Gradings
Taekwondo consists of a series of Grades which are known as Kup and Dan. Kup grades are marked with belts and tags, a different colour for each one.
Once you have gained your first Dan (black belt), the journey has not ended, in fact it has just begun. There are years of hard training between each level of black belt or Dan as they are known. The gradings aim to demonstrate what you know and help you identify areas to work on. It”s a continuous learning process.
Kup Gradings
UTA NI Gradings from white belt (10th Kup) to red tag (1st Kup) are conducted quarterly by Master Glen Culbert 7th Dan WT:
- September
- December
- March
- June
| UTA NI Kup Grading Panel | ||
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| Master Glen R. Culbert 7th Dan |
Master Thomas Needham 6th Dan |
Master Peter Stewart 6th Dan |
Details of Grading Dates and times are passed to the students by club instructors.
Dan Gradings
UTA Dan Gradings (black belt) are conducted bi-annually by Grand Master TW Shin 9th Dan WT:
- April
- October
| UTA Dan Grading Panel | ||
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 |
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| Grand Master TW Shin 9th Dan |
Grand Master David Bailey 8th Dan | Master Peter Johnson 7th Dan |
Details of Grading Dates and times are passed to the students by club instructors.
Ranking System
| Belt | Kup Grade | Belt & Meaning |
 |
10th Kup
9th Kup |
White Belt
Signifies innocence as that of the beginning student who has no previous knowledge of Taekwondo |
 |
8th Kup
7th Kup |
Yellow Belt
Signifies the earth from which a plant sprouts and takes root as the foundations of Taekwondo are being laid |
 |
6th Kup
5th Kup |
Green Belt
Signifies the plants growth as Taekwondo skills begin to develop |
 |
4th Kup
3rd Kup |
Blue Belt
Signifies the heaven towards which the plant matures into a towering tree as training in Taekwondo progresses |
 |
2nd Kup
1st Kup |
Red Belt
Signifies danger cautioning the student to exercise control and warning opponents to stay away |
| Belt | Dan Grade | Belt & Meaning |
 |
1st Dan – 9th Dan | Black Belt
Opposite to White, therefore, signifies the maturity and proficiency in Taekwondo. Also indicates the wearer”s imperviousness to darkness and fear |
Requirements for Kup Gradings
- Applicants must have membership of UTA / UTA NI and hold a valid license and insurance The UTA (NI) Registrar will confirm membership for each applicant
- Applicants must hand in their Grading Application form with UTA Grading Booklet and valid License / insurance slip attached, plus grading fee
- Applicants must complete the required minimum training period and number of sessions between each grade
| Grade: from / to |
Minimum Training period |
Minimum Training Sessions / week |
Minimum Sessions between grades |
| 10th – 9th Kup | 3 Months | 2 Sessions per week | 26 Sessions |
| 9th – 8th Kup | 3 Months | 2 Sessions per week | 26 Sessions |
| 8th – 7th Kup | 3 Months | 2 Sessions per week | 26 Sessions |
| 7th – 6th Kup | 3 Months | 2 Sessions per week | 26 Sessions |
| 6th – 5th Kup | 3 Months | 2 Sessions per week | 32 Sessions |
| 5th – 4th Kup | 3 Months | 2 Sessions per week | 32 Sessions |
| 4th – 3rd Kup | 3 Months | 2 Sessions per week | 32 Sessions |
| 3rd – 2nd Kup | 3 Months | 2 Sessions per week | 32 Sessions |
| 2nd – 1st Kup | 6 Months | 2-3 Sessions per week | 60 Sessions + 80% of official technical classes |
- Students who received a weak standard result at the previous grading must have trained for a minimum of 6 months before being eligible to take the next grading
- Applicants must be recommended by their club Instructor
- Applicants 2nd Kup to 1st Kup are required to be recommended by their club instructor and the Area Chief Instructor
- Applicants must show correct attitude and etiquette throughout Taekwondo training
- Applicants must show support to Club, UTA NI and UTA
- Applicants must apply the Tenets of Taekwondo
Requirements for Dan / Poom Gradings
- Applicants must have Membership of UTA NI/ UTA and hold a valid license and insurance for a minimum of 12 Months before Grading date
- Applicants must hand in their Grading Application form with UTA Grading Booklet and valid License / insurance attached, plus Grading fee
- Applicants must have the required qualifications as set down in the Grading Syllabus and the 1st Kup and Dan Qualifying Conditions (Grading Policy: 002) before applying for the grading
- Applicants 1st Kup and above are required to be recommended by their Club Instructor and by the Area Chief Instructor (Master Glen Culbert 7th Dan)
- Applicants 3rd Dan and above are required to be recommended by the UTA (NI) Executive Committee, Area Chief Instructor and approved for grading by the Chief Instructor (Master T.W. Shin 8th Dan)
- Applicants must complete the required minim training period between each Grading
| Time & age limits for Poom / Dan Promotions | |||
| Poom / Dan: from / to | Min. Training Time | Age Limit for Promotion | Min. Sessions / week |
| 1st Kup – 1st Poom | 6 months | Below 15 yrs | 2-3 Sessions per week |
| 1st Poom – 2nd Poom | 2 years | Below 15 yrs | 2-3 Sessions per week |
| 2nd Poom – 3rd Poom | 3.5 years | Below 15 yrs | 2-3 Sessions per week |
| 1st Kup – 1st Dan | 6 months | Age 15 yrs + | 2-3 Sessions per week |
| 1st Dan – 2nd Dan | 2 years | Age 15 yrs + | 2-3 Sessions per week |
| 2nd Dan – 3rd Dan | 3.5 years | Age 15 yrs + | 2-3 Sessions per week |
| 3rd Dan – 4th Dan | 4 years | Age 18 yrs + | 3-4 Sessions per week |
| 4th Dan – 5th Dan | 4.5 years | Age 22 yrs + | 4-5 Sessions per week |
| 5th Dan – 6th Dan | 5 years | Age 30 yrs + | 4-5 Sessions per week |
- Applicants Require a minimum of 80% attendance at official Technical training sessions one year before date of grading
- Applicants require a minimum of 100% attendance at Master Training Seminars one year before grading date
- Applicants must show correct attitude and etiquette through out Taekwondo training
- Applicants must show support to their club, UTA NI, UTA and WTF
- Applicants must apply the Tenets of Taekwondo
Poom Recognition
A Poom holder under UTA rules shall wear a black and red belt and a black and red V neck uniform and a Dan holder shall wear a black belt and black V neck uniform. There is no difference in status between Dan and Poom grades only that a Poom is a junior member. He/she will still take their earned place i.e. 2nd Poom above 1st Dan belt in all aspects.
A Poom grade holder on becoming 15 years old will become a Dan grade holder.
If a Poom holder who has passed the age of 15 applies for a promotion to a next higher Dan grade, the required period of training shall be calculated from the first day when he/she obtained the present grade. However, when a 3rd Poom holder wants to be promoted to the 4th Dan, his/her age shall be over 18 years.
5Grading Costs
Kup Grading fees
| Grade | UTA Fee |
| 10th Kup – 9th Kup | £25 |
| 9th Kup – 8th Kup | £25 |
| 8th Kup – 7th Kup | £25 |
| 7th Kup – 6th Kup | £25 |
| 6th Kup – 5th Kup | £25 |
| 5th Kup – 4th Kup | £25 |
| 4th Kup – 3rd Kup | £25 |
| 3rd Kup – 2nd Kup | £25 |
| 2nd Kup – 1st Kup | £25 |
Dan Grading fees
| Grade | UTA Fee | Kukkiwon Fee |
| 1st Kup – 1st Dan / Poom | £90 | £55 |
| 1st Dan – 2nd Dan / Poom | £100 | £65 |
| 2nd Dan – 3rd Dan / Poom | £120 | £85 |
| 3rd Dan – 4th Dan | £140 | £100 |
| 4th Dan – 5th Dan | £150 | £200 |
