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Music A Level [Y1]

East Sussex College - Lewes

Mountfield Road, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2XH

GCE A/AS Level or Equivalent
Level 3
Arts, Media and Publishing

Available start dates

Available start dates

Tuesday, 07 September 2027
East Sussex College - Lewes
2 Year(s)
Part of a full time programme
Daytime/working hours
There are a number of support materials available to help you with this course. In the past, we have also organised a variety of concert trips to help your learning come to life.
A Level & Mixed Programme

Application Instructions

You can only apply for one course type on an application.

Applying for A-Levels and/or V-Levels? You can choose to study three A-Levels or create a mixed programme combining A-Levels with other qualifications, including the new V-Levels. You will select the courses from a list of relevant subjects when you apply.

Applying for T-Levels? T-Levels are full-time courses that allow you to focus on one subject.

Applying for Vocational courses? Our technical and professional vocational courses are full-time programmes focusing on one subject. You can apply for up to two courses in the same application.

We accept applications to more than one campus; however once you have attended an interview session and received an offer from us, you will need to confirm your first-choice course and the campus you want to study at.

Course Summary

During our Music A-Level, you will study a range of set works that will expand your musical horizons. The work you do in the classroom will be enhanced by incredible trips to hear professional performances. You'll round off the course with a solo recital!

Course Details

During this two-year A-Level course, you will study three areas of music - performance, composing, and understanding music. The performance topic will be focussed on you learning how to perform on their instrument (or voice) with confidence, skill and accuracy. The composing aspect will teach you skills and techniques for composing songs or instrumental pieces in a variety of styles, both as free composition and to a set brief. You will also learn compositional techniques using traditional harmony. The third topic of the course will see you study a range of set works that are certain to expand your musical horizons. Classroom listening, learning and written work will be enhanced by trips to hear professional performances. In addition to the course work, ongoing instrumental and vocal tuition is essential and is available through our team of academy teachers who work within the East Sussex Academy of Music.

How will it be delivered and assessed?

Your assessment for this course will require you to give a public performance of one or more pieces, performed as a recital of at least eight minutes. You will submit a portfolio of one composition and one compositional technique exercise, which will be externally assessed. You will also undertake a two-hour written exam which will assess your understanding of music. There are questions testing your aural ability, as well as two essay questions.

Entry requirements

Our general entry criteria to study 3 A-Levels is: Minimum five GCSEs grade 4-9 with English Language or Maths at grade 5. For a mixed Level 3 programme the criteria are: Minimum five GCSEs grade 4-9 with English Language or Maths at grade 4. Subject specific entry criteria apply:A GCSE grade 4 in English Language.You will need to demonstrate your ability to play an instrument or sing and understand music theory to grade 5 standard.

Your next steps...

Once you have completed this course, you could follow in the footsteps of many of our former students who have gone on to study at university or music institutes.

Additional information


For more courses like this, check our courses page.