access to music
international prospectus 2015/16
www.accesstomusic.ac.uk
the UK’s leading popular music college
‘Course provision, teaching and learning are
outstanding and exceed expectations.’
Independent Schools Inspectorate, 2012.
creating excellence in music
dedica
t ed t o
mus
ic
‘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 CBE
Legendary 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.
contents
welcome
Introduction................................................................................................. 08
Welcome.......................................................................................................... 09
locations
Birmingham................................................................................................. 10
Other centres............................................................................................ 12
partners
Partners: BCU......................................................................................... 15
music occupations
Careers in the music industry.......................................... 16
courses
BMus Popular Music Performance......................... 18
BA (Hons) Music Business................................................... 22
other information
Student support................................................................................... 26
Accommodation.................................................................................. 28
Entry requirements & fees..................................................... 30
How to apply............................................................................................. 32
Photography:
Richard Eccleston: www.richardecclestone.com
Curious Photography: www.curiousphotography.co.uk
introduction
If 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.
8
welcome
Adrian Armstrong: Director, Access to Music.
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.
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 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,
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.
9
locations
Birmingham
• 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 internationallyacclaimed 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.
alive with the sound of music
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8
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3
6
2
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locations
our other centres
These centres offer Artist Development
and Level 3 courses for international
students. For more information please
visit our website: accesstomusic.ac.uk
1. Access To Music Birmingham
Heath Mill Studios
68 Heath Mill Lane
Digbeth
BIRMINGHAM
B9 4AR
4. Access To Music Darlington
The Forum Music Centre
Borough Road
DARLINGTON
Co. Durham
DL1 1SG
2. Access To Music Brighton
Enterprise Point
Melbourne Street
BRIGHTON
BN2 3LH
5. Access To Music Lincoln
3rd Floor Silvergate House
32 Clasketgate
LINCOLN
LN2 1JS
3. Access To Music Bristol
309 Central Park
Petherton Road
Hengrove
BRISTOL
BS14 9BZ
6. Access To Music London
British Academy of New Music
Sugar House Yard
Sugar House Lane
LONDON
E15 2QS
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7. Access To Music Manchester
St James Building
65 Oxford Street
MANCHESTER
M1 6FQ
8. Access To Music Norwich
EPIC,
114 Magdalen Street
NORWICH
NR3 1JD
9. Access to Music York
The Jam Factory
106 Eldon Street
YORK
YO31 7NH
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partners:
Birmingham City University
• BMus Popular Music Performance: see page 18
• BA (Hons) Music Business: see page 22
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.
15
What careers can a
music degree lead to?
The following is a list of potential occupations in the UK and global music
industry for applicants with a music degree.
16
Live Show
Environment
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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
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Classical Musician
Accompanist
Classical Composer
Arranger
Transcriber
Conductor
Orchestra Manager
Orchestra Musician
Opera Singer
Digital
• Digital Strategist
• Digital Content
Management
• Aggregator
Business
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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
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Teaching
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Freelance Lecturer
School Music Teacher
FE/HE Teacher/Lecturer
Demonstrator
Instrumental Teacher
Music Therapist
Community Musician/
Workshop Facilitator
Studio Environment
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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
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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 Performance
Accelerated 2-year degree
Birmingham
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.
19
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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21
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BA (Hons) Music Business
Accelerated 2-year degree
Birmingham (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.
23
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
26
FREE MEET ON ARRIVAL SERVICE
If 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:
international@accesstomusic.co.uk
Please note we can only meet students
who send us their arrival information at
least 7 days before arrival in the UK.
WELCOME WEEK
To 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 SUPPORT
Access 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.
HEALTH
If 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.
GUARDIANSHIP
Any 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).
DISABILITY
A confidential service for students can be
provided giving advice and guidance on a
range of disabilities. For further information
email: international@accesstomusic.co.uk
FINANCES
To 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 SOCIETY
The 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
UKCISA
UKCISA 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
HOST
HOST 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
28
During your stay in the UK you will
have a number of options of where to live.
Details of each option and approximate cost are listed below.
HOMESTAY
With 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 international@accesstomusic.co.uk
PROS
• Arrange from overseas.
• Speak English every day.
• Family atmosphere.
• No cooking.
CONS
• Some house rules.
• May have to share bathroom.
• Limited internet access.
COST: £120 GBP per week.
HALLS OF RESIDENCE
Halls 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 international@accesstomusic.co.uk
COST: £90-110 GBP per week.
RENTING PRIVATELY
Student 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.
29
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.
fees & entry requirements
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.
30
Entry Requirements
If you need any guidance on creating and
uploading video, audio or portfolio material then
please email international@accesstomusic.co.uk
BMus Popular Music Performance
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
ukenrolmentservices@into.uk.com 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.
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
ukenrolmentservices@into.uk.com 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.
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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 Admissions
One Gloucester Place
Brighton
East Sussex
BN1 4AA
UK
Tel: +44 1273 876040
Fax: +44 1273 679422
ukenrolmentservices@into.uk.com
• 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.
OFFERS
If 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:
international@accesstomusic.co.uk
Please note that an Offer Letter will not help you apply
for a UK Student Visa.
3.
ACCEPTANCE
To 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 VISA
In 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.
TRAVEL
Please email details of your travel
arrangements to:
international@accesstomusic.co.uk
We 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 & QUALIFICATIONS
You 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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see you soon!
access to music
W:accesstomusic.co.uk
E:info@accesstomusic.co.uk
T: +44 800 28 18 42