Note: This course is found under the Undergraduate option when making a UCAS application NOT the Conservatoires option.
Open DaysWriting music for the moving image has become an increasingly attractive career option. Refine your composition, arranging and production skills and develop an entrepreneurial approach to working in the film music industry.
Film composers garner world-wide recognition for their work, and writing music for the moving image has fast become an attractive career option for composers seeking creative flexibility and a high rate of royalty-based income. Developed to meet the growing demand for fresh talent, our degree in Film Music builds on our established expertise in music production as well as our impressive roster of alumni who have gone on to compose work for independent films, Hollywood blockbusters and studios run by high profile practitioners such as Hans Zimmer.
This is the first course of its kind in a UK conservatoire to focus solely on the composition, production and context of Film Music. It combines one-to-one composition tuition, production sessions in Mac Labs, and a wide variety of supporting topics such as harmony, orchestration and historical, cultural and professional studies.
We have seven mixing rooms, including a studio with a 5.1 surround sound setup and HD projector, making it perfect for cueing up music with film footage.
Our six Apple Mac Labs are equipped with over 100 high-specification iMacs, MIDI keyboards and audio interfaces, as well as industry standard software such as Logic Pro X, Pro Tools and Ableton Live.
You’ll also have access to our unique and vast library of notated soundtrack scores and cues, most of which are transcribed by course leader Brian Morrell.
Each term students benefit from our links with the film music industry through our ‘Film Nights’, where they showcase their work to a live audience and a panel of industry professionals. Previous panel members have included Nicholas Dodd, Composer and Orchestrator (Avatar, Casino Royale and Independence Day); Harry Escott – Composer (Shame, River Deep State, A Mighty Heart), David Julyan (Memento, The Prestige) and Olga Fitzroy (award-winning recording engineer with Foo Fighters and Coldplay).
Graduates from Leeds Conservatoire have gone on to a wide variety of careers including Film Composers, Recording, Sound Designers and Producers. Find out more in our Alumni section.
“The one-to-one tuition is great. You get an hour every week of feedback on your work and expert knowledge that you wouldn’t get anywhere else.” – James Jarvis, Film Music graduate
The three-year Film Music degree features specialist 1:1 and group study in Film Music, supported by a curriculum designed to prepare you for your career in the Film Music industry.
If you know that conservatoire study is for you, but you don’t think that you’ll meet the academic or musical entry requirements, our four-year courses are an excellent opportunity to start studying your degree while you focus on your musical development.
An extra year of access to our creative and collaborative environment, excellent facilities, expert staff and rich performance opportunities will build your confidence as a conservatoire musician.
Each year of the course is structured into three distinct strands:
If you choose to study the 4 -year Film Music with Foundation Year programme, your first year will focus on developing your musicianship 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 on your chosen BA programme.
If you are at Grade 6 standard or higher in an instrument or voice, you can also choose to have additional 1:1 tuition in this area outside of your standard timetabled teaching.
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.
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).
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).
Read our full entry requirements to see more detail on musical performance and theory standards.
Apply via: UCAS Undergraduate (not Conservatoires)
All applicants will be invited to submit a portfolio of material for assessment. You will then be invited to a short interview with our Film Music team.
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.
Visit our Fees and Funding section to find out more about Fees & Funding for International Students.
If you are an international applicant, visit our dedicated International section of the website for information on:
Course Type: Undergraduate, Single Honours
Study Mode: Full Time
Apply via: UCAS Undergraduate (not Conservatoires)
UCAS Institution Code: L30
Validated by: University of Hull*
*Note for applicants and offer holders for 2022/23 entry:
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.
Duration: 3 years
UCAS Course Code: W3W3
Course Key Information Document 2021/22
Duration: 4 years
UCAS Course Code: W3W4
Course Studied: BA (Hons) Music (Production)
Year of Graduation: 2013
One of Dan Suett’s many achievements since leaving Leeds Conservatoire was winning composer Hans Zimmer’s Bleeding Fingers competition, which let to him gaining a position as Staff Composer at the Bleeding Fingers studios in Santa Monica, USA.
Meet our alumni
Specialisms: Film music, composition, orchestration, music theory, music context, industry and culture
Read more
Courses taught: BA (Hons) Music (Film Music)
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Our Film Music students can audition to join any of the conservatoire’s ensembles, as well as getting the chance to showcase their work to a panel of film music composers, such as Harry Escott, Nicholas Dodd and David Julyan, each term.
Find out moreOur six Apple Mac Labs are equipped with over 100 high-specification iMacs, MIDI keyboards and audio interfaces, as well as industry standard software such as Logic Pro, Pro Tools and Ableton. They can be booked at any time outside of lessons until late.
Find out moreFind 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
The Cue Tube's library of un-scored clips, and associated audio assets such as separate dialogue and effects tracks, is an invaluable resource for aspiring composers and sound designers and is fully accessible to Leeds Conservatoire students.
The library covers a wide range of genres including animation, corporate ads, thrillers, live action, drama and comedy. The materials in the library are fully-licensed for re-scoring and use in coursework and student portfolios. In addition The Cue Tube is a truly global creative community and offers further opportunities such as competitions, masterclasses and is now in the process of developing in-house film productions for the library.
An event to kickstart a new network to connect everybody working in the West Yorkshire music industry is coming up at The Trades Club in Hebden Bridge.
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Leeds Conservatoire’s School of Drama is breaking new ground this year, securing the rights to stage not one but two UK premieres as part of their annual season of live performance.
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Leeds Conservatoire has a global outlook and, as part of this, expanded its partnership with China Conservatory of Music during a recent visit. Principal Professor Joe Wilson and Head of International Recruitment Victoria Barber were amongst the invitees to CCM’s 60th anniversary celebrations.
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