One way of demonstrating your professional status as a musician is to show us evidence of a degree or graduate diploma in music. If you don't have one of these qualifications, you can join through our fast-track programme or by asking two professional musicians (including at least one ISM member) to confirm that you're working at an equivalent professional level.
Qualification level
‘Degree or graduate diploma in music’ is our way of summarising all the qualifications that we accept. The full list includes any qualification with music as a significant component:
- at Honours level or above on the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications;
- or accredited on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) at or above Level 6;
- or accredited on the Scottish National Qualifications Framework at or above Level 10;
- or accredited on the National Framework of Qualifications for Ireland at or above Level 8;
- or equivalent to those above.
Some of the most common qualifications we accept are:
- Bachelor’s (or higher) degrees with Honours and graduate diplomas from universities and conservatoires
- Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music LRSM and FRSM diplomas
- Guild of Church Musicians FGCM diploma
- London College of Music LLCM and FLCM diplomas
- RockSchool LRSL diploma
- Royal College of Organists ARCO, LTRCO and FRCO diplomas
- Royal Irish Academy of Music LRIAM diploma
- Trinity Guildhall LTCL, FTCL diploma
- Conservatoire diplomas at degree level that are no longer awarded, for example ARCM, LRAM
If you’re unsure whether your qualification meets these criteria, please call us on 020 7629 4413 or send us an email.
Music as a significant component
Music must be a significant component of your course. In most cases, this means music will be mentioned on the certificate. Joint honours degrees, for example Spanish and Music, are included.
International qualifications
If you obtained your qualification outside the UK or Ireland, you may need to provide a letter of comparability from UK NARIC, the national agency responsible for providing information and advice about international qualifications.
Profit-making exam boards
We don't accept qualifications from any examining body whose constitution allows its examinations to be carried on for the personal profit of its promoters, directors, or members.
A few random FAQs
- What if I can’t find my certificate?
- What qualifications do I need to join the ISM?
- How do I join as a student member?
- What is the fast-track programme?
- How much does it cost to join the ISM?