For information on the approval of qualifications for funding in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, see the links to DCSF, DIUS, DCELLS, DELNI and DENI below.
When undertaking a qualification that does not appear on the governments' lists as eligible for funding for specific age ranges, users must be aware of legal requirements. Not all qualifications are suitable for all age ranges.
These qualifications are designed to offer direct progression into certain sectors of music education while also acting as an introduction, or preliminary stage, to further teacher training qualifications at Levels 4 and 5.
The level and content of the qualifications are ideal for musicians working in educational activities such as peripatetic instrumental teaching (freelance and in schools), music workshops/masterclasses and music facilitation. The qualifications are designed to provide all the skills required to work in these areas including providing input on employment opportunities, self-employment and marketing. At the same time, the qualifications introduce learners to fundamental teaching and learning concepts, which can be revisited through progression to PGCE and DTLLS teacher training courses leading to Qualified Teacher Status.
Qualification structures have been designed so that learners can move between the Certificate and Diploma qualifications at Level 3. This means, for example, that those beginning a Level 3 Certificate can build on these units to work towards the Level 3 Diploma. Similarly, learners beginning on the Level 3 Diploma may subsequently decide to discontinue their studies after having achieved sufficient units to be awarded the Certificate.
C. Prepare for employment
C1. Prepare for employment in a broad occupational area
Units from the NQF version of the Level 3 Award/Certificate/Diploma for Music Educators.
Learners are awarded 64 credits on successful completion of the Diploma, which is made up of eight units.
Learners must take the mandatory unit and seven optional units for the award of the qualification. Where the credit from the selected combination of units exceeds 64 credits, only 64 can be awarded for this qualification.
There are no specified pathways. However, there are certain unit combinations where units have been designed to work together. It is recommended that if providers wish to deliver any of these units, that they offer ALL the units within the specified combination. However, the structure doesn't preclude this, should a provider have clear and specific reasons for offering an individual unit within a combination.
Combination 1
MUSED 304 – Creating a Scheme of Work
MUSED 305 – Creating a Session Plan
MUSED 306 – Creating a Music Course: Delivery
This combination of three units is about designing, preparing and delivering aspects of a music course. MUSED 304 assesses the course design and the scheme of work. MUSED 305 assesses session plans relating to that scheme of work. MUSED 306 assesses the learners ability to deliver two sessions from the course and reflect upon the experience. It is strongly recommended that this combination is included in delivery models where learners wish to progress to Higher Education and/or further teacher training.
Combination 2
MUSED 307 – Opportunities in Music Education
MUSED 308 – Promoting Yourself as a Music Educator
This combination of two units is about researching music opportunities and marketing. MUSED 307 assesses skills to research employment opportunities within the music education sector. MUSED 308 assesses skills to promote oneself as a music educator and produce business plans for such activity. It is strongly recommended that this combination is included in delivery models where learners wish to work as self-employed or freelance music educators.