Jazz with Foundation Year BA (Hons)

The Foundation Year in Performing Arts is offered as an entry route to a dance, music or theatre degree for students who don't yet meet the entry requirements for degree-level study. You will enrol on a four-year course which includes the one-year foundation year. The number of students who progress to degree study is very high. The Foundation Year in Performing Arts is taught in our excellent studios and facilities at our Hendon campus by the same lecturing staff who teach on our degree courses. You are taught in small group seminars, workshops and lectures.

Overview

Our advanced course will help you develop your technique, skills and experience to launch a professional career in the music industry.

Our BA Jazz is a lively and practical course that mixes performance, improvisation and composition that will help you to develop your own voice. Acknowledging the jazz tradition, you’ll gain an insight into a wide range of music and artists to enhance your expertise and expand your musical repertoire.

You’ll learn to work quickly, effectively and flexibly, building on your already high standard of musicianship by joining a range of ensembles and performing at some of London’s top jazz venues such as Vortex jazz club in Dalston. You’ll also get plenty of support from our team of successful professional musicians who will help you build the contacts and experience you need to launch a career in the music industry.

Our London location means you’ll be in the heart of the capital’s music scene, with access to promoters, labels, concerts, gigs and a wealth of musical opportunities that have facilitated the success of former students including graduates Led Bib, who received a Mercury Prize nomination for their album Sensible Shoes. You can find out more about our graduate success stories in the Careers tab.

How is the BA Jazz degree taught?

One-to-one instrumental lessons, musicianship skills sessions and performance and composition classes will hone your musical abilities. You will attend workshops, lectures, seminars and tutorials, where you will learn about composing both original and pastiche music, study and analyse different works and styles of music, take part in discussions and give presentations. You will perform both individually and in a group. You will supplement all this with your own independent study and practice.

Assessment

You will be assessed in a variety of ways, through both coursework and tests. Live performances, your own compositions, analytical and critical essays and presentations will all contribute to your mark. There will also be practical musicianship assessments, performance and skills tests, written harmony tests and a viva voce assessment for one element. Some of the projects and performances will be done in groups.

Careers

The performance, composition and arranging aspects of the course see our students go on to play jazz and other types of music at a professional level. Graduates have become professional musicians across jazz and other genres, as well as music teachers and instrumental teachers, or taken management roles within the music industry.