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16-18 Courses, 16-18: A Levels

Music (A Level)

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Course Overview

Entry requirements

GCSE Average Points Score: 4.3, Grade 5 English Language GCSE, Grade 5 Maths GCSE, GCSE Music 7. Grade 4 ABRSM/Trinity?RSL

Course information

A Level Music offers you the opportunity to develop your ability to use musical devices and conventions through composition, engage with and increase awareness and appreciation of the diverse heritage of music, and develop critical evaluation skills through appraising your own and others' music.

As part of the course you can expect to:

  • Study music scores in detail to learn how the structure of music works
  • Improve your performing ability on your first instrument
  • Compose music using the facilities in college (recording studio, Mac suite)
  • Learn how to write about music in a structured way
  • Study music from The Western Classical Tradition, Modern Classical music (20th/21st Century), plus one of these three areas: Rock and Pop (1960-2000), Musical Theatre or Jazz (1920 -1960)

Music is taken with another 2 or 3 A Levels or Level 3 BTECs. It is a very good A Level to take for further academic study at university as it develops so many skills. If students are sure that they want to go into music in the future they might consider adding the Music Technology course as one of their other options.

  • How you are assessed

    25/35% performing exam, 35/25% composing (coursework) and 40% appraising (exam).

  • Why study at NCC?

    In Music A Level, you will develop skills in the three distinct but related disciplines of performing, composing and appraising. You will also engage with both classical and popular music and study the development of the symphony - engaging with landmark orchestral repertoire. You will use the musical language of this period to compose one piece of music to a brief. Students can choose one area of study from Pop and Rock, Musical Theatre and Jazz and one further area of study exploring the musical language and styles from either the early 20th Century or the late 20th and early 21st Centuries.

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What Can This Course Lead To

Progress to university, further study or employment.

A Level Music is a highly regarded subject, either alongside other creative courses or in demonstrating a broader range of skills next to Science, Maths or other non-creative subjects. Whilst Music can be a useful subject for Arts and Media courses at university, the most obvious degree pathway is going on to a degree in Music, which can lead to a range of exciting career options, including becoming a professional musician, a sound technician, a music therapist, a teacher, or a private tutor. Jobs that are less directly related to a Music degree, but where a Music degree could be very valuable include arts administration, and work in radio, theatre and events management.

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Life At NCC

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Facilities for Students

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Financial Support

There are several ways we can help you cover the cost of your studies.
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