Regulation and Recognition
The International School of Musicians (ISoM) is a recognised awarding organisation regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) in England. Our regulated qualifications are listed on the Ofqual Register from Step 1 (Entry Level 3) to FISoM (Level 7 - Fellowship), covering Music Performance, Music Theory, Creative Music Production and Composition, Creative Industries Practice, and Performing and Creative Arts Professional Practice. Depending on the qualification, assessment is delivered through live (Synchronous), recorded (Asynchronous), written examination or portfolio of evidence formats. This means our qualifications meet Ofqual's regulatory requirements for design, delivery, assessment quality, governance and ongoing compliance. Being regulated by Ofqual shows that we meet independent rules covering validity, reliability, comparability, clarity of information and effective operational delivery.
Learners, parents, schools and universities can trust ISoM results because Ofqual regulation requires awarding organisations to comply with the General Conditions of Recognition and to maintain high standards in assessment, moderation, certification and information for users.
UCAS Tariff points – Music Performance and Music Theory (Grades 6 to 8)
ISoM Music Performance and Music Theory qualifications at Grades 6 to 8 attract UCAS Tariff points. These can contribute to a university or college application where the provider uses the UCAS Tariff in its offers. Universities set their own admissions policies, so always check individual course requirements.
ISoM UCAS Tariff table
| Grade | Pass | Merit | Distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Music Performance | |||
| 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 |
| 7 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
| 8 | 24 | 27 | 30 |
| Music Theory | |||
| 6 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| 7 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
Exam formats
ISoM offers regulated qualifications through a range of assessment formats. Music Performance is available through live Synchronous and recorded Asynchronous assessment. Music Theory is assessed by written examination, while Creative Music Production and Composition, Creative Industries Practice, and Performing and Creative Arts Professional Practice are assessed through portfolios of evidence.
The relevant regulated qualification, level, credit value and Qualification Number are shown below.
Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) and European Qualifications Framework (EQF)
The The RQF helps users compare the level and size of regulated qualifications across subjects in England. Levels rise in challenge from Entry Level through Levels 1 to 8. The EQF level shown below provides a corresponding European level for comparison, where supplied. helps users compare the level and size of regulated qualifications across subjects in England. Levels rise in challenge from Entry Level through Levels 1 to 8. The RQF also maps to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) to support international understanding.
ISoM Regulated Qualifications
We show below the regulatory data for all current International School of Musicians qualifications, grouped by qualification family to make the information easier to navigate. The tables show the Qualification Number, qualification stage or award, Qualification Level (RQF), EQF Level and Total Credits.
Some ISoM qualifications also contain specialist pathways which are recorded by Ofqual as regulated units. In these cases, the Qualification Number identifies the overall regulated qualification, while the Unit Reference identifies the specific specialist discipline or pathway completed.
Note: Qualification Level refers to the RQF level recorded on the Ofqual Register. EQF Level is taken from the corresponding mapping field, where supplied. Total Credits indicate the size of the qualification and relate to Total Qualification Time. Each qualification can be found on the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications by searching the Qualification Number shown below.
Music Performance
Music Performance qualifications are available through live Synchronous and recorded Asynchronous assessment. Each assessment route is a separately regulated qualification with its own Qualification Number.
Live (Synchronous) Music Performance
| Qualification Number (QN) |
Qualification Title | Qualification Level |
EQF Level |
Total Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 610/4386/2 | ISoM Entry Level 3 Award in Music Performance [Synchronous] - Step 1 | Entry Level 3 | Level 1 | 2 |
| 610/4389/8 | ISoM Entry Level 3 Award in Music Performance [Synchronous] - Step 2 | Entry Level 3 | Level 1 | 4 |
| 610/4390/4 | ISoM Level 1 Award in Music Performance [Synchronous] - Grade 1 | Level 1 | Level 2 | 6 |
| 610/4391/6 | ISoM Level 1 Award in Music Performance [Synchronous] - Grade 2 | Level 1 | Level 2 | 9 |
| 610/4392/8 | ISoM Level 1 Award in Music Performance [Synchronous] - Grade 3 | Level 1 | Level 2 | 12 |
| 610/4393/X | ISoM Level 2 Certificate in Music Performance [Synchronous] - Grade 4 | Level 2 | Level 3 | 15 |
| 610/4394/1 | ISoM Level 2 Certificate in Music Performance [Synchronous] - Grade 5 | Level 2 | Level 3 | 18 |
| 610/4395/3 | ISoM Level 3 Certificate in Music Performance [Synchronous] - Grade 6 | Level 3 | Level 4 | 22 |
| 610/4396/5 | ISoM Level 3 Certificate in Music Performance [Synchronous] - Grade 7 | Level 3 | Level 4 | 27 |
| 610/4397/7 | ISoM Level 3 Certificate in Music Performance [Synchronous] - Grade 8 | Level 3 | Level 4 | 32 |
| 610/5910/9 | ISoM Level 4 Diploma in Music Performance [Synchronous] - DipISoM | Level 4 | Level 5 | 90 |
| 610/5912/2 | ISoM Level 5 Diploma in Music Performance [Synchronous] - AISoM | Level 5 | Level 5 | 120 |
| 610/5914/6 | ISoM Level 6 Diploma in Music Performance [Synchronous] - LISoM | Level 6 | Level 6 | 180 |
| 610/5917/1 | ISoM Level 7 Diploma in Music Performance [Synchronous] - FISoM | Level 7 | Level 7 | 225 |
Recorded (Asynchronous) Music Performance
| Qualification Number (QN) |
Qualification Title | Qualification Level |
EQF Level |
Total Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 610/4398/9 | ISoM Entry Level 3 Award in Music Performance [Asynchronous] - Step 1 | Entry Level 3 | Level 1 | 2 |
| 610/4399/0 | ISoM Entry Level 3 Award in Music Performance [Asynchronous] - Step 2 | Entry Level 3 | Level 1 | 4 |
| 610/4400/3 | ISoM Level 1 Award in Music Performance [Asynchronous] - Grade 1 | Level 1 | Level 2 | 6 |
| 610/4401/5 | ISoM Level 1 Award in Music Performance [Asynchronous] - Grade 2 | Level 1 | Level 2 | 9 |
| 610/4402/7 | ISoM Level 1 Award in Music Performance [Asynchronous] - Grade 3 | Level 1 | Level 2 | 12 |
| 610/4403/9 | ISoM Level 2 Certificate in Music Performance [Asynchronous] - Grade 4 | Level 2 | Level 3 | 15 |
| 610/4404/0 | ISoM Level 2 Certificate in Music Performance [Asynchronous] - Grade 5 | Level 2 | Level 3 | 18 |
| 610/4405/2 | ISoM Level 3 Certificate in Music Performance [Asynchronous] - Grade 6 | Level 3 | Level 4 | 22 |
| 610/4406/4 | ISoM Level 3 Certificate in Music Performance [Asynchronous] - Grade 7 | Level 3 | Level 4 | 27 |
| 610/4407/6 | ISoM Level 3 Certificate in Music Performance [Asynchronous] - Grade 8 | Level 3 | Level 4 | 32 |
| 610/5911/0 | ISoM Level 4 Diploma in Music Performance [Asynchronous] - DipISoM | Level 4 | Level 5 | 90 |
| 610/5913/4 | ISoM Level 5 Diploma in Music Performance [Asynchronous] - AISoM | Level 5 | Level 5 | 120 |
| 610/5916/X | ISoM Level 6 Diploma in Music Performance [Asynchronous] - LISoM | Level 6 | Level 6 | 180 |
| 610/5918/3 | ISoM Level 7 Diploma in Music Performance [Asynchronous] - FISoM | Level 7 | Level 7 | 225 |
Music Theory
ISoM Music Theory qualifications are regulated from Grade 1 to Grade 8 and are assessed by written examination.
| Qualification Number (QN) |
Qualification Title | Qualification Level |
EQF Level |
Total Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 610/6414/2 | ISoM Level 1 Award in Graded Examination in Music Theory [Grade 1] | Level 1 | Level 2 | 2 |
| 610/6415/4 | ISoM Level 1 Award in Graded Examination in Music Theory [Grade 2] | Level 1 | Level 2 | 3 |
| 610/6416/6 | ISoM Level 1 Award in Graded Examination in Music Theory [Grade 3] | Level 1 | Level 2 | 5 |
| 610/6417/8 | ISoM Level 2 Award in Graded Examination in Music Theory [Grade 4] | Level 2 | Level 3 | 7 |
| 610/6418/X | ISoM Level 2 Award in Graded Examination in Music Theory [Grade 5] | Level 2 | Level 3 | 9 |
| 610/6419/1 | ISoM Level 3 Certificate in Graded Examination in Music Theory [Grade 6] | Level 3 | Level 4 | 13 |
| 610/6420/8 | ISoM Level 3 Certificate in Graded Examination in Music Theory [Grade 7] | Level 3 | Level 4 | 17 |
| 610/6421/X | ISoM Level 3 Certificate in Graded Examination in Music Theory [Grade 8] | Level 3 | Level 4 | 21 |
Creative Music Production and Composition
ISoM Creative Music Production and Composition qualifications provide a progressive regulated pathway from Step 1 to Fellowship level and are assessed through a portfolio of evidence. Current specialist regulated units include Music Production & Technology and Music Composition.
The Qualification Number identifies the overall regulated qualification, while the Unit Reference identifies the specialist pathway completed. The regulated qualification titles use Creative Music Production and Composition as the qualification family.
| Qualification Number (QN) |
Qualification Title | Qualification Level |
EQF Level |
Total Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 610/6422/1 | ISoM Entry Level 3 Award in Creative Music Production and Composition [Step 1] | Entry Level 3 | Level 1 | 2 |
| 610/6423/3 | ISoM Entry Level 3 Award in Creative Music Production and Composition [Step 2] | Entry Level 3 | Level 1 | 4 |
| 610/6424/5 | ISoM Level 1 Award in Creative Music Production and Composition [Grade 1] | Level 1 | Level 2 | 6 |
| 610/6425/7 | ISoM Level 1 Award in Creative Music Production and Composition [Grade 2] | Level 1 | Level 2 | 9 |
| 610/6426/9 | ISoM Level 1 Award in Creative Music Production and Composition [Grade 3] | Level 1 | Level 2 | 12 |
| 610/6427/0 | ISoM Level 2 Certificate in Creative Music Production and Composition [Grade 4] | Level 2 | Level 3 | 15 |
| 610/6428/2 | ISoM Level 2 Certificate in Creative Music Production and Composition [Grade 5] | Level 2 | Level 3 | 18 |
| 610/6429/4 | ISoM Level 3 Certificate in Creative Music Production and Composition [Grade 6] | Level 3 | Level 4 | 22 |
| 610/6430/0 | ISoM Level 3 Certificate in Creative Music Production and Composition [Grade 7] | Level 3 | Level 4 | 27 |
| 610/6431/2 | ISoM Level 3 Certificate in Creative Music Production and Composition [Grade 8] | Level 3 | Level 4 | 32 |
| 610/6432/4 | ISoM Level 4 Diploma in Creative Music Production and Composition [DipISoM] | Level 4 | Level 5 | 90 |
| 610/6433/6 | ISoM Level 5 Associate Diploma in Creative Music Production and Composition [AISoM] | Level 5 | Level 5 | 120 |
| 610/6434/8 | ISoM Level 6 Licentiate Diploma in Creative Music Production and Composition [LISoM] | Level 6 | Level 6 | 180 |
| 610/6435/X | ISoM Level 7 Fellowship Diploma in Creative Music Production and Composition [FISoM] | Level 7 | Level 7 | 225 |
UCAS Tariff points – Creative Music Production and Composition
ISoM Creative Music Production and Composition qualifications at Grades 6 to 8 attract UCAS Tariff points according to the final grade achieved.
| Grade | Pass | Merit | Distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 6 | 4 | 8 | 12 |
| Grade 7 | 4 | 8 | 12 |
| Grade 8 | 4 | 8 | 12 |
Performing and Creative Arts Professional Practice
These qualifications support progressive professional practice from Level 3 to Level 7 and are assessed through a portfolio of evidence. Specialist regulated units sit within the relevant qualification, with current pathways including Music Teaching, Montessori Music Educator, Music Business, Music Anthropology, Music Production & Technology, DJ Performance & Technology, Conducting and Conductology.
Further information on the available specialist pathways and unit content can be found in the relevant syllabus.
| Qualification Number (QN) |
Qualification Title | Qualification Level |
EQF Level |
Total Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 610/6139/6 | ISoM Level 3 Extended Certificate in Performing and Creative Arts Professional Practice - ISoM Cert | Level 3 | Level 4 | 60 |
| 610/6140/2 | ISoM Level 4 Diploma in Performing and Creative Arts Professional Practice - DipISoM | Level 4 | Level 5 | 90 |
| 610/6141/4 | ISoM Level 5 Associate Diploma in Performing and Creative Arts Professional Practice - AISoM | Level 5 | Level 5 | 150 |
| 610/6142/6 | ISoM Level 6 Licentiate Diploma in Performing and Creative Arts Professional Practice - LISoM | Level 6 | Level 6 | 200 |
| 610/6143/8 | ISoM Level 7 Fellowship Diploma in Performing and Creative Arts Professional Practice - FISoM | Level 7 | Level 7 | 240 |
UCAS Tariff points – Level 3 Professional Practice
The ISoM Level 3 Extended Certificate in Performing and Creative Arts Professional Practice attracts UCAS Tariff points according to the final grade achieved.
| Qualification | Pass | Merit | Distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 3 ISoM Cert | 16 | 32 | 48 |
Creative Industries Practice
Creative Industries Practice qualifications provide a progressive regulated pathway from Step 1 to Fellowship level and are assessed through a portfolio of evidence. Specialist regulated units sit within the relevant qualification, with current pathways including Visual Arts (Painting), Visual Arts (Sculpture) and Visual Arts (Engraving). The Qualification Number identifies the overall regulated qualification, while the Unit Reference identifies the specialist discipline completed. Further information on the available specialist pathways and unit content can be found in the relevant syllabus.
| Qualification Number (QN) |
Qualification Title | Qualification Level |
EQF Level |
Total Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 610/7088/9 | ISoM Entry Level 3 Award in Creative Industries Practice [Step 1] | Entry Level 3 | Level 1 | 2 |
| 610/7089/0 | ISoM Entry Level 3 Award in Creative Industries Practice [Step 2] | Entry Level 3 | Level 1 | 4 |
| 610/7090/7 | ISoM Level 1 Award in Creative Industries Practice [Grade 1] | Level 1 | Level 2 | 6 |
| 610/7091/9 | ISoM Level 1 Award in Creative Industries Practice [Grade 2] | Level 1 | Level 2 | 9 |
| 610/7092/0 | ISoM Level 1 Award in Creative Industries Practice [Grade 3] | Level 1 | Level 2 | 12 |
| 610/7093/2 | ISoM Level 2 Certificate in Creative Industries Practice [Grade 4] | Level 2 | Level 3 | 15 |
| 610/7094/4 | ISoM Level 2 Certificate in Creative Industries Practice [Grade 5] | Level 2 | Level 3 | 18 |
| 610/7095/6 | ISoM Level 3 Certificate in Creative Industries Practice [Grade 6] | Level 3 | Level 4 | 22 |
| 610/7096/8 | ISoM Level 3 Certificate in Creative Industries Practice [Grade 7] | Level 3 | Level 4 | 27 |
| 610/7097/X | ISoM Level 3 Certificate in Creative Industries Practice [Grade 8] | Level 3 | Level 4 | 32 |
| 610/7416/0 | ISoM Level 4 Diploma in Creative Industries Practice [DipISoM] | Level 4 | Level 5 | 90 |
| 610/7417/2 | ISoM Level 5 Associate Diploma in Creative Industries Practice [AISoM] | Level 5 | Level 5 | 120 |
| 610/7418/4 | ISoM Level 6 Licentiate Diploma in Creative Industries Practice [LISoM] | Level 6 | Level 6 | 180 |
| 610/7419/6 | ISoM Level 7 Fellowship Diploma in Creative Industries Practice [FISoM] | Level 7 | Level 7 | 225 |
UCAS Tariff points – Creative Industries Practice
ISoM Creative Industries Practice qualifications at Grades 6 to 8 attract UCAS Tariff points according to the final grade achieved.
| Grade | Pass | Merit | Distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 6 | 4 | 8 | 12 |
| Grade 7 | 4 | 8 | 12 |
| Grade 8 | 4 | 8 | 12 |
Questions
If you need help interpreting qualification levels, UCAS points or assessment formats, please contact us and we will be glad to help.
You can also check your qualification and calculate your UCAS Tariff points using the official UCAS Tariff Calculator.
International School of Musicians
Recognition Number RN6131