Graduate careers advice: you and your degree in music

Read our graduate careers advice on how you can develop your career with a music degree.

Related jobs include:

• Composer
• Conductor
• Musician
• Radio production
• Sound technician (broadcasting, film, video)
• Stage manager, theatre
• Teacher, second level

Work experience

Increase your musical knowledge by exposing yourself to as many different genres as possible, either listening, performing or interacting with audiences. This will help you to decide which area to focus your career on.

Your degree may involve a work placement, usually in areas like music and instrumental teaching, studio recording, events management and composition. Alternatively you could gain experience at music venues or schools.

More information on work experience can be found here.

What sectors?

A range of opportunities exist for music graduates, within and beyond music. A music career may involve freelance work for a variety of employers in several roles. You might combine your freelance performing with a teaching role.

Employers include:

• music production companies
• music retailers
• educational institutions
• media organisations
• orchestras
• hotels and summer camps
• the defence forces
• charities
• film, TV and radio

Your music CV

The skills developed with a music degree include:

• communication
• memory and concentration
• teamwork
• the ability to perform under pressure
• planning and organisation
• self-discipline
• critical thinking
• IT skills

You will also gain an awareness of the role music plays in different cultures and communities, and an understanding of professional ethics in the music sector.

Postgraduate study

You may choose to continue studying in a specialised area like composition, performance, direction or teaching.

You may decide to pursue an academic music qualification or take a degree in an area like musicology, cultural management or community music.

More information can be found in our Further Study section.