Hi,
I've recently applied for university to do a degree but have recently realised theres only one university i want to go to, and ive been rejected. So to get a step up on the ladder for when i apply next year, i have decided to do a diploma.
Hooowever doing an abrsm diploma seems a bit lonely lol so can anyone think of anywhere i could apply to? I found this link on the internet but i cant help thinking its a bit dodgy, and alot dearer than the abrsm one too!

www.musicdiplomas.com

Most importantly are they fun?
Any help will be appreciated sooooooooo much!!!!

Sarah x

Hi Sarah

If you want a diploma to help you up the ladder as you put it.. you need to ensure that any diploma you choose is recognised by the people who are in charge of, or at least recognise the ladder you are trying to get up.

The link you provide doesn't seem to suggest it is the case for those particular diplomas.

If you are based in the UK, it may therefore be pragmatic to consider the diplomas of ABRSM, Trinity College London or the London College of Music which have standing with the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA).

sorry to be the voice of boring practicality, but when will you do your G8 flute - to do the AB diploma that needs to be out of the way first, then you've got a BIG jump to diploma level - tight to cram all that into 2006...

yeah i know my grade 8 is pretty close (spring/summer) and it would probably take me a while to get up to diploma level so i'm not trying to cram it all into one year. just trying to set up a plan for the future. thanks for the help

all the best for G8 - and hope you get the result you're after on your next application round!

Can I just ask why there's only one uni you want to go to, and which it is?

How widely have you looked?

I doubt if that diploma is worth the paper it's printed on - sorry.

Liz

"Your fees will be refunded if you do not pass the diploma examination."

What a statement to make! Like the others have said, don't bother with it.

Do your Grade 8 flute and then work from there with your teacher.

Theres a reason why i need to stay close to home, which limits my choices enormously as i live quite close to liverpool. I really wanted to go to lipa, as it seems the best place for me personally. but i understand that that may never happen so i just needed to consider all options. diplomas and other courses etc

According to the latest Time Top 100 Universities listing for Music there is no sign of Liverpool, despite being the home of the Fab Four.

Top slot goes to Nottingham which is not too far from home. Also perhaps York (#6), Manchester (#11) and Sheffield (#15). Other places not to far... Here is the link:
(http://www.timesonline.co.uk/section/0,,716,00.html)

Good luck. Just thought the above info might help you or another searching for a music Uni.

Richard
Hong Kong

Imagine if the AB had that policy - half the entrants would be refunded! Tee hee.

However LIPA is very well respected, very hard to get into but according to the people I know there, great fun. Its reputation for modern music is the reason that it doesn't feature in the top music universities, which focus on classical courses.

Those reasons are certainly good enough for me to consider LIPA! And if the original poster wants modern music, then certainly the Times listing is perhaps not that useful. I wonder how 'modern' Nottingham is?

Thanks for useful info. The great fun report is also valuable.

Richard

I'm planning on going back to study after a long period away.

Does anyone know anything about the MMus in Performance at Goldsmiths? My first choice is Music College, but this course looks like it has a strong performance aspect (as opposed to academic). I have a BA in Music, but didn't really enjoy writing essay after essay.

I'm currently doing AVCM for piano (Victoria College of Music) don't know how well it's recognised, but it's a nice syllabus and i've learnt a lot whilst studying for it you only need grade 5 theory with victoria college to do it, which is another good thing i doubt very much that it's viewed as anywhere near the standard of the AB diplomas, but as i said i'm enjoying it a lot except for my syllabus it's different styles of classical music - there aren't the 'list c randomies' that everyone loves from the AB exams! the website is something like vcmexams.org :s dunno i'll have to check later (gotta run off to my lesson now )
best of luck with grade 8 and getting into uni hopefully you'll find a diploma course that you'll enjoy
hoxie
x