Frequently asked questions
Do I have to be a musician to do this training?
What standard does my playing need to be at?
So do I have to be classically trained?
Do I need any other experience?
What if I live a long way from either London or Manchester?
Is there a part-time version of this programme?
I don't have a first degree. Can I still do the masters training?
Do I have to know loads about music therapy before I start?
Is there much competition to get onto the programme?
Do you accept non-EU students?
Can I contact you to find out more?
Do I have to be a musician to do this training? (back to top)
Yes, you do. This is a training in the craft of working musically with people so we need you to bring a genuine musicianship. We assess this at audition and then spend two years helping you use it effectively in the interests of people's health and social wellbeing and understand clearly how music links with broader health and social issues.
What standard does my playing need to be at? (back to top)
Our primary concern is that you should be a well-rounded musician with real communicative capacity. You should be able to accompany someone sensitively and respond to changes in their playing. You don't have to be an experienced improviser at the audition stage, but we do want to see evidence of your flexibility, responsiveness and generosity as a communicating musician.
What about grades? (back to top)
We will assess your musicianship at audition so we don't require any musical exam certificates, but as a guide we would say that your primary instrument should be at Grade 8 or above. If this isn't a harmony instrument, then you will need a harmony instrument to Grade 6 or above. In any case, you will also need basic keyboard harmony skills.
So do I have to be classically trained? (back to top)
No, absolutely not. Most of our students have had a fairly conventional classically-based music education and have a music degree or have been to music college, but we also accept students whose musical training is less formal or from a different tradition. It does help to be able to read music however, as notation makes teaching and learning faster and easier for all.
Do I need any other experience? (back to top)
We'd like you to show us that you have sufficient life experience and maturity to have made an informed decision to apply for this training. In particular, we'd encourage you to get some experience in working with people who have particular needs so that you have tested your own capacity for this kind of work, which can be both physically and emotionally demanding.
Is there an age limit? (back to top)
No. We positively welcome applications from people with more life experience and often have a wide range of ages among our students.
I've done part of another music therapy training but now want to swap to the Nordoff Robbins programme. Can I import my accumulated credits? (back to top)
Unfortunately not. Our foundation module teaches you the fundamentals of the Nordoff Robbins approach, and you won't have got this from other training.
What if I live a long way from either London or Manchester? (back to top)
You will have to attend one or other of our teaching bases for two consecutive days each week and we try to organise the timetable in such a way that it is feasible to travel from some distance to the base on the first day and return at the end of the second. As we use the nationwide Nordoff Robbins Practice Network for placements, we may be able to identify suitable placements for you nearer to where you live.
Is there a part-time version of this programme? (back to top)
No. But we have specifically designed this programme to be as manageable as possible by people who need to continue working whilst training. You are required to spend just two days per week at the teaching base and one on placement. You also have the equivalent of a day's private study to do each week.
I don't have a first degree. Can I still do the masters training? (back to top)
This isn't necessarily an obstacle. However, you will need to demonstrate to us in some way that you are capable of working at Masters level. We can help you think about how to do this.
Do I have to know loads about music therapy before I start? (back to top)
No, we don't expect you to have read everything about music therapy! But we do expect you to be sufficiently knowledgeable to assure us that your wish to train is an informed one. Similarly, we also expect you to have thought about why this programme might be the right one for you.
Is there much competition to get onto the programme? (back to top)
We're proud that this is a very popular programme, not least because of its international reputation, the quality of the graduates it produces and their striking success in gaining and generating work after training. For this reason, we do get a lot of applications each year and are able to be selective. Don't let this deter you: if you have the musical skills and the personal qualities required to do extraordinary musical work with people, then we want you!
Do you accept non-EU students? (back to top)
We’ve welcomed students from all over the world since our courses began in 1974. Diversity enriches the student group and we encourage all students to make use of their own musical heritage. If you have a visa you are welcome to apply. We are working to achieve Tier 4 recognition and until then, we can’t sponsor non-EU students for visas. Full details of the Tier 4 system.
Can I contact you to find out more? (back to top)
Yes, of course! You'd be welcome to come to one of the regular Open Events we hold in both London and Manchester where you can meet staff and students and get a feel for what it would be like to be a Nordoff Robbins student. Details of forthcoming Open Events can be found on the Education Calendar.
