UAL Level 3 Diploma in Music (SCQF L6)

Course overview

The University of the Arts London (UAL) Level 3 Diploma in Music (SCQF Level 6), has replaced our previous NC 6 Music course.

Upon completion of the course, students will achieve the internationally recognised and highly regarded UAL Level 3 Diploma in Music Performance and Production – following a specialised Music pathway.

Offered at both campuses (Milton Road and Sighthill), our UAL Level 3 Music course is a one-year, full-time preparation course for Higher Education study in music.

Its purpose is to give students opportunities to strengthen their experience in several important areas before starting a Higher Education course, here at Edinburgh College or elsewhere. The course is centred on the development of practical skills and relevant knowledge as students work towards collaborative projects. Supporting subject theory is delivered in an engaging way.

Applicants will have several years of experience on their instrument or voice, play to at least Grade 4 level, and will usually have studied music at school. Applications are welcomed from mature students or those with equivalent experience.

Students wishing to focus on classical, traditional or jazz music should apply to our Sighthill campus. Those wishing to focus on popular music can apply to either Sighthill or Milton Road.

Music at Edinburgh College

We welcome applicants from all musical backgrounds and disciplines, including classical, popular, traditional and jazz.

Rehearsal and performance are at the heart of what we offer: students work regularly in supervised groups such as bands, instrumental ensembles, choirs and orchestras as appropriate.

Students perform in our excellent in-house spaces, as well as in many of Edinburgh's best venues including the Jazz Bar, Voodoo Rooms, the Mash House, Old St. Paul's, and Canongate Kirk.

Every music student is offered regular instrumental or vocal tuition. 

Students may study music at Edinburgh College for anything between one and five years. We offer a comprehensive programme culminating in a BA Music Honours degree offered in partnership with Kingston University London.

Our music courses are based in The Music Box (Sighthill) and CRE:8 (Milton Road): both purpose-built venues boast state-of-the-art facilities, including practice booths, classrooms, midi suites, rehearsal rooms, recording studios and auditoriums.

• Principles of music performance and production
• Critical listening and music composition
• The music industry and professional practice
• Critical and contextual awareness for music performance and production
• Music production in context
• Music performance in context
• Preparation for specialist study in music performance and production
• Collaborative music performance project

How the course is assessed

• As a project-based course, to best reflect industry practice, the course is mainly assessed through the completion of several integrated projects (rather than tests and exams).
• Projects will be completed at various points of the year and submitted using relevant mixed-media portfolios, performances, and creative products such as recordings, videos and session files.
• In addition to ongoing continuous assessment of project work, formative assessment forms a large part of the course with tutorial and feedback sessions taking place on a weekly basis. 

Number of days per week

• 2.5 days per week with an additional time allocated for self-directed study

Entry requirements

• Four qualifications at SQCF Level 5, including Music and English
• Basic knowledge of music theory
• Grade 4 standard on instrument or voice

Information on Tests / Auditions / Interview Requirements

At the beginning of your personal statement, please:

• specify your first study instrument (or voice),
• say whether you wish to focus on classical OR popular music
• say whether you wish to audition by pre-recorded video online OR in person at one of our campuses 

Instructions for pre-recorded video auditions:

Please record a video in which you 

a) introduce yourself and 
b) play or sing two short contrasting pieces on your first instrument.  

In your introduction:

• give your name and say where you are from
• say a little bit about your musical experience (including how long you have been playing or singing, and any experience of playing with other people in bands or ensembles)
• say which if any music exams you have done (within the school and/or outside school)
• say which pieces you are going to play or sing, and (if you can) say why you chose them 

In your playing or singing:

• please make every effort to use backing tracks/accompaniment where appropriate. If you can’t source backing tracks/accompaniment, please play or sing unaccompanied.

The video should then be uploaded to YouTube. In order to do this:

Create a Google Account (if you don't already have one). 

1. Go to YouTube.com
2. Click on 'Sign in' at the top right-hand corner of the screen. 
3. Once signed in, click on your profile icon at the top right-hand corner of the screen. 
4. Click on 'YouTube Studio' in the drop-down menu. 
5. Click on 'Upload videos'. 
6. Select the video to be uploaded. 
7. Add a title and brief description. 
8. Click through the 'Video elements' and 'Checks' sections. 
9. In the 'Visibility' section, check the 'Unlisted' box. 
10. Click 'SAVE'. 

Please then paste the link to the video into your application. 

Our staff will review your application and, in some cases, they will follow up by giving you a phone or video call. If you don't get a call, don't worry! It will be because the staff have all the information they need from your video and the rest of your application. 

Instructions for in-person live auditions:

Once we have reviewed your application, we will contact you offering you a time and place for a live audition. Your audition will involve a short informal interview and a short performance of two contrasting pieces of your choice. Please bring backing tracks or sheet music accompaniments as required.

If you have backing tracks on your phone and have a non-standard headphone output, it would be helpful if you can bring an adaptor so the tracks can be played through an amplifier.

For sheet music accompaniments, we will provide an accompanist. You may also bring your own accompanist if you would prefer.

Once auditions have taken place:

Please note that you may be offered a place on a course of a different level than the one you applied for. The staff team will place you on the course that they believe will best suit your needs and allow you to develop and progress within the department and beyond.

Privacy Notice Music Applicant Selection

Progression and Articulation Routes

• Higher National Certificate/Diploma (Level 8) programme, which can lead to our BA (Music) Honours degree.
• We also support students to make applications to universities or other institutions during the course of the year, should they wish to do so.

Career options

• Performing musician
• Composer
• Songwriter
• Classroom teacher
• Instrumental or vocal teacher
• Community musician