Available in the UK and Ireland
Industry-first, innovative qualifications which set a new standard for music assessment, applicable across a wide range of learners and contexts.
The Awards and Certificates enable learners across a wide range of abilities and contexts to achieve a fully regulated qualification through their engagement in music-making.
They provide a flexible way to recognise musical attainment and progress in the contexts in which learners normally make music, supporting confidence and demonstrating the impact of teaching and provision.
Developed in association with Sounds of Intent, these teacher-assessed qualifications can be delivered in any school, organisation or private music teaching setting.
- If you are interested in undertaking these qualifications, register your interest by completing the form on this page.
For more information on the Sounds of Intent learning and progression framework, visit www.soundsofintent.app
What is Awards & Certificates in Musical Development?
Awards & Certificates in Musical Development (ACMD) is a regulated qualification framework that recognises musical attainment and progress from Entry Level 1 to Level 3, as set out in the ACMD specification.
It enables learners to be assessed through their engagement in music-making, in the classroom, studio or community setting.
ACMD is particularly valuable where traditional graded exams are not yet appropriate or not the right fit for a candidate.
Who is it for?
ACMD is used across a wide range of educational and community contexts, including:
- Specialist schools and for inclusive provision within mainstream settings
- Music services, hubs and organisations delivering funded programmes
- Primary and lower secondary schools
- Private music teachers
- Organisations using music for social impact
- Adults making music outside formal pathways
It supports anyone who needs a structured way to recognise attainment and progress beyond traditional exam pathways.
Why choose ACMD?
- Recognises attainment and progress at any stage
including early-stage learners and those not yet ready for exams - Assessed in context
within normal teaching and learning environments - Flexible and inclusive
suitable across abilities, styles and music-making approaches - Student-centred but rigorous
maintaining high standards while adapting to the learner - Provides evidence of impact
supporting reporting, evaluation and funding requirements - Regulated and recognised
aligned to the RQF, giving formal value to achievement
Progression and pathways
ACMD forms part of Trinity’s wider music qualification pathway.
- ACMD: attainment, progress and recognition
- Grades: structured performance benchmarking
- Diplomas: advanced level achievement
ACMD can be used as:
- An entry point into formal music qualifications
- A parallel pathway where graded exams are not appropriate
- A bridge into Grades and Diplomas when learners are ready
ACMD provides a regulated progression route from Entry Level 1 to Level 3, carrying UCAS points, enabling consistent recognition of achievement over time.
Supporting impact
ACMD provides teachers, schools and organisations with a practical way to demonstrate the outcomes of their work.
- Recognise achievement across all learners
- Track progress over time
- Evidence impact for funding and reporting
- Provide meaningful accreditation for participants
Delivering ACMD in your setting
The first step in being able to deliver the ACMD with candidates is to complete the online training course at soundsofintent.app, if you have not already completed a PgCert in Sounds of Intent.
The next step is to complete the centre validation process – review the requirements here. When you have completed the validation process successfully, you will become a registered validated centre and be able to enter your learners for Awards and Certificates in Musical Development.
If you have completed the online training but are not currently affiliated to a validated centre, you can take advantage of the National Sounds of Intent Centre which will will take on the responsibility to review your assessments and submit them directly to Trinity College London on your behalf. Find out more here.
“We are really excited to be using the ACMD qualifications to help deliver our inclusive Mini Musicians project across a mix of mainstream Primary and SEND schools in Merton. Every one of the 300+ children in the programme will be able to access ACMD at their own level and come away with a certificate to celebrate their music making over the 2 years of the programme. ACMD is a regulated qualification and this has helped to ensure that parents and schools are on board and value this opportunity for their children.”
David Rees, Operations Director, Merton Music Foundation
Further information
- Specifications (PDF)
- Validation Requirements (PDF)
- Fee information
ACMD in action
Together for Music Festival
Watch highlights from our inaugural fully inclusive music festival, created with Music for Youth and Bristol Beacon, celebrating musical attainment and progress across a wide range of learners and settings.
Electric Umbrella
Recognition and accreditation for learning disabled musiciansSee how Electric Umbrella used ACMD to formally recognise musical achievement and progression through inclusive music-making.
Bolton Impact Trust
Recognising and celebrating musical achievementDiscover how Bolton Impact Trust delivers ACMD in a flexible way shaped around learners’ individual needs, helping build confidence, musical skills and new progression opportunities.
Merton Music Foundation
Delivering ACMD at scale across mainstream and SEND settingsLearn how Merton Music Foundation entered almost 250 KS1 learners for ACMD qualifications across mainstream and SEND provision, demonstrating progression and impact at scale.
New book!
Drawing on the pioneering Sounds of Intent framework, this book offers practical strategies, creative ideas and ready-to-use materials for teachers, therapists, and facilitators who want to make music accessible to learners of all abilities — including those with learning disabilities or complex needs.
Find out more and apply
If you are a school, or other setting interested in delivering these qualifications, or would like a copy of the centre validation application form, please register below for further information.