A Level Music 2025-26

If you love music and are keen to evolve your skills in performing and creating music, this is the course for you.

Simply put, study A Level Music because you want to. Study it because you enjoy it and study it because you are good at it. As an A Level, it is fantastic, you will learn so much more than music, you will learn how to stand up and perform, how to compose creatively and how to write analytically. A Level Music will prepare you for things in later life that you may not even be thinking of yet!

And study it because Music is brilliant, and when we study it we really do unlock its true power.

Musical elements and their interdependence - organisation of pitch (melodically and harmonically), tonality, structure; organisation of musical material, sonority, texture, tempo, metre and rhythm; how music is organised in time and dynamics; use of dynamics.

Musical contexts - the effect of purpose and intention e.g. of the composer, performer, commissioner on how music is created, developed and performed in different historical, social and cultural contexts, the effect of audience, time and place e.g. venue, occasion on how music is created, developed and performed in different historical, social and cultural contexts and how music from different historical, social and cultural contexts has changed over time.

Musical language - reading and writing staff notation, chords and associated chord symbols and musical vocabulary and terminology related to the areas of study.

• Performer
• Freelance Musician
• Songwriter
• Composer
• Lyricist
• Teacher
• Music Promoter
• Music Arranger

An A Level in Music helps provide a great range of opportunities for students wishing to proceed on to higher education courses related to music or the performing arts. It can lead to careers in areas such as teaching, performing, composing and music therapy. A Level Music is highly regarded by universities as it requires a high level of academic and creative skill.

For A Level Music you will need a grade 5 or above in GCSE English. GCSE Music desirable but not essential but you need to have the ability to perform at grade 3 standard or above in your chosen instrument. Prior to entry you will be given an audition where you perform a piece of music in your chosen instrument.

For a 3 A level programme you will need to have a minimum of five 9-4 grade passes at GCSE which includes English and Mathematics.

For a 4 A level programme you will need to have a minimum of six 9-4 grade passes at GCSE which includes English and Mathematics; it is expected that the majority of passes will be at 7-9 grade.

Our entry requirements are in place to support our students in achieving the qualifications they have chosen to study. In addition to the entry requirements, all students will be regularly assessed by East Durham College at an early stage in their study programme. This is to ensure that students are enrolled onto courses which suit their abilities – following assessment, there may be occasions when students are transferred to a relevant course at a higher or lower level in order to ensure they are enrolled on to the right course for them to achieve and progress.

Entry onto any course at EDC may have entry requirements in addition to exam results; this includes but is not limited to DBS checks, references, fitness to practice and at times physical requirements to be capable of achieving the practical elements of the course without assistance. Entry onto any course at East Durham College is subject to final approval from the Assistant Principal.

The course is assessed through three linear components – two non-examined components (Performing and Composing) which are worth 60% of the qualification and one examined component (Music Exam) worth 40% of the qualification.

September 2025

Two years, full time.