Hi guys/gals

Just wondering ,. what can you do with diplomas? i got told i cant do a PGCE if i had the LRSM,. which is supposed to be equivalant to a Ba honors.. or so i read.. obviously you could teach privately etc,.. but is that it ? surely there must be something else available for something so hard to complete which requires talant and dedication,.. someone please make my day and tell me what options are available afterwards ..

cheers people

I'm not sure if you really mean you "can't do a PGCE" if you have the LRSM. You certainly could do a PGCE afterwards (or even at the same time, I suppose), but perhaps you mean that the LRSM doesn't give you QTS, in which case you would be right. Where a diploma leads would depend on whether you have done the teaching, performing or directing strand. LRSM is seen to be an equivalent level to the final year of an undergraduate degree - e.g. a BMus or BA - but it would be the equivalent of only part of that course, i.e. the recital, not of three years' full-time study.

Where it could lead depends on which other qualifications you have and where you want it to lead! You wouldn't be qualified as a class teacher as I said above, but you should be able to get instrumental teaching work for a school or music service. It probably wouldn't lead to a career in music admin as they'd want you to have the breadth of a full degree and some administrative experience - although who knows, anything's possible. Where do you hope it will lead??

Frame them, hang them on the wall.... or have I missed the point?

nick

Thats all I did with mine ! (having never been a professional music man). It hangs above the piano.

Well i got told i couldnt do a PGCE with an LRSM... i dont know if thats classed as a bit poor or not? has anyone done a PGCE with an LRSM who doesnt have a ba honors degree?

I am wanting to lead onto teaching music..but if the LRSM is enough to qualify me to get onto a PGCE course without having to do a proper degree in music then that would be good ,.. of course at some point i would want to do a degree in music,. but it would be nice to have a job in music first. if that makes any sense.. otherwise it will take me 6 years part time to do a degree in music,.. and i wont even have a job in music whilst im doing it to keep me happy.

An LRSM is at the standard that you would expect at the end of an undergraduate degree, but clearly does not provide as much breadth as an undergraduate degree, so it is not a degree, so you (presumably) can not do a post graduate course as you have yet to graduate.

It _might_ give you some exemptions from a music degree, I don't know, ask some unis.

What instrument is it in? Can you get some orchestral work/solo/accompanying work?

Oh I see what you mean - I thought you meant the LRSM would somehow prevent you doing a PGCE! Sorry! No, you do not become a graduate by earning the LRSM, therefore you could not do a post-graduate qualification. You would have to do a full music degree in order to apply for a PGCE as vectistim says.

This is a concise and accurate summary. Although an LRSM is at the same level as a degree it is not equivalent to a degree.

Private music teaching in the UK is not a regulated professional, so you can set up as an instrumental or theory teacher with no formal qualifications at all. But the LRSM gives you a lot of credibility!

You can also teach in just about any setting apart from compulsory education, so long as the employer believes that you are up to the job.

If you want to teach in a state school then you must have QTS. There are three routes to qualified teacher status in the UK:

1. B Ed
2. BA/Bmus/BSc followed by PGCE
3. Cert Ed followed by further study

[It used to be possible for people with requisite experience to be accredited directly by the DES. I don't know if that is still the case. The Government's intention is certainly to make teaching a Graduates-only profession.]

You could gain a Bachelors degree from the Open University at relatively low cost, and without having to study full time. It is possible to complete a degree in as little as 3 years. That would be taking on a very heavy workload - but it is possible to make it a bit easier by choosing some "easy options" - courses in fields where you are already well informed. If you have done some advanced study before you may be able to claim some advanced standing - exempting you from some of the foundation course requirements.

If you are unwilling to study for a Bachelor's degree the third option may be the most suitable for you. Here is how it works:

A Cert Ed is considered equivalent to the first year of B Ed degree. To get onto a Cert Ed you need a level 3 qualification in the subject you intend to teach. I think Grade 8 qualifies, as does A-level! (LRSM, LLCM, LTCM are I believe level 5). The Cert Ed. does not by itself lead to Qualified Teacher Status. For that you need to follow it up with a further Advanced Diploma. Both can be taken part-time. You then use those qualifications to claim advanced standing and go directly into the final year of a 3-year B Ed degree.

I hope this is some help. Good luck, whatever you decide.

Its in classical guitar. im sure that an LRSM would get someone some orchestral work,.. cause correct me if im wrong but isnt the FRSM the highest qualification you can get for instrumental grades?

Ti's indeed, other than a masters in performance, but i guess you wouldnt class that as a grade.

FRSM is the highest, but it doesn't mean you are the best. Im guessing guitar work in orchestras is very limited, and there are people out there who have been to conservatoires and studies to a very high competitive standard well beyong LRSM standard of playing. Its a competitive world when it comes to orchestras!