Music Performance Level 3
Music Performance Level 3 | UAL Diploma / Extended Diploma in Music Performance and Production
The Music Performance course has a long tradition of training musicians and singers so that they are ready to gain places at top conservatoires and universities in the UK.
Each year, we successfully prepare students for schools such as Guildhall, RCM, Trinity, Leeds Conservatoire, Royal Northern College of Music and many more.
The course also prepares students to join the thriving professional music scene in the UK upon completion.
I really liked the emphasis on practice time and easy access to facilities and instruments compared to other colleges; I’ve learned so much about music and the piano. I will be staying on to study a Music Education degree. I hope to become a music teacher alongside being a performing musician.Darcey
Who Is The Course For?
The programme is suitable for all types of musicians and singers. Specific classes and aspects of the curriculum cater for individual needs whilst providing a foundation of skills and knowledge that prepare you for a career as a musician and creative artist.
How Will I Learn?
The Music Performance course will prepare you for a professional career in music and to study music at degree level through a broad and exciting range of music and musical activities.
Our music course tutors and instrumental teachers are all experienced professional musicians, many of whom teach at degree and masters levels.
The emphasis is on practical skills, performance development, musicianship, composition, and academic work, underpinned by classroom tuition and various extracurricular events such as workshops and gigs.
Delivery is through a combination of practical music making, classroom theory, seminars, tutorials and assignments. The course also provides many opportunities to participate in a wide range of musical experiences.
In addition to your main programme, you will engage in activities to develop your English, maths and employability skills.
You will complete the UAL Diploma in your first year and continue to the Extended Diploma in your second year.
Course Content
Music Performance Level 3 course units and topics include:
- Composing Music
- Concert Production and Staging
- Improvising Music
- Music Performance Session Styles
- Music Performance Techniques
- Music Theory and Harmony
- Operating Live Sound and Music Sequencing.
- Weekly Performance Workshops
- Composition and Arranging
- Developing Aural and Musicianship Skills
- Musical Theory and Harmony
- Workshops and Concerts by Professional Musicians and Ensembles
- Exploring Music History
- The Music Industry
Entry Requirements
- 5 GCSEs (9-4) including English, or satisfactory results (Merit/Distinction) in a relevant level 2 qualification
- An audition to demonstrate musical ability at Grade 4/5 or equivalent
All eligible applicants will be auditioned and should have sufficient ability to succeed on the course. Candidates will be expected to perform on one instrument (which can include voice) to a good level of proficiency at equivalent to grade 4/5 Rockschool or ABRSM examination standard or above.
What Can I Do Next?
Course leader Michael Allen (FGSMD) is an expert in preparing students for conservatoire and university entrance. Learners will receive individually tailored tuition that builds their skills and knowledge to meet their needs and ambitions.
The course team work together to give you a learning experience and skill set that will ensure you can achieve your musical and artistic goals.
Students have gone on from the course to pursue careers in all aspects of the music industry from performing, teaching, composing and arranging to arts management, journalism and studio recording.
Around 90% of our students progress to higher education. Many learners progress onto Music honours programmes at universities and colleges such as The Guildhall School of Music and Drama, The Royal Academy of Music, Rotterdam Conservatoire, and The Royal Northern College.
A career in music might focus on education work (teaching or working as a performer in education), on composing and arranging, on technology (recording or instrument technology), on management and administration or on a full range of opportunities in the publishing and retail sectors.
Facilities
Facilities include
- Professional Concert Hall
- 2 Recording Studios
- Music Production Suite
- 20 Practise Rooms with pianos
- Dedicated Band Rehearsal Rooms
- Performance Area and Live Recording Studio
- Large Teaching Spaces
Fees and Finance
Students’ college education is funded for three academic years after leaving secondary school in year 11. Please click the button below which will apply to your age on the 31st August 2024 in order to find out more information about fees and finance relating to your course.
16-18 - Do I have to pay a fee?
All students aged 16-18 on the first day of their course will have their course fully-funded by the government.
Costs of studying
If you are/will be aged 16, 17 or 18 on the 31st August in the calendar year when you begin a programme of study, you DO NOT pay tuition fees, College registration fees or examination/board registration fees. However, there are some courses which have additional costs which could include:
- Equipment costs – such as uniforms, kits, books and so on
- Trips and enrichment activities
- DBS checks (formerly CRB checks)
- Occupational Health Screening
You will be informed of any additional costs associated with your chosen programme as early as possible to allow time for payment to be made.
Applicants thinking of enrolling on this course can apply for funding to help with the costs associated with attending college. Bursary awards can help with your course related costs such as travel, books and equipment and much more.
The bursary fund cannot provide help with costs unrelated to your course, such as general living expenses, nor can it be used as an attendance incentive.
Applications to the fund are not normally considered if the household income exceeds £30,000 but may be considered in some instances if the household is experiencing severe financial hardship.
| The 16-19 Bursary Fund is aimed at helping: |
| Students who are aged 16, 17 or 18 on the 31st August 2024 |
| Students aged 19 who started a two-year programme before their 19th birthday |
| Students aged 19 or over on 31st August 2024 who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) |
When can I apply?
*Applications for student funding for learners starting in September 2024 are now open. Applications can be made from this page using the button below.
For courses starting in September 2024, applications should be made by 1st November 2024. If you find yourself in financial hardship after this date it is important that you still contact Student Services. Applications received after 1st November will be considered on a pro-rata basis subject to need and the availability of funds.
You are advised to read the notes and policies at the beginning of the form and ensure that you provide all the evidence that is required when submitting your application.
Full details of the bursary funds, including making an application, can be found here:
I will be over 19 on the 31st August 2024
19+ - Do I have to pay a fee?
The information in this section applies solely to this course and the criteria for a fee waiver is not transferable to any other course offered by the College.
| You will not pay tuition fees if you are: |
| under 19 at the 31st August 2023 |
| aged 19-24 at the 31st August 2023 and have an Education, Health and Care Plan |
Learners aged 19 and over at the start of this course can either self-fund and pay for the course themselves or apply for an advanced learner loan to cover all or part of the tuition fees for this course. The minimum loan you can get is £300, but the maximum will depend on how much the fees are and the type of course you take.
What if I am on a low income or unemployed?
Discounted fees or fee waivers for those on low income or who are unemployed are not available for this course.
For students with an identified low household income, there may be financial support available through the College’s discretionary bursary fund. Although the funds cannot be used to pay for course fees they can be used to contribute towards other course related costs such as travel, childcare, books and equipment.
Other Additional Costs
Regardless of whether tuition fees apply, some of our programmes incur additional costs which could include:
- Equipment costs – such as uniforms, kits, books and so on
- Trips and enrichment activities
- DBS checks (formerly CRB checks)
- Occupational Health Screening
You will be informed of any additional costs associated with your chosen programme as early as possible to allow time for payment to be made.
Advanced Learner Loans
Am I eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan?
To qualify for an advanced learner loan to cover the fees for this course you must be:
- 19 years old or over on the first day of your course (there’s no upper age limit)
- A UK national or have ‘settled status’ (this means there are no restrictions on how long you can stay)
- Living in the UK on the first day of your course, and have lived in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for three years immediately before this
Most learners that fall into this bracket will be eligible, it doesn’t depend on your household income and there’s no credit check!
If your nationality or residency status is different to the above, then please contact the national Advanced Learner Loan helpline on 0300 100 0619 or check the Advanced Learner Loan website where you will be able to find further information on eligibility.
How do I apply for an Advanced Learner Loan?
Once you have applied and been offered a place on the course, the college will provide you with a ‘learning and funding information letter’. These are normally sent out in early July.
You need this to complete the loan application and you cannot apply for a loan until you have received this.
Once you have applied for a loan and it has been approved you will receive an official letter from Student Finance England.
Am I eligible for a bursary?
Applicants thinking of enrolling on this course can apply for funding to help with the costs associated with attending college. Bursary funds are targeted at students where there is an identified low household income.
The bursary fund cannot provide help with costs unrelated to your course, such as general living expenses, nor can it be used as an attendance incentive.
Applications to the fund are not normally considered if the household income exceeds £30,000 but may be considered in some instances if the household is experiencing severe financial hardship.
| The 16-19 Bursary Fund is aimed at helping: |
| Students who are aged 16, 17 or 18 on the 31st August 2023 |
| Students aged 19 who started a two-year programme before their 19th birthday |
| Students aged 19 or over on 31st August 2023 who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) |
If you turned 19 on or before 31st August 2023, and do not fall into the above categories, you can apply for financial assistance via the Advanced Learner Loans Bursary Fund.
Awards from the Advanced Learner Loans Bursary Fund can only be made to students who have received an Advanced Learner Loan. If you do not intend to apply for an advanced learner loan or if your application has been unsuccessful you will not be eligible for an award from this particular fund.
Regardless of income or employment status, students self-funding (including where an employer is covering course fees), are not eligible for financial assistance through any discretionary bursary funds.
When can I apply?
*Applications for student funding for learners starting in September 2024 are now open. Applications can be made from this page using the button below.
For courses starting in September 2024, applications should be made by 1st November 2024. If you find yourself in financial hardship after this date it is important that you still contact Student Services. Applications received after 1st November will be considered on a pro-rata basis subject to need and the availability of funds.
Payment Options
Payment should be made in full at the time of enrolment. Acceptable payment methods include Debit Card and Credit Card (excluding American Express). Please note that we are no longer able to accept cash or cheque payments.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes, you can spread the cost of fees. Any student of the College who pays his/her own programme costs is entitled to do so on a monthly payment plan basis, providing the total course fees exceed £200 and the student is aged 19 years, or over, on 31st August in the current academic year.
Where total course fees exceed £200 you (or your employer, if they are paying your course fees) can choose to pay your fees in instalments through a monthly payment plan and 40% of the fee or £500 (whichever is lower) will be payable at enrolment.
The balance must be paid within 6 months or by the end date if the course is less than 6 months in duration.
The monthly instalment payments will also be set up at the point of enrolment, or if you are enrolling using our online enrolment process, a member of our Finance team will contact you to set up the instalment plan after you have submitted your online enrolment.
In order to pay through monthly instalments, students must sign the Colchester Institute Instalment Payment Plan terms and conditions!
If a student fails to sign up to an instalment plan at enrolment all fees will become due for payment within 30 days.
Failure to fulfil any terms and conditions of an instalment agreement will result in you becoming immediately liable for the full outstanding balance and you may not be entitled to pay any future fees by instalments.
Please download and save the form below, then fill it in and sign it. These forms can either be emailed to registry@colchester.ac.uk prior to enrolment, or if you are completing an online enrolment you can upload these documents during the enrolment process.
Further Education Fee Instalment Student Terms and Conditions
Employers who are funding a student’s fees must complete and sign an authorisation form which must be submitted either prior to or at enrolment together with an advance payment of 40% of the course fee or £500, whichever is lower. This can be paid via the online store prior to or at the point of Enrolment.
If the advance payment is not made prior to or at Enrolment the student will not be eligible to attend college.
Further Education Employer Authorisation Form, Instalment Plan, Terms and Conditions
How to make an Application – Watch our video guide!
***Application for courses starting in September 2024 have now closed.***
It’s not too late to start a course with us this September though.
Follow the link below to find out what your options are at this stage of the application cycle.
Music Performance Level 3
Course Outline: The course is designed to give you a solid base for work in the music industry or progression to a higher education course
Qualification: UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Music Performance and Production
| Level | Level 3 |
|---|---|
| Location | Colchester |
| Duration | Two Years: Year 1: Diploma | Year 2: Extended Diploma | Two Years: Extended Diploma |
| Study Mode | Full-Time |
| Campus / Adult Skills Centre | Colchester Campus |
| Start Date | September 2024 |
| Fee(s) | 16-18 year olds: Free 19+: £11,356 This fee covers the whole two year course |
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Disclaimer
All fees, prices and funding information shown on this page are for courses starting in the 2024-25 academic year unless stated otherwise, and are correct at the time of entering/printing information, however these may be subject to change due to factors outside of our control. The College cannot accept legal or financial liability as a result of any such changes.
Courses fees are generally not confirmed for September until June / July due to the above factors.
The course information describes programmes offered by Colchester Institute. The College takes all reasonable steps to provide courses as described, but cannot guarantee provision. The information is for guidance and does not form any part of a contract.
The College reserves the right to update and amend information as and when necessary. Colchester Institute will do its best to provide the courses shown, but may have to modify or withdraw a course depending on customer demand and other factors.
