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Parents Music Room - Motivate Your Child With Music

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Your Child
  INTRO   PRE-SCHOOL   INFANTS   PRIMARY   SECONDARY
      PRE BIRTH -
18 MONTHS
  18 MONTHS -
3 YEARS
  3 - 5
YEARS
  5 - 7
YEARS
  7 - 11
YEARS
  11 - 14
YEARS
  14 - 16
YEARS
16 +
 
Further and Higher Education Options
There are hundreds of music-related courses in the UK for students of 16 years or over. Whether your child is interested in performing at the Royal Opera House or producing the next Radiohead there should be something for them. But what are the options?
 

A Levels and Scottish National Qualifications

  • In England, Advanced GCE (A Level) are split into two parts - AS in the first year and A2 in the second year. You can either take Music or Music Technology, depending on what is offered at particular institutions.
  • In Wales Advanced GCE in Music is divided into 6 parts - 3 AS units and 3 A2 units
  • In Scotland National Qualifications in Music are awarded in Higher and Advanced Higher

Colleges of Further Education

  • There are a number of Colleges of Further Education that offer full-time music courses. The variety of courses available is enormous. Examples include a HND in Music Performance or Music Production, a BTEC in Music Technology or a Diploma in Jazz Studies.

Colleges of Higher Education, Conservatoires and Universities

  • Should your child decide to go on to Higher Education there are three types of institution offering courses - Colleges of Higher Education, Conservatoires and Universities
  • Colleges of Higher Education offer modules or options towards degree courses, including music. These are often ideal for studying a broad range of topics around music.
  • Conservatoires, such as the Royal Academy of Music, are recommended for those students who want to perform at concert level. Much of the tuition is aimed at the aspiring classical musician, although some now run good jazz courses. They offer degrees, or an equivalent, and students normally learn under the guidance of highly regarded international musicians. To enter a conservatoire you have to have the relevant qualifications to follow a degree course together with exceptional musical talent.
  • Music-related degree courses at Universities are often modular, so there should be plenty to choose from to suit your child's interests

Teacher Training Courses

  • Your child can also study to become a music teacher. The options for teacher training are: taking a 3 or 4 year course leading to a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree or taking a first degree (or equivalent) in music and following this up with a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). There is also a BA (QTS) available that is a Bachelor of Arts degree conferring Qualified Teacher Status.

Where to Look for More Information

  • To read more about the options available refer to Rhinegold Publishing's comprehensive Music Education Yearbook
  • The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) has a comprehensive database of music education courses available across the UK on their BPI Med website
  • Look at the Universities & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) website for the vast range of courses available
Parents' Music Room Links:
Careers Guide
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Every child is unique and develops at his or her own pace. The information in BBC Parents' Music Room is for information and guidance only and should not be treated as a substitute for medical, legal or other professional advice.
YOUR CHILD 16 +
Introduction
Further and Higher Education Options
Post-16 Work Experience
 
  Parents' Music Room Links
Careers Guide
 
16+
Aim Higher
One Life - Options at 18
One Life - Options at 16
 
  Elsewhere on the web
Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Trinity College of Music
UCAS
Rhinegold Publishing
BPI Music Education Directory
  The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites
 

Further Reading
 
Music Education Year Book 2002 /2003 (2002, Rhinegold Publishing Ltd; ISBN: 1-904226-04-03)

Printable version


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