Overview
Jazz is one of the most complex and creative musical forms. If you are an ambitious musician, this advanced degree will enable you to develop your technique, skills and experience, ready to launch a professional career in the music industry.
Why study BA Jazz at Middlesex University?
BA Jazz is an exciting and practical course where you get to play all the music that you study in class. Performance, improvisation and composition are intrinsically linked in jazz music so they are embedded within all areas of our course. We encourage you to develop your own voice whilst acknowledging the jazz tradition and you will examine a wide range of music and artists each year, giving you a diverse and exciting course of study.
This degree requires a high standard of musicianship. You will learn to work quickly, effectively and flexibly by joining a range of ensembles and performing at London jazz venues.
Our London location puts you at the heart of the capital's thriving music scene: where you can access promoters, labels, concerts, gigs and the wealth of musical opportunities that London holds. You will also benefit from the expertise of a team of successful professional musicians, currently active in the music industry, who will help you build the contacts and experience required for a music industry career. Successful graduates from the BA Jazz degree include Led Bib, who received a Mercury Prize nomination for their album Sensible Shoes. You can find out more about our graduates in the Careers tab.
Course highlights
You will benefit from the expert teaching, training and support of our four dedicated jazz lecturers (find out more in the Profiles tab), as well as our wider music staff, who are leading academics, musicians, composers and producers
We offer work placement options, visiting lectures from industry and regular masterclasses, opening up a wide range of viewpoints from professionals such as music industry specialists, concert pianists and music agency staff
Access to world-class facilities including: a concert hall, two performance halls, soundproofed practice rooms, pianos (including two Steinway grand pianos), hybrid analogue-digital sound recording facilities, and a recording studio
The music department hosts weekly guest speakers. Guests have included Mark Lawrence (Director of Membership, PRS), Geoff Travis (founder, Rough Trade), Tom Robinson (BBC DJ, singer-songwriter), James Threlfall (A&R, Champion Records) and Dave Tomberlin (Music Publicist, Interscope Geffen A&M)
The option to study abroad during your second year. In the past, students have travelled to New Orleans, Sacramento and Helsinki
As a student of this course you'll receive a free electronic textbook for every module.
Course Details - Modules
Year 1:
Introduction to Ethnomusicology (30 Credits) - Compulsory
Jazz Harmony and Theory 1 (30 credits) - Compulsory
Jazz Performance 1 (30 credits) - Compulsory
Stylistic Studies 1 (30 credits) - Compulsory
Year 2:
Jazz Harmony and Theory 2 (30 credits) - Compulsory
Jazz Performance 2 (30 credits) - Compulsory
Jazz Repertoire (30 credits) - Compulsory
Stylistic Studies 2 (30 credits) - Compulsory
Year 3:
Advanced Jazz Improvisation (30 credits) - Compulsory
Stylistic Studies 3 (30 credits) - Compulsory
Un-American Activities (30 credits) - Compulsory
Independent Project (30 credits) - Optional
Jazz Major Project (30 credits) - Optional
Course Details – Assessment Method
Assessment Methods are not listed for this Course.
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:
W340
Institution code:
M80
Campus Name:
Hendon Campus
Campus code:
Points of Entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
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
Access pass with 45 credits at Level 3 (15 merit or higher)
Visit our general entry requirements page, by clicking on the link below, to see how these points can be achieved from our acceptable level 3 qualifications and the combinations which are welcomed by Middlesex University, including GCSE requirements.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
