Music A level

Qualification: GCE A Level in Music
Exam Board & Specification Code: WJEC Eduqas; Specification
Course Entry Requirements: 4 in English Language GCSE and 6 in Music GCSE if taken AND Grade 5 standard on main instrument/voice. If you believe you are Grade 5 or above on your instrument but have not taken an exam you will need to attend a short audition. Students who do not have Grade 5 theory upon entry will take this exam during the first year of the course. You must also be able to read music. 
Please make sure that you have understood the overall entry requirements to study at BHASVIC. These are available here and outline the GCSE grades you need to take up one of the Study Programmes at the college.
Length and size of qualification: 2 year single course
Timetable hours: 4.5 hours per week
Assessment method: 1 written exam plus compositions and performances
BHASVIC Department: Performing Arts

Head of Department: 
Ryan Stagg

What will I study?

Studying Music A level will develop your skills in solo and ensemble performance, composition and musical analysis; improving your practical and theoretical musical skills. You will perform as a soloist and as part of an ensemble every half term, developing your skills and confidence as a performer in preparation for your examined performance during the final Spring term. You will learn to compose for different combinations of instruments and voices in a wide variety of styles. You will study a wide range of music: looking at the immense musical and social changes during the 18th and 19th century and their impact on the symphony and studying twentieth century music, which so challenged audiences at the time that it sometimes caused riots! You will also look at the many exciting developments in jazz music. Studying a diverse range of music in depth will improve your aural and analytical skills and prepare you for the written exam.  All music students will also benefit from participating in BHASVIC's instrumental and vocal ensembles and concerts and will take part in projects with visiting professional musicians.    

Is this course right for me?

This exciting and challenging course requires strong performance skills, creativity and academic ability. It suits people who are good performers on their instrument or voice, enjoy composing and are open-minded in their approach to listening to and analysing a diverse range of music. Studying A level music gives you the power to engage with and appreciate music more deeply and will greatly develop your skills as a musician.

You may contact our Music teachers by email if you have any questions:

Jo Hatton: j.hatton@bhasvic.ac.uk

Ben Albu: b.albu@bhasvic.ac.uk 

Where next?

Music A Level involves a lot of practical, creative work but it is sufficiently rigorous to be accepted as a serious academic subject for entry to university courses. BHASVIC music students have gone on to study at music colleges, Oxbridge and a wide range of other universities for both music and unrelated courses. Music A level opens up possibilities in many different career areas including performance, composition and production as well as a wide range of jobs that are connected to supporting and promoting the industry such as event management, broadcasting, journalism and education. Students can choose to apply to universities or conservatoires or start an apprenticeship/job in the sector after completing their studies. Useful websites to research careers and wider progression options could include Careers in Music, UK Music, All About Careers and the Apprenticeship Guide.  

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Last year, almost half of our BHASVIC Music students went onto study Music at 11 different universities or conservatoires  

The 21 students were accepted onto a variety of courses including Popular Music, Songwriting, Music, Multimedia and Electronics, Music and Sound Recording (Tonmeister), Electronic Music Production at universities such at BIMM, Goldsmiths, Leeds, Surrey.  

At BHASVIC students can study Music through a BTEC or an A level route at BHASVIC which are equivalent qualifications. 

There is support for all students applying for Music-related courses whether through UCAS or a Conservatoire. 

Should I study Music at degree level? 

If you want to improve your performance skills, compose, conduct or learn music production techniques there is a wide range of music courses to choose from 

Types of Music degree 

You can study a variety of musical styles including jazz, popular music and electronic music. For performance courses you will usually need ABRSM grades in voice or the instrument(s) you want to study. Increasingly popular is the production and technical and business side or you can choose to embark on performance-based degree. 

Modules might include: tonal music, Composition and theory, Instrumentation, harmony and analysis, New directions, Musicianship, Music composition, Popular music studies, Free improvisation, Jazz studies. 

Entry Requirements 

A-levels / BTEC (or equivalent) usually required 

  • Music 
  • Music BTEC 

Grade VII / VIII for your main instrument dependent on your degree choice. 
You will usually need to audition for performance-based courses. 

Top Universities for Music 

Conservatoires: Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Leeds Conservatoire, Royal Academy of Music, Royal College of Music, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Royal Northern College of Music, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance 

Universities: Durham, Manchester, Cambridge, Oxford, Birmingham 
Bristol, Nottingham, Leeds, Cardiff – all very high student satisfaction scores 
Academy of Music, Guildhall School of Music & Drama - all with top graduate prospects 

Many of our students choose a combined degree - applications from our students have included: 

  • Professional Musicianship - Bass, Guitar, Drums or Vocals 
  • Music and Music Psychology 
  • Songwriting 
  • Music Business and Innovation 

Example entry requirements: 

A-Level/BTEC equivalents (please check):  

  • Newcastle Music UCAS Points: 128-153 
  • Solent Popular Music Performance UCAS Points: 104-120 
  • Edge Hill Music Production UCAS Points: 112-120 

Why not try a foundation degree or higher apprenticeship? 
Nottingham Music (Foundation) UCAS Points: 88-123 

Some examples of Music-related degrees that our BHASVIC students have gone onto study in the past few years are: 

  • Audio and Music Technology 
  • Career Musician 
  • Commercial Music 
  • Creative Music Production 
  • Electronic Music Production 
  • English and Music 
  • Mathematics and Music 
  • Music (Popular Music) 
  • Music (Production with Classical) 
  • Music (Songwriting) 
  • Music and Music Psychology 
  • Music and Sound Recording (Tonmeister) 
  • Music and Spanish 
  • Music Business & Event Management 
  • Music Business and Innovation 
  • Music Marketing, Media and Communication 
  • Music Performance - Vocals 
  • Music Production & Music Business 
  • Music, Multimedia and Electronics 
  • Music: Creative Music Technology 
  • Musical Theatre and Dance 
  • Popular Music 
  • Professional Music (Electronic Music) 
  • Professional Music (Production) 
  • Professional Musicianship - Bass, Guitar, Drums or Vocals 
  • Sound & Music Technology 

How BHASVIC helps: We have a wide range of information and resources to support students applying for university including subject area guides, personal statement and UCAS resources, super-curricular activity guides, open day and bursary information. We also cover university research, careers, art foundation and all other destinations in depth in tutorial and students can choose an appropriate pathway for them in the second year from UCAS, Employability & Enterprise, Visual Arts, Oxbridge and Medics. Our Spring Futures Fair brings in a huge number of university visitors with workshops and information stands and departments will bring speakers in wherever possible. 

There is a huge amount of support in the Music Dept for super-curricular activities – you will be well-supported. In addition, our specialist and teachers will support you completing any application to a conservatoire. 

As a music graduate, performing and teaching are just two of many careers in music 

  • Arts administration 
  • Sound engineering 
  • Community arts work 
  • Event management 
  • Radio broadcasting 
  • Radio production 
  • Media Industry work 

Career Prospects 

Many music students find work in related fields and university and postgraduate study (usually continuing with music) is quite common and a lot of graduates go into music teaching, often as freelance or travelling music teachers of particular instruments. 

Obviously, many music students get work as musicians as well, or work as sound technicians and in similar technical roles. Music is important in advertising and so a lot of students go into this industry and management is also a popular job role for musicians. Because a lot of musician work is temporary or freelance, the most common way for new graduates to get jobs in music is through their own contacts, so learning how to make good use of networks and contacts might help in your career. 

Developing Skills 

Studying music can help you to develop subject specific skills including the history of music and performance, a thorough knowledge of composition and a practical grounding in music performance. The performing arts, education (both private tuition and in schools), events management, social and welfare, film and TV, advertising and computing industries all recruit music students. 

Examples of apprenticeships and opportunities include: 

  • Sound Engineer 
  • Private tuition 
  • Music/PPA Teacher 

How BHASVIC helps: We have an excellent Careers Hub and careers advisors who are available for appointments through student services. Local jobs are advertised and they will advise on skills and specialist areas such as degree apprenticeships. Students can choose an appropriate pathway for them in the second year from UCAS, Employability & Enterprise, Visual Arts, Oxbridge and Medics. Our Spring Futures Fair brings in a huge number of careers & apprenticeship visitors with workshops and information stands and departments will bring speakers in around the subject area. 

You will gain many transferable skills studying Music that will be valued in the workplace including:  

Teamwork, Technical ability, Memory and Concentration, Communication skills, Self-management, Performing under pressure, Organisation & Project Management as well as using feedback to improve 

Local Skills 

The Local Skills agenda considers job prospects and employment in our local area of Sussex. Many of our students will contribute to the National Skills agenda and go onto find a career in a wide range of sectors. For students in Sussex our local skills are identified as the following sectors: 

  • Construction 
  • Creative & Cultural 
  • Digital (includes IT and Technology)  
  • Engineering & Manufacturing 
  • Healthcare (includes Bio Life Sciences and Pharmaceutical)  
  • Visitor & Hospitality  
  • Land-based (includes Agriculture and Viticulture)  
  • Green Skills 

Degree choices that match the Creative & Cultural Local Skills agenda our BHASVIC students went onto study for Music include: 

  • Music (Songwriting) 
  • Music and Sound Design (with Foundation Year) 
  • Music and Sound Production 
  • Music Business & Event Management 
  • Music Production 
  • Music with Enterprise 

Career choices that match the Creative & Cultural Local Skills agenda our BHASVIC students went onto work in Music include: 

  • Performing 
  • Composition 
  • Music Business & Event Management 
  • Teaching 
  • Sound Production 

How BHASVIC helps: Skills Week in A1 helps students build skills in the workplace and a focus on developing skills through tutorial in A1 and A2 supports students in writing outstanding Personal Statements and CVs. We know our students have already gained a wide variety of skills at home and with extra-curricular activities and will increasingly take up jobs. Our focus is on supporting them to evidence skills already gained, identify gaps and ensure that they transfer that to CVs and applications. This is in partnership with every curriculum area.