RSL Awards 
As a truly vocationally relevant suite of qualifications, RSLs Music Practitioners qualifications offer over 140 units across Levels 1-3 covering subjects which span the breadth of job roles and disciplines within the industry.
RSL cater for Schools, Colleges and Training Providers with qualifications which contribute to DfE Performance Measures, carry UCAS points and provide practical, relevant and accessible pathways into the industry and Higher Education.
Delivered in over 350 centres across the UK, RSLs qualifications are a market leader and in conjunction with our Graded Instrumental and Production syllabi, RSLs portfolio offers the complete solution for your Music Department.
Deliver nowMusic Practitioners Levels 1&2 Technical Awards (Confirmed for Performance Tables until 2022)
Music Practitioners Level 1-3 Syllabus (Non Performance Tables)
Performance Tables
RSL offers three standalone qualifications for delivery to learners aged 14-16.
Each qualification has an externally assessed core (mandatory) unit which takes the form of a controlled assessment.
The controlled assessment involves the planning, execution and evaluation of a practical task. None of RSL’s qualifications involve a written examination.
In addition to the core unit, each qualification includes a range of optional units. The full list of units across the three GCSE equivalent qualifications can be viewed below. Download the full specs here
| 101 Arranging Music | 102 Composing Music (Ideas) | 103 Composing Music (Collaboration) | 104 Composing Lyrics | 105 Practical Harmony Application |
| 106 Music Artist and You | 107 Listening to Music | 110 Sound Reinforcement | 114 Putting on an Event | 116 Music Sequencing and Production |
| 118 Using a DAW | 119 Live Sound Recording | 120 Music Rehearsal Skills | 121 Live Music Performance | 122 Instrumental Study |
Non Performance Tables
RSLs Level 1 Syllabus comprises 21 units across areas as diverse as Music Arrangement and Stage Production. The Level 1 syllabus is designed to give those new to music and related industry disciplines a solid grounding in their chosen field so that they may develop their knowledge and skills further at a higher level in future.
Each unit comes with a specification document which includes guidance on delivery and assessment of the unit as well as the learning outcomes and assessment criteria. Grading criteria are also included. You can download all the specifications here
| 101 Music Arrangement | 102 Composing Music (Ideas) | 103 Composing Music (Collaboration) |
| 104 Composing Lyrics | 105 Practical Harmony | 204* Composing Music (Collaboration) |
| 106 Music Artist and You | 107 Listening to Music | 108 Sound Reinforcement |
| 109 Stage Production | 110 Understanding the Music Industry | 111 Event Production |
| 112 Exploring a Career in Music | 218*Music Marketing and Promotion | 113 Music Sequencing and Production |
| 114 Using a Keyboard with a DAW | 115 Sound Recording | 116 Creating Music with Mobile Technology |
| 117 Recorded Music Performance | 222* Music Sequencing and Production | 223* Sound Recording |
Music Practitioners Levels 1&2 Technical Awards (Confirmed for Performance Tables until 2022)
Music Practitioners Level 1-3 Syllabus (Non Performance Tables)
Performance Tables
RSL offers three standalone qualifications for delivery to learners aged 14-16.
Each qualification has an externally assessed core (mandatory) unit which takes the form of a controlled assessment.
The controlled assessment involves the planning, execution and evaluation of a practical task. None of RSL’s qualifications involve a written examination.
In addition to the core unit, each qualification includes a range of optional units. The full list of units across the three GCSE equivalent qualifications can be viewed below. Download the full specs here
| 201 Arranging Music | 202 Composing Music (Style) | 203 Composing (Collaboration) |
| 205 Composing Lyrics | 206 Practical Harmony Application | 207 Contextualising Music |
| 208 Music Style Development | 209 Listening to Music | 221 Organising a Music Event |
| 222 Music Sequencing and Production | 223 Live Sound Recording | 224 Digital Recording and Production |
| 225 Podcast Production | 226 Remixing and Production | 227 Using a DAW |
| 228 Using a Keyboard with a DAW | 229 Music Rehearsal Skills | 230 Live Music Performance |
| 231 Recorded Music Performance | 233 Instrumental Study |
Non Performance Tables
RSLs Level 2 syllabus comprises 36 units across areas as diverse as Practical Harmony and DJ Skills. The Level 2 syllabus is designed to give those developing knowledge of music and related industry disciplines detailed knowledge of their chosen field so that they may progress to higher levels of study or in to the employment market.
Each unit comes with a specification document which includes guidance on delivery and assessment of the unit as well as the learning outcomes and assessment criteria. Grading criteria are also included. You can download all the specifications here
| 201 Arranging Music (Styles) | 202 Composing Music (Style) | 203 Composing Music (Solo) | 204 Composing Music (Collaboration) | 205 Composing for Media |
| 206 Composing Lyrics | 207 Practical Harmony Application | 208 Music Style in Context | 209 Music Artist and You | 210 Listening to Music |
| 211 Evolution of Music Technology | 212 Sound Reinforcement | 213 Lighting for Music Performance | 214 Music Stage Manager (Assistant) | 215 Understanding Event Health and Safety |
| 216 How The Music Industry Works | 217 Earning Money in the Music Industry | 218 Music Marketing and Promotion | 219 Selling Music | 220 Careers in Music |
| 221 Organising a Music Event | 222 Music Sequencing and Production | 223 Sound Recording | 224 Digital Recording and Production | 225 Podcast Production |
| 226 Remixing & Production | 227 Creating Music with Mobile Technology | 228 Music Video Production | 229 Using a Digital Audio Workstation with a Keyboard | 230 Music Rehearsal Skills |
| 231 Live Music Performance | 232 Recorded Music Performance | 233 Auditioning for Music | 234 DJ Skills | 235 Improving Instrumental Performance |
| 236 Musicianship |
Level 3 Tech Levels (Confirmed for Performance Tables until 2022)
Music Practitioners Level 1-3 Syllabus (Non Performance Tables)
Performance Tables
RSL offers two qualifications which contribute to School and College performance measures at Level 3. Each qualification features four pathways – Performing, Technology, Composition and Business.
The pathway selected defines the mandatory content the learner will undertake. A learner undertakes one external unit in their first year of study and a further unit if they wish to complete the Extended Diploma.
The controlled assessment involves the planning, execution and evaluation of a practical task. None of RSL’s qualifications involve a written examination.
In addition to the core unit, each qualification includes a range of optional units. The full list of units can be viewed below. Download the full specs here
| 302 Music Arrangement (Orchestration) | 303 Music Arrangement (Projects) | 304 Composing Music (Styles) | 305 Composing Music (Collaboration) | 306 Composing Music (Solo) | 308 Composing for Interactive Media | 309 Composing for Film/TV | 310 Composing Lyrics | 311 Practical Harmony Application (Chords & Progressions) | 312 Practical Harmony Application (Chord Substitutions) |
| 313 Practical Harmony Application (Counterpoint) | 314 Practical Harmony Application (Pedals) | 315 Understanding Musical Influences | 316 Understanding Musical Styles | 317 Contextualising Music | 318 Listening to Music | 319 Music Artist and The Media | 320 Music Dissertation | 321 Evolution of the Record Industry | 322 Music Instrument Development |
| 323 Development of Sound Sources | 324 Development of Music Sequencing | 325 Development of Music Recording Technology | 326 Understanding Recording Studio Design | 327 Understanding Recording Techniques | 328 Understanding Live Sound Design | 329 Using a DAW (Analysis) | 330 Using a DAW (Research) | 331 Choreographing Popular Music | 332 Dance for Musicians |
| 333 Live Sound Engineering:FOH | 334 Live Sound Engineering:Monitors | 335 Sound Reinforcement | 336 Lighting for Music Events | 337 Music Stage Management | 338 Music Event Health & Safety | 339 Revenue Flow In the Music Industry | 340 Copyright In The Music Industry | 341 Royalties And Music | 342 Contracts in The Music Industry |
| 343 Music Marketing | 344 Music Promotion | 345 Selling Recorded Music | 346 Music Publishing | 347 Getting Work In Music | 348 Understanding The Creative Progress in Music | 349 Planning for a Career in Music | 350 Music Press and Journalism | 351 Music Management | 352 Working as a Freelance Music Practitioner |
| 353 Music Event Management | 354 Setting Up a Music Business | 355 Leading Music Making Activity | 357 Musical Director | 358 Music Rehearsal Skills | 359 Live Music Performance | 360 Recorded Music Performance | 361 Music Performance to Camera | 362 Lead Performer | 363 Session Musician |
| 364 Music Improvisation | 365 Auditioning For Music | 366 Music Sequencing and Production | 367 Music Sequencing and Production ( Media) | 368 Live Sound Recording | 369 Digital Recording and Production | 370 Studio Sound Recording | 371 Studio Sound Mixing | 372 Studio Audio Mastering | 373 Mixing for Surround Sound |
| 374 Remixing & Production | 375 Radio/ Podcast Production | 376 Music Video Production | 377 Rewiring & Synchronisation | 378 Digital Synthesis | 379 Analogue Synthesis (Software Based) | 380 Creating a Sample Library | 381 Using Dynamic Processors | 382 Using Multi-Effects | 383 Using Equalisation & Filters |
| 384 Using a Keyboard with a DAW | 385 Improving Instrumental Performance | 386 Musicianship | 387 Rehearsal Skills & Live Music Performance | 388 Live Sound Recording & Reinforcement | 389 Music Promotion & Event Management | 390 Composing Styles & Music Sequencing | 391 Composing Collaboration & Recorded Music Performance | 392 Studio Sound Recording & Mixing | 393 Setting Up a Music Business & Selling Music |
| 394 Composing Solo & Remixing & Production |
Non Performance Tables
RSLs Level 3 syllabus comprises 84 units covering areas as diverse as Composition, Performing, Music Technology, Music Business and Live Music Production. The Level 3 syllabus is designed build on the knowledge and skills of learners who may already be an experienced instrumentalist, producer, songwriter or a budding entrepreneur. The range of available units allows learners to specialise in a specific area of study or undertake units in a range of disciplines to broaden their skillset. Learners completing a level 3 qualification can enter the workplace or continue to further study at a University of their choice or on RSL’s unique Level 4 Creative Practitioners qualification
Each unit comes with a specification document which includes guidance on delivery and assessment of the unit as well as the learning outcomes and assessment criteria. Grading criteria are also included. You can download all the specifications here
| 302 Arranging Music (Orchestration) | 303 Arranging Music (Applications) | 304 Composing Music (Styles) | 305 Composing Music (Collaboration) | 306 Composing Music (Solo) | 307 Composing for Film and Documentary | 308 Composing for Interactive Media | 309 Composing for Adverts and TV | 310 Composing Lyrics | 311 Practical Harmony Application (Chords & Progressions) |
| 312 Practical Harmony Application (Chords & Substitutions) | 313 Practical Harmony Application (Counterpoint) | 314 Practical Harmony Application (Pedals) | 315 Understanding Musical Influences | 316 Understanding Musical Styles | 317 Contextualising Music | 318 Listening to Music | 319 Music Artist and The Media | 320 Music Dissertation | 321 Evolution of the Record Industry |
| 322 Music Instrument Development | 323 Development of Sound Sources | 324 Development of Music Sequencing | 325 Development of Music Recording Technology | 326 Understanding Recording Studio Design | 327 Understanding Recording Techniques | 328 Understanding Live Sound Design | 329 Using DAW (Analysis) | 330 Using DAW (Research) | 331 Choreographing Popular Music |
| 332 Dance for Musicians | 333 Live Sound Engineering: FOH | 334 Live Sound Engineering: Monitors | 335 Sound Reinforcement | 336 Lighting for Music Events | 337 Music Stage Manager | 338 Music Event Health & Safety | 339 Revenue Flow In The Music Industry | 340 Copyright In The Music Industry | 341 Royalties and Music |
| 342 Contracts In The Music Industry | 343 Music Marketing | 344 Music Promotion | 345 Selling Recorded Music | 346 Music Publishing | 347 Getting Work In Music | 348 Understanding The Creative Progress In Music | 349 Planning for a Career In Music | 350 Music Press and Journalism | 351 Music Management |
| 352 Working as a Freelance Music Practitioner | 353 Music Event Management | 354 Setting Up a Music Business | 355 Leading Music Making Activity | 357 Musical Director | 358 Music Rehearsal Skills | 359 Live Music Performance | 360 Recorded Music Performance | 361 Music Performance to Camera | 362 Lead Performer |
| 363 Session Musician | 364 Music Improvisation | 365 Auditioning for Music | 366 Music Sequencing and Production | 367 Music Sequencing and Production (Media) | 368 Live Sound Recording | 369 Digital Recording and Production | 370 Studio Sound Recording | 371 Studio Sound Mixing | 372 Studio Audio Mastering |
| 373 Mixing for Surround Sound | 374 Remixing & Production | 375 Radio/Podcast Production | 376 Music Video Production | 377 Rewiring & Synchronisation | 378 Digital Synthesis | 379 Analogue Synthesis ( Software Based) | 380 Creating a Sample Library | 381 Using Dynamic Processors | 382 Using Multi -Effects |
| 383 Using Equalisation & Filters | 384 Using a Keyboard with a DAW | 385 Improving Instrumental Performance | 386 Practical Musicianship |