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:

Single specialism

Only one instrument is studied. It may be possible to study a further instrument formatively, 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

Trimester 1: • Specialist Study 1 – assessed by one of the following: a public performance of existing work a public performance or sharing of original compositions or production work newly created; a portfolio of original compositions/production work evidenced by appropriate documentation, i.e. scores, recordings, etc. • Creative Practice in Context 1 – assessed by one of the following: essay, or presentation with an accompanying written commentary. Trimester 2: • Specialist Study 2 – assessed by one of the following: a public performance of existing work; a public performance or sharing of original compositions; a portfolio of original newly-created compositions/production work evidenced by appropriate documentation, i.e. scores, recordings, etc. • Creative Practice in Context 2 – assessed by one of the following: essay, or presentation and an accompanying written commentary. Trimester 3: • Specialist Study 3 (MA only) – assessed by one of the following, accounting for 70% of the mark: a public performance of existing work/repertoire or a public performance or sharing of original newly-created compositions and/or production work, which may be live or digitally conceived, i.e. application-based, web-based, digital or physical EP release. Additionally, accounting for 30% of the mark, either a written critique examining the creative project submitted, or a panel-led spoken examination examining the creative project submitted. Indicative module specifications can be found via the Leeds Conservatoire website: https://www.leedsconservatoire.ac.uk/ma-music-audition

Assessment method

You will be assessed at the end of each of three trimesters (or two if studying PGDip). The music-based assessments will focus on the specialism (or specialisms) in which you have received tuition that trimester, which may include one or more of the following: composition, performance and production. In addition to your creative work, each trimester you will be assessed by an essay or presentation that involves research and critical reflection upon aspects of your music.