What Are the Differences Between Conservatoire and Music Education Degrees?

Music Education Department

Music education departments train teachers for public institutions and private schools. Their four-year programmes belong to faculties of education. Students study more than one instrument and have a principal instrument. Alongside music, pedagogical courses cover development and learning, introduction to teaching, classroom management, assessment, subject-specific teaching methods and placements. Graduates qualify as music teachers and take the KPSS examination while awaiting appointment. Depending on their efforts and achievements, they may also join state orchestras, teach privately, perform at venues, compose, write books or instrumental methods, teach in private institutions, pursue academic careers and advancement, compose for film, television or theatre, or use their creativity in other professions.

State Conservatoire — Undergraduate Level

State conservatoires aim to train artists and provide orchestras with instrumentalists and singers at virtuoso level. The undergraduate programme lasts four years and reports directly to the university rectorate. Graduates may join state symphony orchestras, state Turkish music orchestras or private orchestras. During their four-year undergraduate studies at university-affiliated state conservatoires, students develop comprehensive technical knowledge and advanced performance skills on their chosen instrument. They take many courses and give concerts towards this goal; other subjects support the path to virtuosity. Depending on their efforts and achievements, graduates may join state orchestras, teach privately, perform, compose, write books or methods, teach in private institutions, pursue academic careers, or compose for film, television and theatre. The degree alone does not qualify them to take the KPSS examination or teach in state institutions. Under the system described as of 11 August 2017, conservatoire graduates could obtain additional pedagogical training, become eligible for KPSS and teach in state schools. However, this entitlement could be removed in later years. For example, a law passed during a student's fourth year could restrict eligibility to graduates of music education departments. Similar changes have occurred in the past.

Tayfun Kumova
Rekor Sanat – Guitar Teacher