BA (Hons) Folk, Roots & Blues - 2026 Entry

Note: This course is found under the Undergraduate option when making a UCAS application NOT the Conservatoires option.

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Study BA (Hons) Folk, Roots & Blues at Leeds Conservatoire

Our BA (Hons) Folk, Roots & Blues degree celebrates musical heritage while empowering you to develop your own artistic voice within it. This inclusive and unique course is for artists rooted in storytelling, acoustic sound, and the emotive power of live performance.


*Please note this course is for 2026 entry only*

Looking to study in 2025? click here

  • Starts:
  • Duration: 3 Years
  • UCAS Course Code(s): Folk, Roots & Blues W309
  • UCAS Institution Code: L30
  • Apply Via: UCAS Undergraduate Application (note: this course cannot be found under the 'Conservatoire' application option)
  • Study Mode: Full time
  • Validated By: University of Hull

Course Overview

You’ll gain an understanding and appreciation of the global social movements, traditions and rebellions that are central to this progressive artform.

Through tailored one-to-one tuition and taught ensemble sessions with professional performers and writers, you’ll immerse yourself in the history, culture and techniques of traditional music, while developing contemporary skills in performance, arrangement, songwriting and collaboration.

You’ll have the creative freedom to collaborate, develop performance and stage craft and record throughout the course. You’ll graduate with a deep musical identity and the vital professional skills to thrive in modern folk, roots and acoustic scenes and cultivate a successful and enduring career in the music industry.

Industry Collaboration

You’ll learn from working folk, roots and acoustic artists, attend masterclasses and Q&A sessions, and build connections across traditional and contemporary music circles and gain real-world insights into a changing musical landscape. 

Creative Opportunities

Play in ensembles, write original material, and showcase your artistry in both traditional and cross-genre performance spaces. Leeds has an eclectic folk, roots and blues scene, giving you a wealth of opportunities to perform in well-known venues across the city including the Howard Assembly Rooms, Seven Arts, Brudenell Social Club, Hyde Park Book Club and The Grove. 

Facilities

You’ll have access to industry-standard resources in your free time to pursue your own projects, whether that be working in our extensive range of practice rooms, rehearsing in band rooms, or recording in Mac Labs or studios. 

Graduate Destinations

Graduates go on to perform, teach, compose and tour in the UK and internationally. Many combine artistry with community work, heritage music production and journalism. Postgraduate study is also an option, with our MA degrees in performance, songwriting and production. 

“Performing at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards was incredible – all of my tutors came and supported me and it was just wonderful to know that I have the support from everyone at Leeds Conservatoire. I’m really, really surprised to have won the award but it feels amazing and I’m so grateful!” – Maddie Morris, Folk Student and BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award Winner

What You Will Study

Folk, Roots and Blues Performance 1: Skills 

You’ll build a strong foundation in folk, roots, and blues performance, combining your individual expression with essential technical and professional skills. Through one-to-one tuition, workshops, and lectures, you’ll develop your musicianship, part-writing, and instrumental or vocal technique. This module encourages collaboration and self-discovery, helping you grow as a confident and versatile performer within your chosen specialism. 

Folk, Roots and Blues Performance 2: Technique 

You’ll deepen your technical and creative development through personalised guidance and collaborative learning. Building on Performance 1, you’ll refine your individual style while improving your musicianship and adaptability. Through structured exercises, practical sessions, and theoretical insight, you’ll strengthen your expressive range and professional awareness as a folk, roots, and blues artist. 

Creative Environments 1 (Pop and Folk) 

You’ll develop key skills in collaborative performance and digital production using industry-standard tools. Through band rehearsals and Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) sessions, you’ll enhance your stagecraft, musical communication, and technical fluency. This module provides a hands-on introduction to creating, performing, and producing within a digital environment, helping you realise your musical ideas with confidence and precision. 

Creative Environments 2 (Pop and Folk) 

You’ll build on your collaborative and technical skills by refining your rehearsal strategies and deepening your understanding of DAW-based production. Through live performance and digital workshops, you’ll develop your musicianship, explore arrangement techniques, and learn how to shape ideas into strong demo recordings. This module strengthens your creative process in both live and studio settings. 

Musical Analysis (Pop, Folk, Songwriting) 

You’ll explore the structures, techniques, and creative decisions behind influential songs and records. Using analytical tools, you’ll study arrangement, songcraft, and form—then apply these insights to your own music. Through lectures and peer discussion, you’ll sharpen your technical vocabulary, deepen your compositional understanding, and develop a more focused and reflective creative approach. 

Musical Contexts (Pop, Folk, Songwriting) 

You’ll examine how music operates within social, cultural, and industry frameworks. This module introduces musicological and theoretical approaches that help you understand music as both an art form and a commercial product. By analysing repertoire and musical discourse, you’ll gain the tools to critically evaluate your work and position your creative output within wider contexts. 

Folk, Roots and Blues Performance 3: Artistry 

You’ll refine your technique and artistic voice, exploring performance as both craft and social practice. Alongside tuition and workshops, you’ll examine the role of musicians as agents of change, using your artistry to connect with communities and reflect collective identity. This module supports your growth as a skilled, socially aware performer ready for professional collaboration. 

Folk, Roots and Blues Performance 4: Creativity 

You’ll push your creative boundaries and performance strategies, developing your musical identity through focused tuition and experimentation. This module encourages you to explore songwriting, refine your technique, and reflect on your influences. With an emphasis on professional practice and stylistic confidence, you’ll prepare for the next stage of your journey as a creative performer. 

Creative Environments 3 (Pop and Folk) 

You’ll strengthen your band performance and DAW production skills, focusing on rehearsal efficiency, stagecraft, and stylistic interpretation. In parallel, you’ll gain confidence with mixing techniques like track organisation, gain staging, and balancing. Through feedback and workshops, you’ll refine both your musical performance and your technical execution in a studio environment. 

Creative Environments 4 (Pop and Folk) 

You’ll further develop as a versatile performer and producer by engaging with live performance techniques and DAW-based creativity. This module explores advanced stagecraft, sound manipulation, and digital effects, helping you shape your identity as a contemporary artist. You’ll prepare compositions for live delivery while aligning your work with industry standards and expectations. 

Industry 1: Infrastructure (Pop, Songwriting, Folk) 

You’ll explore the structure and workings of the UK music industry, gaining insights into income streams, management, legal frameworks, and professional bodies. This module provides the essential knowledge to start building a career as a songwriter or performer. You’ll learn to navigate industry mechanics and develop transferable business skills for long-term sustainability. 

Industry 2: Portfolio Skills (Pop, Songwriting, Folk) 

You’ll explore three complementary disciplines—Journalism, Pedagogy, and Musicology—to broaden your career prospects. This module helps you develop skills that can support or extend your creative practice. Through lectures and practical tasks, you’ll gain the tools to deliver work in one of these areas, strengthening your employability and portfolio as a music professional. 

Major Performance Showcase 

You’ll consolidate your identity as a performer with a distinct artistic voice. Through advanced one-to-one tuition and workshops, you’ll fine-tune your musicianship, technique, and stylistic range. This module prepares you for the professional world by supporting independent, high-level work that reflects your creative vision and aligns with industry expectations. 

Focus 1 (Pop, Songwriting, Folk) 

You’ll design and deliver a specialist project that aligns with your professional goals in ensemble performance, collaborative songwriting, or research. This module lets you showcase the skills and insights developed throughout your degree. You’ll refine your creative or academic approach while producing work that meets professional industry standards and reflects your artistic identity. 

Focus 2 (Pop, Songwriting, Folk) 

You’ll continue to develop your chosen specialism—whether performance, songwriting, or research—through a major project. Building on Focus 1, you’ll deepen your expertise and creative focus while demonstrating originality and professionalism. This module supports your transition into industry or further study by encouraging self-direction and high-level project delivery. 

Industry 3: Strategy (Pop, Songwriting, Folk) 

You’ll learn how to promote and position yourself in the music industry using strategic tools like marketing, branding, and digital presence. Through case studies and practical work, you’ll explore how artists build sustainable careers. You’ll develop networking skills and gain the knowledge to release music, build an audience, and navigate industry landscapes. 

Industry 4: Implementation (Pop, Songwriting, Folk) 

You’ll bring together everything you've learned in your industry studies to shape your unique career path. This module helps you develop your creative vision, visual identity, and professional presentation. You’ll gain experience in branding, career planning, and income strategies, preparing you to secure employment or launch yourself as a self-employed music professional.

Academic Requirements

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).

Performance and Musical Theory Standard

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

Apply via: UCAS Undergraduate (not Conservatoires)

Read our step-by-step application guide

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.

In many cases, if you prefer to submit your audition online rather than attend in person, this is an option. However, we don't want travel costs to be a barrier to attending in-person auditions at Leeds Conservatoire, so help is available for many applicants where finances are an issue. Eligibility and bursary application information is available on our audition information page.

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 Undergraduate (not Conservatoires)
UCAS Institution Code: L30
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: W309 

Careers

Our alumni go on to win awards, tour and record as part of bands and ensembles, and have diverse careers in and out of the music industry.

Careers Include
  • Session Musician
  • Touring Musician
  • Music Producer
  • Band Leader
  • Performer-Writer
Meet our alumni

Maddie Morris (Folk - Class of 2020) collecting the BBCR2 Young Folk Award

Maddie Morris, Young Folk Award 2019

In 2019 Maddie scooped the prestigious Young Folk Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Previous winners Greg Russell and Ciaran Algar presented the award to Maddie at a ceremony in Manchester.

The BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award is an educational talent contest, open to musicians from the UK aged 16-21, that exists to discover the next generation of folk and acoustic acts. Eight shortlisted acts performed at a public concert and from those acts, Maddie was chosen as the winner by a panel of judges.

Read the article
“When I first started the Folk degree, I was interested in diversifying my drumming to include global traditions in my performances, which I’ve been able to do in all of the different ensembles I play with. I have a second study in bass with an amazing tutor, which has made me a more diverse musician. The course has given me the extra knowledge and skills I need to perform to the best of my abilities, and I’ve got to meet some great musicians within the industry!” – Tanatswa Bvumburah,Folk student

Tutor profiles

Folk musician and principal lecturer Jim Moray also hosts a podcast in which he talks to key figures in the folk scene. Past podcasts have featured visiting lecturer Sam Sweeney, and fellow lecturer Nancy Kerr.


 

Facilities

We have over 70 teaching rooms, practice rooms and bespoke ensemble rehearsal spaces, as well as a comprehensive library of specialist instruments, mics and recording equipment, that are all available until late during term-time.

Find out more
“I have jammed with lots of people since starting at Leeds Conservatoire. This is something I have never done before and having the opportunity to play with so many musicians has drastically helped me to improve my musicianship.” – Iona Lane, Folk, Roots and Blues student
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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