK-based dance awarding body headquartered in Blackpool, founded in 1904 and operating for over 120 years. The organisation develops and disseminates dance syllabi, technique books, DVDs, and CDs across multiple genres — including niche and rare styles — and administers graded examinations, professional qualifications, and competitive dance events. Its primary customers are dance teachers and dance schools, supported through a membership model supplemented by examination entry fees and event participation fees.

The company holds formal regulatory recognition through Ofqual- and SQA-approved Regulated Grades, and is validated by the Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre. It maintains corporate memberships with the British Dance Council, the Sports and Recreation Alliance, and RSOBHD, positioning it within the recognised UK dance education infrastructure. In 2025, UKA launched new Preparatory and Primary grade syllabi in Ballet, Tap, and Jazz in partnership with Teach.Dance, replacing its legacy Preliminary grade structure.

UKA Dance monetises through a diversified mix of annual membership subscriptions, e-commerce sales of proprietary syllabi and media, per-candidate examination entry fees, and event/competition fees. It also operates an International member segment and has established channel partnerships, including with IDS Dancewear for uniform and dancewear distribution, and with the McNeal Method for social-media-led teacher outreach. Headcount sits in the 11–50 employee range, consistent with a small private awarding body serving tens of thousands of members across the UK and internationally.

Name

UKA Dance

Legal name

UKADance Ltd

Website

https://ukadance.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1904

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

UKA Dance is a UK-based dance awarding body founded in 1904 that develops syllabi, graded examinations, and qualifications across multiple dance genres for dance teachers and schools, with Ofqual- and SQA-approved regulated grades.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dance Education & Qualifications

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAMAAAH

Dance Education (Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Cultural Dance)

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Arts & Creative Enrichment (Visual Arts, Music, Theater, Dance)

SECONDARYEDAAAGAD

Dance & Movement (Ballroom, Contemporary, Social Dance)

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Personal Enrichment & Hobby Learning (Arts, Crafts, Music, Cooking)

Keywords

• Dance awarding body
• Dance examinations
• Dance syllabi
• Dance teaching qualifications
• Graded dance assessments

Headquarters

HQ city

Blackpool

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. E-commerce Sales (Syllabi, Books, DVDs, CDs): Online shop selling dance syllabi, technique books, examination DVDs, music CDs, and packages for various dance styles including Ballroom, Latin, Highland, Theatre, Street, Freestyle, and Classical Sequence.
2. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership fees for dance teachers providing access to examination services, qualification pathways, and member resources.
3. Examination and Assessment Fees: Fees for professional examinations, amateur assessments, regulated grades, and medal tests across all dance genres offered.
4. Event Entry Fees: Registration fees for competitions including Ballroom & Latin Competitions, Theatre Performer of the Year, and Premier Festival.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

UKA Dance is a UK dance awarding body that validates dance teaching qualifications and delivers graded examinations across more than ten dance styles. It sells syllabi, technique books, instructional DVDs, music CDs, and achievement awards via its members-only shop, and administers membership subscriptions, examination/assessment services, and a calendar of competitions and festivals. Regulated Grades are processed under Ofqual and SQA guidelines in partnership with RSL Awards.

Product overview

UKA Dance is a dance awarding body and examination organization that offers a comprehensive portfolio of dance syllabi, instructional materials, and professional qualifications across multiple dance disciplines. The core offering consists of syllabi and technique books for various dance styles (Highland, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Ballroom, Latin, Freestyle, Street, Cheerdance, Club Dance, Classical Sequence, Rock 'n' Roll, Contemporary, Drama, Musical Theatre, and more). Supporting products include instructional DVDs and videos for exam preparation, music CDs for graded examinations, and achievement awards. The organization validates qualifications through professional examinations and amateur assessments, operating a members-only shop for purchasing syllabi, books, DVDs, and music. Recent expansion includes a partnership with Teach.Dance for new Preparatory and Primary grades in Ballet, Tap, and Jazz with digital video content.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Teach.Dance: A collaboration partnership with Teach.Dance providing online syllabi and teaching videos for Ballet, Tap, and Jazz Preparatory and Primary grades.

Products and services

• Argentine Tango Technique Book Contains amateur and professional syllabus for Argentine Tango dancing, including technique instructions. Sold to dance teachers preparing students for UKA examinations.
• Classical Sequence Technique Book The Theory and Technique of Classical Sequence Dancing, includes all charts for dances and syllabus for Teacher's exams. Sold to dance teachers.
• Argentine Tango Bronze DVD DVD showing Bronze level routines for Argentine Tango, covering structure/posture, rhythm, weight changes, basic steps, and technical details. Sold to dance teachers and students.
• Argentine Tango Silver DVD DVD showing Silver level routines for Argentine Tango, covering rhythmic expressions, calesita, ocho progressions, cruzada, and advanced techniques. Sold to dance teachers and students.
• Classical Sequence CD Music CD 'Classical Sequence 2012' by Jon Canning for Old Time/Classical Sequence dance with modern tracks. Sold to dance teachers and students.
• Ballroom Q&A Book Sample questions for Professional Examinations in Ballroom dancing. Sold to dance teachers preparing for UKA Ballroom professional exams.
• Ballroom Technique Book Contains all Professional Syllabus for Waltz, Slow Foxtrot, Quickstep, Tango, and includes Licentiate & Fellowship syllabuses for Viennese Waltz. Sold to dance teachers.
• Rock 'N' Roll Package Value bundle containing the Rock 'N' Roll Technique Book and Rock 'N' Roll DVD. Sold to dance teachers and students.
• Baby Ted Award Certificates and stickers for very young children not ready for formal tests. Includes 20 A5 certificates and 80 stickers. Sold to dance teachers for pre-grade pupils.
• Ballet Grades Syllabus Syllabus containing Ballet Grades 1 through 8, plus example routines for exam sessions. Sold to dance teachers.
• Ballet Majors Syllabus Syllabus containing Ballet Majors: Pre-Elementary, Elementary, Intermediate & Advanced. Also serves as syllabus for Professional exams. Sold to dance teachers.
• Latin Technique Book Contains all Professional Syllabus for Rumba, Samba, Paso Doble, Cha Cha Cha & Jive. Sold to dance teachers.
• Rock 'N' Roll Technique Book Contains syllabus for professional exams, evolution of rock 'n' roll, basic holds, actions & steps, and suggested routines for exams. Sold to dance teachers.
• Rock 'N' Roll DVD DVD showing basic body positions, holds, actions, steps, acrobatic steps, and suggested routines. Sold to dance teachers and students.
• AcroDance Grades Syllabus Syllabus containing AcroDance Grades work for examinations. Sold to dance teachers.
• AcroDance Medals Syllabus Syllabus containing AcroDance Medals work for examinations. Teachers must hold relevant acrobatic/gymnastic qualification. Sold to dance teachers.
• Hip-Hop & Street Technique Book Complete guide to hip-hop & street dance including routines, history, anatomy & physiology, and pro syllabus. Contains syllabus for Professional/Teacher's exams. Sold to dance teachers.
• Freestyle Technique Book Guide to freestyle dance including history, anatomy and physiology, syllabus for amateur & pro exams, and music in relation to dance. Contains Professional/Teacher's exam syllabus. Sold to dance teachers.
• Cheer Technique Book Thorough guide to cheer dance including history, anatomy and physiology, syllabus for amateur & professional exams. Sold to dance teachers.
• Drama Grades Syllabus Syllabus containing Drama Grades Preliminary 1 through to Grade 8, plus routines for exams. Sold to dance and drama teachers.
• Drama Professional Syllabus Syllabus for professional drama examinations. Sold to drama teachers.
• Contemporary Syllabus (Associate) Syllabus for the Associate Contemporary examination. Sold to dance teachers.
• Catwalk Confidence Syllabus Routines necessary for the exam system with pictures and notes. Sold to dance teachers.
• Jazz Majors Syllabus Syllabus containing Jazz Majors: Elementary, Intermediate & Advanced. Also serves as syllabus for Professional exams. Sold to dance teachers.
• Musical Theatre Grades Syllabus Syllabus for Musical Theatre from Preliminary 1 through to Grade 8 and exam sessions. Sold to dance and theatre teachers.
• Musical Theatre Teaching Syllabus Syllabus for professional Musical Theatre examinations. Sold to dance and theatre teachers.
• Musical Theatre Videos Videos showing different levels in Musical Theatre, available via email, USB drive, or DVD. Sold to dance and theatre teachers and students.
• Tap Grades Syllabus Syllabus containing Tap Grades 1 through 8, plus routines for exams. Available as PDF version emailed to purchaser. Sold to dance teachers.
• Tap Majors Syllabus Syllabus containing Tap Majors: Pre-Elementary, Elementary, Intermediate & Advanced. Also serves as syllabus for Professional exams. Sold to dance teachers.
• Tap Grades Videos Videos showing Tap Grades 1 through 8, available via email, USB drive, or DVD. Sold to dance teachers and students.
• Tap Grades Music Compulsory music for Regulated & Domestic Tap Graded exams, available as MP3 via email, USB drive, or CDs. Sold to dance teachers.
• Ballet Grades Music Compulsory music for Regulated & Domestic Ballet Graded examinations. Sold to dance teachers.
• Ballet Grades Videos Videos showing Ballet Grades 1 through 8, available via email, USB drive, or DVD. Sold to dance teachers and students.
• Highland Grades Videos Videos showing Regulated Grades 1-8 in Highland dancing, available on DVD, USB, or via email. Sold to dance teachers and students.
• Highland, National & Hebridean Syllabus (Physical) Physical book containing Highland syllabus for exams, National Dance Awards, Hebridean Dances, Sailors Hornpipe & Irish Jig, Regulated Grades, and professional Highland & National syllabus. Updated March 2026. Sold to dance teachers.
• Highland, National & Hebridean Syllabus (PDF) PDF version of Highland, National & Hebridean syllabus, delivered via email. Sold to dance teachers.
• Scottish Country Dancing Syllabus Syllabus for amateur & professional exams in Scottish Country Dancing. Sold to dance teachers.
• Majorettes Syllabus Syllabus for Majorettes examinations. Sold to dance teachers.
• Salsa Technique Book Contains step names, holds, characterisation (Cuban Motion), and charts for Merengue, Salsa & Mambo. Sold to dance teachers.
• Performing Arts Syllabus Assessment units for exam sessions with descriptions of each unit. Sold to dance teachers.
• Your Body In Dance Book Essential information for dance teachers about anatomy and physiology of the human body. Sold to dance teachers.
• UKA Dance Teacher Membership Annual membership subscription for dance teachers providing access to examination services, qualification pathways, and member resources. Teachers join either via assessment (purchasing syllabi and submitting video demonstrations plus a Zoom assessment with a UKA examiner) or via the Qualification Recognition Scheme if they hold qualifications from other recognised dance bodies.
• UKA Dance Examinations and Assessments Professional examinations, amateur assessments, regulated grades, and medal tests across all dance genres offered (Highland, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Ballroom, Latin, Freestyle, Street, Cheer Dance, Theatre, Rock 'n' Roll, Classical Sequence, Scottish Country, and more). Regulated Grades processed under Ofqual and SQA guidelines via RSL Awards. Sold to UKA members and their students.
• UKA Dance Competitions and Events Calendar of competitions and events across the UK, including Ballroom & Latin Competitions, Theatre Performer of the Year, Premier Festival, Highland Championships, and regional events in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Whitby, Wythenshawe, Blackpool, and Canvey Island. Entry fees apply.
• UKA Annual Conference Annual conference held in Blackpool featuring workshops, a dinner/dance, and networking opportunities for dance teachers and members.
• Preparatory and Primary Grades - Ballet, Tap, Jazz Brand-new Preparatory and Primary grades for Ballet, Tap, and Jazz dance styles, launched in collaboration with Teach.Dance. Includes updated syllabi and professionally filmed teaching videos with instant online access via the Teach.Dance website and mobile app (Apple/Android). UKA members receive discount codes. Due to legal requirements, current Preliminary grades will no longer be examined after 31st August 2025.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Teach.DancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 August 2025Brand-new collaboration launching new Preparatory and Primary grades in Ballet, Tap, and Jazz with professionally filmed teaching videos and instant online access. UKA members receive discount codes for purchases.
• McNeal MethodminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 July 2025Cate McNeal from McNeal Method provided a free dance-specific social media resource for UKA members at the 2025 Conference to help with business marketing.
• Council for Dance, Drama and Musical TheatrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUKA is an awarding body validated by the Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre, providing official recognition of their dance teaching qualifications and examination services.
• British Dance CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUKA is a corporate member of the British Dance Council, the governing body for ballroom and latin dancing in the UK.
• Sports and Recreation AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUKA is a corporate member of the Sports and Recreation Alliance, the trade body for the sport and recreation sector.
• Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing (RSOBHD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUKA displays RSOBHD logo on their website indicating partnership in Highland dancing standards and examinations.
• RSL AwardscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegulated Grades information shared with RSL Awards for overseeing and ratifying Regulated Grades and Level 4 qualifications that UKA offers. Processed in accordance with Ofqual and SQA guidelines.
• DPDminorOthersParcel delivery service used for sending awards and certificates to customers.
• Parcel ForceminorOthersParcel delivery service used for sending awards and certificates to customers.
• Royal MailminorOthersParcel delivery service used for sending awards and certificates to customers.
• IDS (International Dance Supplies)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial supplier of all UKA dancewear. UKA redirects members to IDS online store for dancewear purchases.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD): ISTD is a major UK-based dance awarding body offering examinations and qualifications across a wide range of dance styles, including ballroom, Latin, ballet, tap, and modern theatre. It directly competes with UKA Dance across multiple genres and serves the same dance teacher and school customer base.
• International Dance Teachers' Association (IDTA): IDTA is a UK dance awarding organisation providing qualifications for dance teachers across many genres, including ballroom, Latin, freestyle, and rock 'n' roll. It competes directly with UKA in the examination and teacher qualification market with overlapping genre coverage.
• British Ballet Organization (BBO): BBO is a UK dance examination and awarding body offering graded and vocational examinations primarily in ballet, with additional offerings in other dance styles. It competes with UKA in the dance teacher qualification space, particularly for ballet syllabi and examinations.
• Royal Academy of Dance (RAD): RAD is one of the largest and most internationally recognised dance awarding bodies, offering graded examinations and teacher qualifications across ballet and other genres. It is a direct competitor to UKA Dance in the dance teacher qualification and examination market, particularly in the UK.
• National Association of Teachers of Dancing (NATD): NATD is a UK-based dance awarding body offering examinations and teacher qualifications across multiple dance genres, including freestyle, ballroom, Latin, and theatre. It overlaps significantly with UKA's portfolio and competes for the same teacher and student customer base.
• Scottish Dance Teachers' Alliance (SDTA): SDTA is a Scotland-based dance awarding body offering examinations and teacher qualifications across multiple dance styles. It overlaps directly with UKA's Highland and Scottish Country Dance offerings and competes for teacher members in Scotland.
• British Dance Teachers Association (BDTA): BDTA is a UK dance awarding body offering examinations, medals, and teacher qualifications across multiple dance styles. It directly competes with UKA Dance for dance teacher memberships and student examination services.

Broad incumbents

• Trinity College London: Trinity College London is a major international awarding body offering graded examinations and qualifications across performing arts, including drama, musical theatre, and dance-related disciplines. It competes with UKA's drama and musical theatre offerings as part of a much broader portfolio of regulated qualifications.
• London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA): LAMDA is a major UK-based performing arts awarding organisation offering graded examinations and qualifications primarily in drama and communication, with overlap into musical theatre. It competes with UKA's drama and musical theatre syllabi as part of a larger regulated qualification portfolio.

Emerging players

• Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing (CSTD): CSTD is an Australasia-rooted dance examining body offering syllabi and examinations across ballet, jazz, tap, and contemporary dance. While geographically focused on Australia and Asia-Pacific, it represents a comparable awarding body model and competes for international dance teacher members who might otherwise join UKA.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ukadance
• Facebookfacebook.com/danceuka
• Instagraminstagram.com/ukadance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/uka-limited

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about UKA Dance