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Music PGCE

London, Bloomsbury

This is the programme information for 2026/27 entry

If you require details of the previous year's programme, Music PGCE (2025/26), click here

This course is designed to develop innovative and highly skilled teachers who wish to inspire young people through music. Throughout the secondary PGCE course, we aim to develop your music teaching expertise in a variety of contexts, equipping you to plan and teach engaging and meaningful musical experiences for your school students.

UK students International students

Study mode

Full-time

UK tuition fees (2026/27)

£9,790

Overseas tuition fees (2026/27)

£29,500

Duration

1 academic year

Programme starts

September 2026

Applications accepted

Applicants who require a visa: 07 Oct 2025 – 17 Jul 2026

Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 07 Oct 2025 – 31 Jul 2026

Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Early application is advised as courses may close as soon as places are filled. Applicants should check the government website for the latest vacancy information.

Apply for this course

Skills

This course will give you everything you need to face the classroom, both the pedagogical theory and the practical skills to be an inspiring teacher.

Support

Our gradual immersion approach will introduce you to the classroom progressively, from one pupil to the whole class.

A unique gradual approach to teaching

Experience

Placement in very diverse, carefully chosen schools will allow you to learn from different contexts and be prepared to teach in any school.

Read our placement guide

Start teaching

With a PGCE you can start teaching as soon as you complete the course and are recommended for Qualified Teacher Status.

IOE, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society, has been ranked 1st for Education in the QS World University Rankings by Subject since 2014.

Entry requirements

First degree

A minimum of a lower second-class Bachelor's degree in Music or Music Technology or a combination of these from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. You must show that you are an active, participating musician and, ideally, you should also have an A level (or equivalent qualification) in Music or Music Technology. Other degree subjects will be considered if a level of musicianship equivalent to a music degree can be evidenced. If your degree is in another subject, you should also have substantial work experience relevant to teaching Music and be able to demonstrate a high level of practical musicianship that is equivalent to an undergraduate music degree qualification.

A levels

No specific subjects required.

GCSEs

English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 4. We do not accept "applied" or "additional" GCSE subjects. Applicants who do not offer a GCSE in English Language or Mathematics may demonstrate an equivalent standard by completing a test via Equivalency Testing or A Star Equivalency and achieving at least a grade 4. For Mathematics, equivalency tests in Mathematics Foundation or Mathematics Higher with grade 4 are accepted. BTEC, Functional Skills or Access course qualifications are not accepted in place of GCSEs.

School experience

We recommend that you aim to gain some experience in a classroom prior to interview.

Skills tests

Trainees will be assured against a set of fundamental Mathematics and English skills by the end of their teacher training.

Relevant experience and background

Applicants whose degree qualifications are below a lower second-class standard may be admitted if they can demonstrate an appropriate academic background at Master's level and above and/or significant postgraduate experience in the relevant field.

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

The English language level for this course is: Level 2

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

This course is suitable for international students on a Student visa - study must be full-time, starting September.

DBS and occupational health

If you are made an offer you will be required to successfully complete Occupational Health and Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure checks. The Occupational Health Check is £100 and, depending on your DBS requirements, there may be an additional fee between £12.75 to £25.50, depending on the number of documents checked, if you submit your DBS Enhanced Disclosure check via a UK Post Office. These checks are required to ensure you meet the Department for Education’s requirements for physical and mental health to teach, as well as assessing your suitability for access to children and vulnerable adults. More details can be found on the Entry requirements page.

If you have lived, worked, studied or travelled in any single country outside of the UK for six continuous months or more, in the last five years, you will be required to obtain a Certificate of Good Conduct from the relevant country/countries. The cost of this check varies by country and is payable by the student. More information on how to obtain these can be found on gov.uk.

For more information about the DBS application process, please contact the UCL ITE Admissions team.

About this course

This course is designed to develop innovative and highly skilled teachers who wish to inspire young people through music across the 11-16 age range. Our priority is to develop your teaching expertise in a variety of situations and contexts, by exploring a range of approaches to teaching music. For example, we offer a broad range of perspectives on the principles of curriculum design and assessment in the field of music education. We aim to develop your teaching through engaging practical music workshops, lectures, seminars and tutorials and through critical reflection of teaching and learning with expert musicians and music educators. You will also benefit from the expertise of a music teacher mentor throughout your two school placements, all based within our partnership schools.

The Music PGCE also incorporates four Intensive Teaching and Practice (ITAP), sequences, where particular elements of music pedagogical approaches are explored. These will focus on:

Establishing positive learning environments.
Planning and modelling musical concepts to develop pupils’ musical knowledge and skills.
Adaptive and responsive teaching in music classrooms.
Developing music technology teaching skills and studio musicianship.

Who this course is for

The course is suited to those wishing to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) for teaching in a UK maintained (state-funded) school and who have fulfilled the appropriate entry requirements.

Read more about the requirements for teacher training

What this course will give you

UCL Institute of Education offers one of the larger Music PGCE courses in the country, allowing you to benefit from an experienced team of lecturers and workshop leaders with a wide range of expertise and interests. Our central London location means that we are able to draw on the world-leading expertise of professional musicians and music educators. For example, in recent years a number of subject sessions have been arranged in collaboration with expert musicians from The London Sinfonietta, LSO St Luke's and the Kingdom Choir. While undertaking placements in our network of partner schools, you benefit from the wealth of teaching expertise on offer within vibrant and dynamic settings.

Read more about teacher training at the IOE

The teacher you want to be

Graduates of the UCL Music PGCE course are highly employable and sought after by schools and colleges in London and beyond. Almost all graduates secure their first teaching post by the time they finish the course.

Graduates of the course also have excellent career prospects, with many becoming a Head of Department or Head of Year, often undertaking mentoring roles to new PGCE student teachers. Many of our graduates become senior teachers (such as Assistant Headteachers or Head of a Faculty) within 5-8 years of graduating, and some are now Headteachers. Others have developed their careers as subject specialist teachers and educators, both becoming lead teachers in the classroom and researching, writing and advising other teachers themselves.

The Music PGCE aims to provide a springboard into a rewarding career as a skilled teacher and future educational leader. The course is designed with a view to helping our alumni lead meaningful professional lives grounded in the contribution they make to young people's understanding of the world and their place in it.

The tools of a great educator

Understanding of theory and subject or phase pedagogy
Creating a successful climate for learning, including behaviour management
Planning and teaching classes that engage pupils
Using assessment to inform planning
Working with the wider school community, including parents

Employability

Graduates of this course currently work across a broad range of areas, including: classroom music and instrumental teaching, workshop leaders and consultants in National Music Hubs, learning and participation programme leaders for professional orchestras / ensembles and as resident composers and musicians in schools. It is often the case that musicians continue to pursue a portfolio career combining music and music education beyond the course.

Accreditation

When you successfully complete this course, UCL will recommend you for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). QTS is awarded by the Teaching Regulation Agency in England.

Structure

The course is taught through a mix of face-to-face and online sessions, (including keynote lectures and debates, presentations, discussions, and classroom group tasks), and a practical teaching element based in two schools. You are required to read widely and to carry out written assignments in your own time.

You will also take part in activities that provide the opportunity to focus on developing specific, pivotal areas of teaching through our ITAP sequences. These opportunities (totalling 20 days, 4 of which are school-based) will strengthen the link between theory and practice and provide you with specific feedback to support your progress in these pivotal areas. 

Assessment is by practical teaching, assignments and portfolio tasks.

The PGCE is a full-time course, designed so you learn to teach in schools for approximately two-thirds of the course (124 days) and through IOE-based learning in the other third.

When you are not undertaking teaching and learning activities at IOE or in other forms outside of schools, you will spend at least 124 days of study and practice in a range of school settings – including two longer placements in IOE partnership schools. Because actual placement dates are determined by partner school term dates, the exact number of days spent in school for any given student may vary slightly.

Contact hours vary throughout the year depending on whether you are on placement or attending IOE.

University sessions typically run from 9.00am (earliest) to 5.30pm (latest). During school placements, you will be expected to attend according to the school’s policy. This will typically involve attending at least 30 minutes before the start of the school day and leaving at least 30 minutes after the school day ends (with additional time expected if there are particular departmental or other meetings you need to attend). You will have readings and additional self-directed study to complete in addition to these contact hours.

I am very grateful to IOE for making it so easy for me to be confident in my decision to change career and have given me confidence to continue into my NQT year.

Laura Sutherland

Music PGCE

Q&A with Laura Sutherland

Modules

You will undertake two modules at level 7 (Master’s level) of 30 credits each and one Professional Practice module at level 6. The level 7 credits can be carried forward onto some full Master’s courses at IOE (check individual course requirements). You will be awarded a PGCE when you successfully complete all three modules.

Throughout the year, you will also participate in specific activities at IOE and in school that focus on important areas of our curriculum. Our ITAP sequences (totalling 20 days with at least 4 of these days in school) will help you to better understand links between theory and practice. They will also involve feedback from experts so that your progress is supported in these pivotal areas.

Compulsory modules

Secondary - Professional Practice

Subject Studies - Music

Wider Educational Studies - Music

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Upon successful completion of 60 credits and the Professional Practice module, you will be awarded a PGCE in Music.

School placements

You will spend at least 124 days in schools, working with IOE tutors and a school-based music teacher mentor to support your teaching and planning throughout two placements. We are fortunate to be partnered with a broad selection of schools, supported by outstanding mentors within highly respected music departments.

The Professional Practice module is assessed through these placements, associated tasks and a portfolio built up throughout the year.

During placement periods, you will need to travel to and from each school placement. Please be aware that not all schools have parking and that there is variation in how accessible schools are. However, if you let us know of any particular accessibility needs you have, we will endeavour to accommodate them.

We ensure your placement will provide fulfilling and valuable experiences through:

A dedicated team who will identify the best schools for your placements
Support and guidance from your university tutor and your school-based mentor
School experience that allows you to progress at an appropriate pace for you
Reasonable travel times from your home to your school

Making the most of your placement

Teaching is a demanding profession and student teachers can feel nervous about school placements or anxious about the workload. Your tutor and school-based mentor will help you navigate your school experience, ensuring that you have the input you need. Empathetic feedback and discussion about your developing professional practice will support you to be successful.

Accessibility

The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you're unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.

Where you'll study

The Department of Culture, Communication and Media is committed to excellence in research and teaching in the areas of Art, Design and Museology, Academic writing, English education, Applied Linguistics, Music Education, Learning with Digital Technologies and teacher professional development.

Find out more about the department

Visit us

All open days and events

23 April 2026

20 Bedford Way, Bloomsbury, London, WC1H 0XG, United Kingdom - Open day

UCL Teacher Training Open Evening

16:00 — 19:00

Are you are exploring teaching as a possible career or have already made an application? Then, you are warmly invited to attend our Teacher Training Open Evening. Discover our world-leading Teacher Training programmes in Early Years, Primary, Secondary, and Further Education. through subject talks, drop-ins and Q&As. Learn about the different routes into teaching. they include IOE Lead Partner Direct and our new Teacher Degree Apprenticeship BSc.

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Secondary PGCE Overview and Subject Talks

The Secondary PGCE Overview session helps you to discover UCL’s world-leading Teacher Training courses in Secondary and explore the various routes into teaching.

Watch on demand event

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Teacher Training Student Funding Overview

Watch the recording to hear about funding information for our teacher training courses at UCL.

Watch on demand event

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students

Fee description	Full-time
Tuition fees (2026/27)	£9,790
Tuition fees (2026/27)	£29,500

Department for Education training grant is available to cover the full cost of tuition fees. This is paid directly to UCL on your behalf by the DfE. Further guidance from the DfE regarding eligibility can be found here

UK Teacher Training fees for 2026/27 entry are to be confirmed and are for the first year only. Fees for subsequent years may be subject to increase: Student Terms and Conditions. UK fees are in line with the Government announcement on fee cap increases.

International Teacher Training students benefit from a cohort guarantee, meaning that their tuition fees will not increase during the course of the programme, but UCL reserves the right to increase tuition fees to reflect any sums (including levies, taxes, or similar financial charges) that UCL is required to pay any governmental authority in connection with tuition fees.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

You are responsible for covering the costs of travel to and from placements (these are typically located within the M25) and travel costs for visits organised by the course.

The cost per day, as of July 2025, if you are using Oyster pay as you go varies between £8.90 (zones 1 and 2 only) and £23.30 (zones 1 to 9) based on current prices. Costs can be reduced by purchasing a weekly or monthly travelcard as well as applying for an Oyster Student photocard which allows up to 30% off travel when purchasing a travelcard.

You also require an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check plus an Occupational Health check prior to beginning the course. Information about costs is available on our entry requirements page for teacher training courses.

The Financial Assistance Funds provide support to UCL students who are in unexpected financial need.

For in-person teaching, UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £119.90. This price was published by TfL in 2025. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

You may be eligible to receive a training bursary for living costs. For Secondary, this depends on your PGCE subject (not all attract a bursary) and your degree classification or highest relevant academic qualification. Scholarships are available in some subjects.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the UCL Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Application and next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

To help you understand the sense of scope of a teacher’s professional skills and responsibilities, we recommend that you undertake observations prior to application and interview in mixed ability school music classrooms.