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Finding Teaching Work

Here you can find advice on finding work either as a private instrumental or vocal teacher, or through a third party such as a teaching agency.

Last updated: 03 November 2023

On this page you will find information about:

  • MU member directory
  • Advertising locally
  • Third party organisations
  • Teaching agencies

Finding private teaching work

The MU has a member directory to help you reach a wider audience, where MU members can:

  • Create a professional profile where you can upload your photos, videos and audio files
  • Be visible in a database searchable by keyword, instrument, style and region
  • Include qualification verifications 
  • Include pupil testimonials

Update your professional profile

Local music shops

Your local music shop notice board can be used as an effective way of advertising locally. Ask if you can leave promotional material which includes your contact details.

Through a third party

Any organisation who organises the teaching for you or introduces you to students is acting as a third party.

These include schools, music services, music hubs & cooperatives, agencies, music schools etc.

Teaching agencies

There are many teaching agencies operating to sell music teaching to schools and parents. We strongly advise our members to enquire carefully about the terms and pay before signing up with these organisations.

While most are fair, there are some exploitative agencies for instance charging parents £48 per hour and giving the tutor £18 per hour. We recommend that agencies should not take more than 15 - 20 % of the amount charged.

As with all work for third parties we recommend members check with the MU first, before they sign. If in doubt, wait and check your contract with us.

Organisations advertise jobs in some of these websites and journals:

  • UK Music Mark is the umbrella body for music services and hubs. Many music services and hubs post job adverts here. Remember, recruitment often takes place up to a term before a job starts. You may see some jobs advertised followed by a number such as .1 or .5. A teacher’s week is divided into 10 half-day slots, and each number equals one half day:
    .1 = half a day    .5 = two and a half days.
  • Youth Music is a funding body that promotes work with youth music organisations. Sign up to their network for feeds about what is happening in the music education sector and for information about work opportunities.
  • Times Educational Supplement - classroom and peripatetic teaching jobs in maintained and independent sector
  • Rhinegold publish Music Teacher and Classical Music magazines – you’ll find job advertisements in both publications.
  • UK Music Jobs in all areas of the music education sector and the wider music industry are posted here.

Find a music teacher

Search for music teachers by area or according to musical styles and instruments.

Get support as a music teacher through MU membership

The MU has a strong community of teaching musicians, with over 12,000 members. We advise music teachers on specific topics, including pay and contractual issues. Through our resources and employment advice, we support and create careers in music teaching.

Get support as a music teacher through MU membership