ok, here's my dilemma, i've quit uni, in which I was studying performing Arts, though it was more like English Literature, 9 essays and 16 books read in 5 weeks...I mean I knew it was going to be hard work, but honestly! oh and NO performing AT ALL! Now if i stayed on, I'd've lost all my technique with my dance and singing, becasue we weren't doing any of it The only bonus was free music lessons. Soo, I'm reapplying for next september, on a course where I can actually do some practical, and I'd really love to study music (singing being my instrument) but i'm nowhere near good enough at music to do it as a full degree, and i wouldn't want to as I need to dance as well! I've come to the conclusion that maybe if I did Dance and music combined...it might be easier in the respect that the two subjects won't so so full on as there are two of them to study! Is anyone on a combined music degree? As I'm about to send my ucas off, but need to make a decision on what I want to study. I'd really love to study the music, but if anyone could give me an overall course structure and what the general class is like...is there other people on your course who aren't as experienced etc... sorry, if this sounds crazy!!

and thanks! Laura x

please I'm kinda desperate for a personal view on this! There must be someone, by looking at the ratio of views:replies!

I'm not doing it myself, so don't get too excited, (i'm doing a straight music degree) but one of the chaps on my degree course is combining it with computing. he seems to really enjoy it, onl slight niggle can be the organisation, essentially you would be a member of two completely separate 'schools' within the uni, each with their own timetable, and this can cause niggling problems with timetable clashes and exam clashes etc. I wouldnt let this put you off though. Are you sure you can't do a straight music degree? what are your AB grades/Alevels/Gcses? Music degrees are not just for the next nicola benedetti!

HTH

Let me know if you have any more questions, i'll do my best

Tom

Thanks for the reply well, I got a B in my gcse music, but I didn't take it at a-level (major regret) i haven't got my theory grade 5, I am pretty much around grade 4 standard, but in these next 8/9 months I plan on taking private tuition to get my grade 5 theory, (i'm really pretty pants at it!) Singing would be my main instrument, I have grade 8 musical theatre (TCL) but thats it, unfotunately I wasn't musically-minded until this past year *sob* ...is there hope for me?!

well the lack of a-level will not do you any favours, but it is not the end of the world. IIRC SOme Uni's do take students on music degrees without the a-level, particularly if you can demonstrate good practical ability - grade 8 on a main instrument should be plenty for most. I would suggest contacting the Uni's you are interested in by email (find the email of the admissions officer/tutor) or phone, and ask what the chance of you going without A'level music is. You might be pleasantly surprised! If you can get the grade 5 theory before you go you will certainly help your case.

Another chap on my course came from a background of not even having music GCSE. he had played in bands and is a good tenor. He applied after a couple of years working, and came for interview, and the tutor suggested he go and get some 'formal musical training', that is to say some grounding in theory and performance. He did a course at a college, then reapplied and now he is singing all over the city, and loving every minute of it! You already have the GCSE, and you will get the gd5 theory, so you already have the formal musical training.

In my first year aural/theory classes the marks in the initial test ranged from 4/64 to 64/64, and a lot of people didnt get a high mark, but it didnt matter. to be honest, while you need an initial grounding, what you do at uni is not re-hashing of grade5 theory, it is a very different discipline, learning all sorts of fascinating things about the music you enjoy. They only want some proof that you are not a complete novice, which clearly you are not. Our director of performance refuses to discuss AB grades, she is only interested in hearing people! honestly, paper qualifications go out the window when you start on the course, people will not judge you for not having a certain one. In any case, you dont need to admit that you havent done the a-level!! the tutors wont gossip about you.

To sum up this (far too long) essay!

Contact some uni's direct, show you are keen, and ask them about your potential as a music student.

You still have a month til the UCAS deadline, and there are always late applications after that.

You can apply for 6 options then sound out which is your favourite after you have applied.

Even after that there is always clearing, at which point the Uni's which have places will be desperate to fill them to get their funding, so almost certainly someone will take you through clearing even if not beforehand.

At the end of the day, even if you ask at uni's, the worst they can say is 'go and get some more formal training', which means maybe a year on a college course, in the worst case 2 years to get the a-level at a college.

You can of course use the rest of this year up until next august to maybe get the AS'level in evening classes? it is possible to do it in under a year at some colleges, while working part-time to save the funds. or, if not, just spend the next 8 months working on your grades to really give them something when clearing comes round in august.

Good Luck!! again, ask away if i can help any more

I've seen some wierd Uni courses involving music, like Biology with Music or vice versa, Chemistry with Music, Russian with Music...

IrisH - LoonY

Hi Laura

I'm sorry it hasn't worked out as you expected on your course. I'd advise that you take a break entirely over Christmas before you start working in the New Year on what you're going to do next. TJBHilton's advice is really good, and I'd agree that it's the way to go forwards from here.

Don't be surprised that there isn't anyone here with the specific experience to tell you what courses are like - the people here are from all walks of life and a variety of ages. But one thing I suspect everyone will tell you is to get as much practical music experience as you can.


Irish-Loony, a language plus music sounds like a very sensible course, especially if the musician is a singer.

Thank you Tom and Katy, very useful info! I'm going to phone the unis I'm interested in and see what they say, Thanks again so helpful Laura.

Sorry, SL, I've only just spotted your thread. Actually a combined music degree is a very good idea. Lots of music journalists do English plus Music or History plus Music. But since you like to sing, Italian or German plus music will be a very good option for you. Think about it... All the best!

Tess

PS. My nutty daughter, Violinutter, wants to do Physics and Music!

I have a degree in music and maths.

1st year you study 1/2 music and 1/2 maths
2nd year you can do the same again or choose more of 1 subject (cant remember what I did but I think 1/2)
3rd year you chose the modules you basically want to do. If you chose more science like 3 modules of maths and 1 module of music you end up with a BSc in maths and music. Other option 3 modules of music and 1 of maths BA in music and maths. I got the latter.

It is was alot of fun studying 2 subjects and I really enjoyed it while I was there. I think the strangest combination at our uni was Sports science and music.

I did go to uni with grade 8 in 2 instruments and grade 8 theory. Started a 3rd study while studying and 4 A levels including music. So if was much easier to get. This is over 15 years now though !!

My advice is to get your grade 8 singing and grade 5 theory. Spend the next 6 months work on this. If you are keen on the other beginner instruments you have listed try and get yourself to a decent level like grade 4/5. It can be done takes alot of work and determination.

You need to check round the different courses to find out what the entry requirements are for studying music.... some may require compulsory A level music.

Have you decided what you are doing yet? I am doing a single music course. The course structure depends on what uni you go to.

If you want to do dance and music then do a search on the UCAS website.

yeah, I want to do dance and music, I was just worried I would struggle majorly with the music side of things even though I really would love to learn and study music..arghh I hate having to make decisions