What should i do? (academics)

I am really interested in physics, and get really good grades, but on the other hand, i love music (literally my life), and i do and want to continue performing arts (violin, piano, viola, harpsichord). I am adamant on going to a conservatoire, and uni for physics, and i cant do it at the same time. I go to a private school, so would it be better respected to do uni then conservatoire?
TLDR: Should I go to a conservatoire for performing arts, or uni for physics first? I will do both

Thanks for your help!!

Reply 1

princesschip

9

Up to you, but physics at uni might be better first. That way you won't forget your A level knowledge in between, since if you take a couple of years between A level and degree the step up might be a lot harder, and can continue to take lessons and practice music as much as you want before going to conservatoire. Best of luck!

Reply 2

The_Lonely_Goatherd

20

I think it would be very difficult to apply to physics postgrad courses, having done a conservatoire degree undergrad. As the person above says, doing a physics undergrad and then applying to conservatoire might be more straightforward. You can always have lessons with conservatoire teaching staff as a private student if there are conservatoires/people within commuting distance from wherever you study :yes:

Reply 3

welcometotherock

12

Most conservatoires will accept an applicant with a degree in any subject for a postgrad as long as they pass the audition. But you would need to ensure that you are playing to a very high standard throughout university.

On the other hand to do a postgrad in physics you need a relevant undergraduate degree. I know for maths that universities don't even like you to have taken a year out as you need to be constantly doing the maths. That's not the case for physics but if you took 4 years (remember most conservatoire degrees are 4 years not 3) out they may be reluctant and think your physics knowledge is out of practice.

If you are thinking of doing two undergraduate degrees then again, physics followed by performance would be best as long as you had access to high quality instrument lessons throughout. You would need to completely self-fund your second degree both tuition fees and living costs for four years.

My daughter actually went to drama school for 4 years followed by a degree in a science based subject, but she only did a Level 6 diploma at drama school so is able to access student finance for her degree. She did, however have to to a Foundation Year for her degree.

(edited 2 months ago)

Reply 4

ericwintermyfav

2

Original post by ellisadjei

I am really interested in physics, and get really good grades, but on the other hand, i love music (literally my life), and i do and want to continue performing arts (violin, piano, viola, harpsichord). I am adamant on going to a conservatoire, and uni for physics, and i cant do it at the same time. I go to a private school, so would it be better respected to do uni then conservatoire?
TLDR: Should I go to a conservatoire for performing arts, or uni for physics first? I will do both
Thanks for your help!!

I'm in exactly the same position right now, and I've talked to my college and there are courses people can do that are joint majors (if you get good enough grades/good enough performance) - for example a student at my college a couple years ago ended up going to Imperial college for a joint major in Physics and Music - but this would be a lot of work and obviously places like Imperial are selective enough already! Good luck!

Reply 5

Norwegianphysics

7

Original post by ellisadjei

I am really interested in physics, and get really good grades, but on the other hand, i love music (literally my life), and i do and want to continue performing arts (violin, piano, viola, harpsichord). I am adamant on going to a conservatoire, and uni for physics, and i cant do it at the same time. I go to a private school, so would it be better respected to do uni then conservatoire?
TLDR: Should I go to a conservatoire for performing arts, or uni for physics first? I will do both
Thanks for your help!!

Do both for as long as you can, then do what you want. Unhelpful but you’ll be most successful doing what you love.

If you want to pick one, I’d suggest doing physics at uni. A lot of musical theory is based on acoustic physics and I’d bet there is a way to marry the two.

What should i do? (academics)

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