Music therapist
Use music and sound to help improve people's emotional wellbeing, relieve stress and improve their confidence.
About the job
What it's like
You would use music and sound to help improve people's emotional wellbeing, relieve stress and improve their confidence.
You would use your musical ability and knowledge of different styles of music to encourage people to explore sound and music.
Music therapy can help them to:
Express themselves
Develop insight and find ways of relating to other people
Become aware of their feelings
Interact with other people more confidently
Bring about positive changes in their lives
Your clients could include children or adults with:
Learning disabilities
Emotional or behavioural problems
Speech and language difficulties
Mental health problems
You might also work with people recovering from addictions.
Before starting the music therapy, you would agree on a programme of activity with your client which you would review at regular intervals.
You would hold group and one-to-one therapy sessions. These sessions would involve you and your clients playing musical instruments, singing, listening and improvising together.
You would check the effectiveness of the programme and write case notes and reports. Sometimes people may find the therapy difficult or upsetting and you might have to deal with challenging situations.
Many music therapists work in the NHS, although there are opportunities for private practice. You could also be self-employed as a freelance music therapist.
If you work in the NHS, you would work closely with other health care professionals such as nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists and speech and language therapists.
You can see more about this role in the National Health Service on the Music therapist page on the NHS Careers website.
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- coaching
- developing a plan
- social conscience
- empathising
- researching
- evaluating
- creative
- verbal communication
- listening
- cooperating
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Care
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Music
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Music Technology
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Psychology
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Foundation Apprenticeship: Social Services and Healthcare
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
You would need an an honours degree (SCQF level 10) or postgraduate qualification (SCQF level 11) in music therapy accredited by the British Association for Music Therapy (BAMT).
There is currently only one BAMT-recognised postgraduate music therapy qualification (SCQF level 11) offered in Scotland.
To enter the MSc in Music Therapy (Nordoff Robbins, Edinburgh) requires:
an honours degree (SCQF level 10)
practical musical skills on at least one instrument
and experience in a community, education or health setting
Qualifications and experience in music, psychology, health, education and community work
To have completed short courses with the British Association for Music Therapy (BAMT)
Ability to play more than one musical instrument
o be approved for membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme run by Disclosure Scotland.
A high standard of practical musicianship, normally of Grade 8 standard and flexibility on at least one instrument; for singleline instrumentalists or singers, proficiency on an harmonic instrument is also required.
Once you have completed your postgraduate course you gain UK state registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), which you need to work in the National Health Service (NHS) or with a local authority.
Once qualified, registered music therapists are eligible for full membership of the British Association of Music Therapy (BAMT).
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Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Music therapist'
