Music teacher

Most music teachers begin with a degree in music.

To teach music in a primary school, you could train to teach all subjects, and develop a subject specialism in music.

To work as a secondary school music teacher, you could train to teach music as a single subject or combine it with teaching another subject.

In a music college, conservatoire or university, you may also need a postgraduate music qualification, have a recognised profile as a performer and have teaching experience.

When you apply for a music degree or postgraduate course, you'll usually be asked to attend an audition. You may be expected to have at least Grade 6 on a main instrument.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 or 3 A levels including music, or equivalent qualifications

• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• search for conservatoire courses|https://www.ucas.com/conservatoires
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
• funding for teacher training |https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/funding-my-teacher-training
• postgraduate teacher training courses|https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-postgraduate-teacher-training-courses-in-england

You'll need a level 3 qualification or higher in music or performing arts, if you want to be a music lecturer in a further education college.

You would also need a further education teaching qualification that is relevant to the level of teaching responsibility you would have in your job.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• search for courses|/find-a-course

You may be able to apply to do an Undergraduate or Postgraduate Teacher Level 6 Apprenticeship.

The undergraduate option takes up to 4 years to complete. The postgraduate route takes around 1 year, with both leading to qualified teacher status (QTS).

Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

You may be able to work as a private music teacher with or without qualifications, if you've got exceptional musical ability. A teaching qualification would be helpful though not essential.

Many musicians combine performance and music teaching as a career.

You could take music teaching qualifications accredited by professional bodies, like the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) and Trinity College London .

Courses are aimed at people who are new to teaching music to children, and cover the purpose of music education and promote best practice.

They have been developed for:

• instrumental and vocal teachers working privately with schools
• primary teachers
• community musicians
• professional musicians who do educational work

Other options include the Professional Diploma (Teaching) offered by Rock School .

Registrations

you'll usually need qualified teacher status (QTS) to teach in a state school in England

Career Tips

You can search for jobs in schools through the Teaching Vacancies service.

Further Information

You can find out more about becoming a music teacher from:

• Get Into Teaching
• Independent Society of Musicians
• Musicians' Union

Depending on where you work, you could:

• plan lessons to suit the individual needs of a student or group
• teach students to play an instrument and to read and understand music
• prepare students for music exams, competitions and performances
• set assignments and mark and assess students' work
• organise school choirs, orchestras, bands and musical performances

You could work at a college, at a university, from home or at a school.