Student placements

Our student placements provide immersive experiences for emerging musical leaders to gain experience in tutoring and mentoring across our programmes.

Our placements:

Provide an opportunity for students to work with children aged 8-14
Develop students’ skills as tutors and/or mentors
Enhance student’s understanding of how to work with and to lead large youth ensembles
Support the development of best-practice music education in emerging music leaders
Support students from diverse backgrounds to evolve the music industry workforce
Provide peer learning opportunities with students from across the country
Provide an insight into NCO’s learning framework and creative thinking

Play your part.

Build skills for life.

If you’re studying music, composing or conducting as an undergraduate or postgraduate at conservatoire or university, a student placement with NCO could be for you.

We have 40 spaces every year for students to gain experience in mentoring young musicians (aged 8-14) in orchestral music making.

Check back for information on applying when recruitment opens for 2026 placements, in autumn 2025.

“This placement was brilliant because you become part of the NCO team, you get to learn on your feet and develop your skills right there in the orchestra.”

Insights Placement Student