Music teacher

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly
• specialist courses run by professional bodies

University

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:

• 2 or 3 A levels including music, or equivalent qualifications
• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

College

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:

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

Apprenticeship

You may be able to start by doing a Teacher Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship, if you have a relevant degree and want to teach students aged 3 to 19.

This takes 12 months to complete and involves training while you work.

Entry requirements:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths
• a degree for a teaching apprenticeship

DirectApplication

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.

OtherRoutes

You could take training accredited by professional bodies, like the Level 4 Certificate for Music Educators, offered by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) and Trinity College London .

The course is aimed at people who are new to teaching music to children, and covers the purpose of music education and promotes best practice.

It has 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 .

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• knowledge of the fine arts
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to use your initiative
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to work well with others
• leadership skills
• the ability to teach pupils how to do something
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
• the ability to read English
• knowledge of philosophy and religion
• active listening skills
• the ability to learn through your work
• the ability to create the best conditions for learning or teaching new things
• an interest and knowledge of history
• thinking and reasoning skills
• concentration skills
• a good memory

What you'll do:

Music teachers give music lessons to people of all ages and abilities.

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

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

Salary:

Starter : variable
Experienced : variable

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

35 - 37 hours variable

Working Pattern is freelance / self-employed managing your own hours

Career Path:

As a qualified and experienced music teacher in a school, you could become head of a music department, deputy head or headteacher.

With further training you could qualify as a music therapist.

You might also work freelance, teaching students in person and online.