ESTA Postgraduate certificate – Piano

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About Who is it for Course Content Outcomes Who teaches the course Assessment Entry requirements Fees

About the course

The ESTA Education Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) in Practical Teaching is a master’s-level (Level 7) qualification designed for instrumental and vocal teachers who wish to deepen their understanding of how people learn music and to enhance their own professional practice.

Delivered in partnership with the University of Chichester, the course provides a structured, research-informed pathway for teachers seeking formal recognition of their skills and experience. Study takes place mainly online, supported by one-to-one mentoring, webinars, and collaborative discussion, with a compulsory one-week residential summer school at the University of Chichester.

Who is this course for?

This programme is ideal for teachers who:

  • Already teach an instrument or voice and wish to reflect critically on their own practice.
  • Seek a validated postgraduate qualification to support career progression or further study (e.g. ESTA MA in Practical Teaching)
  • Wish to combine flexible online study with a vibrant community of peers and mentors.
  • Are committed to developing an investigative, reflective, and research-informed approach to their teaching.

Applicants typically include studio teachers, peripatetic teachers, ensemble directors, and community musicians working across age groups and contexts.

Course content

The PG Cert comprises four core units (each 15 credits at Level 7, total 60 credits). All units are compulsory and are supported by an additional short, non-credit-bearing element covering safeguarding, equality & diversity, and promoting positive behaviour.

Study is part-time over 10 months (August – June). Most teaching takes place online, supported by individual tutorials and mentor-led study groups. The one-week residential provides intensive, practical training and peer exchange.

Course content by unit

Unit 1: 
Teaching piano technique to children and young people learning the piano 

  1. Posture
  2. Hand / arm position
  3. Independence of hands
  4. Tonal balance between hands
  5. Making the sound
  6. Voicing
  7. Pedalling
  8. Legato pedalling
  9. Pedalling for various styles
  10. Una Corda
  11. Pedalling and phrasing
  12. Finger technique and fingering
  13. Legato and staccato
  14. Finger independence
  15. Tone quality and touch
  16. Harmonics
  17. Care of the instrument

Unit 2: 
How children and young people learn to play the piano

  1. How learners learn
  2. Simultaneous Learning
  3. Learning spiral
  4. My learners now
  5. Understanding, assimilating and consolidating
  6. Skills, knowledge and understanding
  7. Learning music musically
  8. Developing aural awareness/perception and acuity
  9. Pupil/teacher relationships
  10. Learning scales and studies
  11. Starting a lesson

Unit 3: 
Teaching strategies for piano teachers working with children and young people

  1. Understanding my teaching now
  2. Preparation for teaching
  3. Expectation of teaching outcomes
  4. Diagnosis of learners’ needs
  5. Audio-Visual-Kinaesthetic learning
  6. Aptitude for learning
  7. Motivation for learning
  8. Simultaneous learning (P Harris)
  9. Assessment
  10. Exams/Festivals/Competitions
  11. Tutors/methods
  12. Teaching whole classes/small groups/individuals
  13. Proactive and reactive teaching

Unit 4: 
Developing a piano teaching curriculum for children and young people           

  1. Understanding what is meant by a curriculum and a syllabus
  2. Preparing and implementing schemes of work
  3. Short/medium and long term planning
  4. Personalising learning
  5. Becoming a reflective practitioner
  6. Communicating as a musician
  7. Playing and performing
  8. Chamber music
  9. Special Needs
  10. Schools of piano playing including Russian; German, French etc
  11. Alexander Technique

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an advanced understanding of music teaching and learning processes.
  • Apply reflective and research-based approaches to improve your teaching.
  • Plan, deliver, and evaluate effective learning for students at different stages.
  • Communicate clearly and professionally with learners, parents, and colleagues.
  • Design curricula and materials that respond to individual learners’ needs.
  • Act autonomously in planning and implementing teaching at a professional level.

Successful completion leads to the award of Postgraduate Certificate in Piano Teaching by the University of Chichester.

Who teaches the course

Head of Department – Piano

Emyr Roberts MA (Performance Studies). B.Mus. (Hons), LRAM, LTCL, PGCE

Emyr is a piano tutor and accompanist at Cardiff University. In addition to being a practical tutor he is also an undergraduate tutor on aspects aural, harmony and the history of music.

Emyr teaches advanced keyboard skills at both undergraduate, and postgraduate level, at The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. He is also a piano tutor and ensemble coach at the Junior Department of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Emyr teaches from beginners to Diploma standard at both Monmouth School for Boys and Monmouth School for Girls.  Emyr is a Grade, Diploma and Jazz examiner and Trainer for Abrsm and had undertaken extensive examining tours in the United Kingdom, Spain, Turkey and South Africa.

In his capacity as a piano mentor for Abrsm Emyr has delivered professional Development Courses in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Singapore and Indonesia.

After graduating from Sheffield University Emyr pursued a one year post graduate diploma course in London before commencing an MA at Cardiff University. Prior to starting his studies at Sheffield Emyr undertook piano lessons at the Paris Conservatoire with Yvonne Loriod, wife of the French composer Olivier Messiaen.

Mentors

Emyr Roberts
Naomi Kayayan
Murray McLachlan
Roberta Wolf
Mary Pells

Teaching and assessment

Learning takes place through:

  • One-to-one mentoring and tutorials
  • Online seminars and discussion forums
  • Independent reading and reflective study
  • Residential workshops and peer presentations

Assessment

Assessment is by written assignments, videoed lessons, presentations, and curriculum design projects – all focused on your own professional practice. There are no written exams.

Progression routes

PG Cert Graduates are eligible to advance to the MA ESTA MA in Practical Teaching. The PG Cert forms the first 60 credits of the full MA pathway.

Entry requirements

Applicants should normally hold:

  • An undergraduate degree in music or a related subject OR
  • Equivalent professional experience as a teacher or performer.

You must be currently teaching (or able to access learners for teaching observation and video assignments). Reliable internet access and the ability to record video are essential. 

Course fees

  • £3,999 EPTA UK member
  • £4,250 UK resident
  • £6,250 Overseas Resident

*Fees include full board and accommodation at the ESTA Summer School.
** Travel costs from the student’s location to Chichester are not included in the course fee.
*** The summer school is a mandatory element of the course.

Apply Now

Applications are open for the August 2026 intake. To apply, please complete the online application form and upload:

Applicants will be invited to an informal online interview.