We utilise a system of 9 coloured grades (arm sashes) up to black. Depending on how hard and regularly you train, you can expect to reach "black belt" level around 3 to 5 years after commencing training. If you are at University for three years, and train regularly and hard including over holidays, you can achieve black by the end of your stay at University.
The system allows instructors to make sure students get a balanced coverage of different striking and grappling skills while training with the club, and provides motivation for students to concentrate on different core skills as they progress. Achievement of black indicates the authority to teach Integrated Martial Arts, competence in a full range of self defence relevant skills, and the basis for building on those skills in any gym in the world.

You must train for a minimum of 14 lessons between gradings for the first three grades: red, yellow and green. You must train for a minimum of 19 lessons between gradings for the two purples. You must train for a minimum of 24 sessions for the browns and for black. In addition, for each grading you must have attended a seminar by our visiting instructors. Note these session numbers are minima; always check with an instructor before grading to make sure they say you are ready. If you have not trained in martial arts before you will need more than these minima to be ready to grade. The syllabi given here just provide a feel of what you may be asked to do in the grading; examiners may deviate in detail. The syllabi will be revised from time to time.

Follow the links below to see the requirements for each grade: