People who have had previous martial arts experience are at first given some time to get used to the Universal Self Defence classes.

During this short settling-in period the new student either trains wearing a white belt or with no belt until a preliminary grade has been given.

When the new student attends their first Universal Self Defence Academy grading they will have the opportunity to be promoted to a grade level according to their ability and their Universal Self Defence skills.

Any previous martial arts experience usually helps students to improve and go up the grades quicker than the average student.