RIAM OR London College Dip = HDip here???

quantity771

Hi Guys,

Wondering if anyone can help me out,I'm looking to do a teaching diploma with either Riam of London college of Music. I'm currently studying a degree and want to find out if these Diplomas are recognised as a Hdip by the teaching council? I have been in contact with teaching council but they are not exactly being overly helpful?!?

Any info greatly appreciated!

funky penguin

Hmmm......not so sure!

I'd pressure them for an answer, and make sure it's in writing (either hard, or electronic).

Also, maybe consider the ABRSM, it's more widely recognised, isn't it? (Not sure on this!)

Doshea3

I don't think any music diplomas are recognized as such in the Republic. (I think one can do teaching diplomas with specialisation in classroom teaching in the UK though.) The RIAM is very clever and says that their Licentiate is recognized by the Department of Education as a qualification to teach in schools, but they neglect to mention that that only means teaching music on a one-to-one basis, not classroom teaching. I think the only way to get such a qualification is by doing a H.Dip. I'm afraid.

I wouldn't bother doing the RIAM diplomas, personally. The ARIAM is very expensive (about twice as expensive as the LCM, ABRSM and Trinity Guildhall, I recall) and not really recognized as a proper teaching diploma, since it's basically a performance cert with some teaching bits tacked on.

petebricquette

The only things that'll count in any way towards a HDip are Licentiates. I'd say look at ABRSM or LCM as they're the most widely-recognised. Bear in mind though that they only qualify you to teach Music as a secondary teacher (that providing you've a degree in anything already). You'd have to do an Associate diploma with whichever college you went with first as they're a prerequisite for the Licentiate. Unless you have a music degree or part thereof. There's stuff on their respective websites about what qualifies as an equivalent of an Associate dip.

Hope that spiel helped!

dan_d

Interesting answers.....I did the ALCM 2 years ago, and the fact that I had done LC Music was taken into account. I didn't have to do the theory exam as a result (obviously because I had a certain grade in LC hons music).
Sounds like the LCM might be the better option, if they're already tying themselves in with the Irish education system for their Dips. Not sure if that counts for the LLCM or the FLCM though.

Doshea3

From the RIAM website (http://www.riam.ie/riam-diplomas.html?linkidentifier=id&itemid=128):

The Teaching Diploma Licentiate (Musical Subjects) of the Royal Irish Academy of Music (LRIAM) is recognised by the Department of Education as an H Dip qualification for whole time employment in Ireland in: (a) Vocational Schools (b) Secondary Schools (teachers must also hold a validated music degree from a recognised university in Ireland or Britain)

The 'Musical Subjects' diploma is a sort of classroom teaching diploma, AFAIK, and not the same thing as the teaching/performing diploma.

Mares068

Did you find out anymore on the subject? I am in the same boat, I just finished my BAMUSJ this year and although I know that if I complete this i won't be able to teach maths I'd like to know that I would at least be able to teach music and I will worry about maths at another stage! Also do you know if this counts as extra for getting into the h.dip overall?

thunderdog

I've had students do all 3 and I can tell you that the LCM is the easiest one to pass.

Students often ask me the question "if I do a diploma am I qualified to teach"..and I suppose technically yes but you can teach without a diploma. I did for years

I think if you are doing the performance diploma you're looking at putting in a fair amount of practice for the year. For the teaching diploma, the best thing to have is a fair amount of experience.

At the end of the day a diploma is a diploma and it doens't really matter which one you have. You're rarely (if ever) be asked if you even have one.

Still worth doing though

evolving_doors

thunderdog wrote: »

I've had students do all 3 and I can tell you that the LCM is the easiest one to pass.

I did the ALCM and defo the easiest one compared to the ARIAM or ABRSM, although ABRSM is the international standard if you're looking to emigrate later!!(sorry),,,

If it helps, try and get some hours teaching the leaving/junior certificate music in a music school, it's alot of work at the start but will definitely stand to you in a 'regular school'. Also if jobs are scarce when you come out of the HDip it's good to fall back on as there are a heck of a lot of students choosing music as an extra subject outside school , considering the practical exam can be worth up to 50%. (Also considering that music has the highest % of students getting an honour compared to other subjects).

Also get involved with some church choirs/musical societies if you're that way inclined as it's good to be able to transfer this into a school setting as soon as you start working there, this is what principals will look for (well it was was what I was asked about in the interviews i'd done anyway!!)....

For secondary you will probably need piano+singing abilities in some shape or form too.

evolving_doors

Mares068 wrote: »

Did you find out anymore on the subject? I am in the same boat, I just finished my BAMUSJ this year and although I know that if I complete this i won't be able to teach maths I'd like to know that I would at least be able to teach music and I will worry about maths at another stage! Also do you know if this counts as extra for getting into the h.dip overall?

Don't give up on the maths just yet, did you do maths up until 3rd year in some form or was it just for one year? If you can suss out the teaching council you may only need a few top up modules from open university to be fully registered with the TC as a maths teacher...(although a few more courses may come onstream in the near future given the current hullabloo!!)