UK Music criticises funding withdrawal for post-16 music

UK Music is calling on Education Secretary Gillian Keegan to halt “damaging” plans to withdraw funding for post-16 music qualifications.

Government has proposed reforms that would defund the current suite of vocational Level 3 qualifications for music by 2026.

Level 3 qualifications in music are aimed at giving 16- to 19-year-olds skills and knowledge to progress to other training, study and employment options in a range of music production and performance disciplines. UK Music says the qualification has left students well-prepared for the often non-linear career progression in the creative industries. 

In a letter to Keegan, UK Music’s Interim Chief Executive Tom Kiehl says the move would leave approximately 30,000 young people a year without a viable alternative.

“Our primary concern relates to the planned defunding of the current suite of vocational Level 3 qualifications for music by 2026. There are not enough alternative options to fill the void that this creates,” Kiehl wrote.

“In the absence of a T-Level for Music, defunding for existing qualifications places a massive administrative burden on many in the music education sector, with qualifications having to be rewritten as Alternative Academic Qualifications (AAQs) and approved by Department for Education. 

“While the introduction of AAQs is not new, its requirement for 'assessment by examination' poses a great challenge for educators to implement the necessary course changes within the timeframe available. Moreover, this approach to learning risks diminishing accessibility to a subject that has traditionally empowered learners from diverse learning styles and backgrounds.”

Kiehl's letter continues: “We therefore ask for an immediate pause in the defunding of all music qualifications that are due to be effectively ‘turned off’ by 2026 and ask for a meeting with you and a representative group of impacted music education providers to find a way forward.

“As an industry, we acknowledge that our success depends on a diverse and accessible range of education and skills options at various levels. Vocational Level 3 qualifications are crucial for the music talent pipeline and are often overlooked.”