Music BA
- Duration
- 3 Years (Full time)
- Typical A-level offer
- AAB
- UCAS code
- W300
Music with Enterprise BA
Year of entry 2023
2024 course information- UCAS code
- 3P84
- Start date
- September 2023
- Delivery type
- On campus
- Duration
- 3 years full time
- Work placement
- Optional
- Study abroad
- Optional
- Typical A-level offer
- AAB (specific subject requirements)
- Typical Access to Leeds offer
- BBB at A level and a pass in the Access to Leeds module
Full entry requirements - Contact
- musicug@leeds.ac.uk
Course overview
Our sector-leading BA Music with Enterprise is the only undergraduate degree course in the country that enables you to combine your chosen musical interests with the study of enterprise and entrepreneurship. The course is delivered jointly by the School of Music and the Centre for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Studies (CEES), part of the Leeds University Business School.
The course balances modules focused on entrepreneurship and enterprise, drawing on musics from a range of genres, styles, cultures and geographic locations to explore key concepts, theories and approaches across these disciplinary areas. You’ll develop your skills as a creative, critical and reflective thinker, gaining the tools and experience needed to be an enterprising and independent worker and musician, ready for life after university. You can personalise your course by choosing optional modules from a broad range of musical areas – including aesthetics, analysis, contemporary composition, film music, the music business, musicology, music psychology, music technology, performance (solo and collaborative) and popular music – enabling you to shape your degree to fit your interests and ambitions.
You’ll study with academics in Music and CEES who are experts in their fields, receive support from a dedicated technical team, and take lessons with a visiting professional specialist if you study solo performance. Across your course, you’ll engage with the latest research, explore a range of theoretical, creative and practical aspects of music, enterprise and entrepreneurship, and develop a set of valuable subject-specific and transferrable skills. You’ll have opportunities to work independently and collaboratively, using your skills and knowledge in contexts that extend beyond the University environment. All these elements combine to provide you with an exciting and dynamic educational experience that’s unique to Leeds.
We are one of the largest schools of music in the country, which means you’ll benefit from the impressive range of specialisms within our curriculum, reflecting our ethos that music is music, regardless of genre or style. We attract a diverse body of students from across the UK and internationally, which gives the School a vibrant community and culture. Decolonisation, equality and inclusivity are embedded within our curriculum, so all our students can feel a sense of belonging in the School and can thrive on their course, no matter what their background and musical experience.
In the recent national Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) exercise, 93% of our research was considered to be ‘internationally excellent’ or better in terms of its originality, significance and rigour, with 56% rated as ‘world leading’, the highest classification. Each of these measures places us within the top 10 Schools of Music in the country based on the REF 2021 results for the subject area. Our staff expertise feeds directly into our curriculum, with specialisms including:
- Applied music psychology
- Black, popular, independent and global musical cultures
- Contemporary and experimental composition
- Electronic and computer music
- Film music
- Historical musicology
- Music analysis
- Music and wellbeing
- Music industry and management
- Music technology in theory and practice
- Musical aesthetics and postcolonialism
- Opera
- Performance and performance practice
- Practice research in music and the arts
- Science and technology studies
Similarly, staff in the CEES have a range of expertise in enterprise and entrepreneurship such as:
· Creative entrepreneurship
· Enterprise policy
· Entrepreneurship in resource-scarce contexts
· Social enterprise
· Sustainable development and entrepreneurship
We work closely with our students, particularly through our active Student Staff Partnership Forum, to ensure that we offer the best possible experience to everyone studying in the School of Music. Our Industrial Advisory Board – an invited body of professionals from across the professional music sector, including several alumni – actively supports the ongoing development of our courses to ensure they deliver the skills and opportunities our students need to prepare them for life after university.
Student enterprise is a key part of the University of Leeds ethos, and there are various opportunities to engage with entrepreneurial practice. The University runs a business start-up service called SPARK, there is an Entrepreneurs Society at Leeds University Union, and budding entrepreneurs can apply for an Enterprise Scholarship to help with start-up costs. The School of Music is part of a strong musical community at the University of Leeds, and there are numerous Leeds University Union (LUU) clubs and societies that offer opportunities to get involved in music and performance activities. The Leeds University Union Music Society (LUUMS) is one of the Union’s largest societies and boasts ten ensembles including orchestras, choirs, brass and wind ensembles, and a composers’ collective. LUUMS is linked to the School of Music as our departmental society, and the School and LUUMS work closely on social events and the promotion of musical opportunities. School of Music students also often participate in other campus-based ensembles, including the Clothworkers Consort of Leeds (led by School of Music staff members) and Student Union performance societies, such as:
· The LUU Big Band
· Various musical theatre, opera and pantomime groups
· Societies focused on jazz and blues, folk, and pop music
· A cappella (unaccompanied) singing
· Electronic music and DJing
The Clothworkers Concert Hall in the School of Music hosts our diverse International Concert Series, and the Students’ Union runs regular gigs and its long-standing Friday evening club night, ‘Fruity’. Beyond the University campus, the city of Leeds provides numerous opportunities to engage with a wide variety of musics at venues including:
· Leeds First Direct Arena, a fixture on the national touring circuit for leading artists and bands
· Leeds Grand Theatre, which routinely presents touring West End musicals, comedy and other shows, and is the home of Opera North (a partner of the University) and Northern Ballet
· Leeds Playhouse, which presents a range of stage musicals and other theatrical productions, several of which then tour nationally
· Leeds Town Hall, home to the Leeds International Concert Season (LICS), which usually features a wide range of international orchestras within its programming. LICS also run various chamber music series at venues including Holy Trinity Church, Leeds Cathedral, and The Venue at Leeds Conservatoire
· O2 Academy Leeds hosts a range of popular-music events including its regular ‘Indie Thursdays’ and ‘PROJEKT’ club nights
· Seven Arts, an independent arts space and a not-for-profit Community Interest Company that presents a range of jazz, popular and light musics within its diverse programme
· The Brudenell Social Club, which hosts events most nights of the week and covers a wide range of musical genres
All these elements combine to make studying Music with Enterprise at the University of Leeds a distinctive and memorable experience that actively supports our students to pursue careers or future study within and beyond music.
Speciaist facilities
The School of Music provides you with dedicated, purpose-built facilities complete with rehearsal, performance and practice spaces, computer clusters, a lab for studying the psychology of music, and dedicated learning and teaching spaces. There are also studios for sound recording, software development and computer-music composition, supplemented by a wide range of specialist software and recording equipment to help you with your studies.
At the heart of our School is the Clothworkers Centenary Concert Hall, a beautiful performance space that hosts a large and varied programme of concerts in term time. As a student in the School, you can attend events in the International Concert Series programme free of charge. The spacious Clothworkers Foyer is the School’s social hub, and doubles as a venue for popular music and informal performances, including the LUUMS ‘Friday Feature’ series.
We were the first Russell Group university to have All-Steinway status. Over £700,000 was invested in the pianos – a combination of uprights, baby grands and concert grands – and all 29 pianos in the School are Steinways. Our instrument collection also includes a specially commissioned gamelan, historic and modern keyboard instruments and a large selection of orchestral and world percussion.
Course details
In your first year, you’ll study core modules that introduce you to theoretical, historical and social aspects of music alongside music research skills. You’ll also choose from core modules on different aspects of business and social enterprise, and decide whether to pursue composition, solo or ensemble performance, technology or the psychology of music.
You’ll build on this knowledge in the following year when core contextual study modules feature the research interests of your tutors. You’ll have the opportunity to study music from a variety of different perspectives, ranging from traditional musical studies of performance, composition, marketing, critical/analytical and historical studies to popular music, aesthetics, music psychology and music technology. Business modules will explore enterprise planning, innovation and entrepreneurship.
In your final year, you’ll demonstrate your knowledge and skills with an independently researched dissertation on a topic of your choice, which might straddle both disciplines. At the same time, you’ll study advanced entrepreneurship and have the option to develop a new enterprise idea in a final year project.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.
Year 1 compulsory modules
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Understanding Music | 20 |
| Music in History and Culture | 20 |
| Music Research Skills | 20 |
Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Enterprise and Entrepreneurship | 10 |
| Understanding Social Enterprises | 10 |
| Starting Your Own Business | 10 |
| Composition | 20 |
| Performance | 20 |
| Ensemble Performance | 20 |
| Sound, Technology, and Music | 20 |
| Introduction to the Music Business | 10 |
| Introduction to the Psychology of Music | 20 |
Year 2 compulsory modules
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Entrepreneurship in Theory and Practice | 10 |
| Managing Innovation in Business | 10 |
| New Enterprise Planning | 20 |
Year 2 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Interpreting Music | 20 |
| Music in the Judeo-Christian Tradition | 20 |
| British Music and National Identity | 20 |
| Music, Culture, Politics: the Long Sixties | 20 |
| The Tools of Music Making | 20 |
| Music and Culture in Late Seventeenth-Century London | 20 |
| Duke Ellington and the Twentieth-Century Jazz Environment | 20 |
| Composition | 20 |
| Performance | 20 |
| Ensemble Performance | 20 |
| Aesthetics and Criticism | 20 |
| Music Technology Skills and Techniques | 20 |
| Film-Score Creation and Production | 20 |
| Opera North: Opera in Practice | 20 |
| Studies in Conducting | 20 |
| Marketing for Musicians | 20 |
| Synthesizer Ensemble | 20 |
| The Psychology of Listening and Performance | 20 |
| Towards the Future: Skills in Context | 20 |
Year 3 compulsory modules
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Dissertation | 40 |
Year 3 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Enterprise Project | 40 |
| Enterprise Consultancy | 20 |
| Critical Perspective in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship | 20 |
| Analysing Music | 20 |
| The Supernatural in Opera | 20 |
| Music and Postcolonial Politics | 20 |
| Music as Performance: People, Bodies and Instruments | 20 |
| Composition | 40 |
| Ensemble Performance | 20 |
| Applied Project | 20 |
| Performance | 40 |
| Editing and Source Studies | 20 |
| Contemporary Aesthetics | 20 |
| Music Technology | 40 |
| Music in the Real World | 20 |
| Music Psychology | 40 |
Discovery modules
Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.
This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.
Learning and teaching
Academics in the School of Music are leading practitioners and researchers, carrying out research which directly informs their teaching.
To help you benefit from their expertise, a variety of learning and teaching methods are used. Depending on the modules you choose, these are likely to include lectures, seminars and tutorials, as well as online learning tasks, solo and ensemble rehearsals, studio time for composition and technology, and lab work in music psychology.
Independent study is also vital to the degree, since it allows you to develop your analytical and research skills. Our experienced technicians and tutors are on hand to help if you need them, and you’ll have access to our expert instrumental and vocal teachers if you are studying performance.
You’ll have many opportunities to enrich your learning – for example, the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Studies offers the chance to hear entrepreneurs discussing their own experiences through the Enterprise Speaker Series.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
We also use different types of assessment, depending on the modules you choose. You’ll complete examinations and written coursework, but you may also be assessed through performances, project work, composition portfolios, presentations, concert reviews and recordings.
Entry requirements
A-level: AAB
If these don't include A level Music, we would normally expect an essay/discursive subject and evidence of Musical Literacy.
GCSE: usually 5 at A-C, including English at Grade C/4 or above
Other course specific tests:
If you have taken Music, practical grades are not a requirement for this programme. However, if you want to study performance, you’ll need a minimum of ABRSM, Trinity Guildhall or Rockschool Grade 7 Distinction or Grade 8 Merit (or demonstrate that you are of equivalent standard by the time you arrive in Leeds).
We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background. We consider alternative profiles and experience as long as you can demonstrate that you’re suitable for the course. We welcome applications from mature students and entry requirements can be flexible in these cases.
Students taking the EPQ may also be made an alternative offer.
We typically interview all eligible applicants.
Alternative qualification
Access to HE Diploma
In Music with 60 credits overall, with at least 45 credits at level 3 to include 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit.
BTEC
DDD in a music specialism, with evidence of musical literacy.
Cambridge Pre-U
D3, M1, M2
International Baccalaureate
35 overall (6 at higher level in Music)
Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)
(Leaving Certificate): H2 H2 H2 H2 H3 H3.
Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers
AABBB (including AB at advanced level) OR AAABB (including A at Advanced level). For applicants just undertaking the higher level, grades of AAAABB will be required.
Other Qualifications
Apolytirion of Geniko Lykeio with Pan Hellenic exams: 18.5 overall normally including Music (equivalent music qualifications will be considered); including 17 in the English from the Pan Hellenic exams
Cypriot: pass in the Apolytirion with a minimum of 19 overall, including 19 in Music (other music qualifications will be considered) and 17 in English, plus at least one A level at grade B or above (or equivalent)
Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.
Alternative entry
We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.
Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.
Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.
Typical Access to Leeds offer: BBB at A Level and pass Access to Leeds
International
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For information contact the School of Music Undergraduate Admissions Team.
International Foundation Year
International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
Fees
UK: £9,250 (per year)
International: £24,000 (per year)
Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2023/24 and 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will remain capped at £9,250 for 2023/24 and 2024/25. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.
Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2023/24 and 2024/25
Tuition fees for international students for 2023/24 and 2024/25 are available on individual course pages.
Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.
Read more about paying fees and charges.
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.
Scholarships and financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.
Applying
Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.
Read our guidance about applying.
International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Next steps
Suitable candidates will be invited for an online interview as part of the selection process. Interviews usually take place between November and March.
Admissions tutors will consider your experience, skills and knowledge in relation to the academic demands of the course. If you’re predicted grades lower than AAB, or don’t hold standard entry qualifications, the interview is particularly important for demonstrating your musical experience, skills and knowledge, and ability to discuss music, enterprise and/or entrepreneurship.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2024
This course is taught by
Contact us
School of Music Undergraduate Admissions
Email: musicug@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:
Career opportunities
A degree in Music with Enterprise will allow you to develop a wide range of subject knowledge and skills; you’ll also gain strong commercial awareness and transferable skills that are very attractive to employers.
You’ll be a good communicator who is able to collaborate and work well in a team, but you’ll also be confident working independently. You’ll also have the chance to develop analytical, research and organisational skills. Spending time developing a new enterprise will demonstrate that you have initiative and planning skills.
We run a series of careers events every year in collaboration with the University Careers Centre to help you explore your options.
Some of our graduates also continue to postgraduate study at Leeds.
Careers support
You can access student enterprise societies, the Social Innovation Zone, Spark business advice and mentoring services, a Business Plan Competition and Enterprise Scholarships, all of which are offered to help students make the most of their talents and put enterprising ideas into practice. You’ll benefit from opportunities to work with students engaged in enterprising activities from different disciplines, while accessing support and information from a range of related student services.
Professional and alumni links are available to all our students with a particular focus on the music industries; this degree will equip you with innovative ways of applying your musical abilities to commercial environments.
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.
Study abroad and work placements
Study abroad
On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. We have over 300 University partners worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America.
Find out more at the Study Abroad website.
Study abroad
During your second year you’ll be able to apply to transfer to our BA Music with Enterprise (International) programme. This allows you to extend your degree by a year and spend your third year studying at one of our many partner universities worldwide.
It’s a great opportunity to enhance your CV and gain a new perspective on your studies, as well as deepening your cultural awareness through more varied experience. In addition to being a highlight of your degree, it can give you real confidence in a competitive job market.
Find out more at the Study Abroad website.
Work placements
Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.
Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.
Work placements
If you transfer to our BA Music with Enterprise (Industry) degree in your second year, you can extend your programme by a year to spend your third year working in the music industry. It’s a great opportunity to gain valuable experience and contacts – and some students go on to work for their placement companies after they graduate.
We have established internship opportunities with major music organisations such as Warner Music, English National Opera, and the Leeds International Concert Season, but you can also explore placements such as music therapy, education, orchestral or band management, in the UK or abroad.
Students have taken placements in organisations such as Faber Music, Grand Union Orchestra, and Scottish Opera. One graduate has opened the New York office of WildKat PR, following a placement with the company.
Read more about Year in Industry.