Primary instrument/specialism
- Accordion
- Bassoon
- Bassoon (Contra)
- Cello
- Clarinet
- Clarinet (Bass)
This course is not open to application until the 10th July 2025.
Leeds Conservatoire has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Course summary
This course follows the same specifications as our three-year BA (Hons) Classical Music degree, but the extra Foundation Year will allow you to gain the essential musical and theoretical skills you'll need to study classical music at university level. Our BA (Hons) Classical Music degree is a bold and inspiring performance-focused course designed for passionate young musicians ready to take their place on the world stage. Rooted in tradition but driven by innovation, it combines rigorous classical performance and composition training with global musical exploration, creativity, and industry-ready skills. You’ll be immersed in solo and ensemble performance, building technical excellence and artistic identity through music theory and analysis, regular recitals, workshops, and one-to-one tuition with expert musicians. You’ll also compose, improvise, and collaborate, creating new repertoire alongside preserving and reinterpreting historical traditions. You’ll explore diverse musical traditions through Global Music modules, learn recording and production techniques, and develop the entrepreneurial and digital skills you need for a modern portfolio career. By final year, you’ll be leading projects that reimagine how classical music is performed and shared – from cross-arts collaborations to studio recordings. You’ll work with industry leaders like Opera North, take part in masterclasses with world-renowned artists, and gain experience in live professional settings. Whether your future lies on stage, in the studio, or in the community, this course prepares you for a dynamic, adaptable, and fulfilling career and help shape the future of classical music. The Foundation Year modules allow you to explore key repertoire, strengthen your musicianship, and understand classical music in historical and cultural context. Through workshops, seminars, and individual tuition, you’ll refine your technique, improve critical listening and begin composing your own work. You’ll also build strong practice habits, enhance your stylistic awareness, and grow in confidence as a performer or composer. On completion of the Foundation Year you will continue to Year 1 of the BA (Hons) Classical Music degree. More information: https://bit.ly/LC-Classical-UCAS
Course details
Principal study options
During the application and audition process, you must select which instrument(s) you wish to specialise in for the duration of your course. On this course, you can choose from the following options:
Main specialism
Only one specialism is studied. It may be possible to study a further instrument, but this will not contribute towards the qualification.
Instrument/specialisms
For all courses, you must select at least one specialism from the 'primary' list. For those studying primary/secondary pathways, two instruments may be selected – one from the 'primary' list and one from the 'secondary' list. Joint pathway students may select any two instruments from either list.
Modules
Foundation Year CAT (Classical Aural and Theory) Essential Principles CAT (Classical Aural and Theory) Structural Analysis Classical Repertoire, Musicology and Composition Harmonic & Cultural Analysis Introduction to Classical Performance & Composition 1 Introduction to Classical Performance & Composition 2 Year 1 Classical Performance & Composition 1 Classical Performance & Composition 2 Global Melodic Understanding 1 Global Rhythmic Understanding 1 Musicianship 1 (HIC) – Harmony, Improvisation, Composition Musicianship 2 (CLM) – Composition, Listening, Musicianship Year 2 Classical Performance & Composition 3 Classical Performance & Composition 4 Global Melodic Understanding 2 Global Rhythmic Understanding 2 Integrative Pedagogy Musicianship 3 (MAIC) – Musicology, Analysis, Improvisation, Composition Year 3 Classical Innovations 1 Classical Innovations 2 Classical Performance & Composition 5 Classical Recording Project 1 – Audio Classical Recording Project 2 – Visual
Assessment method
The course is assessed in a variety of ways to reflect the diversity of creative and professional practice. Assessment methods include performance recitals/composition portfolios, technical tests, online portfolios, presentations and written work.
How to apply
This course is not open to application until the 10th July 2025.
*If you are an international applicant, or you are applying for a postgraduate course, or are choosing certain assessment locations, the 'on time' deadline may be later in the year - please contact the conservatoire directly.
02Oct
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:
- W30F
- Institution code:
- L31
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Foundation
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 - 64 points
A level
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Access to HE Diploma
Scottish Higher
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
Additional entry requirements: Applicants should also have achieved a minimum of three GCSEs at Grade C/4 or above. UCAS tariff points from music graded exams are also accepted (highest achieved per instrument (grade 6 and above), awarded by ABRSM, London College of Music, Trinity College, Rock School). 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
Assessment locations
In the event of a successful assessment, applicants may be invited for a further interview prior to being made an offer.
Remote assessment recordings may be accepted in the event that you cannot attend an assessment in person.
Single specialism assessment
| Location | On-time Fee | Late Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Online or in Person (All Applicants) | No fee charged | |
Joint principal specialism assessment
| Location | On-time Fee | Late Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Online or in Person (All Applicants) | No fee charged | |
Additional information
Leeds Conservatoire wants to ensure that our application and audition process is fair and accessible to all. For this reason we do not charge an audition fee for any of our courses and are able to refund travel expenses for applicants from low income households for in-person auditions. Please see https://www.leedsconservatoire.ac.uk/audition for up to date details of our audition process.
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| EU | £16200* | Year 1 |
| International | £16200* | Year 1 |
*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
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
For details of any additional costs associated with your course, please see https://www.leedsconservatoire.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate-study/fees-funding/tuition-fees/
International and EU: Fees for Year 1 onwards for 2027/28 will be confirmed later in the academic year. The fee for Year 1 onwards for 2026/27 is £20,900 per year. This fee is subject to annual review and may change for 2027/28.
Provider information
Leeds Conservatoire
3 Quarry Hill
Leeds
LS2 7PD