Rockschool music qualifications are tailor-made for the contemporary musician.
Changing the landscape of formal music education
From a small office in West London in 1991, RSL Awards had a dream to change the landscape of formal music education, and sought to become the first viable alternative to the traditional offerings available in Britain at the time.
To simultaneously fill the void and satisfy a demand that they knew was out there, founders Norton York and Dr. Simon Pitt initially developed a guitar, bass and drums syllabus for the contemporary musician. Rockschool began offering these exams in the summer of 1991, making it the world’s first graded exam syllabus for popular music.
By continuing to create engaging contemporary qualifications, we have since expanded operations from Rockschool Graded Music Exams (1991) to the inclusion of Teaching and Performance Diplomas, Vocational & Technical Qualifications (2005), Performance Arts Awards (2010), Creative Qualifications and RSL Classical graded music exams (2020).
We pride ourselves on delivering the most academically rigorous and industry relevant qualifications, designed to support all aspiring musicians, performers, educators and teaching establishments – wherever they may be.
Vision
To be a global leader in contemporary arts education, enabling everyone everywhere, to develop and fulfil their own individual talent and potential.
Mission
To create a wide range of innovative, contemporary arts qualifications and resources across the world that are engaging and inspiring to learn and teach.
Brand
The RSL brand is a guarantee of quality, expertise and a commitment to delivering the best contemporary arts qualifications on offer.
Values
Creative
We are market leading, innovative and forward thinking. We are passionate about what we do and not afraid to disrupt.
Inclusive
We are friendly, caring and fair. We respect cultural diversity and individualism and believe that contemporary arts education should be accessible to all.
Professional
We deliver the highest standards of excellence to support the aspirations of our learners and teachers. We never stop looking for ways to improve.
Transparent
We are clear and transparent and believe in being honest with our partners, teachers, learners and each other. We take responsibility for our actions and listen to others.
Responsible
We are respectful of the environment in which we work and actively seek out ways to operate in more sustainable ways. We strive to make a positive impact through creative learning.
Collaborative
Our highly motivated team delight in delivering innovative solutions. We are ambitious and enjoy working with people that challenge our thinking.
The Leadership Team
Introducing the RSL Leadership team, based in London, UK. We have a team of almost 50 internal office staff, 100s of examiners and External Quality Assurers, and around 40 International Distributors. We also have offices with dedicated teams based outside of London in Madrid, Delhi and Beijing.
Norton York
Chairman and Founder
RSL Awards is about bringing talented, enthusiastic creatives into the education world, so that aspiring artists can benefit from their expertise and advice.
Norton York
Chairman and Founder
RSL Awards is about bringing talented, enthusiastic creatives into the education world, so that aspiring artists can benefit from their expertise and advice.
Tim Bennett-Hart
CEO
I believe that the arts are key in developing the minds of young people. Studying creatively offers learners the chance to explore new ideas and make the connections that prepare them to work in a range of industries. Education should be a safe space where students can grow, make mistakes,…
Tim Bennett-Hart
CEO
I believe that the arts are key in developing the minds of young people. Studying creatively offers learners the chance to explore new ideas and make the connections that prepare them to work in a range of industries. Education should be a safe space where students can grow, make mistakes, and learn.
Dr Fern-Chantèle Carter
Director of Awarding (Responsible and Accountable Officer)
I passionately believe in the transformative power of education and am committed to ensuring that our qualifications and partner organisations are compliant, effective, and impactful. I’m proud that RSL’s robust range of qualifications and assessments foster inclusive and accessible learning environments, empowering all learners to achieve, no matter their background…
Dr Fern-Chantèle Carter
Director of Awarding (Responsible and Accountable Officer)
I passionately believe in the transformative power of education and am committed to ensuring that our qualifications and partner organisations are compliant, effective, and impactful. I’m proud that RSL’s robust range of qualifications and assessments foster inclusive and accessible learning environments, empowering all learners to achieve, no matter their background or location.
Nathan Theodoulou
Director of Product and Marketing
The first few pieces you learn to play, the first dance routine you master and the first time you speak lines on a stage, are all unforgettable moments. My job is creating books, music, digital resources and training programmes that make all that possible. I couldn’t do it alone. I…
Nathan Theodoulou
Director of Product and Marketing
The first few pieces you learn to play, the first dance routine you master and the first time you speak lines on a stage, are all unforgettable moments. My job is creating books, music, digital resources and training programmes that make all that possible. I couldn’t do it alone. I lead an amazing team of talented creative people who make the products and then make sure you find out about them!
Matthias Postel
Director of Global Operations
I am dedicated to promoting creative arts education and empowering young people to discover and develop their individual talents. My role within the RSL team involves streamlining our operations and leveraging technology to efficiently deliver exams and qualifications around the world. By focusing on these practical aspects, I am proud…
Matthias Postel
Director of Global Operations
I am dedicated to promoting creative arts education and empowering young people to discover and develop their individual talents. My role within the RSL team involves streamlining our operations and leveraging technology to efficiently deliver exams and qualifications around the world. By focusing on these practical aspects, I am proud to help build strong foundations for young people pursuing their passion in the arts.
Johan Droskie
Director of IT
My role is to oversee and manage the technological infrastructure and platforms of RSL, ensuring the effective and efficient use of technology to support our business goals and objectives.
Johan Droskie
Director of IT
My role is to oversee and manage the technological infrastructure and platforms of RSL, ensuring the effective and efficient use of technology to support our business goals and objectives.
Careers at RSL
At RSL we believe our success is down to the people who work for us. We are committed to providing opportunities for professional growth and development in a work environment that is innovative, dynamic and supportive, which values professionalism and academic rigour at its core. View our available jobs below. To apply, email your application in the form of CV and covering letter outlining your experience relevant to the role to careers@rslawards.com.
Latest Job
VQ Standards Verifier (SV)
Teddington, UK
Self-employed Contractor
At RSL, we are committed to providing the best, most industry-relevant qualifications for tomorrow’s creative professionals. We are recruiting a VQ Centre Quality Assurer to join our Awarding team. This is a fantastic opportunity to start your career within this exciting and creative sector. We are proud to reflect the richness and diversity of our product range in our recruitment and employment practices.
Latest Job
VQ Senior Subject Expert (SSE)
Teddington, UK
Self-employed Contractor
At RSL, we are committed to providing the best, most industry-relevant qualifications for tomorrow’s creative professionals. We are recruiting a VQ Centre Quality Assurer to join our Awarding team. This is a fantastic opportunity to start your career within this exciting and creative sector. We are proud to reflect the richness and diversity of our product range in our recruitment and employment practices.
Latest Job
VQ Centre Quality Assurer
Teddington, UK
Self-employed Contractor
At RSL, we are committed to providing the best, most industry-relevant qualifications for tomorrow’s creative professionals. We are recruiting a VQ Centre Quality Assurer to join our Awarding team. This is a fantastic opportunity to start your career within this exciting and creative sector. We are proud to reflect the richness and diversity of our product range in our recruitment and employment practices.
Latest Job
VQ External Assessor (EA)
Teddington, UK
Self-employed Contractor
At RSL, we are committed to providing the best, most industry-relevant qualifications for tomorrow’s creative professionals. We are recruiting a VQ External Assessor (EA) to join our Awarding team. This is a fantastic opportunity to start your career within this exciting and creative sector. We are proud to reflect the richness and diversity of our product range in our recruitment and employment practices.
Latest Job
VQ Quality Coordinator
Teddington, UK
Part-time (Hybrid)
At RSL, we are committed to providing the best, most industry-relevant qualifications for tomorrow’s creative professionals. We are recruiting a VQ Quality Coordinator to join our Awarding team. This is a fantastic opportunity to start your career within this exciting and creative sector. We are proud to reflect the richness and diversity of our product range in our recruitment and employment practices.
Latest Job
Junior Marketing Manager
Teddington, UK (Hybrid)
Full-time
At RSL, we are committed to providing the best, most industry relevant qualifications for tomorrow’s creative professionals. Due to continued success and growth of our international markets, we are looking for a Junior Marketing Manager to develop, implement and assist RSL Awards’ marketing and content strategy across five exciting brands. This is a unique opportunity to work with a highly motivated and results driven marketing team.
We’re proud to work with the biggest names in Contemporary Arts
We work with some of the best and biggest manufacturers, retailers, and music and contemporary arts schools, colleges and institutions across the world. RSL’s qualifications are also fully regulated by every UK regulatory body.
Industry Partners
Regulators
Customer Testimonials
We pride ourselves on our knowledge of the sectors we work in and the quality and integrity of the qualifications we award. Here’s what our customers think…
Hannah Fieldhouse
Great exam board, and a strong calibre of songs included in each Rockschool grade/instrument level. Students are especially enjoying the new syllabus, with a range of popular songs included.
Bruce Dickinson – Founder Director, Waterbear
At WaterBear The College of Music, we are always encouraged when a new applicant arrives through the door with an RSL qualification under their belts. The RSL programmes are super practical, relevant to the modern creative sector and have academic rigour too. As a result, graduates from these programmes are well placed to progress into higher education and have all the foundations fora successful career in the creative sector.
Artz Centre
PAA's flexible nature is ideal for our Performing Arts Academy teaching team and students, meaning that we can plan our show exams, classes and syllabus delivery around our many other production projects; which is ideal given what a busy community organisation we are!
Head of Music at a Teaching and Recording Studio
The Professional Diploma was exactly what I was looking for to further my career. The format was straightforward, I could self-study and do the assessments at home in my own time. When I sent the assessments in I got the results back quickly and I achieved my Diploma Level 6 quicker that expected.
Simon Arbuthnot
I have been using RSL guitar & bass grade books in my music teaching company for over a decade now & would recommend them unequivocally, over and above everything else in the market today - I have tried them all.
Jay Lawrence – Coleg Y Cymoedd
The RSL qualifications have given us so much scope as a creative provider. The range and versatility of the criteria and delivery content has been a welcomed change and model that both staff and learners are engaged by.
Hannah Fieldhouse
Great exam board, and a strong calibre of songs included in each Rockschool grade/instrument level. Students are especially enjoying the new syllabus, with a range of popular songs included.
Bruce Dickinson – Founder Director, Waterbear
At WaterBear The College of Music, we are always encouraged when a new applicant arrives through the door with an RSL qualification under their belts. The RSL programmes are super practical, relevant to the modern creative sector and have academic rigour too. As a result, graduates from these programmes are well placed to progress into higher education and have all the foundations fora successful career in the creative sector.
Artz Centre
PAA's flexible nature is ideal for our Performing Arts Academy teaching team and students, meaning that we can plan our show exams, classes and syllabus delivery around our many other production projects; which is ideal given what a busy community organisation we are!
Head of Music at a Teaching and Recording Studio
The Professional Diploma was exactly what I was looking for to further my career. The format was straightforward, I could self-study and do the assessments at home in my own time. When I sent the assessments in I got the results back quickly and I achieved my Diploma Level 6 quicker that expected.
Simon Arbuthnot
I have been using RSL guitar & bass grade books in my music teaching company for over a decade now & would recommend them unequivocally, over and above everything else in the market today - I have tried them all.
Jay Lawrence – Coleg Y Cymoedd
The RSL qualifications have given us so much scope as a creative provider. The range and versatility of the criteria and delivery content has been a welcomed change and model that both staff and learners are engaged by.
Hannah Fieldhouse
Great exam board, and a strong calibre of songs included in each Rockschool grade/instrument level. Students are especially enjoying the new syllabus, with a range of popular songs included.
Bruce Dickinson – Founder Director, Waterbear
At WaterBear The College of Music, we are always encouraged when a new applicant arrives through the door with an RSL qualification under their belts. The RSL programmes are super practical, relevant to the modern creative sector and have academic rigour too. As a result, graduates from these programmes are well placed to progress into higher education and have all the foundations fora successful career in the creative sector.
Artz Centre
PAA's flexible nature is ideal for our Performing Arts Academy teaching team and students, meaning that we can plan our show exams, classes and syllabus delivery around our many other production projects; which is ideal given what a busy community organisation we are!
Head of Music at a Teaching and Recording Studio
The Professional Diploma was exactly what I was looking for to further my career. The format was straightforward, I could self-study and do the assessments at home in my own time. When I sent the assessments in I got the results back quickly and I achieved my Diploma Level 6 quicker that expected.
Simon Arbuthnot
I have been using RSL guitar & bass grade books in my music teaching company for over a decade now & would recommend them unequivocally, over and above everything else in the market today - I have tried them all.
Jay Lawrence – Coleg Y Cymoedd
The RSL qualifications have given us so much scope as a creative provider. The range and versatility of the criteria and delivery content has been a welcomed change and model that both staff and learners are engaged by.
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