I'm looking at applying to university to study music. I've got a few questions for those of you who are already there or who have been offered a place (studying music or something music-related).

Which university/college are you at? (If you don't want to say, could you indicate whether it's an 'old' university or a former polytechnic, as I suspect there's a difference between the two when it comes to entry requirements.)
What course are you doing? (straight music, music technology, something else with music, etc.)

What were the non-academic entrance requirements? Did they ask for specific grades (in your instrument, theory or piano)?

What grades did you actually have when you applied? What grades did you have when you started?
Did you feel that the entry requirements corresponded fairly well to the demands of the course?

How much instrumental tuition do you get?

Many thanks,
T.

I've sent you a PM

This is all about Scotland so feel free to disregard this if it doesn't help but hope it does!

So you know, I have a grade 7 merit in piano, when I applied I had that as a pending result, as was my grade 8 flute which I just sat. I have grade 5 theory and in school I got 5 As at Higher.


I have a place on the RSAMD BEd Music starting in September, I think the entry requirements were 3 Cs at Higher (AS Level) and at least a grade 7 on your main study; there's a theory test at the audition equivalent to Grade 5. I think I'll get one lesson a week, possibly only 30 mins since I'm a lowly BEd student as opposed to a BMus. As far as I know, the academic entry requirements are pretty low for the demands of the course, because it's a BEd you do more than half of the course in Education and there is a LOT of writing and work.

I got unconditionals for Aberdeen BMus (with Hons in Education) and Napier BMus,

Napier's entry requirements were:

I think the UCAS points mumbo jumbo translates to a B in music and a C in English. I got on to the course even though I only had a merit at Grade 7 and no Higher Music, the panel said at my interview that it was because I had a good academic record (5 As at Higher), and had a clear idea of what I wanted to do (teaching). They also said that it was acceptable that I'd taken the "ABRSM" route rather than taking Higher Music (didn't fit with my timetable).


Aberdeen's entry reqs were very long so I've just put in the English ones, if you want any of the others let me know.

I don't know much about contact time though, sorry.

This is getting long now so hope this helps and good luck with your applications!

- Just finished a 3 year BMus course at Bangor University (straight music)

- They asked for 280 points, so BBC in terms of A-level grades, and one of those B's had to be in Music. No instrument specific grades were asked for.

- When I applied I had grade 5 clarinet, grade 4 piano and grade 3 violin.

- When I started I had grade 8 saxophone, grade 6 clarinet and grade 6 piano.

- Entry requirements were fine in comparison to the demands of the course. Even people who missed their offers and got in, still ended up with good degree classifications.

- Most people get 50 minutes a week, but I had to travel so I had hour/2 hour lessons every now and again.

I was in a similar position that Scaramouche described. For personal reasons, my A levels were a disaster, but Huddersfield Polytechnic took me on their Graduate Diploma Course, the equivalent of an ordinary degree without honours.

I applied with Grade 5 singing, Grade 7 Oboe and Grade 5 Piano. When I arrived I had Grade 8s in Singing and Oboe and Grade 6 Piano but three Ds at A level. (1987 A levels).

However I worked like stink in the first year and my marks were somewhat better than expected as a result I was transferred to the Honours Degree Course at the end of the year.

Now away from the cause of the personal problems, though struggling with ill health I continued to maintain marks borderline 2 ii/2 i for my second year. This continued during my third year, and then as a result of acing my final viva, I was awarded an Upper Second Class Honours Degree in Music.

Just to prove whatever you face, if you really want it you get it. You can have lousy A levels and still get a good class of degree. You can face all sort of set backs en route. One operation, another stay in hospital was not exactly planned, neither was all of the back problems, but I survived.

I received excellent tuition from people who knew how to get the best from me, that was part of the solution, the rest was down to hard work and the fact this was something I really wanted.

I'm at the University of Birmingham studying joint honours German Studies and Music. The academic entry requirements for single honours music students are quite high, but different joint honours combinations vary. Regardless of whether you're a single honours or joint honours student, you're expected to have at least one (usually two) grade 7 practical exams and at least grade 6 standard piano. They don't stipulate anything for theory as most people are expected to have an A in A level Music.

I already had two grade 8s by the time I applied, and I haven't taken any more exams since. I will get round to a Diploma some day... In some ways, that's the bare minimum, because there are a lot of people here who have Diplomas or who haven't taken more exams but are way beyond grade 8 standard. The course is very, very demanding.

In the first year, we get 20 hours of tuition, but you have to take solo performance in the second and final years to carry on getting free lessons. (You have the option to pay for them if you don't take performance, though.) In the second year, we get 22 hours of lessons, but I'm not sure about the final year.

Which universities are you looking at?

I'm at Cardiff University, and I didn't apply for single honours BMus, but I can tell you the requirements and what not.

Cardiff usually ask for ABB (although, I know people who have got in with less) and you will have an audition and an interview. They like grade 8, but it's not a requirement of the offer. If you haven't done A Level Music, then you can still get in if you do grade 8 theory and practical and then 3 relevant humanities A Levels.

How're you finding Birmingham? It's my insurance choice, and at the moment I feel as though I'm much more likely to go there

(The uni itself, not the ocurse...)

york uni,
straight music,
requirements: ABB and Grade 8 (or a composition folio), they look kindly on Grade 8 Theory too.

When i applied my AS grades were ABBCC but i came out with AAAB

instrumental tuition is 10 lessons a year (i think) which doesn't sound like much but it seems ok when you're playing all the time anyway.

I would say the entrance requirements correspond quite well to the course

oh and they want grade 6 piano but i had grade 5 and it was no problem, they just make you sight read some easy bartok in your audition.

Hey. I'm off to Manchester Uni in September (hopefully!) to do straight Music. My academic offer is AAA :s and they want Music and another English-rich subject such as English Lang or Lit, History, Philosophy etc. Aside from that they want Grade 8 Distinction in first instrument/voice and Grade 6 standard on piano, but that can be self-certified. If you don't have Grade 8 at time of applying it's worth it anyway, a couple of people I've been talking to who are also going in Sept got made offers before they'd taken it, it just tends to include your Grade 8. Oh and I believe I get 18 hours of tuition in 1st and 2nd years, and 20 hours in 3rd if they count towards your degree x

Did they insist on this? Just a little worried as I'm starting 6th form in September doing Music, Music tech, Maths and Further Maths

Well it specifies it in the prospectus, but you'd have to contact them and see. They might want to see some examples of your written work or something if you don't do an essay-based subject. Email them and see

It's wonderful I love it here. Which course have you applied for?

History - they made me a lower offer than the standard
Is the music scene good (socs and stuff)?

Lucky you! The music scene is really good, and it's really nice because there are lots of non-Music students in it, too. The University Music Society organises the philharmonic and symphony orchestras, the New Music Ensemble and the University Singers, all of which are auditioned, and the Chamber Choir, University Choir, Wind Band and Brass Band, which are unauditioned. There's also JaBSoc (Jazz and Blues), which organises jamming sessions and concerts, and the Guild Musical Theatre Group. Even though a lot of the ensembles are unauditioned, the standard is still really high, because most people are Grade 8 plus by the time they get here. Everybody's really friendly and we go out lots too. I hope you get into your firm choice, but you're not in a bad position if you come here!

I've just finished a HND in Music Practice at University of Northampton. The entry requirements for that are at least one E at A Level or a National Diploma in a music related subject. You also have to be able to perform at a grade 5 standard, an ability to sight read and around grade 4 theory.

You can then go on to do a top up year (which is what i'm doing) to get your degree. This wasn't an ideal option but as i'm a mature student and didn't really want to move away it was the best option for me, plus I've really enjoyed it a learnt loads.

Sounds great - thanks for all the info, it's surprisingly tricky to find out the full extent of all the different stuff by looking at the website/prospectus (or maybe it's just me )
Er - d'you if there are any folky groups?

Folk groups... I'm not sure if there are any run by the Music Society, but people with similar interests tend to meet and form their own small ensembles, and you then have the opportunity to play in chamber ensemble concerts and there's a module in small ensemble performance, too, so I'm sure you'd be able to do some.

Thanks very much!

sorry to go , everyone