BA Music (Industry) and BA Popular and World Musics (Industry)
Course length: 4 years
Contact: Dr Stephen Muir (Music Year in Industry coordinator)
Email: music@leeds.ac.uk
Phone: 0113 3432583
Website: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/music/ug
The School of Music is proud to announce its new BA Music/BA Popular and World Musics with Year in Industry degree programmes. This exciting new four-year degree allows BA students in the School of Music to spend their third year working on placement in the music industry. We are establishing internship partnerships with a number of music organisations, including Warner Music, Manchester Camerata and London Symphony Orchestra. Students will also be encouraged to explore a wide range of other possibilities, such as music therapy, music education, orchestral management and band management. Placements may be in the UK or abroad. A Year in Industry is an invaluable way to improve your CV, your confidence, and most of all your employability (many interns go on to work for the same company after graduating). Students starting on either BA course will have the option of transferring onto this degree at the end of their second year.
Admission Requirements
To follow the year in industry option you must first gain a place on either BA Music or BA Popular and World Musics through UCAS. At the end of your first year of study you can express an interest in the year in industry. Interested students follow a training programme in association with the University Careers Centre leading to the option of transferring to the year in industry programme.
Students taking a year in industry will be expected to have achieved a minimum average of 60 in their first and second years of study, and demonstrate an excellent record of attendance and reliability.
Finance and status during year in industry
During the year in industry, students are still classed as full-time students of the University of Leeds, but pay a reduced tuition fee. They are also entitled to the usual student support (grant and student loan), and receive the same student benefits as other full-time students, such as exemption from council tax.
Year in industry students are enrolled on CSER8000 ‘Work Placement Year’. They receive a great deal of support and training from the Careers Centre and the School of Music, including a workplace visit and regular phone/email contact.
Benefits of taking a year in industry
The Year in Industry scheme is an excellent way to experience the day-to-day running of a music business and enhance your employability. The Careers Centre has found that many interns and work placement students go on to work for the same or a similar company after completing their university course. One of the best ways of gaining work experience is to offer your services for free, but most graduates find this impossible financially. Incorporating the experience into your degree programme is an ideal way of overcoming the practical and financial barriers (see information about student finance and support above). You may even be paid or receive travel expenses during your year in industry!
Graduate destinations
Aside from offering an enjoyable and fulfilling academic experience, this degree offers a natural pathway to a career in the music industry, and offers skills that will be valued by prospective employers in other fields. The study and performance of music develops independent thinking, and a range of analytical and communication skills that are highly valued in the professional world you will enter after university. Many of our graduates work as teachers, composers, arts administrators, performers or go on to further study, whilst others work in a range of other careers which value the skills provided by a music degree. A degree from the University of Leeds is highly respected and will provide you with an excellent foundation for your professional life.