Studying music at university prepares you for a wide variety of graduate careers as well as performing or composition, from jobs in the creative industries to teaching and working with children.

Music may be your passion, but it’s not the only career you can pursue after you graduate with a music degree. Whether you’d like to make a living from your knowledge of music or explore different options, this guide should help you think about the skills your degree has given you and the jobs they can be applied to. You’ll also find out about the careers creative arts students aspire to and the types of jobs performing arts graduates are working in six months after leaving university.

Skills for your CV

Specific skills you will have gained from your degree in music include:

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

Job roles and career areas you could work in

Composing or performing music isn’t the only way you can put your music degree to good use, though you are likely to need further qualifications or training. Music graduates would be well suited to the following jobs:

• private music teacher
• music therapist
• secondary school teacher
• television production assistant
• programme researcher
• arts administrator
• editorial assistant
• marketing assistant

Music graduates may also be attracted to careers as sound technicians, broadcasting engineers or events or music venue managers.

It’s worth bearing in mind that the transferable skills listed above are applicable to a huge variety of career paths. Many jobs are open to graduates from any discipline, although you may need to gain relevant work experience alongside your degree or after graduation.