Music Teaching
Diplomas in Music Teaching and Education
Our diplomas in Music Teaching provide opportunities for teachers to gain recognition for their specialist teaching skills, knowledge and understanding at an advanced level.
On this page you can find out about:
New ARSM, LRSM and FRSM from 2024 – an introduction to our new Teaching diplomas is available below. The complete qualification specification will be available soon and booking and assessment will be available from October 2024.
DipABRSM, LRSM and FRSM ending 2024 - we are withdrawing these diplomas and you can find more information about deadlines for taking or retaking exams on this page.
- Qualification specification - coming soon
- Booking and assessment - from October 2024
We are introducing new diplomas in Music Teaching and Music Education. Our new suite of diplomas and their Regulatory Qualification Framework levels will be:
- ARSM in Music Teaching (Associate of the Royal Schools of Music) - Level 4
- LRSM in Music Teaching (Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music) - Level 6
- FRSM in Music Education (Fellowship of the Royal Schools of Music) - Level 7
The new diplomas will allow you to demonstrate your teaching skills in a live environment, supported by a piece of written work and a professional discussion with an examiner. They will be digital assessments, available on demand. We will also be exploring opportunities for face-to-face assessment in the future.
These diplomas will assess your skills in leading musical work with others, such as planning and strategies to inspire and motivate musicians, and your understanding of the underlying principles and values of teaching music.
The following information applies to Teaching diplomas at all levels, unless otherwise specified. Full details will be available in the qualification specification, which will be available soon on this page.
These diplomas are open to teachers of all instruments.
You should have at least six months teaching experience before booking your diploma. More information will be available in the qualification specification.
We recommend a minimum age of 16. There is no upper age limit.
- ARSM: no minimum grade requirement
- LRSM: minimum Grade 8 Performance or Practical Grade in the subject you teach, or ARSM in Music Teaching
- FRSM: ARSM in Music Performance in the subject you teach, or LRSM in Music Teaching
Unit 1: Music Teaching in Practice and in Context
- 30-minute video and portfolio of 1500 words
- Written submission of 2000 words
Unit 2: Reflective Practice and Professional Values
- 30-minute professional discussion with the examiner
| Marks available | % of total mark | |
| Unit 1 A: Music Teaching in Practice | 15 | 30% |
| Unit 1 B: Music Teaching in Context | 15 | 30% |
Unit 2: Reflective Practice and Professional Values | 20 | 40% |
| Total | 50 | 100% |
Unit 1: Music Teaching in Practice and in Context
- 45-minute video and portfolio of 3000 words
- Written submission of 2000 words
Unit 2: Reflective Practice and Professional Values
- 40-minute professional discussion with the examiner
| Marks available | % of total mark | |
| Unit 1 A: Music Teaching in Practice | 30 | 40% |
| Unit 1 B: Music Teaching in Context | 15 | 20% |
Unit 2: Reflective Practice and Professional Values | 30 | 40% |
| Total | 75 | 100% |
Unit 1: Music Education in Practice
- Original research or teaching resource of 10,000 words
Unit 2: Reflective Practice and Professional Values
- 50-minute professional discussion with the examiner
| Marks available | % of total mark | |
| Unit 1 A: Music Teaching in Practice | 45 | 60% |
Unit 1 B: Reflective Practice and Professional Values | 30 | 40% |
| Total | 75 | 100% |
ARSM
| Marks available | |
| Distinction | 45 - 50 |
| Merit | 40 - 44 |
| Pass | 34– 39 |
LRSM and FRSM
| Marks available | |
| Distinction | 68 - 75 |
| Merit | 60 - 67 |
| Pass | 50– 59 |
In preparation for introducing new Music Teaching/Education diplomas from 2024 we are withdrawing the current DipABRSM, LRSM and FRSM diplomas. Deadlines for taking or re-taking these diplomas are:
- DipABRSM Teaching– 30 June 2024
- LRSM Teaching – 30 June 2024
- FRSM Teaching – 31 October 2024
If you have passed part of a diploma and do not retake and pass the failed section(s) during the withdrawal period, any passed sections will no longer be valid.
We are withdrawing the DipABRSM in Music Performance completely. However, this diploma will continue to be a valid and highly respected qualification and recipients can still use the letters DipABRSM after their name.
Downloads
Overview
We have three levels of Teaching diploma designed for candidates who are intending to take up or have already started teaching an instrument or singing.
- DipABRSM (Diploma of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music)
- LRSM (Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music)
- FRSM (Fellowship of the Royal Schools of Music)
- Teaching skills viva voce
- Written submission
- Quick study
- Case study portfolio/ video of teaching practice (LRSM only)
Full details are available in the Teaching Diploma Syllabus 2022, available to download on this page (above). We also have a number supporting materials to download, including a reading list and guide to the viva voce.
Download a sample quick study test to find out more about the technical level required and what to expect in the exam. For further practice, you can explore the repertoire lists for your instrument at Grades 6, 7 and 8.
