BA in Jazz (Full Time)  BA in Jazz (Full Time) Middlesex University ../webroot/files/Institutions/cover_photo/1534235317Middlesex-University.jpg

Jazz is one of the most complex and creative musical forms. If you are an ambitious musician, this advanced degree will enable you to develop your technique, skills and experience, ready to launch a professional career in the music industry.

Why study BA Jazz at Middlesex University?

BA Jazz is an exciting and practical course where you get to play all the music that you study in class. Performance, improvisation and composition are intrinsically linked in jazz music so they are embedded within all areas of our course. We encourage you to develop your own voice whilst acknowledging the jazz tradition and you will examine a wide range of music and artists each year, giving you a diverse and exciting course of study.

This degree requires a high standard of musicianship. You will learn to work quickly, effectively and flexibly by joining a range of ensembles and performing at London jazz venues.

Our London location puts you at the heart of the capital's thriving music scene: where you can access promoters, labels, concerts, gigs and the wealth of musical opportunities that London holds. You will also benefit from the expertise of a team of successful professional musicians, currently active in the music industry, who will help you build the contacts and experience required for a music industry career. Successful graduates from the BA Jazz degree include Led Bib, who received a Mercury Prize nomination for their album Sensible Shoes. You can find out more about our graduates in the Careers tab.

Course highlights

• You will benefit from the expert teaching, training and support of our four dedicated jazz lecturers (find out more in the Profiles tab), as well as our wider music staff, who are leading academics, musicians, composers and producers
• We offer work placement options, visiting lectures from industry and regular masterclasses, opening up a wide range of viewpoints from professionals such as music industry specialists, concert pianists and music agency staff
• Access to world-class facilities including: a concert hall, two performance halls, soundproofed practice rooms, pianos (including two Steinway grand pianos), hybrid analogue-digital sound recording facilities, and a recording studio
• The music department hosts weekly guest speakers. Guests have included Mark Lawrence (Director of Membership, PRS), Geoff Travis (founder, Rough Trade), Tom Robinson (BBC DJ, singer-songwriter), James Threlfall (A&R, Champion Records) and Dave Tomberlin (Music Publicist, Interscope Geffen A&M)
• The option to study abroad during your second year. In the past, students have travelled to New Orleans, Sacramento and Helsinki
• As a student of this course you'll receive a free electronic textbook for every module.

Qualifications

96 UCAS points

Applicants need to demonstrate instrumental and aural ability naming/singing/hearing different intervals, harmonic knowledge, and experience of performing jazz, as well as some keyboard ability, sight reading and sight singing ability.

Middlesex University has a flexible and personalised approach to admissions and we accept applications from students with a wide range of qualifications and a combination of qualifications.

Please check our general entry requirements page to see how these points can be achieved from our acceptable level 3 qualifications and the combinations which are welcomed by Middlesex University, including GCSE requirements.

Applications from mature candidates without formal qualifications are welcomed, provided they can demonstrate appropriate levels of relevant ability and experience.

Further requirements

We are looking for the following:

• instrumental ability
• aural ability (naming/ singing/ hearing different intervals)
• harmonic knowledge
• experience of performing jazz
• some keyboard ability
• sight reading and sight singing ability.

Eligibility

UK/EU and International students are eligible to apply for this course.

Academic credit for previous study or experience

If you have achieved a qualification such as a foundation degree or HND, or have gained credit at another university, you may be able to enter a Middlesex University course in year two or three. For further information please visit our Transfer students page.

If you have relevant work experience, academic credit may be awarded towards your Middlesex University qualification. For further information please visit our Accreditation of Prior Learning page.

Interviews, entrance tests, portfolios and auditions

Entry onto this course requires an audition. Please view the Interviews and auditions tab for more information.

The course will provide you with opportunities to test your knowledge and understanding informally through ‘formative’ assessment. This will be completed before your formal ‘summative’ assessment which will count towards your final marks. Each module normally contains at least one piece of formative assessment from which you will receive feedback from your tutor. Formative assessments are developmental and any grade you receive from formative assessment does not count towards your final marks.

There is formal ‘summative’ assessment as part of the module, usually towards the end of the module. Assessment methods could include written examinations, practical performance examinations, formal skills assessments, composition, your main final year project. The grades from the summative assessments count towards your module mark. Assessments are reviewed annually and may be updated based on student feedback, to suit content or based on feedback from an external examiner.