Music BTEC
Qualification: BTEC Level 3 Foundation Diploma
Exam Board: Pearson; Specification
Course Entry Requirements: 4 in Music GCSE or BTEC Level 2 Merit if either have been taken. Audition required: students will need to demonstrate Grade 5 standard or above on main instrument / voice
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 equivalent to 1.5 A levels
Timetable hours: 4.5 hours per week
Assessment method: A combination of performance, composition, individual research, written and recorded logs, evaluations and presentations
BHASVIC Department: Media and Performing Arts
Read our guide to BTECs at BHASVIC
What will I study?
The BTEC Foundation Diploma in Music is a highly practical and creative course that aims to give students the opportunity to hone a range of skills in popular music performance and production. You will develop a broad range of musical skills and knowledge necessary for work in the music industry.
The course consists of 2 modules containing 4 interconnected units. In your first year, you will explore a range of popular music styles from the 1950s to the present day through performing in bands, composing, listening and analysis. You will also use music technology to compose music in different styles. In your second year, you will strengthen your ensemble performance skills, study the development of the music industry and consider how present and future developments will shape your career. Although Grade 5 music theory is not a prerequisite, you will study music theory in practice throughout the course to support your growth as a musician.
Is this course right for me?
Do you like playing live music as part of a band? Are you willing to step out of your comfort zone and perform in a wide range of styles? Are you interested in developing your songwriting/composing, being a session musician, or working as a music producer? Would you like to learn about the history and practice of pop music through the 20th century and how the music industry works today? If so, this course is for you.
You will be required to perform and produce a significant amount of music over the two years and your assessments will depend heavily on your practical output and your ability to evaluate your work. You will need to demonstrate strong skills on your principal instrument, be curious about learning new music styles, be committed to playing live music as part of a group, and be willing to experiment with music technology in order to thrive on this course.
This course would best complement other creative and performing arts subjects, but could also be an enriching choice to take alongside business, science, and humanities courses as part of your BHASVIC study programme.
Please contact our music teachers if you have any questions about this course:
Rich Cross: r.cross@bhasvic.ac.uk
Jo Hatton: j.hatton@bhasvic.ac.uk
Ben Albu: b.albu@bhasvic.ac.uk
Where next?
This course will support you in developing the skills required for employment in music and/or the wider creative industries. The rigor of the course will provide the relevant qualification base to study at university. Students can choose to apply for university courses or start an apprenticeship/ job in the sector after completing their studies. Careers could include performing, composing, music production, music/event management, music broadcasting/journalism, working as a session musician, music therapy, teaching, and sound engineering. Roles in related fields could include arts administration, event management, theatre/stage management, sales, tour management, merchandising, and public relations.
Useful websites to research careers and wider progression options include Careers in Music, UK Music, All About Careers and the Apprenticeship Guide.
Apply View DepartmentLast 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.