Entry Requirements
Education: tariff score 300
You will need five GCSE passes at a minimum grade C or above. These should include Maths and English Language.
PLUS
We usually expect you to achieve 300 UCAS tariff points from your Level 3 qualifications – one of these should normally include a Music and/or Music Technology qualification. The UCAS tariff points might be broken down as follows:
- B, B, B from three A-Levels. We do not accept General Studies. Points from AS Levels and Key Skills are not counted towards tariff points
- Distinction, Distinction, Merit profile from BTEC National Diploma Level (equivalent to 320 tariff points), Distinction, Merit, Merit profile (equivalent to 280 tariff points) may be considered.
- All equivalent UK and overseas qualifications are accepted also, including Advanced Diplomas, Irish Leaving Certificate, Scottish Highers, Welsh Baccalaureate, European and International Baccalaureate, Abitur, Vitnemål and SAT.
We expect all students to have acquired a good working understanding of music theory so ask you to have attained Grade 7 London College of Music (LCM) Popular Music Theory or equivalent by the time you enrol with us. You don’t need to have achieved this at the time you apply or by the time you audition. Exams are usually held in November and June, although you need to register some time in advance for the exam. We consider a Merit in Unit 27: Music Theory & Harmony BTEC National Diploma as equivalent to the LCM Grade 7.
Overseas students are considered on an individual basis and may be tested on their music theory ability at the audition stage.
Experience
You should have performance experience (e.g., solo, band, choir and gigs). You should also have experience of writing songs, compositions or arrangements or have an interest in developing these skills. You may also have experience or a strong interest in music production and music technology. We recognise that some geographic areas don’t offer such possibilities, so signs of commitment and enterprise in seeking work and experience will also support your application.
Interdisciplinary experience
Some of our students come to us with experience of working in other areas of the performing arts, such as a secondary performance skill, the management of projects – such as band promotion – or involvement in technical aspects of performance. Not all candidates have this experience, but all candidates should be able to demonstrate interest and knowledge in other art forms.
Communication skills
As communication skills are so important in performing arts, the ability to communicate effectively is essential.
Enterprise
We are looking for evidence that you are able to work on your own initiative. Good examples may be projects you have been involved with that are not part of your school qualifications.
Additional information for international students
We recognise a wide variety of qualifications obtained overseas and are able to translate overseas grades and transcripts to UK equivalents. If English is not your first language, you may be asked at the interview or audition stage to provide evidence of your linguistic ability.
The following may be acceptable evidence of your proficiency in English:
- IELTS (International English Language Testing Service): average score of 6.0 or above, and for each component,5.5 or above
- International GCSE English as a Second Language grade C
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) paper-based test minimum score 560, computer-based test minimum score 220, internet-based test minimum score 83
- PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic): minimum score 51
If you have another qualification which you think may be equivalent, let us know. As a member of UK NARIC, we can quickly advise you if it is equivalent or not. You may be asked as a condition of your offer to provide evidence that you have already attained one of the above (or equivalent) qualifications or be asked to take the IELTS/TOEFL/PTE Academic examination within a specified time to attain a specified result.
For further details please contact the International Team.