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Brochure outlining Access to Music's courses for international students in the UK.
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the UK’s leading popular music college
international prospectus 2015/16www.accesstomusic.ac.uk
access to music
‘Course provision, teaching and learning are outstanding and exceed expectations.’Independent Schools Inspectorate, 2012.
creating excellence in music
dedicated to music
‘Access to Music offers rigorous training courses which focus on essential music skills. They emphasise excellence and engage musicians as tutors with the highest professional standards.’
Sir George Martin CBELegendary producer of The Beatles’ greatest albums and known as the ‘fifth Beatle’, Sir George has made an outstanding contribution to popular music culture. Access to Music is proud to have him as a patron.
‘The college exceeds expectations for the quality of education.’Independent Schools Inspectorate, 2012.
welcomeIntroduction ................................................................................................08Welcome .........................................................................................................09
locationsBirmingham ................................................................................................10Other centres ...........................................................................................12
partnersPartners: BCU ........................................................................................15
music occupationsCareers in the music industry .........................................16
coursesBMus Popular Music Performance ........................18BA (Hons) Music Business ..................................................22
other informationStudent support ..................................................................................26Accommodation..................................................................................28Entry requirements & fees ....................................................30How to apply ............................................................................................32
contents
Photography:Richard Eccleston: www.richardecclestone.comCurious Photography: www.curiousphotography.co.uk
introductionIf you are looking to gain an understanding of the Western music industry while developing your English skills, then Access to Music has a range of courses to suit your needs.
The UK music industry is respected throughout the world for innovation and progressive thinking, with an enviable reputation for the quality of its music from The Beatles to Rita Ora and Ed Sheeran - the latter two both being former students of Access to Music. The study of good practice in the UK music industry and the development of transferable skills will provide you with the experience and knowledge to work in music and creative sectors in many countries.
Access to Music is the UK’s leading provider of popular music education and training, designing and delivering qualifications from music centres across the UK. It also works in partnership with organisations and universities including Birmingham City University and INTO. It is well placed to offer international students a unique opportunity to gain the skills needed to work in the Western music industry.
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You are about to make one of the most important decisions about your future. By choosing to learn more about making music in one of the world’s leading music cultures you are starting out on an exciting journey.
We aim to make that journey as fruitful and enjoyable as possible. Access to Music is the UK’s leading provider of popular music education in the UK, providing excellent opportunities to develop and showcase your skills, from local gigs to participation in international music industry conferences and events across the UK.
Our International Foundation Year in Music gives guaranteed entry to a UK university upon successful completion and, perhaps later, into the British, European or American music industry. It is delivered in Manchester, a city with a high-quality student experience. With over 100,000 students living there,
Manchester is easy to get around with a friendly but busy atmosphere. Manchester also has a fantastic musical heritage, both in popular and classical music as you will experience for yourself.
We are also proud to offer two fast-track degree programmes designed in partnership with Birmingham City University. They are delivered in Manchester as well as at Birmingham and London (please check below for exact locations). These allow you to gain a degree qualification in just two years, thereby saving you a great deal on tuition fees.
Finally we offer a prestigious Popular Music Performance degree in partnership with RNCM as well as a variety of further education courses at our nine centres located across the country.
We really look forward to seeing you soon for the start of your musical journey in the UK.
Adrian Armstrong: Director, Access to Music.welcome
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alive with the sound of music
• BMus Popular Music Performance: see page 18• BA (Hons) Music Business: see page 22
Studying in Birmingham offers you the chance to live in an exciting, diverse city with world-class restaurants, entertainment and shops.
Birmingham is home to more than one million people from a range of different cultures and ethnic groups, including the UK’s largest student population outside London.
There’s a host of great live music destinations to be found across the city – from intimate jazz bars to the famous O2 Academy, The HMV Institute, and Jools Holland’s Jam House.
Major rock bands and artists play regularly at the National Exhibition Centre’s LG Arena, which is about 10 miles from the city, and the National Indoor Arena in the city centre.
Classical music finds a home at the Symphony Hall, an internationally-acclaimed concert venue that is part of the International Convention Centre complex and home to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Birmingham Conservatoire also has an excellent concert venue in the Adrian Boult Hall, where both student and professional orchestras regularly perform.
Birmingham
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locations
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1. Access To Music BirminghamHeath Mill Studios68 Heath Mill LaneDigbethBIRMINGHAMB9 4AR
2. Access To Music BrightonEnterprise PointMelbourne StreetBRIGHTONBN2 3LH
3. Access To Music Bristol309 Central ParkPetherton RoadHengroveBRISTOLBS14 9BZ
4. Access To Music DarlingtonThe Forum Music CentreBorough RoadDARLINGTONCo. DurhamDL1 1SG
5. Access To Music Lincoln3rd Floor Silvergate House32 ClasketgateLINCOLNLN2 1JS
6. Access To Music LondonBritish Academy of New MusicSugar House YardSugar House LaneLONDONE15 2QS
7. Access To Music ManchesterSt James Building65 Oxford StreetMANCHESTERM1 6FQ
8. Access To Music NorwichEPIC,114 Magdalen StreetNORWICHNR3 1JD
9. Access to Music YorkThe Jam Factory106 Eldon StreetYORKYO31 7NH
our other centres
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These centres offer Artist Development and Level 3 courses for international
students. For more information please visit our website: accesstomusic.ac.uk
locations
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Birmingham City University is one of the biggest universities in the UK. Students are attracted from all backgrounds and from across the West Midlands, the UK and the rest of the world.
The University has six academic faculties offering over 350 courses, from foundation level, through undergraduate degree programmes, to taught masters courses and research doctorates.
As the driving force behind the creative provision at Birmingham City University, the Faculty of Performance, Media and English comprises four distinctive centres of creative excellence based across the city: Birmingham Conservatoire, Birmingham School of Acting, the School of English and Birmingham School of Media. Our provision runs from studios and facilities based in the creative quarter of Digbeth near the city centre.
partners:Birmingham City University• BMus Popular Music Performance: see page 18• BA (Hons) Music Business: see page 22
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What careers can amusic degree lead to?The following is a list of potential occupations in the UK and global music industry for applicants with a music degree.
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Live Show Environment• Event Promoter• Festival Organiser• Tour Manager• Stage Manager• Road Manager• Backline Technician• Live Sound Engineer• Monitor Engineer• Lighting Engineer• Merchandiser
Theatre / Venue• Management/
Administration• Programme Manager• Stage Manager
Film / TV /Gaming / Radio• Composer for Games,
Films & TV• Jingle Writer• Foley Artist/Recorder• Audio Editor/Mixer• Surround Sound Mixer• Post Production
Engineer• Music Supervisor• Music Editor• Sound Designer• Broadcaster• Musical Director• Synchronisation
Manager• Voice Over Artist• Library Music Composer• Score Editor• Compere/Presenter• Outside Broadcast
Instrument Sales• Instrument Maker• Instrument Set Up &
Repairs• Instrument Sales• Instrument Distribution
Performing Musician• Recording/Performing
Artist• Covers Band Artist• Session Musician• Backing Vocalist• Songwriter• DJ• MC/Rapper• Military Band Musician• Cruise Ship Performer• Solo Instrumentalist• Entertainer
Classical• Classical Musician• Accompanist• Classical Composer• Arranger• Transcriber• Conductor• Orchestra Manager• Orchestra Musician• Opera Singer
Digital• Digital Strategist• Digital Content
Management• Aggregator
Business• Sample Manager• Music Distribution• Music Sales• Radio Public Relations• Press Public Relations• Licensing• Royalty Collection• Account Manager• Accountant• Music Lawyer• Musicologist• Music Publishing• Music Marketing• Artist Manager• Artist & Repertoire• Record Label Manager
Teaching• Freelance Lecturer• School Music Teacher • FE/HE Teacher/Lecturer• Demonstrator• Instrumental Teacher• Music Therapist• Community Musician/
Workshop Facilitator
Studio Environment• Sound Engineer• Mastering Engineer• Sample Developer• Programmer• Record Producer• Remix Artist• Studio Manager• Acoustic Engineer• Studio Designer
Music Organisations• Researcher• Marketing & Promotion• Account Manager
Associated Roles• Choreographer• Dancer• Production Designer• Stylist• Make Up Artist/Hair
Stylist• Costume Supervisor• Journalist• Photographer• Video Producer• Web/Graphic Designer• Social Networks
Manager• Marketing & Promotion
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BMus Popular Music PerformanceAccelerated 2-year degreeBirmingham
The BMus in Popular Music Performance, validated by Birmingham City University, provides vocational training for musicians who intend to progress into the contemporary music industry to work as freelance popular musicians. It aims to attract students from a wide range of musical backgrounds and experiences and provide the skills required to progress into employment, self-employment and/ or higher-level study.
The course comprises 360 credits over an accelerated 2 year period. It is designed to equip you with the skills required to operate across a range of freelance music opportunities with a focus on music performance. You will need to appreciate the development of your own skills, and how to exploit them in order to reach their potential market, and will expand their ability to contextualise, to think critically and to apply theories, to allow you to develop as an individual.
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Course Content
Instrumental Skills (90 credits)You will engage (both theoretically and practically) with the stylistic components of specific genres on your instrument within the context of expanding your repertoire base and interpretative knowledge. Focus will also include performance presentation and the development of communication skills. You will be encouraged to develop and refine an effective practice routine in order to set goals and reflect on your development.
Ensemble Skills (90 credits)The Ensemble Skills modules enable you to develop your practical ability to rehearse and perform effectively within a contemporary popular music ensemble. You will also study the integration of music technology into performance and will develop arranging and musical direction skills.
Throughout the Instrumental and Ensemble Skills modules, you will be encouraged to understand ways in which your growing skill base may be exploited as a ‘business’ within the contemporary popular music industry.
Musicianship (90 credits)The Musicianship modules aim to give you a closer appreciation of the link between practical and theoretical musical knowledge through development of your understanding of theoretical components in a written and aural sense. You will study theory, aural, sight-reading, arranging, song writing and composing.
Music Industry (90 credits)You will engage in a wide range of industry related study designed to equip you with the skills required to work as a freelance musician within the popular music industry. These include:
• The Anatomy of the Music Industry• The Popular Musician in Society• Marketing and eCommerce• Entrepreneurship in the Music Industry• Project Management • Final Major Project
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BA (Hons) Music BusinessAccelerated 2-year degreeBirmingham (from 2013)London, Manchester (from 2014)
The BA (Hons) in Music Business, validated by Birmingham City University, provides students with the key skills required for a management career in the music industry. Students will be working on projects designed to provide hands on experience of creating and building music industry projects. In these projects they will be guided and mentored by working professionals. The programme also recognises the effect of new technologies on the creative industries and encourages students to use technology to develop their own ventures.
The course comprises 360 credits over an accelerated 2 year period. It is designed to equip you with the skills required to operate across a range of freelance music opportunities with a focus on music business. You will need to appreciate the development of your own skills, and how to exploit them in order to reach your potential market, and will expand your ability to contextualise, to think critically and to apply theories, to allow you to develop as an individual.
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Course Content
Business and Management (90 credits)You will develop an understanding the fundamentals of business and management including, organisational structure, finance, managing people and strategy and decision making, and apply this to your own music business enterprises.
Music Industry (90 credits)The Music Industry modules will enable you to understand how the music industry works, how it has changed and how the industry might evolve in the future, including units on music marketing, law and contracts, publishing and emerging business models.
Technology (90 credits)Recognising the huge impact of new technologies on the music industry, you will gain skills in e-commerce, social networking, and website development and applying these skills to exploit commercial enterprises.
Business Development (90 credits)In association with Atom Live events and other local and national organisations you will develop and deliver a number of bespoke industry projects including events, marketing campaigns, online distribution sites etc. Through working on real projects you will grow your industry networks and contacts.
• Anatomy of the Music Industry• Music Industry Marketing• Entrepreneurship• Finance• Business Principles• Emerging Business Models• Publishing and Intellectual Property• Music Law and Contracts• Live Event Management • E-Commerce• Website Development• E-Marketing and Social Networking• Strategy and Decision Making• Project Management• Final Major Project
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student support
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FREE MEET ON ARRIVAL SERVICEIf agreed we will meet students at their arrival point and take them to their accommodation free of charge. When you have booked your flights and travel arrangements please email the details to:[email protected] note we can only meet students who send us their arrival information at least 7 days before arrival in the UK.
WELCOME WEEKTo welcome you to the UK we invite all students to attend a Welcome Week. This will give you the chance to meet your tutors, find out more about the course, the facilities and the UK music scene. It will also introduce you to life as a student with opportunities to make friends and socialise.
STUDENT SUPPORTAccess to Music staff are on hand to provide help and support in relation to any issues you may have such as accommodation, welfare, visas etc. You will be allocated a Personal Tutor who will be your point of contact for any academic or support issues.
HEALTHIf you are here on a UK Study Visa then you are allowed free health treatment from the UK National Health Service (NHS). You will be told how to register with a doctor during your Welcome Week. However, you may wish to take out additional health care insurance to cover your stay.
GUARDIANSHIPAny student under the age of 18 should have a UK-based guardian. If you have not nominated a UK guardian then Access to Music will seek to provide a nominated member of staff who will act as a guardian and act in loco parentis (on behalf of the parent).
DISABILITYA confidential service for students can be provided giving advice and guidance on a range of disabilities. For further information email: [email protected]
FINANCESTo open a bank account in the UK you will need a passport, a letter from Access to Music stating you are a student and proof of a UK address. As accounts may take a few days to set up it is advisable to have access to a credit card or travellers cheques to cover this period.
INTERNATIONAL SOCIETYThe International Society is an independent, not-for-profit organisation for students on Manchester-based courses. The aim of this society is to provide international students with a friendly welcome and to promote international friendship. The society has over 3,300 members from over 130 countries. They arrange trips around the UK and run social events. internationalsociety.org.uk
UKCISAUKCISA promotes and protects the needs of international students in the UK. Its website has lots of information and advice and guidance about being a student in the UK.ukcisa.org.uk
HOSTHOST is a voluntary network of UK residents who welcome adult international students to their homes. The purpose is to give students an insight into the way of life in Britain. Students also share their own culture with their hosts.hostuk.org.uk
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accommodation
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HOMESTAYWith Homestay you live with a local family with your own single person study bedroom.
Breakfasts, evening meals and weekend lunches are provided by the family. You will not pay any additional bills unless you make special arrangements (e.g. internet, phone etc.).
You will be encouraged to keep your room clean and tidy and use the laundry facilities.
Homestay is arranged by Access to Music through a local provider. Please email [email protected]
COST: £120 GBP per week.
HALLS OF RESIDENCEHalls of Residence are built for students and usually consist of apartments each of which has 5-6 single person study bedrooms with a shared bathroom and kitchen (some may have en-suite facilities).
Most household bills are usually included but all food is additional.
You will be encouraged to keep your room clean and tidy and use the laundry facilities.
Halls of Residence accommodation is arranged online by the student and education agents, although Access to Music can assist in this process. Please email [email protected]
COST: £90-110 GBP per week.
RENTING PRIVATELYStudent cities have a large number of furnished houses, flats and studio apartments that students can rent. Students can share or live alone but you will need to be aged 18 or over. A deposit of around one month’s rent is usually required and all bills are extra.
COST: £90-120 GBP per week for Studio Flat / £60-80 for shared house.
PROS• Arrange from overseas.• Speak English every day.• Family atmosphere.• No cooking.
CONS• Some house rules.• May have to share bathroom.• Limited internet access.
PROS• Arrange online from overseas.• Live with other students.• Independent lifestyle.• Internet access.
CONS• Can be noisy and lively.• Share kitchen and maybe a
bathroom.• No bedding or cooking
equipment.
PROS• Choose who you live with.• Independent lifestyle.• Internet access.
CONS• Must be arranged from UK.• No bedding or cooking
equipment.• May share kitchen and
bathroom.
During your stay in the UK you willhave a number of options of where to live.Details of each option and approximate cost are listed below.
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Fees• BMus Popular Music and BA (Hons) Music Business: £9,900 (per year)• Artist Development & Advanced Music: £5,900 (per year)
A deposit of £3,000 must be paid on acceptance of an offer.
fees & entry requirements
Entry Requirements
The focus here will be on demonstrating suitable performance skills on an instrument combined with appropriate academic skills. Specific requirements:• At least 18 years of age on 31 December on the
year of entry.• A link to an online video performance (e.g.
YouTube, YouKu or similar) of at least 3 contrasting pieces of music. Contrast can be reflected in genre, tempo, rhythm etc. These may be a solo and/or group performance.
• A link to an online video (e.g. YouTube, YouKu or similar) of the candidate responding in English to questions which can be downloaded from the Popular Music degree page on the International Section at www.accesstomusic.co.uk
• A portfolio of evidence of musical activity (about/biog, MP3 recordings, gig reviews, publicity photos etc) either as a link to a website/webpage (e.g. Facebook/Bandpage/
Renren) or uploaded to an accessible online location.
• A signed and scanned witness statement verifying the authenticity of these materials and the contact details of the applicant emailed to [email protected] A form for this can be downloaded from the International section of the Access to Music website.
• The equivalent of 2 passes at A Level standard in the education system of the student’s home country or successful completion of an International Foundation Year either in the UK or overseas.
• A minimum 6.0 in IELTS (or its equivalent on a range of alternative tests such as TOEFL, UCLES or the Pearson online test) is required.
BMus Popular Music Performance
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BA (Hons) Music Business
The focus here will be on demonstrating suitable business and enterprise skills combined with appropriate academic skills. Specific requirements:• At least 18 years of age on 31 December on the
year of entry.• A link to an online video (e.g. YouTube, YouKu
or similar) of the candidate responding in English to questions which can be downloaded from the Music Business degree page on the International Section at www.accesstomusic.co.uk
• A portfolio of evidence of musical/business activity (web page/site link, service/product reviews, publicity photos etc) either as a link to a website/webpage (e.g. Facebook/Bandpage/Renren) or uploaded to an accessible online location.
• A signed and scanned witness statement verifying the authenticity of these materials and the contact details of the applicant emailed to [email protected] A form for this can be downloaded from the International section of the Access to Music website.
• The equivalent of 2 passes at A Level standard in the education system of the student’s home country or successful completion of an International Foundation Year either in the UK or overseas.
• A minimum 6.0 in IELTS (or its equivalent on a range of alternative tests such as TOEFL, UCLES or the Pearson online test) is required.
If you need any guidance on creating and uploading video, audio or portfolio material then please email [email protected]
how to apply
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1.CREATE AN APPLICATION• You can apply for all of our courses at
www.accesstomusic.co.uk by going to Apply and selecting the International Apply dropdown. This links to an online form and once submitted the form will come straight to our admissions team. You can also complete and print the form as a PDF and send to the Access to Music International Admissions office in Brighton, either by mail, fax or email:ATM International AdmissionsOne Gloucester PlaceBrightonEast SussexBN1 4AAUKTel: +44 1273 876040Fax: +44 1273 [email protected]
• In all cases remember to supply links to supporting materials as specified in the entry requirements.
Once an application has been received, along with supporting documents, then a decision should be sent to you within 5 working days.
2.OFFERSIf you are successful, we will send you an Offer Letter. This letter will include our bank details for the deposit and an accommodation form that you must fill in and return. Alternatively you can download an accommodation form from our website and email it to:[email protected] note that an Offer Letter will not help you apply for a UK Student Visa.
3.ACCEPTANCETo accept the offer you will need to sign and return the offer acceptance form along with the requested deposit. When the deposit enters the Access to Music bank account we reserve your place on the course and send you a formal Acceptance Letter. This will include more detailed information on the accommodation you have requested.
4.STUDENT VISAIn order for you to study in the UK you will need to obtain a Tier 4 (general) student visa from the UK Border Agency (UKBA). For your visa application to be successful it needs to be officially sponsored by a CAS - Confirmation of Acceptance of Study. In order to create a CAS we will send a CAS data check automatically upon confirmation and deposit being paid. This will allow us to confirm your details are correct and then send your CAS.Please note that if you are not given a UK Student Visa you must send us the refusal letter and we will refund your deposit in full.
5.TRAVELPlease email details of your travel arrangements to:[email protected] can then arrange for free transfer to your accommodation in Manchester. You must let us know of your travel arrangements at least 7 days before you are due to arrive.
6.PAYMENT & QUALIFICATIONSYou must pay the remainder of your course fees by bank transfer before you arrive in the UK. If you have sent us translated copies of qualifications then you must supply original certificates for us to inspect.
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