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

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

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 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.

You'll need:

• 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
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks

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.