Music

Music careers are often divided into performance and non-performance roles, but many professionals build careers that combine creative, technical, commercial, and freelance work. This page provides an overview of music careers, including job roles, required skills, further study, freelancing and portfolio careers, and useful resources.

Thinking of music careers by splitting them into performance or non-performance roles can be a helpful starting point, but the reality is more fluid. Many people build careers that combine creative, technical, commercial and freelance work.

For example, someone might perform, teach, compose for media, produce music, work in artist development, manage events, or build a portfolio career across several income streams. Equally, many people work in music without performing at all, in roles such as marketing, publishing, rights management, finance, venue management, fundraising, artist management, data, music supervision, A&R or live events.

Creative PEC’s 2026 Skills Audit for Music highlights the importance of both specialist and transferable skills. Employers reported shortages in areas including technical production, digital literacy, business skills such as budgeting, marketing and contract knowledge, management, planning, communication and working with others.

Given the complexity of opportunities available in music-related careers this information focuses on popular non-performance roles and routes into a career in radio. If you are interested in music journalism read our general careers information and advice on getting into Journalism.

To find out more about making it as a performer e.g. a songwriter, DJ or session musician, read the careers guides available on BBC Music Introducing and Careers in Music for useful tips and advice from getting your music heard to choosing labels. If you are considering a performance career in classical music read Kate Blackstone’s useful article on Bachtrack which includes 10 top tips for a successful career.

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Sector information

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There is no single route into the music industry. Roles can be freelance, self-employed, fixed-term, project-based, part-time, portfolio-based or permanent.

Performing, composing and creating

These roles focus on creating, performing or interpreting music. They may include:

performer or session musician
singer, songwriter or composer
DJ or producer
conductor
arranger
accompanist
composer for screen, games, advertising or production music
orchestral musician
opera singer or repetiteur
backing vocalist
music director

Performance careers usually require sustained practice, feedback, networking, resilience and evidence of your work. This could include recordings, live credits, auditions, competitions, commissions, collaborations, social media presence, reviews, or a strong portfolio of compositions or performances.

Classical performance routes may involve conservatoire training, auditions, competitions, young artist programmes, orchestral schemes or postgraduate study. UCAS Conservatoires is the application service for performance-based music, dance, drama and musical theatre courses in the UK at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

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Recording, production and music technology

These roles combine creative, technical and collaborative skills. They may include:

recording engineer
mix engineer
mastering engineer
music producer
studio assistant
live sound engineer
broadcast sound technician
audio post-production specialist
Foley artist
sound designer
music technologist
software developer or product specialist in music tech

For technical roles, employers usually look for evidence of practical ability. This could include recordings, mixes, live events experience, credits, a showreel, studio experience, knowledge of digital audio workstations, understanding of audio workflows, or experience supporting artists and clients.

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Music business, rights and management

Many music careers sit on the business side of the industry. Roles may include:

artist manager
A&R scout or A&R coordinator
music publisher
sync licensing assistant or manager
label assistant
rights and royalties assistant
marketing or digital marketing executive
music PR or promotions assistant
booking agent
tour manager
business affairs assistant
music lawyer
data analyst
finance, operations or project management roles

These roles can suit students and graduates with strong communication, organisation, research, commercial awareness, analytical skills and attention to detail. Music knowledge matters, but you do not always need a music degree. You do need to understand the part of the industry you are applying to and be able to show genuine engagement with it.

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Live music, venues and events

Live music includes both on-stage and off-stage careers. Roles may include:

concert promoter
venue manager
festival assistant
artist liaison
production assistant
event manager
tour manager
stage manager
front of house manager
box office assistant
lighting, sound or AV technician
health, safety and crowd management roles

Live music can be fast-paced and project-based. It often values practical experience, reliability, teamwork, problem-solving and the ability to work under pressure.

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Music education, therapy and community music

Music can also lead into education, community engagement, health and social impact roles. These may include:

school music teacher
private instrumental or vocal teacher
music workshop leader
community musician
education officer in an arts organisation
youth music worker
music therapist
outreach or participation coordinator
learning and engagement producer

Some roles require further qualifications. For example, the National Careers Service music therapist profile states that music therapists need to complete an approved postgraduate course in music therapy and then register with the Health and Care Professions Council.

Private teaching may not require the same formal route, but you should still consider safeguarding, insurance, contracts, professional standards and whether membership of a professional body would be useful.

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Music journalism, radio, podcasting and media

Music also connects to media careers, including:

music journalist
radio producer
broadcast assistant
presenter
podcast producer
playlist editor
content producer
social media producer
researcher
critic or reviewer

The previous version of this page separated radio from other music careers. It is now more useful to place radio within a wider music, audio and media section, because students interested in radio may also be considering podcasting, audio production, music journalism, social content, digital platforms or broadcast production.

If you are interested in music journalism, you may also want to use Oxford Careers’ Journalism page

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Build experience while studying

There are many ways to start exploring music careers while at Oxford. Depending on your interests, you could:

join or organise student performances, ensembles, societies or events
get involved with student radio, podcasting or music journalism
volunteer at festivals, venues, arts organisations or local music projects
create recordings, compositions, mixes, playlists, reviews or promotional content
support marketing, ticketing, front of house or artist liaison for events
develop a portfolio website, SoundCloud, Bandcamp, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram or LinkedIn presence
approach studios, labels, venues, festivals, orchestras, music charities or agencies for advice, shadowing or short work experience
use Oxford alumni and professional networks to learn more about specific roles

BIMM’s work experience page is a useful example of how practical experience can span record labels, live events, TV production, festivals, venue management, front of house, box office and artist liaison.

Use transferable skills

It is possible to enter some music industry roles directly after a degree, especially where the role draws on transferable skills such as research, writing, organisation, project management, communication, analysis, languages, marketing, finance or commercial awareness.

Examples might include marketing assistant, publishing assistant, artist management assistant, fundraising assistant, events assistant, business affairs assistant, orchestra administrator, label assistant, music retail, rights administration or social media roles.

Use specialist skills

Specialist roles usually require stronger evidence of practical experience. For example, a sound engineer will need technical examples and live or studio experience. A composer will need a portfolio. A performer will need recordings, credits and audition experience. A music journalist will need published writing or strong samples.

Skills and experience

The music industry values a mixture of specialist, digital, business and interpersonal skills.

Useful skills may include:

musical ability, creativity or strong genre knowledge
technical production, recording or live sound skills
digital marketing and social media
data analysis and audience insight
copyright, licensing, royalties or music publishing knowledge
budgeting, fundraising or financial understanding
project management
communication and negotiation
planning and organisation
teamwork and collaboration
adaptability and resilience
problem-solving
cultural awareness and inclusive practice

For students and early-career alumni, it is important to build evidence. A CV alone may not be enough. Depending on your target role, consider developing a portfolio, showreel, set list, recordings, writing samples, campaign examples, production credits, event experience, case studies, testimonials or a short professional website.

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Formal graduate schemes exist in the music industry, but they are less common than in sectors such as finance, consulting or law. Many music employers recruit through internships, entry-level roles, fixed-term contracts, apprenticeships, trainee programmes, work experience, freelance projects and speculative approaches.

Some larger organisations advertise structured opportunities each year. For example, Sony Music UK’s internship programme offers paid, 12-month, full-time internships based in London, with opportunities across labels and business areas such as Columbia Records, RCA, Ministry of Sound, Commercial Group, Music For Nations, 4th Floor Creative, AWAL and The Orchard. Sony Music UK has also run a paid 12-month A&R Academy as part of its wider internship network.

Universal Music UK’s careers site is another useful place to check. Universal Music UK describes opportunities across areas including A&R, finance, legal, digital, sales and marketing. Its early talent programme, Amplify U, has included paid internships and associate internship opportunities. Recent advertised examples included a 12-month paid internship and a 24-month Associate Internship involving department rotations and a specialisation period, although roles and timings change each year.

Warner Music Group’s careers site is also worth checking regularly. Warner Music Group highlights early-career opportunities designed to help people build skills for the music industry. Its global Emerging Talent Associate Program is a paid internship programme, although students should check location and eligibility carefully because some opportunities are country-specific. Warner Music UK has also partnered with regional and access organisations on internship opportunities, including programmes with Cre8ing Vision, NQ and Generator.

For students interested in music broadcasting, audio production or radio, BBC Early Careers is a key resource. The BBC offers paid early-career schemes and apprenticeships that provide on-the-job experience, salary and training. Applications for BBC early-career schemes are currently closed until autumn 2026, but students can still explore the schemes available and follow BBC Get In for updates.

Live music, venues and events can have a different recruitment pattern. Rather than traditional graduate schemes, students may find internships, assistant roles, seasonal festival work, venue operations roles, production assistant roles and entry-level marketing or ticketing roles. Live Nation Entertainment’s careers site lists opportunities across live entertainment, including promotions, venue operations, advertising and sponsorship, ticketing, digital and technology, and artist management. AEG Europe’s careers site is also useful for venue, live entertainment and festival-related roles. AEG Europe states that it does not currently run a graduate scheme, but some roles can be suitable for people just out of university.

Students should not rely only on “graduate scheme” searches. Many good entry routes will be advertised as internship, assistant, coordinator, trainee, apprentice, work experience, runner, junior, temporary, seasonal or fixed-term roles. It is also worth checking individual organisations directly, because some music employers advertise vacancies only on their own websites.

Examples of places to check

Sony Music UK internships for paid 12-month internships and A&R opportunities.
Universal Music UK careers for internships, early talent opportunities and entry-level roles across labels and business functions.
Warner Music Group careers for UK and global vacancies, with careful checking of location and eligibility.
BBC Early Careers for apprenticeships and trainee routes into broadcasting, audio, journalism and production.
Live Nation Entertainment careers for live music, ticketing, venue, marketing, operations and artist-related roles.
AEG Europe careers for live entertainment, venues and festivals.
PRS for Music careers for roles connected to music rights, royalties, licensing, data, membership and operations.
Music Jobs UK for music industry vacancies across different functions.
Doors Open for music, events, culture and creative industry opportunities.
Music Business Worldwide jobs for music business, label, publishing, marketing and management roles.
Creative Access opportunities for internships, entry-level roles and access-focused opportunities in the creative industries.

AI in applications

While employers look for tech-literate graduates, they also expect you to use AI ethically and appropriately. AI is used widely in a wide variety of organisations to speed up processes and improve efficiency according to professionals we’ve heard from at Careers events. Before you are tempted to do the same during an application process, we advise that you:

Check the stance of companies you are targeting. Many have published their policies on AI on their websites.
Keep in mind that recruitment teams want you to be honest and authentic in your applications and it is difficult to achieve that if you use AI to draft your answers. In using generative AI, you risk sounding generic and uninteresting.
We also recommend that you read the Careers, University of Oxford guidance on the Use of AI in Job Applications and Assessments and the University’s position on the use of generative AI Tools to support learning.