BA (Hons) Music (Jazz) - 2025 Entry

Accepting applications for September 2025 through Clearing

Apply for 2025

Study BA (Hons) Music (Jazz) at Leeds Conservatoire

Leeds Conservatoire's jazz degree was the first in the UK, and over the last 50 years we've become a leading authority in jazz across the UK and Europe.


*Please note this course is for 2025 entry only*

Looking to study in 2026? See BA (Hons) Jazz for 2026 entry

  • Starts:
  • Duration: 3 Years /
    4 Years (with Foundation)
  • UCAS Course Code(s): Jazz 403F
    W37F Jazz (with Foundation Year)
    303F (Jazz with Popular)
    908F (Jazz with Production)
  • UCAS Institution Code: L31
  • Apply Via: UCAS Conservatoire Application (note: this course is not found under a UCAS Undergraduate application)
  • Study Mode: Full time
  • Validated By: University of Hull

“The environment of Leeds Conservatoire personifies what jazz education is about. Collaboration, trying something different and pushing yourself to be the best musician you can be.” – Matthew Richardson, Jazz graduate

Foundation Year

If you choose to study the 4-year programme with Foundation Year, your first year will focus on developing you through specialist one to-one tuition, and strengthening your music theory and academic skills, as well as your creativity and artistry.

You will also have access to a weekly programme of workshops and masterclasses, as well as regular individual tutorials with academic staff. Upon successful completion of the Foundation Year, you will automatically progress to year one of the 2026-entry curriculum, and will work towards an award of BA (Hons) Jazz with Foundation Year.

Important note: There is no option to progress from Foundation Year onto Year 1 of a combined honours course, as these courses will not be running in 2026.

Specialist Group Study (Composition) Foundation

(for Classical and Jazz composers and all Film Music and Songwriting students)

Specialist Group Study (Performance) Foundation

(for Classical and Jazz performers and all Popular Music students)

Specialist Group Study (Production) Foundation (for Electronic Music Production and Music Production students)

 

Specialist Study (Composition) Foundation

(for Classical and Jazz composers and all Film Music and Songwriting students)

Specialist Study (Performance) Foundation

(for Classical and Jazz performers and all Popular Music students)

Specialist Study (Electronic Music Production) Foundation

(for Electronic Music Production students)

Specialist Study (Production) Foundation

(for Production students)

 

Years 1, 2 and 3

For students starting a course with Foundation Year in 2025, Years 1, 2 and 3 will follow the curriculum of the 2026-entry BA (Hons) Jazz course.

Please note: There is no option to progress from Foundation Year onto Year 1 of a combined honours course, as these courses will not be running in 2026.

Jazz Language 1 

You’ll develop fluency in jazz idioms through transcription, analysis, and composition. With lectures and workshops, you’ll explore the building blocks of jazz—from harmonic progression to rhythmic structure—while gaining historical and cultural context that informs your practice and creativity. 

Jazz Language 2 

You’ll build on your skills in jazz transcription, composition, and analysis. Exploring more complex rhythms and harmonies, you’ll deepen your understanding of jazz styles and refine your performance and writing. You’ll also explore how technology shapes contemporary jazz, preparing work that reflects both tradition and innovation. 

Jazz Performance 1 

You’ll strengthen your improvisational and performance skills through one-to-one lessons, ensemble sessions, and style-specific lectures. You’ll contribute original ideas to group work, refine ensemble communication, and develop your artistic confidence. This module nurtures your growth as both a soloist and ensemble performer. 

Jazz Performance 2 

You’ll deepen your improvisation, technique, and repertoire knowledge through advanced ensemble work and individual study. You’ll explore more challenging styles and refine your stage presence and musical interaction. This module helps you grow into a confident, expressive jazz performer. 

History of Jazz and African Music 

You’ll explore jazz’s early roots alongside African rhythmic traditions. Through lectures and workshops, you’ll trace the journey from spirituals to swing while analysing West African rhythmic systems like call-and-response and polyrhythm. You’ll compose hybrid works and understand how culture, resistance, and groove shaped jazz. 

History of Jazz & Central/South American Music 

You’ll continue tracing jazz’s development while diving into Latin American influences like Afro-Cuban and Brazilian rhythms. You’ll examine how clave, syncopation, and melodic traditions shaped jazz, then integrate these techniques into your own compositions and performances. 

Jazz Language 3 

You’ll tackle advanced jazz composition, creating original works for nonet and arranging for big band. Through analysis, transcription, and practical tasks, you’ll deepen your understanding of harmony, rhythm, and orchestration, strengthening your musical identity and creative toolkit. 

Jazz Language 4 

You’ll refine your compositional voice through complex rhythmic, harmonic, and stylistic study. Tasks include scoring a full big band arrangement and composing with global rhythmic influences. This module bridges your creative ideas with cultural and theoretical insight. 

Jazz Performance 3 

You’ll explore wider repertoire and sophisticated improvisation strategies. Through lessons and ensemble work, you’ll sharpen your technical and expressive skills, enhance musical interplay, and present polished group performances that reflect your personal artistry and leadership. 

Jazz Performance 4 

You’ll take on challenging repertoire and lead ensemble sessions with greater independence. This module enhances your improvisational fluency and ensemble confidence, helping you shape compelling performances and communicate more clearly with audiences and fellow musicians. 

History of Jazz & South Asian Music 

You’ll study jazz’s evolution alongside South Asian music, focusing on raga, tala, and konnakol. You’ll analyse Indo-jazz fusion and global collaborations, using these ideas in your own compositions and performances. This module deepens your appreciation of jazz as a cross-cultural form. 

History of Jazz & Arabic/Eastern European Music 

You’ll investigate how Middle Eastern and Balkan music has influenced jazz. Through maqam, microtonality, and complex rhythms, you’ll develop an advanced understanding of intercultural fusion. You’ll integrate these concepts into original works and explore jazz’s future as a global language.

Jazz Innovations 1 

You’ll explore two advanced areas: extended improvisation and cross-disciplinary collaboration. You’ll study free jazz, experiment in ensembles, and collaborate with artists from other disciplines. This module prepares you to think beyond jazz norms and develop ambitious creative projects. 

Jazz Innovations 2 

You’ll bring your artistic vision to life in a professional-level performance project. Combining improvisation and cross-arts collaboration, you’ll develop a unique piece that showcases your technical ability, creativity, and leadership. The result is a bold, original performance with real-world impact. 

Jazz Performance 5 

You’ll prepare for the professional stage with a 40-minute public performance. One-to-one coaching and industry sessions support your artistic identity, technical refinement, and performance planning. You’ll also explore career development and branding to help launch your post-graduate journey. 

Jazz Production & Recording: Audio 

You’ll learn to record and produce a professional jazz audio project. From mic placement to editing, this module teaches you how to capture your sound authentically. You’ll gain the confidence to self-produce and the skills to support your artistic independence. 

Jazz Production & Recording: Visual 

You’ll add a visual dimension to your recorded work by learning to film, edit, and sync video. Working with your ensemble, you’ll produce a polished 20-minute video and create a professional-quality electronic press kit (EPK) ready for industry use. 

What You Will Study (See Modules and Specifications)

Each year of the course is structured into three distinct strands:

  • Specialist Study – One-to-one tuition and group study in performance or composition
  • Contextual Studies – Develop your core jazz knowledge in subjects such as composition, harmony, contemporary improvisation, aural skills and big band arranging
  • Professional Studies – Develop your skills for working in the creative industries

Some examples* of Contextual Studies and Professional Studies modules:

  • Working in the Creative Industries
  • Collaborative Composition
  • Songwriting
  • Composition and Production for Film and Television
  • Arranging and Orchestration
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Self-Promotion and Music Marketing
  • Concerts and Touring
  • Working with Music in the Community
  • Instrumental Music Tuition
  • Music Journalism
  • Software Environments - Performance and Sound Creation
  • Extended Improvisation

*The above examples are chosen to represent a selection of the kind of mandatory and elective module options offered, so you can tailor your degree to your area of interest. See the full list of modules currently available for this course, including mandatory and optional modules, plus detailed module specification documents.

If you choose a Combined Honours programme (e.g. Jazz with Popular), your Specialist Study (e.g. one-to-one tuition) would be in Jazz and your Specialist Group Study (e.g. ensemble/band) would be in your second genre.

Jazz with Popular

  • Specialist Study - Jazz
  • Specialist Group Study - Popular

Jazz with Production

  • Specialist Study - Jazz
  • Specialist Group Study - Production

In addition to your principal instrument/voice, you can also choose to have additional 1:1 tuition in a second instrument/voice (for students at Grade 6 standard or higher in their second instrument/voice).

This is not part of your course, but there are a limited number of Instrumental, Vocal & Composition Bursaries available, or tuition can be arranged at additional cost.

Academic Requirements

BA (Hons) - 3 Years

96 UCAS tariff points from level 3 studies or equivalent, which normally include A Level Music or a BTEC Extended Diploma in a Music-related subject.

A minimum of three GCSEs including English Language at Grade C / Grade 4 or above or equivalent international qualification, eg IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each component).

BA (Hons) with Foundation Year - 4 Years

64 UCAS tariff points from level 3 studies or equivalent, which normally include A Level Music or a BTEC Extended Diploma in a Music-related subject.

A minimum of three GCSEs including English Language at Grade C / Grade 4 or above or equivalent international qualification, eg IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each component).

Performance and Musical Theory Standard

Read our full entry requirements to see more detail on musical performance and theory standards.

Applicants will need to audition, interview and/or submit a portfolio of work. 

Exact requirements vary depending on which programme you are applying for.

Find more detailed audition information for applicants.

Leeds Conservatoire does not charge audition fees for any Undergraduate or Postgraduate course.

For detailed information regarding tuition fees, payment options, and financial support:

If you are an international applicant, visit our dedicated International section of the website for information on:

Study Mode: Full Time
Apply via: UCAS Conservatoires (not Undergraduate)
UCAS Institution Code: L31
Validated by: University of Hull

Leeds Conservatoire plans to apply to the Office for Students for Degree Awarding Powers. If we are granted Degree Awarding Powers, your degree may be awarded by Leeds Conservatoire rather than validated by the University of Hull.

Course Type: Undergraduate, Single Honours
Duration: 3 years
UCAS Course Code: 403F 

Course Type: Undergraduate, Single Honours
Duration: 4 years
UCAS Course Code: W37F

BA (Hons) Music (Jazz with Popular)

Course Type: Undergraduate, Combined Honours
Duration: 3 years
UCAS Course Code: 303F

BA (Hons) Music (Jazz with Production)

Course Type: Undergraduate, Combined Honours
Duration: 3 years
UCAS Course Code: 908F

Course Key Information Document 2021/22

Jazz Masterclasses at Leeds Conservatoire

Students at Leeds Conservatoire benefit from a great range of masterclasses and workshops with acclaimed Jazz musicians from across the globe.

Recent guests have included Eddie Henderson, Ashley Henry, Mark Gulliana, Gretchen Parlato, Michael Dease, Stephen Nachmanovitch, Ingrid Jensen, Jason Brown, Michael Abene, Peter Bernstein, Ran Blake, Mark Turner, Aaron Parks, Melissa Aldana, Ellery Eskelin and John Stowell.

 

Image by Rob Blackham

Alumni Profile

Tori Freestone

Course Studied: BA (Hons) Music (Jazz)
Year of Graduation: 1995

Multi-instrumentalist Tori Freestone has performed at the forefront of the UK improvised music scene for over a decade as both a sidewoman and highly regarded bandleader.

Meet our alumni

Tutor profiles

Music from Alumni and Faculty of Leeds Conservatoire's Jazz Course

“JazzLeeds love hearing jazz students studying at Leeds Conservatoire. Students have played at our festivals, our evening and Sunday afternoon gigs and as support slots to our international performances. We also have something called a ‘College Collection’ in April/May which features six bands comprising final year students.” – Steve Crocker, JazzLeeds
Facilities

We have over 70 teaching rooms, practice rooms and bespoke ensemble rehearsal spaces that are all open until 3am. Our library and jazz archive contain over 10,000 CDs, 8,000 LPs and 18,000 items of printed music, and we’re an All-Steinway School, meaning that 95% of our pianos come from the Steinway family.

Find out more
Open Days

Find out what it's like to study at Leeds Conservatoire by coming along to one of our Open Days. 

As well as talks and tours specific to the courses you're interested in, you can also chat to our staff and students.

Plus, get immediate access to our On-Demand Open Day.

Open Days
Open Days

Find out what it's like to study at Leeds Conservatoire by coming along to one of our Open Days. 

As well as talks and tours specific to the courses you're interested in, you can also chat to our staff and students.

Plus, get immediate access to our On-Demand Open Day.

Open Days
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