What can you do with a music degree?

Studying music at the University of Plymouth will open a wide range of career choices. You could look at channelling your creativity by pursuing a career in performing, composition (song writing and/or sound design for film or gaming) or working as a music producer or professional DJ. If creating music doesn’t appeal to you so much, you could consider other roles within the music industry such as artist management, A&R (responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists), promotion and booking, managing a music venue, producing music festivals or working as a music journalist. Additional media related roles include radio presenting, marketing and arts administration.

Another popular avenue are the varied roles within music education. If you specialise in a musical instrument, you could be a private tutor working across different schools and colleges or teach music at secondary school level (with a PGCE). Education offers not just the chance to inspire young people to appreciate music, but also community driven initiatives, touring companies and charities can provide the setting to share your passion. Music therapy is also a route to consider if you want to harness the therapeutic power of music and use it to help support those with disabilities or mental health issues. Music therapists work within a variety of settings including schools, mental healthcare providers and charities. If you are keen to work with young people and vulnerable adults, there are also opportunities within youth and community work which specifically use music to unlock their creativity and build their confidence and self-esteem.

Portfolio careers are a common occurrence for those within the creative sectors, particularly music and can provide many opportunities to develop professionally amongst varied settings, to get a feel for what works for you best. Contract work combined with freelancing is a good way forward, such as teaching/youth work combined with freelance performing. Depending on the environment you think you would like to work in, you could be self-employed. Whatever you choose, your music degree provides you with the unique skills to create an exciting and varied career path.

With such a wide range of careers open to you as a music graduate, it is important to make sure you explore and research your options thoroughly so that you can make informed decisions about your future. 

Take a look at the Prospects, TargetJobs and the professional associations websites for inspiration: 

Below is a snapshot of what some of University of Plymouth graduates told us they were doing 15 months after graduation. For some graduates, these jobs serve as ‘stepping stones’ to professional posts by providing relevant workplace experience. 

*Data is from the Graduate Outcomes Surveys covering the three years of 2018/19 – 2020/21. Graduates were surveyed 15 months after graduating. Data displayed is for UK-domiciled, first degree, full-time graduates who are working, studying or looking for work.

Some of the careers chosen by music graduates will require or benefit from further study, so this should be considered carefully. The University of Plymouth offers the following postgraduate study options that could be of interest to music graduates:

You should consider the financial implications of further study as well as selecting a programme that suits your interests, learning style and future career direction. The following websites are a good starting point for exploring postgraduate options, but you may also benefit from talking to a careers consultant about your particular situation.

Some useful websites to help you find a suitable postgraduate programme: 

It is also worth investigating what further study options the University has to offer as you may find the perfect course for yourself in an institution you already know. There are also sometimes financial benefits of staying on such as a fee discount to Alumni – find out your funding options.

Accessing support from the Careers Service couldn’t be easier, come along to the Careers Service Helpdesk in the Student Hub or access our 24/7 online resources.

There is a wide range of support available from skills workshops to events, placements and internships advice, 1-2-1 appointments and help getting started with LinkedIn.

Our bite-sized Skills Workshops can give your career the boost it needs. Choose from a range of topics:

Workshops are delivered by the Careers Service, however they are also an opportunity to learn from your peers, share experiences and ask questions. Visit myCareer to see the full range of activities and to book your place.

Build your network and job sector knowledge using LinkedIn’s alumni tool. This will allow you to see the career journeys of graduates from your programme, the qualifications they completed, the skills they developed and employers they worked for. You can then ‘connect’ with people of interest.

For more information about the alumni tool select the LinkedIn alumni tool guide. If you are looking for help to set up or learn how to make the most out of your LinkedIn profile, select the LinkedIn guide for students or come to one of our workshops.

Undertaking work experience in your first and second years will help you stand out from the crowd when the time comes for you to complete applications for graduate employment and further study. Work experience develops valuable skills and qualities that employers are looking for and is essential for many roles. It can also help you to confirm or rule out particular career choices. Furthermore, experience in the workplace can bring you into contact with people who may be able to assist you at the beginning of your career.

You have plenty of options open to you. You could apply for a placement year, work part-time around your studies, undertake volunteering or approach organisations directly to negotiate short periods of work experience. Some organisations offer paid internships over the summer or of one year’s duration. Check out the BA Music Professional Development Programme to find out about the opportunities open to you.

The University of Plymouth Students’ Union also offers a wide range of volunteering opportunities.

Engaging in a sport or society shows employers you are engaged and seek out opportunities, it also helps you improve your teamwork, communication and negotiation skills. Committee members develop leadership, diplomacy and organisational skills and will gain experience of meetings, handling funds, and society promotion

You may choose to join a society that is specifically linked to music such as RockSoc or take the opportunity to explore the huge range of clubs, societies and sports, all of which can help you to broaden your horizons and explore new interests.

Your tutor and other academic staff are an excellent source of support for your career development. They will have experience and contacts across industry and academia, so do approach them for advice and insights into careers you are considering. Your tutor will ultimately be writing references for your employment or further study applications, therefore establishing a positive relationship with this person is invaluable