Course summary
In 2005, we became the first UK conservatoire to deliver a specialist course in Popular Music, and we’re still pioneers. We champion original material and encourage you to take creative risks. As well as focusing on your performance skills, you’ll develop composition skills and enrich your commercial expertise with practical guidance on this BA (Hons) Music (Popular) Top Up course at Leeds Conservatoire. If you haven’t already, you’ll start your music career whilst you’re studying, and be ready to take it to the next step after graduation. In addition to one-to-one tuition and band work, you’ll access masterclasses from professional performers, songwriters, producers, managers and promoters, supporting your artistic development as well as sharpening your creative voice. Strong links with the music industry mean that we are in constant contact with major labels such as Sony/ATV, Universal, Polydor and Decca, as well as local labels like Hide and Seek and Leaf Label, and we regularly welcome them here for student showcases and discussions. We champion original material, and encourage you to take creative risks. By the end of your popular music degree, you will be a specialist in your chosen discipline and will have established your individual artistic identity and voice as a musician, whilst possessing a breadth of understanding, knowledge and transferable skills that will support you throughout your future career.
Modules
The BA (Hons) Music (Popular) modules focus on developing you as a professional musician through one-to-one instrumental tuition, band study, and creative projects. In addition, the contextual studies strand of study will develop your awareness of the environments within which you create music, and the professional studies strand will develop your core business skills. The programme has strands in Specialist Study, Contextual Studies and Professional Studies. Students focus primarily on their Specialist Study. Year 3 (Level 6) Compulsory modules: Specialist Study Performance 3 Final Project Contextual Studies 3 Professional Studies 3 Contextual Studies 3 optional modules, one of: Composed Theatre Composition and Production for Film and Television Computer-Based Composition Electro-acoustic Composition Emerging Music Models Extended Improvisation Intercultural Music Software Environments – Performance and Sound Creation Professional Studies 3 optional modules, one of: Business Leadership and Ethics Community Music Project Film Music – Aesthetics and Narrative Function Live Music Management Music Journalism Module specifications can be found via the Leeds Conservatoire website: http://bit.ly/LC-PopTopUp-UCAS
Assessment method
The Top-Up course is assessed via performances, audio recordings, presentations, essays, and portfolios. The exact nature of assessments will depend on the Contextual Studies and Professional Studies module options chosen, as well as the choice of project for the Final Project module. Formal assessments tend to take place at the end of each semester or the end of the year. There are a handful of assignments with deadlines halfway through a semester.
How to apply
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- W305
- Institution code:
- L30
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
Please visit the international page on our website for further information: http://bit.ly/UCAS-international-apply
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - Not accepted
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - Not accepted
Access to HE Diploma - Not accepted
Scottish Higher - Not accepted
HND (BTEC) - P
Additional entry requirements: Applicants should also have achieved a minimum of three GCSEs at Grade C/4 or above. Applicants will need to provide modules descriptors of their HND/Foundation Degree course so that the content can be assessed for suitability for the Top-up. All applicants will be required to either attend an audition or submit a portfolio of work. Please see https://www.leedsconservatoire.ac.uk/audition for up to date details of our audition process. English Language requirements: All applicants must meet the minimum English Language requirement, as set by the conservatoire. For UK applicants this is GCSE English Language at grade C/4. Equivalent qualifications, such as Functional Skills English Level 2 or National 5 English grade C, will also be accepted. For applicants that require a Student Visa to study in the UK, the standard requirement is IELTS 6.0 with no sub-test less than 5.5.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
Additional entry requirements
Audition
Portfolio
Interview
Applicants are required to attend an audition for this course. Further details will be sent when your application has been received.
Other
Audition, Interview and Portfolio guides can be found on our website: https://www.leedsconservatoire.ac.uk/audition
English language requirements
Test | Grade | Additional details |
---|---|---|
IELTS (Academic) | 6 | 5.5 in each component (IELTS Academic) |
Student Outcomes
There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
England | £9250 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
EU | £19700 | Year 1 |
International | £19700 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Provider information
Leeds Conservatoire
3 Quarry Hill
Leeds
LS2 7PD