Bachelor in music and vocal teaching: Initial training

In 2025, the pôle Aliénor and the PESMD Bordeaux (higher education institution in music and dance) are partnering to create an innovative educational offer aimed at strengthening the professional integration of future performing artists and teachers. Starting from the 2025/2026 academic year, students will benefit from teaching provided by teams of artist-educators from both institutions, supported by ambitious and multidisciplinary artistic projects. This collaboration will also allow future graduates to take advantage of the artistic partnerships (opera companies, orchestras, festivals, professional ensembles, national theatres, Scenes of Actual Music, etc.) and educational alliances (higher education institutions, conservatories, music schools, etc.) of both institutions, thereby expanding their networks in a broader region.

The bachelor in music and vocal teaching is a professional qualification that allows individuals to teach in public, associative, and private institutions. This diploma is governed by the decree of July 3, 2024, relating to the Diploma in music and vocal teaching. The Diploma is listed in the National Register of Professional Certifications at Level 6 according to the new classification of the National Framework of Professional Certifications. Level 6 corresponds to the former Level II (Bachelor’s degree).

RNCP Code: 39705 (former code: 27575)
Certification registration date: 02-02-1983
Certification expiration date: 07-10-2029
Last possible certification issuance date: 07-10-2032
Certifying body: Ministry of Culture of France

The programs are accessible through initial or continuous professional training. In the first case, access to the program is contingent on succeeding the entrance exam, while in the second case, it depends on passing an entrance examination. Initial education is intended for individuals who have never interrupted their studies, while succeeding is for individuals who have completed a cycle of studies, entered the workforce, and intend going back to studies. These two statuses lead to different funding methods for the program but does not alter the content or organization of the curriculum.
The pedagogical bachelor with a focus on music education is also accessible through apprenticeship. For more information, visit the PESMD Bordeaux Nouvelle-Aquitaine website.

  • Claire Michon bachelor’s in music and vocal teaching and master’s degree manager, International relations coordinator +33 5 49 60 59 52
  • Betty Benabbad validation of prior learning (VAE : validation des acquis de l’expérience) and bachelor in music and vocal teaching degree follow-up manager +33 5 49 60 59 30
  • Marion Dumeynie disability coordinator +33 5 49 60 59 36

At the pôle Aliénor, the training leading to the bachelor in music and vocal teaching (DE) is offered in the following disciplines:

– Instrumental or vocal teaching, fields, and options:

  • Classical to contemporary: all fields of the bachelor in performance (DNSPM); bowed strings, brass, piano, percussion, saxophone
  • Early music: all instruments, singing, organ
  • Traditional music: all cultural areas, all instruments and singing

In 2025/2026, as part of the unified educational offering between PESMD Bordeaux Nouvelle-Aquitaine and the pôle Aliénor, the pedagogy curriculum will be available at PESMD in the following departments:

Main features of the training 

The training prepares students for the diversity of the teaching profession and helps them build a personal musical and artistic approach that takes into account the evolution and challenges of specialized education.

  • Connection with the training leading to the DNSPM bachelor’s degree
  • Broad aesthetic openness, cross-disciplinary projects between students from different fields of study
  • Professional immersion and integration

The training is structured over 6 semesters:

  • The 1st year is a “core curriculum” with the training leading to the DNSPM
  • The 2nd and 3rd years are more specifically focused on pedagogical teaching

The validation procedures for entry into the training take into account the artistic background and experience of each student. The pedagogy curriculum may be accessible for direct entry into the 2nd year of training, depending on the candidate’s profile. Applications for direct entry into the 2nd year of the DE curriculum are subject to acceptance based on the application file and require additional exams during the admission competition (see document Epreuves_concours2025).
A candidate wishing to join the bachelor in music and vocal teaching (DE) curriculum directly in the 2nd year must indicate this in the application file. A response regarding the possibility of this application format will be given after the file is reviewed.

Candidates admitted will join the first year of training, which is a core curriculum between the bachelor in performance (DNSPM) and the bachelor in music and vocal teaching (DE). At the end of this first year, they will have the choice between different curricula.

Note: The teaching curriculum (DE) may be accessible for direct entry into the 2nd year of training, depending on the candidate’s profile. Applications for direct entry into the 2nd year of the DE curriculum are subject to acceptance based on the application file and require additional exams during the admission competition (see document Epreuves_concours2025). A candidate wishing to join the DE curriculum directly in the 2nd year must indicate this in the application file. A response regarding the possibility of this application format will be given after the file is reviewed.

Tailored programs

Double DE: Candidates could apply in two different specialties to pursue a curriculum leading to the completion of two diplomas in 3 years. Students who have passed the entrance exam for the pedagogical bachelor in two different fields will begin the second discipline one year after the first. The content is then adapted based on this additional factor.

DE/DUMI program : Following successful entry to the pôle Aliénor and based on the jury’s recommendations, students who have obtained the DUMI from the CFMI in Poitiers or Tours may have their study tracks / courses shortened

The training for the DE prepares students for the teaching profession in conservatories, associative and private music schools, and as teaching musicians. Obtaining a double DE (in two different specialties) or a DUMI (following the DE) expands professional integration opportunities. The possible programs are detailed in the “Tailored programs” section.

Entry into the Territorial Public Service

The bachelor in music and vocal teaching (DE) allows candidates to take the external competition for entry into the employment framework of territorial artistic teaching assistants (cultural sector, Category B, ATEA). ATEAs are responsible, according to their discipline, for teaching tasks in conservatories and schools of music, dance, and drama. The organization of these competitions or exams is managed by the management centres (CDG). Information (calendar, access conditions, etc.) can be accessed from the organizing management centre: https://fncdg.com/ and on the Philharmonie website: https://metiers.philharmoniedeparis.fr/vie-professionnelle-musicien.aspx.

The bachelor in music and vocal teaching (DE)  is a higher education diploma, classified at Level II in the RNCP (National Directory of Professional Certifications). It corresponds to 3 years of higher education and the acquisition of 180 ECTS credits.

This diploma can be awarded:

Success Rate:

  • For 2020, the success rate for the diploma was 94%.
  • For 2021, the rate was 95%.
  • For 2022, the rate was 100%.
  • For 2023, the success rate was 100%.
  • For 2024, the success rate was 100%.

The studies are divided into five learning units (detailed content can be found in the student guide or the course description):

  • Artistic practice
  • Pedagogical practices
  • Culture of the arts
  • Pedagogical culture    
  • Professional environment

UE1 Artistic Practice
Main repertoire courses and chamber music: Instrumental from the bachelor’s in performance departments (DNSPM) or teachers chosen in consultation with the student.

UE2 Pedagogical Practices
Virginie Brélivet, Ombeline Challéat, Fabien Cherrier, Philippe Compagnon, Jean-Baptiste Couturier, Laurence Cherrier, Delphine Debeuf, Edwige Fouquet, Claire Michon, Benjamin Paris, Catherine Schneider, Barbara Tenneguin, Géraldine Thébault, Louis Théveniau. And pedagogical supervisors in conservatories and music schools chosen in consultation with the student (pedagogical tutoring).

UE3 Culture of the Arts
Multiple artistic practices: Philippe Rousseau, LeeLa Petronio, Paul Paitel
Improvisation: Claire Bergerault, Edwige Fouquet
Amplified contemporary music: Arnaud Quevedo
Theatre: Edwige Fouquet, Stéphane Keruel
Composition – arrangement: Marc Lemonnier
Harmony and jazz and amplified contemporary music writing: Hugo Bernier
Jazz culture and amplified contemporary music: Boris Senon, Fred Meyer
Discovery session / Traditional music and dance: Valérie Imbert, Camille Jagueneau, Julien Evain, Jany Rouger, Jakub Polaszczyk

UE4 Pedagogical Culture
Psychology: Géraldine Quintin-Val, Jean-François Rouet, Monica Macedo-Rouet, Véronique Drai-Zerbib
Educational sciences: Philippe Péaud, Kirsten Trunski, Barbara Tenneguin
Personal study work: Philippe Devaux, Guillaume Lurton, Sylvain Perret, Benoît Haug
Portfolio and interview: Jean-Nicolas Richard, Gilles Tressos

UE5 Professional Environment
Nicolas Brasart, François-Xavier Caillet, Mathias Charton, Cécile Hubineau, Fabienne Mester, Claire Michon, Kirsten Trunski, Barbara Tenneguin, Louis Théveniau, Éric Valdenaire

Complementary Courses

Accompaniment
Jacqueline Bensimhon, François-Luc Chaurin

Music Education
David Le Moigne, Juliette de Massy, Louise Martin-Duret

Jazz and Amplified Contemporary Music
Guillaume Christophel, Tony Sauvion, Boris Senon, Fred Meyer, Hugo Bernier

Traditional Music
Benoît Guerbigny, Julien Padovani, Charles Quimbert, Perrine Vrignault, Ariane Zevaco, Desmond Wilkinson, Hoëla Barbedette, David Brossier, Éléonore Billy, Perrine Bourel, Benoît Haug.

The studies follow the academic calendar. They consist of approximately 15 hours of classes per week (on Mondays and Tuesdays), with additional tutoring (organized individually) and, occasionally, sessions that include a Wednesday. In exceptional cases, internships may take place during weekends or school holidays. All courses are located  in Poitiers (except for pedagogical tutoring, observation periods, and main repertoire courses).

The program takes place in facilities adapted to the various courses that are part of the Bachelor in music and vocal teaching curriculum (classrooms equipped with the necessary musical instruments, rooms equipped with educational materials specific to the program, including computers, and the use of educational resources and software when required). The institution has implemented an application for organizing online courses.

The programs are accessible through initial or continuous professional training. In the first case, access to the program is contingent on succeeding the entrance exam, while in the second case, it depends on passing an entrance examination. Initial education is intended for individuals who have never interrupted their studies, while succeeding is for individuals who have completed a cycle of studies, entered the workforce, and intend going back to studies. These two statuses lead to different funding methods for the program but does not alter the content or organization of the curriculum. An application may require an interview to determine, through the review of the applicant’s background, whether the application falls under initial or intend going back to studies.

Admission Requirements

Candidates eligible to apply for the entrance exam are those who hold a high school diploma (baccalauréat) or a French or foreign diploma recognized as equivalent or accepted for equivalence, and who:
– Either can justify having followed a course preparing for entry into higher education institutions in artistic creation in the music specialty, provided by an institution authorized to offer this training;
– Or hold the national diploma specified in Article L. 216-2 of the French Education Code, or a national diploma of professional musician orientation (DNOP), or a diploma of musical studies (DEM), or a foreign diploma of equivalent level.

Candidates who do not meet the above conditions may, after review by an admissions validation committee, receive an exemption from the institution’s administration to take the entrance exam. In such cases, it is particularly important to clearly indicate and justify all elements concerning the candidate’s education and experiences.

PARCOURSUP
The undergraduate programs of the pôle Aliénor are listed on the Parcoursup platform, but candidates do not register for the entrance exam via Parcoursup. Candidates also do not indicate their wish to enter the pôle Aliénor on Parcoursup. Candidates admitted after passing the entrance exam will be required to provide a certificate of withdrawal from all their Parcoursup wishes or a certificate of non-registration on Parcoursup.

FOREIGN CANDIDATES
Foreign candidates or French citizens living abroad abroad can ask for a digital audition. Foreign candidates must follow the same registration procedure as French students. The programs are taught exclusively in French. Candidates who are not from French-speaking countries, who do not hold a French high school diploma, or who do not have a first year of higher education in French, must provide proof of their French language level with their application. More information is available on the international page.

Admission Requirements for the bachelor in music and vocal teaching via continuous professional training 

Please refer to the page for bachelor in music and vocal teaching via continuous professional training 

Oral exams

Written exams for bachelor in music and vocal teaching (DE)

The entrance exam for the DE includes a written exam for all candidates.

For details of this exam (content and evaluation criteria), refer to the document Epreuves_concours2025 (in French)

This file consists of two parts:

  1. Part 1 (4 to 5 pages maximum)
    • A summary of your experience regarding teaching, transmission, mediation, and a results based on that experience
    • A review of your readings on the topic
    • A statement explaining your personal motivations for teaching and mediation
  2. Part 2 (2 to 3 pages maximum) 
    • A written work on a topic that highlights your artistic and musical culture, as well as your understanding of the challenges of mediation and teaching.

The topic will be sent along with the invitation to the oral exams, no later than March 21, 2025, by email.

Examples of topics to address for Part 2 (in French)

For the 2024/2025 academic year, the bachelor program will be accessible to candidates who have paid a registration fee:

  1. Initial program : The program is accessible to candidates who have paid a registration fee of €290 per program chosen.
  2. Continuous professional training : Please refer to the information about the Pedagogical bachelor through continuing education.

Candidates who wish to apply for a scholarship and/or accommodation must do so online before May 31, 2024, via the following website: www.messervices.etudiant.gouv.fr 

Note: This request is made through the student social file (DSE) and must be submitted even before receiving the results of your exams. It is possible to make several choices. For a request under the pôle Aliénor -> choose the Poitiers Academy -> check “Art and Architecture School Program (DNAT)” -> click on the pôle Aliénor institution.

The pôle Aliénor conducts surveys among its graduates to track their professional integration.
What do they become? How many continued their studies? How many are employed? What type of position do they hold? Did they encountered any difficulties ? How satisfied are they with the education they received at the pôle Aliénor?

Consult the results of surveys conducted with graduates (the bachelor in performance and the bachelor in music and vocal teaching)
– 9 months after obtaining their degree(s):

– 30 months after obtaining their degree(s):