choosing the right A-levels or Access courses for music undergrad as a mature student
I want to study music undergraduate, with the goal of eventually researching pedagogy.
I didn't have a lot of academic opportunities growing up as I am a blind person and my parents kept me home to keep me safe from bullying. I'm in my 30s now and I'm much braver about going out, socializing and can use technology just like normal people.
Anyhow, five years ago I started my musical instrument (pedal harp). I had no prior experience. It was just for fun at first, until I quit my job to study it full time. I won a couple of small competitions, took grade 5 theory last year and got distinction, I've just taken grade 7 performance and got a distinction in that too, and thought well I will most definitely continue on to grade 8 this coming year, but what about after that?
I deliberated about what I want to do with the harp, and I realised that as much as I love playing, I want to research all the different technique schools, I want to analyse the works of specific historic harpists etc. and that is when I decided I would like to go to university.
I have found a music A-level course that will accept me, and I will definitely take grade 8 harp, but what should I do for other qualifications? I could take an Access to HE diploma in psychology, as that is worth 3 Alevels and I expect that might useful for in future when I want to research pedagogy and teaching methods? Or perhaps I should take some other A-levels alongside the music one? Also, does anything think I should take grade 8 music theory, as the grade 5 theory and music A-level might not be enough?
How about languages? Japanese is my second language.
I am just trying to put together a 4 year study plan, and if that doesn't work I shall do some more studying until I can get in. I think I'll make it before I turn 50!
Any reccomendations for Access course or Alevel choice, or a combination of both would be very helpful. The university I aim to study at (Cambridge, a mature student college) keep signposting me to the admissions page which does not actually mention anything about combining Alevels with Access courses, or Access courses in the case of music undergraduate programs!
I didn't have a lot of academic opportunities growing up as I am a blind person and my parents kept me home to keep me safe from bullying. I'm in my 30s now and I'm much braver about going out, socializing and can use technology just like normal people.
Anyhow, five years ago I started my musical instrument (pedal harp). I had no prior experience. It was just for fun at first, until I quit my job to study it full time. I won a couple of small competitions, took grade 5 theory last year and got distinction, I've just taken grade 7 performance and got a distinction in that too, and thought well I will most definitely continue on to grade 8 this coming year, but what about after that?
I deliberated about what I want to do with the harp, and I realised that as much as I love playing, I want to research all the different technique schools, I want to analyse the works of specific historic harpists etc. and that is when I decided I would like to go to university.
I have found a music A-level course that will accept me, and I will definitely take grade 8 harp, but what should I do for other qualifications? I could take an Access to HE diploma in psychology, as that is worth 3 Alevels and I expect that might useful for in future when I want to research pedagogy and teaching methods? Or perhaps I should take some other A-levels alongside the music one? Also, does anything think I should take grade 8 music theory, as the grade 5 theory and music A-level might not be enough?
How about languages? Japanese is my second language.
I am just trying to put together a 4 year study plan, and if that doesn't work I shall do some more studying until I can get in. I think I'll make it before I turn 50!
Any reccomendations for Access course or Alevel choice, or a combination of both would be very helpful. The university I aim to study at (Cambridge, a mature student college) keep signposting me to the admissions page which does not actually mention anything about combining Alevels with Access courses, or Access courses in the case of music undergraduate programs!
(edited 3 months ago)
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