Hi,
I know this has already been posted before but with no replies so i thought i'd give it another go as i really am desperate,

Sorry as i know this subject has already been brought up many times but im really stuck and worried. I'm very interested in a music course at university but i only started learning the Flute 3 years ago and now grade 5/6 level although i haven't taken any exams, i'm also about grade 4 piano (also having not taken any exams) along with grade 3 singing which i have just taken.

I'm in year 12 and just starting to look at courses etc but want to go and study at somewhere that is reasonably respected. I also got a B in GCSE Music and am studying for A Level.

If anybody could suggest anything it would be really appreciated,
Thanks.

First piece of advice would be to gen up on what courses are available, and what the entry requirements are. Back last century when I was applying to universities, most institutions required a minimum of Grade 8 (at least standard, if not actually having passed the exam) in your first instrument; one even required a minimum of Grade 7 piano, no matter what your first study was.

Make sure you go to open days as well, to get the feel of a place. Take the opportunity to speak to any undergraduates who aren't in the bar when you visit, and find out what they think, what they enjoy or dislike about the course, location, etc.

Also bear in mind what you want to do after graduation - if your final aim is to be a classroom teacher consider studying a BEd rather than BA or BMus course.

As to where - only you can really decide that. Whilst Oxford and Cambridge are probably still the most respected universities in the UK, they don't suit everyone.

Now, off to your careers library to read prospecti!

the majority of bmus courses do require a prerequisite of grade 8 in first study and either grade 6 or 7 keyboard skills, you dont have to have taken the exam just be around that standard, theres lots of institutions that offer music and not all of them have such high standards. to be honest the majority of institutions will see what you have to offer rather than what grades you have. obviously they do like to have grade 7/8 standard musicians but thats not saying that they wont consider you. you are best to ask with the institution and talk with someone in the department. are you interested in other areas of music besides performance? you could focus your attention on theory or composition or technology, some institutions have a greater emphasis on these areas.

In general have a look at:

Huddersfield
Sheffield
nottingham
leeds (uni and college)
birmingham
bangor
cardiff
hull
bath
edinburgh
aberdeen


alternatively, have a look at The Times website (as in the newspaper, you'll have to do a search could be something like www.thetimes.org or something) and on the website their is a student page and it gives league tables of universities for particular subjects, that way atleast you'll know where music is offered and which are the best universitites.

dont panic im like you. only up to grade6. just hav a look at diff uni's and see their requirements. also if u get a good grade at AS/Alevel it wont matter that much........................i hope

Thanks for the help, i've been on some websites and ordered some prospectuses-it looks like there may still be some hope!

is cambridge a good place to study music.... and is there any course that only concentrate on classical music.... not rock and roll...

Clarinet lover- do you mind me asking where you got offers from?

no i dont mind. got offers from bangor,surrey,sheffield,durham. got audition and interview for cardiff.

QUOTE (NIX @ Jan 11 2005, 01:37 PM)

In general have a look at: Huddersfield Sheffield nottingham leeds (uni and college) birmingham bangor cardiff hull bath edinburgh aberdeen

I have applied to Bangor, who did not specify grade on any instrument, (so did clarinetlover!) Hull and Huddersfield off this list. I also applied to Oxford Brookes, Glasgow and Lancaster. I only have grade 6 on my first instrument, but i have still got offers from Bangor, Hull and Lancaster and an interview at Oxford Brookes and an audition at Huddersfield. Sometime they say grade 8 if you want to study performance (like Huddersfield and Lancaster) dont be put off by this!

I have met three people who have quit music courses at Cambridge to transfer to York because they found it too dry. On the other hand I have a friend studying Music at Cambridge who loves it. It just depends what sort of a course you're looking for - something pro-active and lively and contemporary and exciting, or poring over dusty old plainsong manuscripts. But don't let me influence you....

No problem to be on grade 6 in Y12 and want to study music at uni; as somebody mentioned, how you actually play, and how good an all-round musician you are, is more important than a piece of paper. Applying to institutions who accept you on the basis of an interview might be a good idea - off-hand I can think of Oxbridge, York and possibly Sheffield. This gives you an opportunity to demonstrate your enthusiasm and musicality, show compositions etc as well as perform. In the slightly lower grade-offer bracket, Huddersfield and Hull have excellent departments.

Alternatively, perhaps if you wanted to apply to a conservatoire, you could consider taking a gap year and using it to really develop your music ability, perhaps take some part-time college courses. This would also prove your dedication on your UCAS form.

And at the risk of giving vague information, I think some places offer degrees in Musicology where having grade 8 is not as important. Try Lancaster maybe?

Good luck!

Do you play in orchestras or bands? If not, try and get to some, they sometimes like to look at the experience you have as a musician, as well as how good you are as a performer.

QUOTE (Katet @ Jan 13 2005, 03:39 PM)

Do you play in orchestras or bands? If not, try and get to some, they sometimes like to look at the experience you have as a musician, as well as how good you are as a performer.

what if you are just a pianist...they don't expect you to play a concerto??