Leeds College of Music

HISTORY

Leeds College of Music is a music conservatoire based in the Quarry Hill district of Leeds, England.

The college is the only conservatoire in the UK to offer both Higher and Further Education courses. Aside from its education provision – which also includes short courses and programmes for adults and school-age musicians – Leeds College of Music hosts a seasonal programme of concerts, largely in its 350-seat auditorium ‘The Venue’. In 2011 Leeds College of Music was awarded All-Steinway School status – becoming the only conservatoire in England to have 90% of its pianos from the Steinway family.  It was formerly known as Leeds Music Centre (1965–1971) and City of Leeds College of Music (1971–1997), founder and first principal Joseph Stones (1965-1993), and became a wholly owned subsidiary of Leeds City College in August 2011.

Benson Taylor became the first appointed ambassador for the conservatoire in 2016.

COURSES

Leeds College of Music offers an undergraduate degree course – BA (Hons) Music – with specialisms/pathways available in Jazz, Classical Music, Popular Music, Music Production and Music Business; as well as a combined option. Students can also take a Foundation Certificate, which is designed to provide them with the necessary skills and knowledge for successful degree-level study at a specialist music institution.

The conservatoire also offers a Postgraduate Diploma/MA/MMus in Performance, Composition, Performance and Composition, and Production.

Further Education courses available include Business and Technology Education Council Level 3 Extended Diploma in Music (Classical, Jazz and Pop pathways) and Music Technology.

In addition to the Further & Higher Education programmes of study, there is a range of short instrumental, vocal and technology courses for both adults and schoolchildren which run throughout the year, alongside ensemble membership.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

All applications for classical and jazz courses are online through CUKAS. All applications for business, pop, production and foundation certificate are online through UCAS. Entry requirements are specific to individual courses. A typical requirement for foundation entry includes Grade 5 Theory and a minimum of 3 GCSEs at grade C or above (including English Language).

ACADEMIC STRENGTHS

Degrees are validated by the University of Hull.

TEACHING STANDARDS

The college has been awarded All-Steinway School status, and is an Apple Authorised Training Centre. There are 6 fully equipped Mac labs.

CAREERS GUIDANCE

The college provides career advice and help with CV writing and job applications, job hunting and full-time employment, accessing careers and employment information, identifying the variety and range of career options open to students, identifying and accessing further study and training opportunities.