Careers in Music

There are many options if you are thinking of pursuing music after school. Most of these will involve higher education and making the right choice at this stage could be crucial.

Here are some pointers that might help you to get started.

	Colleges of Further Education offer National Diplomas, Ordinary National Diplomas, Higher National Diplomas, National Certificates and Higher National Certificate in a wide range of music-related courses
	Some colleges also offer foundation or pre-professional music courses
	University degrees and graduate diplomas*
	Conservatoire qualification - degree or equivalent*
	Teacher training courses

*Unless clearly stated most University and Conservatoire degrees are aimed at students that have gone down the classical music route-learning to play an instrument over as many as 10 years with teachers who themselves have degrees or diplomas, advancing through ABRSM exams up to grade 8, advanced study of theory. These courses therefore expect students to have achieved grade 8 in at least 1 instrument & the course will be mostly theory based.

Specific courses

LIPA, Liverpool Institue of Performing Arts - Set up by Paul McCartney runs degree courses in all of the performing arts. Is a very popular place. Make sure your application is fantastic!
Bath Spa - Commercial Music Foundation Degree
University of East London - B Mus degree in Popular Music Performance (connected to the guitar Institute)
Colchester Institute - Foundation Degree in Popular Music (validated by University of Essex)
Leeds College of Music - Number of music degree courses including Popular Music Studies, Music Production etc
Brighton Institute of Modern Music - Degrees in Professional Musicianship that allow you to specialise in your instrument or song-writing

Other info.
Rockschool Exams - These go up to grade 8 & are recognised by UCAS.
Interesting article on studying 'modern' music from the Independent newspaper
Access to Music - an excellent UK based guide to music performance courses & foundation courses.
BBC guide to other music related courses.