This four-year professional degree programme is designed for those wishing to become music teachers and is the main route into music teaching in Scotland.

Programme structure

In recent years the way in which music is taught has changed. Throughout secondary schools, music teaching is becoming more pupil-centred, more practical and much more individualised. To prepare you to cope with these demands your music education will run in parallel with your teacher education, both parts of the programme being equally important.

All aspects of the programme recognise the changes which have taken place in the teaching of music, and the skills and musical expertise taught on the programme will stand you in good stead in the teaching profession and also in the wider world of music. The programme is modular in structure and has three main areas of study.

Music studies

In this area the emphasis is on performance (including versatility on piano), creative studies and the history of music. You will receive one-to-one tuition on your performance study instrument and also, in the first three years, keyboard skills and piano accompaniment skills will be taught in small groups.

The main areas of study are

• performing skills, including practical musicianship, keyboard and accompanying skills
• compositional studies, instrumental sound resources, arranging and orchestration
• Music technology, including sound recording, multi-tracking and MIDI
• History of music, including contemporary musical studies.

Education studies

Within this area there are two major strands of activity: preparation for teaching and school experience, and learning and teaching.

The main areas of study are

• primary and secondary education, including preparation for teaching and school experience
• how children learn
• assessment and evaluation
• aspects of the curriculum and how it develops
• guidance and pastoral care
• special needs in music education, including the education of the musically gifted
• aspects of the Scottish education system and its changing context
• educational and information technologies.

School experience

This is integral to the programme and is designed to enable you to develop the professional skills of music teaching at all levels. You will have the opportunity to develop your skills as a classroom teacher alongside the development of your music skills. During the first year of the programme, your school placements are in primary schools; in subsequent years you will be involved in teaching pupils at all stages of the secondary school.

Religious education

For those teachers who wish to teach in Catholic schools, there is a course in Religious Education which leads to the award of the Catholic Teacher’s Certificate in Religious Education.

Special features

Our international links

Career prospects

Degree: BEd

Taught at and applied through Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama (RSAMD)

Academic entry requirements
for entry in 2014

Entry requirements are set by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Visit www.rcs.ac.uk for further information.

Applying

This programme is offered jointly by the University and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Application is made through CUKAS (www.cukas.ac.uk) to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland which also awards the degree. As the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is entirely responsible for selecting and interviewing students. You should contact them to enquire about admissions procedures and progress of your application.

Interview policy

No applicant can be admitted to this programme without interview and audition. Interviews/auditions are normally held between January and April in the session prior to admission, although other arrangements may be made in exceptional circumstances. On receipt of your application you will be invited to attend an audition/interview. At the same time you will be provided with additional information regarding the nature of the audition/interview.

Disclosure Scotland

If you are accepted to a teaching degree you must undertake a Criminal Conviction check prior to enrolment. It is your responsibility to pay for the check. Details will be sent to you.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training):

• overall score 6.5
• no sub-test less than 6.0
• or equivalent scores in another recognised qualification (see below)
   

Common equivalent English language qualifications:

• ibTOEFL: 92; no sub-test less than 20
• CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): B minimum
• CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): C minimum
• PTE Academic (Person Test of English, Academic test): 60; no sub-test less than 59

Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the Language Centre Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

• Language Centre, University of Glasgow
• BALEAP guide to accredited courses 

FAQs

Visa requirements and proof of English language level

It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.

For further information about English language, please contact the Language Centre.

Tuition fees

How and when you pay tuition fees depends on where you’re from: see Tuition fees for details. If you’re from outside the EU, please see International students for more information.

Scholarships

We offer a wide range of scholarships to our undergraduates, including both home/EU and international students. The University is committed to supporting students and rewarding academic excellence. That’s why we’ve invested more than £1m in additional scholarship funding over the last year.
 
For a full list of scholarships including eligibility criteria and how to apply, please see:

• Scholarships