Course Summary

**We are no longer accepting applications for vocalists, drums and guitarists for September 2021 entry, however we are currently still accepting applications for other instruments.** 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.

Course Details - 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

Course Details – 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.

Course Details – Professional Bodies

Professional Bodies are not listed for this Course.

How to Apply

26 January 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

Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry (Year 2 and Beyond)

Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry are not listed for this Course.

International applicants

Standard Qualification Requirements

HND should be in a relevant subject. Please contact us with details of your HND modules so that we can advise whether or not you are suitable for the Top-up course.


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

https://www.leedsconservatoire.ac.uk/entry-requirements

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Minimum Further Information are not listed for this Course.

English language requirements

Test Grade AdditionalDetails
IELTS (Academic) 6.0 5.5 in each component (IELTS Academic)
English Language Entry Requirement Information are not listed for this Course.

Unistats information

Student satisfaction : 70%

Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs): 82%

Go onto work and study: 93%

Fees and funding

England 9250.0 Year 1
Northern Ireland 9250.0 Year 1
Scotland 9250.0 Year 1
Wales 9250.0 Year 1
Channel Islands 9250.0 Year 1
Republic of Ireland 9250.0 Year 1
EU 17500.0 Year 1
International 17500.0 Year 1

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/.

Provider information

3 Quarry Hill
Address2 are not listed for this Course.
Address3 are not listed for this Course.
Leeds
LS2 7PD

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