Music teacher

You can study for a degree in music and then complete a teacher training qualification.

To teach music in a primary school, you can train to teach all subjects, and specialise in music.

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

To teach in a music college, conservatoire or university, you may also need:

• a postgraduate music qualification
• a recognised profile as a performer
• 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 teacher in a further education college.

You'll also need a further education teaching qualification that covers the level of course you're going to teach.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

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 have exceptional musical ability. A teaching qualification would be helpful though is not always essential.

Many musicians combine performance and music teaching as a career.

You could take music teaching qualifications accredited by professional bodies, like:

• Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM)
• Trinity College London
• RSL Awards

Courses are offered at different levels, depending on your experience, and are intended to develop your teaching skills and promote best practice.

They are aimed at:

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

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:

• inspire and motivate students to take up music
• 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 and community choirs, orchestras, bands and musical performances
• travel between sites to run classes and workshops

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