This is shown in the graduate survey among former music students in Norway, conducted by Telemark Research on behalf of the National Council for Performing and Creative Music (FUM). The report provides insight into the work life, employment situation, and income levels of those who completed higher music education in Norway between 2013 and 2023.
This is how the music students fared – 10 years later
Most former Norwegian Academy of Music students find relevant work after their studies. Only two per cent were job-seeking in the first year after completing their education, and between 88 and 95% were employed in relevant jobs by 2024. Employment rates are higher among those with a music education than those with other education types.
Employment rates are higher among those with a music education compared to those with other types of education.
the Graduate Survey
Main Changes
It has been over ten years since a comparable report was last produced. One notable change since the previous survey is that more musicians are playing in bands or ensembles, while fewer are engaged in solo performance. This change is observed across all genres.
The proportion of those primarily working as self-employed professionals has increased since the last assessment. This is particularly true for those who studied rhythmic music, but it is also evident among those educated in classical music. Among the latter group, the share of individuals whose primary source of income comes from freelance work or self-employment has risen from 30% in 2013 to 41% in 2024.
High Employment Rates
Students from the Norwegian Academy of Music rank among the highest in finding relevant work after completing their education. Organists represent the group of musicians with the highest percentage of permanent employment—an impressive 90%. They also have the highest income related to music.
The School of Music and Performing Arts (Kulturskolen) is an important workplace for former music students. A total of 68% of all respondents teach in either part-time or full-time positions. Former NMH students also engage more in private teaching.
Half of the students who studied improvised music/jazz and folk music at NMH perform in bands or smaller ensembles. NMH students with a classical master's degree comprise the group with the highest employment rate in symphony orchestras among all former music students in Norway.
This demonstrates that our programmes are relevant, while the survey also provides valuable insights to help us continuously improve.
Rector of the Norwegian Academy of Music.
Foundation for a Career
Over half of former NMH students believe their music education provided a strong foundation for starting their professional careers, further learning on the job, and securing employment aligned with their expectations. However, regarding whether the education served as a solid foundation for working as self-employed professionals, opinions are more divided among NMH graduates. Between 37% and 54% agree to a large extent, while a significant proportion completely disagrees.
Classical students tend to view the education more positively than those in rhythmic studies. However, the trend is reversed when asked if the education provided a solid foundation for developing personal projects. Nearly 70% of students in improvised music/jazz and folk music agree, while only 38% of classical master’s students share the same view.
Combining Different Roles
The report shows that many former students have a work life characterised by temporary positions and freelance assignments. The majority combine various roles, such as teaching, artistic work, and other types of employment. A total of 66% of former students combine two or more activities, while 22% combine three or more.
Those who spend the most time on performance-related jobs are former students from NMH's classical programmes. Musicians with rhythmic education spend less time performing music and more time on other types of work than classically trained musicians. Graduates who have studied music pedagogy or completed additional training in pedagogy tend to work more in relevant fields and less in unrelated jobs than those without a pedagogical background.
It is inspiring to see how former students take on a wide variety of roles throughout the music ecosystem—as permanent employees, freelance project creators, and educators across a range of educational institutions. The interplay with many different actors in the workforce is also an important aspect of our educational programmes.
Rector
Lower Income Compared to Others
The income level among those with higher music education is lower than that of those with other higher education degrees. In 2022, the average professional income of former music students amounted to approximately 71% of the income earned by others with a comparable level of education. At the same time, it is worth noting that the proportion of those who are completely unemployed or outside the workforce is lower for those with music education than for those with other types of education.
Affected by the Pandemic
Music students are generally slightly less satisfied than in the previous survey conducted ten years ago. Researchers point to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has impacted both those who were studying and the professional lives of those who graduated before the pandemic, as a possible explanation.
