Other Courses

Music

King Edward VII School

Glossop Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S10 2PW

GCE A/AS Level or Equivalent

Level 3

Available start dates

Tuesday, 01 September 2026

King Edward

2 Year(s)

Full time

Daytime/working hours

Course Summary

AQA – 7272

The A-Level course has 3 components and you will study a variety of styles in Performing, Composing and Appraising Music. The performance and compositions will be completed in Year 13 and you will work on these aspects of the course during Year 12 alongside the Appraising Music component.

Course Details

The A-Level Components are:

Component 1: Appraising Music

40% of A-Level marks

Details: In this component you will study music from the Western Classical Tradition (1650 – 1910) and music from two of the following areas, decided upon by the teacher:

• Pop Music

• Music for Media

• Music for Theatre

• Jazz

• Contemporary Traditional Music

• Art Music since 1910

This knowledge should support the composing and performing activities.

This component is assessed through examination at the end of the course and contains three sections:

• Section A: Listening to unfamiliar music

• Section B: Analysis of studied works

• Section C: Essay based on Areas of Studies

Component 2: Performance

35% of A-Level marks

Details: In this component a minimum of ten minutes of performance is required. The performance can take be as a soloist, part of an ensemble or as a music production using recording techniques.

The work will be recorded in school and that recording will be assessed by AQA examiners.

Component 3: Composition

25% of A-Level marks

Details: In this component you will compose two pieces of music in a style of your choice. One composition will be to a brief set by AQA and the other is a free composition. You will need to write programme notes for both compositions although these notes are not assessed.

The compositions will be assessed by AQA examiners.

How will it be delivered and assessed?

Entry requirements

Grade 6 in Music GCSE or ABRSM Grade 5 on an instrument or BTEC Level 2 Merit, ABRSM or equivalent Grade 5 on an instrument / voice and ability to read music notation or an equivalent demonstration of expertise

TO ENSURE YOUR SUBJECT CHOICES FIT INTO THE TIMETABLE PLEASE SEE OUR BLOCKING TIMETABLE BY CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW TO GO TO OUR WEBSITE. SUBJECTS SHOULD BE CHOSEN IN DIFFERENT BLOCKS TO AVOID CLASHES.

Sixth Form option blocks

Your next steps...

An A level in music may take you into Higher Education, into academic University courses, performance courses linked with other Arts subjects, Songwriting and performance work, Composition courses e.g. Classical, Music Theatre or Film. It is also a useful qualification for entry into combined courses with subjects such as Dance, Drama, English and Languages.

Job possibilities include performing, arts administration, sound/music technology, music in theatre and film, teaching and music therapy. It is also true that many music graduates find success in other areas due to the skills that they acquire and hone during their musical studies.

Additional information

https://www.kes.sheffield.sch.uk/school/sixth-form/curriculum/music

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