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A-level Music at Ashbourne: Academic Excellence and Artistic Expression

This exciting programme enables students to develop their technical skills, academic knowledge and artistic expression under the leadership of a teacher with years of experience in both teaching and performance. In the past five years, our students have progressed to study Music at top universities and conservatoires, including the Royal Academy of Music, Cambridge, King’s College London, and Trinity Laban. A-level Music students have also gone on to pursue degrees such as Philosophy at UCL and History at Durham.

The course includes composition, performance and theory, with frequent opportunities for students to showcase their talents throughout the year. A highlight is our annual show, The Revue, where students perform before an audience of more than 200 guests.

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Great performance

Ashbourne’s A level Music students have fantastic opportunities to write and perform their own music in a wide variety of concerts and events hosted at local venues. The Creative Arts Event and Ashbourne Revue, an annual event showcasing our students’ talents in the arts, are major highlights for students at the college.

My time at Ashbourne was incredible! I was treated as an adult but was still given the guidance I needed to achieve the results that I wanted to get. I learnt so much, not just about my subjects, but about myself.

— Aimee, Music at the Royal Holloway

Outstanding students and academic success

Ashbourne’s music students go on to secure places at prestigious institutions including Royal Holloway, Birmingham Conservatoire, Russell Group Universities and the Royal College of Music, as well as moving directly into creative arts and music careers.

Ashbourne’s A level courses offer outstanding opportunities for ambitious and hardworking students who will benefit from the individual support and choice we offer to help our students reach the highest grades.

Ashbourne students consistently achieve outstanding A level results, 46% A*A (2023-2024), 51% A*A (10 year average), and students’ performance improvement is excellent, placing the college in the top 5% of UK schools and colleges for value added.

Around 63% of our students applying for degree courses in the UK go on to study at Russell Group universities, including UCL, King’s College London, Imperial, Warwick and Cambridge.

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Individual attention and university preparation

Ashbourne works closely with each student to carve out a unique education programme that best suits their needs and ambitions, offering them the flexibility, choice and comprehensive support and guidance necessary to reach their goals. Students receive expert careers guidance and individual UCAS support throughout the entire university application process to ensure they choose the right pathway for them and achieve their goals.

My teachers and other staff members were very supportive of my passion for Physics, Maths and Music and were an incredible assistance in helping me find an ideal course at university which catered to my interest.

— Amy, BA Music and Physics and MSc Astrophysics at Cardiff University

Music scholarships

Ashbourne offers a limited number of scholarships to gifted and talented music students. Each application is carefully assessed and students are invited to attend an audition where they are asked to perform their chosen piece of music, 2-3 minutes long. After their performance students may be asked questions regarding their chosen piece and other related topics. Students are also invited to interview to explore their academic and personal ambitions, and are required to take written assessments.

Verena started playing the violin from the age of three. She came to Ashbourne as an accomplished musician and went on to study at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Watch her perform Tango Por Una Cabeza arranged by John WIlliams, at the Royal College of Music in the video below.

Superb place to learn

Ashbourne is located on the borders of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, in the heart of London. A fantastic selection of world-class venues and attractions are close by and offer great opportunities for Music students to experience a wide range of music and performance.

My experience of being a Music student at Ashbourne exceeded all my expectations. My passion and drive for Music was matched and encouraged through the exceptional teaching the college offers.

Charli, Creative Director

How to apply

Ashbourne offers an adult-approach to learning which is less formal than most schools yet is demanding and disciplined. We believe this helps nurture confident, self-reliant and independent thinking students prepared for the next stages of their lives. We attract students from all over the world making the college a vibrant, diverse and exciting place to learn.

Please get in touch to discuss how we can help develop your individual learning programme and prepare for the coming academic year at Ashbourne. Email, [email protected], call +44 (0) 20 7937 3858 or complete the enquiry form below.

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