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A-level Music
AQA A-level Music explores musical heritage and enhances your confidence in both composing and performing various styles. With our unlimited tutor support, you can explore your passion for music and understand it in greater detail. Learn from some of the greatest composers and find inspiration to create and share.
- Fast Track
- In a rush? You can complete this course under a year at no extra charge
- 98% Pass Rate
- Students have enjoyed a 98% pass rate
- Exam Pass Guarantee
- If you don't pass first time, we'll support you for free until your next exams
- Online Learning
- Study on your own terms with our learning platform, MyOxbridge™
- Unlimited Tutor Support™
- Get as much help as you want from your expert personal tutor
- Free Academic Reference
- We'll provide you with a free Academic reference
Course Introduction
Learn online with Oxbridge at a pace that suits you. We offer several different A-level courses to help you reach your goals.
Where words fail, music speaks. With our online A-level music course, you will develop key skills in performing, composing, and appraising music from across various genres and broaden your understanding of individual musical styles.
You will also hone critical reflection skills, delving into the diverse heritage of music and use this knowledge in your own musical style and performance.
Guided by expert tutors, you gain confidence in composing and performing, either as a group or ensemble, or as a solo artist. With this unique online course, you can go on to study at university or progress into other career opportunities.
Develop your ear for music – learn how to identify different cadences and instruments. After studying A-level Music with Oxbridge, you can resonate with your favourite artists and producers.
Course Info
- Duration
- Study Hours
- Difficulty
- Outcome
- UCAS Points
- Syllabus Code
- Units
-
9–24 months
-
300
-
Level 3
-
AQA
-
56
-
7272
-
3
units
(view
units)
Awarding Body: AQA
AQA qualifications are internationally recognised and taught in 30 countries worldwide, highly valued and recognised by employers and universities and enable you to progress to the next stage of your life. AQA qualifications suit a range of abilities and include GCSE courses, IGCSE courses and A-level courses.
UCAS
This course carries UCAS points. This means that it can be used to gain direct access to university courses and other higher education qualifications, through the UCAS system.
What you will learn
Below is an outline of the course material you will study:
Unit 1: Performing
- Solo performance
- Ensemble performance
- Improvisation
- Realisation using music technology
- Approaches to performing
- Musical elements
- Musical contexts
- Musical language
Unit 2: Composing
- Compositional briefs
- Vocal music
- Instrumental music
- Music for film
- Fusions
- Popular music and jazz
- New directions
- Free composition
- Composition recording
Unit 3: Appraising
- Analyse and evaluate music in aural and written form, using knowledge and understanding of musical elements, musical contexts and musical language to make critical judgements
- Formulate critical judgements, achieved through attentive listening and aural perception
- Comment on music, showing critical understanding through the genres, styles and traditions studied
- Use acute aural perception skills
- Use appropriate technical musical vocabulary to communicate sophisticated judgements
- Show an understanding of the complex interdependencies between musical elements
Course Outcome
As a student of this qualification, you will benefit from a wealth of A-level teaching experience from a range of academic tutors who are or have been Heads of Music in schools and colleges and examiners for A-level examination boards.
Our music A-level course follows the AQA syllabus and develops practical skills in performing and composing as well as a deeper understanding of music history, theory and analysis. Through listening to and studying a wide variety of music, both classical and popular, you will develop a more informed appreciation of how, and why, it was written.
This course is for musicians who wish to attain an advanced internationally recognised qualification and for those who wish to study music at university. Don’t worry if you don’t get the grades you want though; take a look at our guide to getting to university through UCAS Clearing here.
How do you study A-level Music online?
This unique A-level music course blends practical and theoretical study, with an expert tutor on hand to support you all the way. Working from home or wherever you feel most comfortable, you have the freedom to express your talent and broaden your knowledge of critical music theories.
Studying A-level music online means you can learn at the pace that gives you the best chance of success. You can access your course materials from any compatible device using our MyOxbridge learning portal, meaning you can fit learning and musical practice around other commitments, without the fear of falling behind.
Progression Routes
In addition to becoming more immersed in the world of music, this course will present you with progression routes in both education and work. If you want to attend university, you could study:
- BA in Music Business/Management
- BA in Musical Theatre
- BA in Sound Design
- BA in Arts Administration
In terms of job opportunities, you could pursue a career in:
- Sound Engineering
- Teaching
- DJ’ing
- Music Production
- Music Management
- Music Promotion & Publishing
Examinations and Assessments
This is a linear qualification. In order to achieve the award, you must complete all assessments at the end of the course and in the same series.
Component 1: Appraising music
What is assessed?
- Listening
- Analysis
- Contextual understanding
How is it assessed?
This component is 40% of your total A-level marks (120 marks). It is assessed through an exam paper with listening and written questions using excerpts of music, answering the following questions:
- Section A: Listening (56 marks)
- Section B: Analysis (34 marks)
- Section C: Essay (30 marks)
Component 2: Performance
What is assessed?
- Music performance
How is it assessed?
This component is 35% of your total A-level marks (50 marks). You will also need to complete a solo and/or ensemble performing as an instrumentalist, or vocalist and/or music production (via technology). A minimum of 10 minutes of performance in total is required.
A non-exam assessment (NEA) will be externally marked by Edexcel examiners. Work must be completed between 1 March and the specified date given by Edexcel. Work must be sent by post/uploaded to Edexcel by the specified date given.
Component 3: Composition
What is assessed?
- Composition 1: Composition to a brief (25 marks)
- Composition 2: Free composition (25 marks)
How is it assessed?
This component is worth 25% of your total A-level marks (50 marks). A minimum of four and a half minutes of music in total is required.
An NEA will be externally marked by AQA examiners. Work must be completed and sent by post or uploaded to AQA by the specified date. The NEA deadline is 20th October each year; therefore, students will next be able to take their A-Level Music Exams in Summer 2025.
Exam FAQs
Are exams required to pass the course?
For A-levels and GCSEs you will need to sit an exam. You can purchase your exams when you enrol on a course, or you can book them later via MyOxbridge. Either way, once you're on board with us, your tutor will guide you through the process.
Where are the exams held?
Exams will require attendance at a physical exam centre, with detailed information available on our Exam Centres page. We offer guaranteed exam spaces at our partnership centres across the UK, or you can register as a private candidate at a centre of your choice, keeping in mind that fees may vary by location.
When do exams take place - are there set dates?
Exam dates are set nationally and cannot be changed, so it's important to plan accordingly. They are usually late spring to early summer. For example, forthcoming A-level exams are scheduled from 1st March to 31st May 2025, while GCSE exams will run from 5th May to 25th June 2025.
Can exams be taken online?
For A-level and GCSE courses, exams must be taken in person at a designated exam centre.
Are mock exams available? Are they compulsory?
Yes, we offer both compulsory Internal Mocks in the autumn (included in your course fees and delivered online) and optional External Mocks in the spring (for an additional fee, taken at an exam centre). Mock exams are a great way to prepare for the real thing, and we encourage you to take advantage of them.
How and when do I register for exams?
Exam registration opens in the autumn before the summer exam period, so if you plan to take exams next summer, you should register by November of the preceding year. You can complete the exam registration form in your student portal, and our Student Support team is available to help with the process.
Can you take exams outside of the UK?
While our MyOxbridge learning portal is accessible worldwide, most exams must be taken within the UK. Check with us for specific exam requirements to avoid any surprises.
Do I have to buy the exam from Oxbridge in order to study with you?
No, you are not obligated to purchase your exam through Oxbridge. You can either book your own exam centre independently, or take advantage of our partnerships with exam centres for a more streamlined process.
Entry Requirements
It is strongly recommended that you have studied GCSE Music or achieved Grade 5 minimum standard on performance instrument/voice before starting this course.